Wonderful sessions there in Windsor (I assume that is where you are from your bio). We have lots of good friends there (Justin, Danny, Frank, Clare, Shane, etc). I can't imagine you being unwelcome. I understand that it is pretty crowded.
But feel free to cross the river and join us. A few Windsor folks often do. Hitch a ride and bring your pop!
That's not really enough information for us to give the most helpful advice.
Can you describe the session? How many people are playing? How often do you go (you say it's "always full", but you also said you're not regulars)? Do you know the tunes they are playing, or would you spend the evening either with the fiddle/flute on your lap or trying to noodle through? Do you know the people organizing the session? Do they know you?
Consider yourself lucky that your problem is a session being too full as opposed to having no sessions to go to (which is my situation). The closest one for me is about a four hour trip away on Sunday nights! I think I'd go mad if my boyfriend and I didn't have gigs now and then and our own little sessions at home.
Perhaps you could try going a bit more often, as Georgi hinted at? And perhaps you could buy a couple of pitchers of beer for everyone to ease the tension you speak of, get them to warm up to you a bit? =D
" I just try to show up a little early to get a chair."
Not necessarily the best advice unless you are a regular.
I'm inclined to agree that a "full session" usually means that the players are happy enough with the number and don't really wish many more musicians.
I've actually seen them set things up this way in some establishments or they might specifically choose a small table in a corner for this purpose. However, as many here will confirm, if you are a "known face" a chair will miraculously appear...!
However, not all sessions fall into this category and you could try to seek one which is more welcoming or start your own.
Or you can persevere where you are. Introduce yourself to the regulars..perhaps even if you don't intend to play that week.. and try to break the ice.
If it's a very small session and you don't know that many of the tunes, then maybe it's not for you...yet.
Getting there early not only gets you a seat, but gets you a chance to introduce yourself, find out how the session runs and make friends with the gang!
We all know where we're going to sit. We bend over backwards to accommodate occasional visitors but one of the latter getting there early to grab a seat would be most unwelcome.
Where is the Session? If its at the Kildare House, (I used to go there Tuesday's years ago), maybe you can have an "overflow" session upstairs. If others are having the same problem, it might be time to start another session. At least it sounds like ITM is alive and well in the Rose City.
What I strongly wonder is: Is it an "OPEN" Session?
Lots of time I find that session which "seem" rather exclusive are pretty much closed for the most part.
That being said, unless one spends a reasonable amount of time at a particular session, to learn the tunes, make friends, and become a known commodity... what's the use? One will almost always sit there unless one has a very large repetoire.
"We all know where we're going to sit. We bend over backwards to accommodate occasional visitors but one of the latter getting there early to grab a seat would be most unwelcome."
Whatever.... you are in a PUBLIC place and have no absolute "right" to decide who can sit where! Bend over backwards? As long as they get there at the "right" time? If a session is so precious then it's better held in private.
A public house is not a public place. The Publican has the absolute right to let in or eject who ever he pleases. Or delegate such rights.
We had a couple in last night with a guitar. lurked behind us for a bit, then asked if they could sing a song. I was gonna say no, but a vote was taken, which was fair enough. and the song was sung. It was excruciating. At the next set of tunes the bloke, stood behind us with his guitar at ear height, strummed loudly all the wrong chords. I asked him to stop even before the set had finished. After that, they were politely told of another session in town not far away that might be more accommodating. (I'm gonna get it in the neck next time I see those guys).
The idea that everyone has the same "right" to play/sing on our night is simply a non starter.
"People who have little knowledge tend to think that they know more than they do, while others who have much more knowledge tend to think that they know less. That’s what Justin Kruger and David Dunning of Cornell University demonstrated in a series of experiments they carried out.
Incompetent individuals tend to overestimate their own level of skill, fail to recognize genuine skill in others and fail to recognize the extremity of their inadequacy. If they can be trained to substantially improve their own skill level, these individuals can recognize and acknowledge their own previous lack of skill."
Fezz:>Whatever.... you are in a PUBLIC place and have no absolute "right" to decide who can sit where! Bend over backwards? As long as they get there at the "right" time? If a session is so precious then it's better held in private<
No offence Fezz mate, but that is the dumbest thing I've ever read on this board. I suppose it is ok to just barge into the middle of a fitba game in the park? It is a public space after all. Or how about sitting down in the middle of a picnic table at the beech where a family of complete strangers is having lunch with their kids? That's another public space.
A session isn't just a space in a pub where music happens every thursday, any more than a fitba game in full flow is just a field with some goal posts. A seeion is primarily a group of people getting together to share tunes & pass the time with their mates. Your post quoted above completely removes people & social interactions from the equation.
Thatcher may have famously said "there was no such thing as society", but that is basically crap.
Don't get me wrong now, our weekly session is very friendly & welcoming, we're always pleased to have people drop in. Nor are we particularly hung up on who sits where. But if you seriously stand by the POV that you expressed above then I don't think you have any concept of what a session is about and need to develop some social skills.
- Chris (I'll probably regret this rant later, I'm usually quite placid. but I couldn't let this go)
what to do? session is always full !
what to do? session is always full !
session is always so full no where to sit let alone play, and since I nor me pop are weekly regulars they seem to be cold or almost unwanted of us.
# Posted on April 14th 2008 by Fiddler_Meloche
Re: what to do? session is always full !
Wonderful sessions there in Windsor (I assume that is where you are from your bio). We have lots of good friends there (Justin, Danny, Frank, Clare, Shane, etc). I can't imagine you being unwelcome. I understand that it is pretty crowded.
But feel free to cross the river and join us. A few Windsor folks often do. Hitch a ride and bring your pop!
# Posted on April 14th 2008 by feardearg
Re: what to do? session is always full !
That's not really enough information for us to give the most helpful advice.
Can you describe the session? How many people are playing? How often do you go (you say it's "always full", but you also said you're not regulars)? Do you know the tunes they are playing, or would you spend the evening either with the fiddle/flute on your lap or trying to noodle through? Do you know the people organizing the session? Do they know you?
# Posted on April 14th 2008 by Georgi
Re: what to do? session is always full !
Consider yourself lucky that your problem is a session being too full as opposed to having no sessions to go to (which is my situation). The closest one for me is about a four hour trip away on Sunday nights! I think I'd go mad if my boyfriend and I didn't have gigs now and then and our own little sessions at home.
Perhaps you could try going a bit more often, as Georgi hinted at? And perhaps you could buy a couple of pitchers of beer for everyone to ease the tension you speak of, get them to warm up to you a bit? =D
# Posted on April 14th 2008 by Tasia
Re: what to do? session is always full !
Mine is almost always too full too. I just try to show up a little early to get a chair.
# Posted on April 14th 2008 by Whiddler
Re: what to do? session is always full !
Start another session
# Posted on April 14th 2008 by Donough
Re: what to do? session is always full !
" I just try to show up a little early to get a chair."
Not necessarily the best advice unless you are a regular.
I'm inclined to agree that a "full session" usually means that the players are happy enough with the number and don't really wish many more musicians.
I've actually seen them set things up this way in some establishments or they might specifically choose a small table in a corner for this purpose. However, as many here will confirm, if you are a "known face" a chair will miraculously appear...!
However, not all sessions fall into this category and you could try to seek one which is more welcoming or start your own.
Or you can persevere where you are. Introduce yourself to the regulars..perhaps even if you don't intend to play that week.. and try to break the ice.
If it's a very small session and you don't know that many of the tunes, then maybe it's not for you...yet.
# Posted on April 14th 2008 by Johannes J
Re: what to do? session is always full !
Getting there early not only gets you a seat, but gets you a chance to introduce yourself, find out how the session runs and make friends with the gang!
# Posted on April 14th 2008 by Ebor_fiddler
Re: what to do? session is always full !
I don't disagree with most of that... Just the "gets you a seat" part.
I've done this myself in a strange session but I always volunteer to sit on the edge until the regulars arrive.
# Posted on April 14th 2008 by Johannes J
Re: what to do? session is always full !
Ask them about other local sessions too.
# Posted on April 14th 2008 by Guernsey Pete
Re: what to do? session is always full !
We all know where we're going to sit. We bend over backwards to accommodate occasional visitors but one of the latter getting there early to grab a seat would be most unwelcome.
# Posted on April 14th 2008 by Steve Shaw
Re: what to do? session is always full !
Where is the Session? If its at the Kildare House, (I used to go there Tuesday's years ago), maybe you can have an "overflow" session upstairs. If others are having the same problem, it might be time to start another session. At least it sounds like ITM is alive and well in the Rose City.
Rob
# Posted on April 14th 2008 by mellow_bellows
Re: what to do? session is always full !
Get a folding fishing chair or shooting stick and take it with you to the session. You'll never be without a place then.
# Posted on April 14th 2008 by Krick Stahlschwanz
Re: what to do? session is always full !
Hello,
What I strongly wonder is: Is it an "OPEN" Session?
Lots of time I find that session which "seem" rather exclusive are pretty much closed for the most part.
That being said, unless one spends a reasonable amount of time at a particular session, to learn the tunes, make friends, and become a known commodity... what's the use? One will almost always sit there unless one has a very large repetoire.
-Regards,
Greg
# Posted on April 14th 2008 by Greg
Re: what to do? session is always full !
Just come up to Tronna, there's always a seat handy.
# Posted on April 14th 2008 by Patkiwi
Re: what to do? session is always full !
"We all know where we're going to sit. We bend over backwards to accommodate occasional visitors but one of the latter getting there early to grab a seat would be most unwelcome."
Whatever.... you are in a PUBLIC place and have no absolute "right" to decide who can sit where! Bend over backwards? As long as they get there at the "right" time? If a session is so precious then it's better held in private.
# Posted on April 16th 2008 by Frezz
Re: what to do? session is always full !
A public house is not a public place. The Publican has the absolute right to let in or eject who ever he pleases. Or delegate such rights.
We had a couple in last night with a guitar. lurked behind us for a bit, then asked if they could sing a song. I was gonna say no, but a vote was taken, which was fair enough. and the song was sung. It was excruciating. At the next set of tunes the bloke, stood behind us with his guitar at ear height, strummed loudly all the wrong chords. I asked him to stop even before the set had finished. After that, they were politely told of another session in town not far away that might be more accommodating. (I'm gonna get it in the neck next time I see those guys).
The idea that everyone has the same "right" to play/sing on our night is simply a non starter.
# Posted on April 16th 2008 by llig leahcim
Re: what to do? session is always full !
Ah,yes...the Dunning-Kruger effect again...
"People who have little knowledge tend to think that they know more than they do, while others who have much more knowledge tend to think that they know less. That’s what Justin Kruger and David Dunning of Cornell University demonstrated in a series of experiments they carried out.
Incompetent individuals tend to overestimate their own level of skill, fail to recognize genuine skill in others and fail to recognize the extremity of their inadequacy. If they can be trained to substantially improve their own skill level, these individuals can recognize and acknowledge their own previous lack of skill."
# Posted on April 16th 2008 by wolfbird
Re: what to do? session is always full !
As yes, being honest with yourself, an amazing thing!
# Posted on April 16th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: what to do? session is always full !
Fezz:>Whatever.... you are in a PUBLIC place and have no absolute "right" to decide who can sit where! Bend over backwards? As long as they get there at the "right" time? If a session is so precious then it's better held in private<
No offence Fezz mate, but that is the dumbest thing I've ever read on this board. I suppose it is ok to just barge into the middle of a fitba game in the park? It is a public space after all. Or how about sitting down in the middle of a picnic table at the beech where a family of complete strangers is having lunch with their kids? That's another public space.
A session isn't just a space in a pub where music happens every thursday, any more than a fitba game in full flow is just a field with some goal posts. A seeion is primarily a group of people getting together to share tunes & pass the time with their mates. Your post quoted above completely removes people & social interactions from the equation.
Thatcher may have famously said "there was no such thing as society", but that is basically crap.
Don't get me wrong now, our weekly session is very friendly & welcoming, we're always pleased to have people drop in. Nor are we particularly hung up on who sits where. But if you seriously stand by the POV that you expressed above then I don't think you have any concept of what a session is about and need to develop some social skills.
- Chris (I'll probably regret this rant later, I'm usually quite placid. but I couldn't let this go)
# Posted on April 16th 2008 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: what to do? session is always full !
Play accordion AND concertina, then you always have something to sit on whichever you are playing.
TIP: if you play bodhran or banjo (or even if you don't), they are pretty handy to sit on.
# Posted on April 16th 2008 by geoffwright