end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
being fairly new to ITM and sessions, this is my first experience with this, but maybe it's common for someone to decide that a session that's been a community institution for years and a great resource for learning should suddenly be scrapped in favor of a faux (i.e., "closed") session that possibly (yeah, right) could mean more business for the pub? I *almost* regret all of those pints I bought...
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
well, I don't want to name names, although I'll be updating the session listing soon, but our local pub which has been extremely supportive for nearly 15 years, has decided that the weekly session doesn't draw enough of a crowd. It's not the only session in town, but it's been the most tolerant of beginning musicians, and a number of players who started there have moved on to the 2 other sessions nearby where the better musicians congregate. I suspect that some unscrupulous local person approached the publican and suggested that they might have more business if they paid three or four musicians to come in every week and play. I've been going there almost weekly for the last two years, and have never had so much as a free pint - had I known they were willing to pay, I'd have drunk less and practiced more... (not really - at least the drinking part). That's all I know at this point - I'll be interested to see how it goes after our session is shut down at the end of the year...
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
It's possible that the pub-supported session won't meet the expectations for the publican and they'll cancel it and revert back to what worked. If not, maybe there's a different time or date for the beginner's session... or a new location perhaps. You can't blame the publican for wanting to improve his business; sometimes you have to flexible, open-minded and rady for change. Hopefully the publican has an appreciation and understanding of the music and will make room for the beginners as well.
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
I think that happened to our session back before I started coming. But those of us who aren't in the "band" have our own session now at a coffee house and from what I understand everyone's much happier.
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
it's probably for the best, and like you say sbhikes, we might be happier somewhere else. Used to be that the people who worked on our session night were fans of the music, but the new help is downright hostile. I can't imagine she'll actually notice a difference! Anyway, thanks for letting me vent here on this bilirubinous board...
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
I t's possible that your session being "the most tolerant of beginning musicians" is the problem. Do beginners a fovour, play with them for the odd set, then just make them listen. It will do them more good in the long run
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
how is that accomplished diplomatically? actually though, you've touched on an important point - our session needs some leadership, but the good players who had some authority have moved on. We could also use some rhythm players, but our guitarist stormed out a few months ago and we haven't seen him since. Before the session got nixed, we'd been toying with the idea of a pedal-operated bodhran - kind of like a kick drum. Has that ever been tried successfully?
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
"Before the session got nixed, we'd been toying with the idea of a pedal-operated bodhran - kind of like a kick drum. Has that ever been tried successfully?"
The problem you're having is becoming increasingly clear.
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
"a pedal-operated bodhran - kind of like a kick drum. Has that ever been tried successfully?"
wohoo,you got me thinking! just imagine, you could have a flute and instead of blowing from your lungs, attach some sort of bellows and pump the air...have you had a go at that one ?
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
Heh! “Airport” you’re a devil! I’m working on a patent on that pedal bodhran so don’t go spreading the idea around. I’m going to call it “The Rhythm Equalizer” and it’s going to feature some sort of motion detector that will point a red laser beam at the person playing out of time with my almighty foot.
(the point of this being that those who want to play bodhran have little rhythm and those with rhythm have little want to play bodhran, thus the foot pedal)
Actually, the session in question isn’t *so* bad. There’s really very few real “beginners” in our midst; I can’t think of anyone who’s been playing less then five years, and I’d say ten is more the average. It’s more like a bunch of passable intermediate players that aren’t much good, and a couple- few good musicians that soldier on. The actual beginners are usually really impressed, and think it’s brilliant and “so fast” (it’s not) until they eventually catch up.
There are a lot of musicians and a good few sessions around here (Portland, OR) with a wide range of abilities, and this session fills an important place in the spectrum. It is the more relaxed of the two long established pub sessions in town, but that’s part of the charm really. It’s a good place too ease one’s way in, or for working on a second instrument, or belting out new tunes, or catching up on gossip, or drinking too many pints and forgetting tunes without feeling like you’re ruining everyone’s day. Sure, sometimes it’s a bit dire, but 90% of the time it sounds just fine, and lately it’s even been good. The session has certainly had it’s high and low points over the years and we've never got kicked out before. The pub’s decision to oust us (or our first word of it) came just two weeks after most of Patrick Street and several of our local (Portland) superstars showed up one night and took the session over, so I don’t think quality is really the issue. In fact, that night the bartender was wholly unimpressed and merely irritated that she had to fill more pints than usual. Kevin Burke himself got no love here.
As for the business end of things, it’s my impression that the bar (which mostly has half-bit rock music, though there is a good Irish band a couple times a month) has hired someone to do the booking for them, and that someone decided that Sunday nights could be put to more lucrative use. It’s not clear at this point if that will feature paid Irish trad musicians, or what. I personally doubt it, though maybe I’m just being hopeful that no one from the community intentionally participated in destroying this session. Please note folks; this is well after eight, on a Sunday night, in an out-of-the-way pub, in a city with a very small Irish community. A few people still make it out most weeks, plus we get nothing free, we buy a lot of pints and we really tip too well. There’s little chance of them doing much more business then they are now, Irish music or no, but I guess that’s for them to find out.
I suppose the only reason I’m attached to this place is because the session is in my neighborhood and on my day off, but I’m not alone here, it’s the only session on this side of town.
There is also the small fact that many of the better longtime players at this session recently abandoned it for a new, earlier session at a wealthy, downtown, corporate Irish theme type bar, where the pub was giving away free pints and stew, and the local session really suffered in turnout for a few months (I myself am guilty here). Maybe the local bar is just getting even with us. I suppose they could figure that when they’ve put up with us for this long, maybe we owe them a little loyalty. Of course, the downtown bar is really appreciative and enthusiastic…
I suppose the real question is; in a city with a healthy but not huge Irish music scene, is there room for a less then perfect session? Should we even bother trying to move? Are all these players supposed to just flood and dilute the really good session? Or stay home? What to do?
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
IMO if a publican decides to intefere in a session then the current set up has no future. If he was previously into the session but not now then it's likely he isn't happy with how it's gone and nothing will save it in it's present form. Time to find somewhere else.
We are fortunate to have a good standard session where the landlady wouldn't dream of interfering and she loves the music and the takings. I started our session about 8 years ago on the quietest night of the week and it's now the second busiest after Saturday, but despite that if the publican decided she wanted to chane things we would know that we were now playing in the wrong pub and we'd hopefully accept the situation. Yea, we all like our cosy routine but there's no point in flogging a dead horse and the tunes don't care where they're played.
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
Oi, Eithne. where's it you play then? I'm moving to PDX soon after I get out of school, and I'm a mad begginer... depsperately wishing for people to play with instead of the rottin computer... O_O
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
Howdy Pat,
If your really a beginner there are plenty of options. There’s a once or twice a month house session that’s good fun, a good way to meet people and probably your best bet. The Wed session at It’s A Beautiful Pizza is back on, and last I checked, geared toward beginners and songs. The Kell’s session should put up with you, just ignore the older bazouki/mando/fiddle player if he gives you dirty looks. He’s just like that. All of these places allow minors, if that’s an issue. I think there may be a beginner friendly session in Beaverton too. The Alberta Street session is the best of the lot, quality wise, so definitely go, but maybe don’t try to play too much. No minors allowed here. You should really be fine anywhere if you use some common sense and stay quiet:
All of these are listed here in the session section.
There’s also a “session playing” class offered at Artichoke Music.
You should probably stay away from The Leaky Roof unless explicitly invited (I mean with your fiddle, it’s a nice place), and please do not go trying to play at the Moon and Sixpence on a Monday night. It may look like a session to the uninitiated, but unless you’re a pretty incredible musician… it’s not! This is a great place to go and listen if you can manage to get close enough to hear.
I’m not sure what we’re going to do with the Biddy’s session. We’re looking for a new spot, but it looks like we’re going to be moving to the kitchen for a while. Someone will update the listing when we know what’s going on. And, we already have enough beginners… (just kidding).
Sorry, if this posts twice, disappeared the first time.
end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
being fairly new to ITM and sessions, this is my first experience with this, but maybe it's common for someone to decide that a session that's been a community institution for years and a great resource for learning should suddenly be scrapped in favor of a faux (i.e., "closed") session that possibly (yeah, right) could mean more business for the pub? I *almost* regret all of those pints I bought...
# Posted on December 14th 2007 by airport
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
Could you explain the circunstances and give us some history please?
# Posted on December 14th 2007 by Phantom Button
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
well, I don't want to name names, although I'll be updating the session listing soon, but our local pub which has been extremely supportive for nearly 15 years, has decided that the weekly session doesn't draw enough of a crowd. It's not the only session in town, but it's been the most tolerant of beginning musicians, and a number of players who started there have moved on to the 2 other sessions nearby where the better musicians congregate. I suspect that some unscrupulous local person approached the publican and suggested that they might have more business if they paid three or four musicians to come in every week and play. I've been going there almost weekly for the last two years, and have never had so much as a free pint - had I known they were willing to pay, I'd have drunk less and practiced more... (not really - at least the drinking part). That's all I know at this point - I'll be interested to see how it goes after our session is shut down at the end of the year...
# Posted on December 14th 2007 by airport
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
It's possible that the pub-supported session won't meet the expectations for the publican and they'll cancel it and revert back to what worked. If not, maybe there's a different time or date for the beginner's session... or a new location perhaps. You can't blame the publican for wanting to improve his business; sometimes you have to flexible, open-minded and rady for change. Hopefully the publican has an appreciation and understanding of the music and will make room for the beginners as well.
# Posted on December 14th 2007 by Phantom Button
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
I think that happened to our session back before I started coming. But those of us who aren't in the "band" have our own session now at a coffee house and from what I understand everyone's much happier.
# Posted on December 14th 2007 by sbhikes
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
it's probably for the best, and like you say sbhikes, we might be happier somewhere else. Used to be that the people who worked on our session night were fans of the music, but the new help is downright hostile. I can't imagine she'll actually notice a difference! Anyway, thanks for letting me vent here on this bilirubinous board...
# Posted on December 14th 2007 by airport
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
I t's possible that your session being "the most tolerant of beginning musicians" is the problem. Do beginners a fovour, play with them for the odd set, then just make them listen. It will do them more good in the long run
# Posted on December 14th 2007 by llig leahcim
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
how is that accomplished diplomatically? actually though, you've touched on an important point - our session needs some leadership, but the good players who had some authority have moved on. We could also use some rhythm players, but our guitarist stormed out a few months ago and we haven't seen him since. Before the session got nixed, we'd been toying with the idea of a pedal-operated bodhran - kind of like a kick drum. Has that ever been tried successfully?
# Posted on December 15th 2007 by airport
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
"Before the session got nixed, we'd been toying with the idea of a pedal-operated bodhran - kind of like a kick drum. Has that ever been tried successfully?"
The problem you're having is becoming increasingly clear.
# Posted on December 15th 2007 by Phantom Button
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
"a pedal-operated bodhran - kind of like a kick drum. Has that ever been tried successfully?"
wohoo,you got me thinking! just imagine, you could have a flute and instead of blowing from your lungs, attach some sort of bellows and pump the air...have you had a go at that one ?
# Posted on December 15th 2007 by wolfbird
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
Heh! “Airport” you’re a devil! I’m working on a patent on that pedal bodhran so don’t go spreading the idea around. I’m going to call it “The Rhythm Equalizer” and it’s going to feature some sort of motion detector that will point a red laser beam at the person playing out of time with my almighty foot.
(the point of this being that those who want to play bodhran have little rhythm and those with rhythm have little want to play bodhran, thus the foot pedal)
Actually, the session in question isn’t *so* bad. There’s really very few real “beginners” in our midst; I can’t think of anyone who’s been playing less then five years, and I’d say ten is more the average. It’s more like a bunch of passable intermediate players that aren’t much good, and a couple- few good musicians that soldier on. The actual beginners are usually really impressed, and think it’s brilliant and “so fast” (it’s not) until they eventually catch up.
There are a lot of musicians and a good few sessions around here (Portland, OR) with a wide range of abilities, and this session fills an important place in the spectrum. It is the more relaxed of the two long established pub sessions in town, but that’s part of the charm really. It’s a good place too ease one’s way in, or for working on a second instrument, or belting out new tunes, or catching up on gossip, or drinking too many pints and forgetting tunes without feeling like you’re ruining everyone’s day. Sure, sometimes it’s a bit dire, but 90% of the time it sounds just fine, and lately it’s even been good. The session has certainly had it’s high and low points over the years and we've never got kicked out before. The pub’s decision to oust us (or our first word of it) came just two weeks after most of Patrick Street and several of our local (Portland) superstars showed up one night and took the session over, so I don’t think quality is really the issue. In fact, that night the bartender was wholly unimpressed and merely irritated that she had to fill more pints than usual. Kevin Burke himself got no love here.
As for the business end of things, it’s my impression that the bar (which mostly has half-bit rock music, though there is a good Irish band a couple times a month) has hired someone to do the booking for them, and that someone decided that Sunday nights could be put to more lucrative use. It’s not clear at this point if that will feature paid Irish trad musicians, or what. I personally doubt it, though maybe I’m just being hopeful that no one from the community intentionally participated in destroying this session. Please note folks; this is well after eight, on a Sunday night, in an out-of-the-way pub, in a city with a very small Irish community. A few people still make it out most weeks, plus we get nothing free, we buy a lot of pints and we really tip too well. There’s little chance of them doing much more business then they are now, Irish music or no, but I guess that’s for them to find out.
I suppose the only reason I’m attached to this place is because the session is in my neighborhood and on my day off, but I’m not alone here, it’s the only session on this side of town.
There is also the small fact that many of the better longtime players at this session recently abandoned it for a new, earlier session at a wealthy, downtown, corporate Irish theme type bar, where the pub was giving away free pints and stew, and the local session really suffered in turnout for a few months (I myself am guilty here). Maybe the local bar is just getting even with us. I suppose they could figure that when they’ve put up with us for this long, maybe we owe them a little loyalty. Of course, the downtown bar is really appreciative and enthusiastic…
I suppose the real question is; in a city with a healthy but not huge Irish music scene, is there room for a less then perfect session? Should we even bother trying to move? Are all these players supposed to just flood and dilute the really good session? Or stay home? What to do?
# Posted on December 15th 2007 by Eithne
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
IMO if a publican decides to intefere in a session then the current set up has no future. If he was previously into the session but not now then it's likely he isn't happy with how it's gone and nothing will save it in it's present form. Time to find somewhere else.
We are fortunate to have a good standard session where the landlady wouldn't dream of interfering and she loves the music and the takings. I started our session about 8 years ago on the quietest night of the week and it's now the second busiest after Saturday, but despite that if the publican decided she wanted to chane things we would know that we were now playing in the wrong pub and we'd hopefully accept the situation. Yea, we all like our cosy routine but there's no point in flogging a dead horse and the tunes don't care where they're played.
# Posted on December 15th 2007 by bogman
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
Oi, Eithne. where's it you play then? I'm moving to PDX soon after I get out of school, and I'm a mad begginer... depsperately wishing for people to play with instead of the rottin computer... O_O
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by Pádraig
Re: end of an era: our session's being "professionalized"
Howdy Pat,
If your really a beginner there are plenty of options. There’s a once or twice a month house session that’s good fun, a good way to meet people and probably your best bet. The Wed session at It’s A Beautiful Pizza is back on, and last I checked, geared toward beginners and songs. The Kell’s session should put up with you, just ignore the older bazouki/mando/fiddle player if he gives you dirty looks. He’s just like that. All of these places allow minors, if that’s an issue. I think there may be a beginner friendly session in Beaverton too. The Alberta Street session is the best of the lot, quality wise, so definitely go, but maybe don’t try to play too much. No minors allowed here. You should really be fine anywhere if you use some common sense and stay quiet:
All of these are listed here in the session section.
There’s also a “session playing” class offered at Artichoke Music.
You should probably stay away from The Leaky Roof unless explicitly invited (I mean with your fiddle, it’s a nice place), and please do not go trying to play at the Moon and Sixpence on a Monday night. It may look like a session to the uninitiated, but unless you’re a pretty incredible musician… it’s not! This is a great place to go and listen if you can manage to get close enough to hear.
I’m not sure what we’re going to do with the Biddy’s session. We’re looking for a new spot, but it looks like we’re going to be moving to the kitchen for a while. Someone will update the listing when we know what’s going on. And, we already have enough beginners…
(just kidding).
Sorry, if this posts twice, disappeared the first time.
# Posted on December 18th 2007 by Eithne