I'm heading to my very first session tommorow, and I was wondering what are some session dos and don'ts. I plan on bringing my fiddle, but I'm not sure if I will play or not. Thanks.
DO: Introduce yourself, have fun, make new friends, write down some tune names you'd like to learn, join in on some tunes you already know if you feel comfortable, tip the waitstaff even on a freebe.
DON'T: Be nervous, everybody has a first session. Don't let comments from curmudgeons like Llig bother you..;-P
"Mind if I join you?" is generally a good opener. They will say yes, you get your fiddle out, someone will ask you to play at some point and, if they can see that you're new, they'll generally join in so, before you know it, it'll have gone with a swing.
... not that I'm saying wait to be asked to play. If you feel like it, play. It'll be fine.
There are no rules. We here cannot know what lies ahead for you in your session. Mr Bliss is exactly right, except in the matter of bodhran "players." There is no such thing as a bodhran player. There are bodhran owers and there are bodhran refrainers. The definition of a gentleman is a fellow who gets OUT of the bath to pee. The definition of a bodhran plaer io a person who HAS a bodhran but who never, under any circumstan........
Sarah - enjoy your first session. I can still remember mine, I was terrified, but they turned out to be a friendly bunch and I'm still going a year later, so that's a good thing.
Just introduce yourself, join in on the tunes you know, don't play the ones you don't and ask for the name of any tunes you really like the sound of and would like to learn. If you have a recording device, perhaps you could ask if you can put it on the table to record some of the music - that will be a great help when learning tunes later at home.
Slightly off topic, I just did a bit of a search in the tunes using words Easter, Saint, Father, Priest, Church, Good Friday (and Devil). It's amazing how many tunes came up. Obviously religion and ITM have been influenced by each other but can be separate too. Good luck at your 1st session Lass.
Sara, most sessions are as much about the fun, conversation, camaraderie, drinking, and slagging as they are about the music. Be polite and friendly, and you'll fit in just fine. If people know that it's your first session, they'll generally be even more gentle with you than normal, because everybody who plays this music was where you are once. If you're fun to hang out with, then you'll fit in much better than a virtuoso player who happens to be a jerk.
You've probably heard people equate the music and a session to a conversation. You don't just waltz into the middle of someone's conversation and start talking. So the suggestion to wait until you're invited to play is a good one, unless you are already invited in, of course (like maybe being dragged along by your teacher or something).
Continuing the conversation metaphor, since it is your first session, I am assuming that you are somewhat of a beginner. That's the equivalent of being a toddler who is just learning to talk. Adults will often hold a conversation with a toddler. They do it because they want to be encouraging to the youngster, and often find it amusing or heartwarming. But that doesn't mean that they want to talk at a kindergarten level all night.
Be prepared for them to ask you to start something. If you can have two or three tunes that fit well together in a set ready for that eventuality, then it will be good. If you aren't comfortable with starting something on your own, then if someone asks, you can say "I am not comfortable with starting something, but could we play tune X kind of slow?" Or something similar. General session etiquette says that if someone starts a set slow, then that's the speed that you should play it at. There will be times when someone might rudely speed a tune up that you started, but if they know that it's your first session, that is unlikely to happen. So if you do start something, start it at a speed that you're comfortable playing it at.
Good luck! And be sure to come back and tell us how it went!
As for advice at your first session?
Just ask if you can join in, if need be introduce yourself, be pleasant, play tunes and chat to people between tunes. Simple.
Advice for first session - listen before you do anything else. You will find out the 'unwritten rules' of that particular session. I know from what I read here, sessions vary a lot.
Just show up with your fiddle. Undoubtedly one of the regulars or the leader will say hello right away, ask your name and where you come from etc. Session leaders as a rule are always welcoming to new people coming in. If you can, bring a friend, even one who doesn't play. That way if you feel out of place you can go sit with them and listen, and won't feel awkward. My guess is you will have many people being very welcoming to you.
Many who have come to our session and the others I have gone to, you will be asked if you want to start one. You can at that point say you might start one later, but are learning and will sit through a lot of them, or maybe next time you come you will play. I went to a bunch before I dared to play. Just listening is nice too.
The only real off putting behavior is to "noodle" along, trying to hunt and peck for the tune and throwing everyone off. So it is a good idea to take a recorder and practice to the session at home. You'll pick things up better that way, especially if you have a recorder that slows things down. You can even ask for tune names after the sets and speak them into your recorder, so if you do read music you can look them up.
As for being Christian, in our groups around NJ we have quite a number of devoutly religious people, and we discuss religious experiences at times, some people attend the same churches and talk about things they did there.... they organized music for the priest's birthday at one point. We certainly have no problems with people saying who they are and what they are about, though some in some circles may not welcome it, I doubt you will ever know about it, they may at most just gently shift the topic. You certainly won't get some of the reactions you find here when you are there in person.
We have also people of other ethnic backgrounds and some devout Jews and many of us like to hear their beliefs, what holidays are like etc. but that's not really as a group, but just in talking person to person with people. Mainly we just play music and have a great time. We don't really talk much at all, so obsessed with tune playing and not much else at the time.
Some of our members at times want to sing some religious songs, in English or Irish, that is fine too, they can do what they like on their turn. If anyone is offended we surely never hear about it. It is always music related to ITM though, not gospel or such.
Just go, bring a friend as a buffer in case you need one, sit down, be friendly. Don't worry so much.... have a good time.
Just behave as if you were entering someone else's house for the first time. See how they behave, what the rules are. Do not remove your shoes unless they all do. Good form is always good form. (All of this redundant to the helpful enrties above.)
Sara, if this session today is one that you intend on trying to attend regularly (assuming it's a regular session), then it really is a good idea to take a recording device (make sure you ask first, of course). Writing down tune names and getting a recording of their settings of tunes is a great way to learn how to fit in.
Looking through your tune book (assuming that those are tunes you've learned), you have a number of very "standard" tunes in there, which will be useful. But a lot of times, those standard tunes aren't the ones that people want to play *every* week. So it will be helpful if you can pick out some tunes that they play today and learn them over the coming weeks.
Pretty much every session has their own set of favorites, and if you attend a session on a regular basis, it will go a long way to helping you fit in if you can learn some of their favorite tunes that they *do* like play every week!
We expect a full report here after the session! Have fun!
Sara, you asked a good question, the sort that often sparks a lot of helpful answers. I see you did manage to get a few in there. I hope it comes through that a bunch of us here wish you well in your first session venture.
And I forgot to add in my previous post that I hope you'll come back to tell us how it all went and how you liked it!
Well I'm pretty mad now. I was told that there WILL be a session today, and when I showed up, no one was there. I'm going to make some emails to see what happened. This is the second time I've tried to go and no one was there. This session started up a couple of months ago, and it doesn't seem to to organized very well. I'll try the in Portland sometime when I'm in the area.
Bummer, CL, especially after the all the to-do on this thread! Hey, just wanted to repeat Sunnybear's great advice above, in case it got lost in the noise:
"take notes and a recorder."
Ask if it's okay to record, first. Should be aoksy, but it's nice to ask. Recordings will help a lot to learn the repertoire.
Reverand, I 'd just like to say that your postings here are among the top most sensible I've ever heard here. Thanks for that, and may every one continue to listen.
What a shame. Hope it goes well for the next time. Someone above said don't be nervous. I don't know how you can not BE nervous if you *are*. I sometimes still get a bit scared going into someone else's session completely cold. But if you do feel jittery, face up to it and deal with it. Take long slow breaths. If asked to start up some tunes and you feel up for it, try and concentrate only on the tunes and not your nerves, or on anyone listening.
Michael, as you know I have to disagree with you vehemently. YOUR postings are among the top most sensible I've ever heard here, bar several. Sara, best advice here is to take a friend along, even better if it's a fellow suspect with whom you've worked out four or five tunes first.
>>> Thanks for that, and may every one continue to listen.
Aww, llig, you're just saying that cuz all the bits where I was berating you disappeared into the ether - along with a good portion of the rest of this thread!
Sara, when you do get it figured out that you're going to a session for sure, start another thread and let us know! And this time, try not to start such a controversial one, OK?
Hi Sara. sorry that the session didn't happen. it does sound a little unorganized. If im not too late, id like to give some input. Pretty much everything everybody said already was completely true. But of course, different 'rules' apply to different sessions. Always have fun, no matter where you are, but the ability of the players and the speed at which they play varies. If you go to a fairly begginer or 'all-levels welcome' session, you will most definitely be invited to join. odds are that there are people who are better and worse than you-you'll fit right in. And of course, ALWAYS introduce yourself-its not only polite, but some of the players there will remember you there and may invite you back.
If you are at a more advanced session, sit back for a bit (but don't linger awkwardly around the musicians) and listen to the music. You will be able to tell how you can fit in with the tunes you know and your ability. Ask politely if you may join them. Keep in mind-some small sessions (especially in pubs) limit the number of players (for space reasons, noise levels, and for wanting to keep the caliber of music high). Most likely however, they will let you join. Then just follow up with what everuyone else said about playing tunes. Good luck hope this helped
Geoff, those actually *are* popular in the sessions I frequent. Though they are largely English sessions -- I imagine they might not fit quite so well in a typical Irish session.
As always, listen and talk to people to find out what fits in any given session.
Session Etiquette
Session Etiquette
I'm heading to my very first session tommorow, and I was wondering what are some session dos and don'ts. I plan on bringing my fiddle, but I'm not sure if I will play or not. Thanks.
Sara
# Posted on September 8th 2007 by Celtic Lass
Re: Session Etiquette
DO: Introduce yourself, have fun, make new friends, write down some tune names you'd like to learn, join in on some tunes you already know if you feel comfortable, tip the waitstaff even on a freebe.
DON'T: Be nervous, everybody has a first session. Don't let comments from curmudgeons like Llig bother you..;-P
# Posted on September 8th 2007 by Jusa Nutter Eejit
Re: Session Etiquette
Sorry Jusa, not you. Thanks for the tips.
Sara
# Posted on September 8th 2007 by Celtic Lass
Re: Session Etiquette
"Mind if I join you?" is generally a good opener. They will say yes, you get your fiddle out, someone will ask you to play at some point and, if they can see that you're new, they'll generally join in so, before you know it, it'll have gone with a swing.
... not that I'm saying wait to be asked to play. If you feel like it, play. It'll be fine.
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by benhall.1
Re: Session Etiquette
Don't forget to wear you a miniskirt... good luck...
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by lamh trom
Re: Session Etiquette
Here are some links that might help:
http://www.slowplayers.org/SCTLS/etiquette.html
http://www.nigelgatherer.com/mixed/etiq.html
http://groups.msn.com/TraditionalIrishMusic/sessionsetiquette.msnw
http://www.celticharper.com/jamsession.html
I'm guessing there are a few contradictions among them, but they'll get you started. Just keep your eyes open, and you'll see how it's done.
Congrats on your first time out!
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by cathrynb
Re: Session Etiquette
Sara, just go along and see what happens, do not worry too much about stupid rules. Play if you like, listen if you like, go with the flow.
And pay special attention to the bodhran players. They are usually the wisest people there.
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: Session Etiquette
There are no rules. We here cannot know what lies ahead for you in your session. Mr Bliss is exactly right, except in the matter of bodhran "players." There is no such thing as a bodhran player. There are bodhran owers and there are bodhran refrainers. The definition of a gentleman is a fellow who gets OUT of the bath to pee. The definition of a bodhran plaer io a person who HAS a bodhran but who never, under any circumstan........
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: Session Etiquette
Sarah - enjoy your first session. I can still remember mine, I was terrified, but they turned out to be a friendly bunch and I'm still going a year later, so that's a good thing.
Just introduce yourself, join in on the tunes you know, don't play the ones you don't and ask for the name of any tunes you really like the sound of and would like to learn. If you have a recording device, perhaps you could ask if you can put it on the table to record some of the music - that will be a great help when learning tunes later at home.
Enjoy yourself!
Allan
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by rosfrog
Re: Session Etiquette
Sara, go have a great time, then come back here and tell us all about it!
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Session Etiquette
Sessions vary from city to city, state to state and country to country anyway, so just go and see how it goes....
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by Aine Ni Scully
Re: Session Etiquette
Slightly off topic, I just did a bit of a search in the tunes using words Easter, Saint, Father, Priest, Church, Good Friday (and Devil). It's amazing how many tunes came up. Obviously religion and ITM have been influenced by each other but can be separate too. Good luck at your 1st session Lass.
Rob
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by mellow_bellows
Re: Session Etiquette
OK, I'll put in my suggestions for Sara,.
Sara, most sessions are as much about the fun, conversation, camaraderie, drinking, and slagging as they are about the music. Be polite and friendly, and you'll fit in just fine. If people know that it's your first session, they'll generally be even more gentle with you than normal, because everybody who plays this music was where you are once. If you're fun to hang out with, then you'll fit in much better than a virtuoso player who happens to be a jerk.
You've probably heard people equate the music and a session to a conversation. You don't just waltz into the middle of someone's conversation and start talking. So the suggestion to wait until you're invited to play is a good one, unless you are already invited in, of course (like maybe being dragged along by your teacher or something).
Continuing the conversation metaphor, since it is your first session, I am assuming that you are somewhat of a beginner. That's the equivalent of being a toddler who is just learning to talk. Adults will often hold a conversation with a toddler. They do it because they want to be encouraging to the youngster, and often find it amusing or heartwarming. But that doesn't mean that they want to talk at a kindergarten level all night.
Be prepared for them to ask you to start something. If you can have two or three tunes that fit well together in a set ready for that eventuality, then it will be good. If you aren't comfortable with starting something on your own, then if someone asks, you can say "I am not comfortable with starting something, but could we play tune X kind of slow?" Or something similar. General session etiquette says that if someone starts a set slow, then that's the speed that you should play it at. There will be times when someone might rudely speed a tune up that you started, but if they know that it's your first session, that is unlikely to happen. So if you do start something, start it at a speed that you're comfortable playing it at.
Good luck! And be sure to come back and tell us how it went!
Pete
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by Reverend
Re: Session Etiquette
As for advice at your first session?
Just ask if you can join in, if need be introduce yourself, be pleasant, play tunes and chat to people between tunes. Simple.
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by danny flute whistle box
Re: Session Etiquette
Advice for first session - listen before you do anything else. You will find out the 'unwritten rules' of that particular session. I know from what I read here, sessions vary a lot.
Everything else follows from listening........
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by disillusioned
Re: Session Etiquette
But it's 'tomorrow already, is it too late?
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by disillusioned
Re: Session Etiquette
How did the session go? Do tell us!
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by Mark Harmer
Re: Session Etiquette
Thank you to those who actually answered my question. It's 8:50 AM here, so the session wont be for another 5 hours. Wish me luck!
Sara
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by Celtic Lass
Re: Session Etiquette
Just show up with your fiddle. Undoubtedly one of the regulars or the leader will say hello right away, ask your name and where you come from etc. Session leaders as a rule are always welcoming to new people coming in. If you can, bring a friend, even one who doesn't play. That way if you feel out of place you can go sit with them and listen, and won't feel awkward. My guess is you will have many people being very welcoming to you.
Many who have come to our session and the others I have gone to, you will be asked if you want to start one. You can at that point say you might start one later, but are learning and will sit through a lot of them, or maybe next time you come you will play. I went to a bunch before I dared to play. Just listening is nice too.
The only real off putting behavior is to "noodle" along, trying to hunt and peck for the tune and throwing everyone off. So it is a good idea to take a recorder and practice to the session at home. You'll pick things up better that way, especially if you have a recorder that slows things down. You can even ask for tune names after the sets and speak them into your recorder, so if you do read music you can look them up.
As for being Christian, in our groups around NJ we have quite a number of devoutly religious people, and we discuss religious experiences at times, some people attend the same churches and talk about things they did there.... they organized music for the priest's birthday at one point. We certainly have no problems with people saying who they are and what they are about, though some in some circles may not welcome it, I doubt you will ever know about it, they may at most just gently shift the topic. You certainly won't get some of the reactions you find here when you are there in person.
We have also people of other ethnic backgrounds and some devout Jews and many of us like to hear their beliefs, what holidays are like etc. but that's not really as a group, but just in talking person to person with people. Mainly we just play music and have a great time. We don't really talk much at all, so obsessed with tune playing and not much else at the time.
Some of our members at times want to sing some religious songs, in English or Irish, that is fine too, they can do what they like on their turn. If anyone is offended we surely never hear about it. It is always music related to ITM though, not gospel or such.
Just go, bring a friend as a buffer in case you need one, sit down, be friendly. Don't worry so much.... have a good time.
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by irisnevins
Re: Session Etiquette
good luck and have fun..take notes and a recorder and let us know how it goes...
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by Sunnybear
Re: Session Etiquette
Have a lovely time at your first session, Sara.
Just behave as if you were entering someone else's house for the first time. See how they behave, what the rules are. Do not remove your shoes unless they all do. Good form is always good form. (All of this redundant to the helpful enrties above.)
Be yourself. Have fun.
I look forward to reading about it here.
Cheers.
Rook
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by Rook
Re: Session Etiquette
Good luck with the session, anyway. Hope it goes well as I'm sure it will.
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by danny flute whistle box
Re: Session Etiquette
Sara, if this session today is one that you intend on trying to attend regularly (assuming it's a regular session), then it really is a good idea to take a recording device (make sure you ask first, of course). Writing down tune names and getting a recording of their settings of tunes is a great way to learn how to fit in.
Looking through your tune book (assuming that those are tunes you've learned), you have a number of very "standard" tunes in there, which will be useful. But a lot of times, those standard tunes aren't the ones that people want to play *every* week. So it will be helpful if you can pick out some tunes that they play today and learn them over the coming weeks.
Pretty much every session has their own set of favorites, and if you attend a session on a regular basis, it will go a long way to helping you fit in if you can learn some of their favorite tunes that they *do* like play every week!
We expect a full report here after the session! Have fun!
Pete
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by Reverend
Re: Session Etiquette
Sara, you asked a good question, the sort that often sparks a lot of helpful answers. I see you did manage to get a few in there. I hope it comes through that a bunch of us here wish you well in your first session venture.
And I forgot to add in my previous post that I hope you'll come back to tell us how it all went and how you liked it!
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by cathrynb
Re: Session Etiquette
Good luck on your first session Sara!
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by doggone
Re: Session Etiquette
Well I'm pretty mad now. I was told that there WILL be a session today, and when I showed up, no one was there.
I'm going to make some emails to see what happened. This is the second time I've tried to go and no one was there. This session started up a couple of months ago, and it doesn't seem to to organized very well. I'll try the in Portland sometime when I'm in the area.
Sara
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by Celtic Lass
Re: Session Etiquette
Bummer, CL, especially after the all the to-do on this thread! Hey, just wanted to repeat Sunnybear's great advice above, in case it got lost in the noise:
"take notes and a recorder."
Ask if it's okay to record, first. Should be aoksy, but it's nice to ask. Recordings will help a lot to learn the repertoire.
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by fidkid
Re: Session Etiquette
aoksy?? um, okay
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by fidkid
Re: Session Etiquette
Reverand, I 'd just like to say that your postings here are among the top most sensible I've ever heard here. Thanks for that, and may every one continue to listen.
# Posted on September 9th 2007 by llig leahcim
Re: Session Etiquette
What a shame. Hope it goes well for the next time. Someone above said don't be nervous. I don't know how you can not BE nervous if you *are*. I sometimes still get a bit scared going into someone else's session completely cold. But if you do feel jittery, face up to it and deal with it. Take long slow breaths. If asked to start up some tunes and you feel up for it, try and concentrate only on the tunes and not your nerves, or on anyone listening.
# Posted on September 10th 2007 by danny flute whistle box
Re: Session Etiquette
Michael, as you know I have to disagree with you vehemently. YOUR postings are among the top most sensible I've ever heard here, bar several.
Sara, best advice here is to take a friend along, even better if it's a fellow suspect with whom you've worked out four or five tunes first.
# Posted on September 10th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: Session Etiquette
>>> Thanks for that, and may every one continue to listen.
Aww, llig, you're just saying that cuz all the bits where I was berating you disappeared into the ether - along with a good portion of the rest of this thread!
Sara, when you do get it figured out that you're going to a session for sure, start another thread and let us know! And this time, try not to start such a controversial one, OK?
Pete
# Posted on September 10th 2007 by Reverend
Re: Session Etiquette
Hi Sara. sorry that the session didn't happen. it does sound a little unorganized. If im not too late, id like to give some input. Pretty much everything everybody said already was completely true. But of course, different 'rules' apply to different sessions. Always have fun, no matter where you are, but the ability of the players and the speed at which they play varies. If you go to a fairly begginer or 'all-levels welcome' session, you will most definitely be invited to join. odds are that there are people who are better and worse than you-you'll fit right in. And of course, ALWAYS introduce yourself-its not only polite, but some of the players there will remember you there and may invite you back.
If you are at a more advanced session, sit back for a bit (but don't linger awkwardly around the musicians) and listen to the music. You will be able to tell how you can fit in with the tunes you know and your ability. Ask politely if you may join them. Keep in mind-some small sessions (especially in pubs) limit the number of players (for space reasons, noise levels, and for wanting to keep the caliber of music high). Most likely however, they will let you join. Then just follow up with what everuyone else said about playing tunes. Good luck hope this helped
# Posted on September 10th 2007 by gebbytoo
Re: Session Etiquette
If its your first session, play popular session favorites like Trumpet Hornpipe, Jimmy Allen, Salmon Tails and Winster Gallop.
# Posted on September 10th 2007 by geoffwright
Re: Session Etiquette
Geoff, those actually *are* popular in the sessions I frequent. Though they are largely English sessions -- I imagine they might not fit quite so well in a typical Irish session.
As always, listen and talk to people to find out what fits in any given session.
# Posted on September 10th 2007 by robharper
Re: Session Etiquette
sara has learned one of the big lessons about sessions--these musicians are NOT the most organized people in the world!
# Posted on September 10th 2007 by AlBrown
Re: Session Etiquette
or the most tactful
# Posted on September 10th 2007 by Reverend