I am looking for other musicians to start a study group, learning session, 'slower' session, call it what you will. The goal would be to learn tunes and improve proficiency on your instrument. My idea would be to know ahead of time what tunes will be practiced, so that the musicians have time to prepare. Other details are open to group consensus (e.g. bringing in a 'ringer' to coach from time to time, playing out, etc.). This could be an ideal opportunity to improve your abilities on a second (or third, or fourth) instrument.
I live in Ann Arbor, but would be willing to travel a bit to do this, and I expect that there could be a 'round robin' hosting schedule so that nobody gets stuck with a long commute every time. I do have a recording studio in my home (and mobile gear) and would be willing to record sessions to facilitate study/practice.
Anybody interested? Is anything like this already happening in Ann Arbor, Lansing, Jackson, Flint, Detroit ('burbs), or Toledo? Nothing like this is posted in the sessions section of this board.
There's a famous session at Conor O'Neill's in Ann Arbor that's probably too advanced for what you're looking for, but going and listening is a great way to learn, too. Beer's good there as well. I go to the sessions at the Ancient Order of Hibernians club in Redford, it's slow to somewhat advanced depending on who's there and what time of night it is. There are a dozen or so tunes that tend to get played every session (more often than not they're the ones I start ) -- I'd be happy to give you a short list. Better yet, contact feardearg via this site and he can fill you in. Hope to share some tunes with you soon.
I've been to O'Neill's, spoken extensively with Mick (a real good guy!), taken a lesson from Marty, and plan to take more. Marty is looking into whether there are other newbies around interested in practicing together. I've got the Dick O'Dow's list of 50 from Sessionite, and am working my way through it. I'd love to have the AOH list. You could email it to me at richbass1@comcast.net. Thanks!
I can't get feardearg to respond to any of my emails. I sent him one from his website, Sessionite, and one from here and heard nothing in return. I assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that he didn't know of any other players just starting out.
I'm really looking to woodshed tunes with other players.
I’m not sure exactly how far along you are with The Music, sounds like you have a strong general musical background. With an octave mando you could be playing melody or chordal backing, or both. Backing (chord strumming) is easier in one sense, in that you generally don’t have to know the tunes as intimately, but harder in that you have to have stronger theory to be able to judiciously choose appropriate chords, and the taste to play them in the style. It’s easier, I think, to learn more tunes faster if you just back them. I personally prefer backing to be nonexistent or sparse, but I‘m not militant because I’ve had so many great experiences with good backing players,. Even so-so playing, as long as it's not intrusive, I can roll with just fine.
If you’re playing melody, and are just starting out, here are some tunes that have about a 95% chance of hearing at the AOH session. Or if you start any one them yourself, or ask to play, everyone will enthusiastically join. Here are just a few in different categories that we sometimes play together in sets.
Jigs:
The Blackthorn Stick
Connaughtman’s Rambles
Reels:
Merry Blacksmith
The Banshee (McMahon’s)
Polkas:
Ballydesmond #1
Ballydesmond #2
Hornpipes:
Off to California
Rights of Man
Best wishes! Come on out when you can. AOH is kind of a hole-in-the-wall in a not fantastic part of town, but the staff and punters are top-notch, friendly and supportive.
Sorry, Catsmeat, I have been moonlighting as a pirate in the waters around Somalia for a couple of weeks to help make ends meet.
Actually I didn't see any email from you. I check my mail all the time and delight in communicating with folks of like mania.
The AOH list is the same. Kinda the same folks show up to both. But the list is only a guide, just so you know the tunes that are super common. Be assured that if you start those, participation should be wide. But there are many, many more that we play regularly. So start out tunes you like and chances are we will join in on those, too, or enjoy hearing a tune that is new.
There are friends among us who are just starting out. They are warmly welcomed at our session and we will all play tunes at the speed that they begin with. We never moan and groan when any "old chestnuts" are started, even if they are repeated. Of course, you will be accepting, too, when tunes more rare are played or familiar tunes are played a little faster than you can keep up with. Thats because you can be sure that because of the way we do things, you will be able to play several tunes in the course of the evening.
In sum, the sessions usually associated with sessionite.com are friendly and well rounded. Some sons of Erin have stated that we have captured the "rural aspect" of traditional sessions that seems to have been lost to the music. I have no idea what that means, I confess, but if it means that you will find an evening of friends, craic and loads of tunes, well, I may understand what they are getting at.
Feardearg - Thanks for the post. I don't know why you didn't get me emails. I'd love to have your email if you don't mind sending it on. My email is richbass1@comcast.net.
Re: your moonlighting career. Sounds like a pretty good gig! Do you get to wear the bandanna and pantalones?
There used to be a dandy "slow session" at the DIMA classes (a few regulars and whomever else happened to be hanging around, including some of the instructors between classes); I'm not sure if it's still happening: http://www.detroitima.org
You might also try the Pittsfield Open Band (I think that you can find them through AACTMAD). They're a contra-dance outfit, but it's a good opportunity to get out and meet people and play some tunes. Bear in mind that playing for contra-dancers and playing in sessions are completely different things, in my experience anyway.
A friend of mine was hosting a sort of "acoustic jam session" thingee over near Gregory a couple of times a month, again not exactly session tunes...I'll try to get details if you want them.
Don't forget, the Midwest Fleadh will be in Detroit again this year: www.detroitirish.org.
If you already know folks like Gary, Mick, Marty, Alison, et.al., you're off to a great start. If Marty's looking to start a beginner thing, I'll have to ask him if he wants a backer. Heck, we could do it at my place, then I wouldn't have to move the piano. Let me know if you get something happening, I might be interested.
Be sure to look me up the next time you're at Conor's (or occasionally, Dick's and the AOH). I'll be doing one of the following:
a) playing a beat-up, very old mahogany Martin (if I know the tune).
b) playing a Yamaha P140 digital piano (ditto).
c) punting/flirting/schmoozing.
Hi Tom,
We have met at Conor's before. I think I may have bummed a fag offa you.
Marty is not looking to start a beginner thing. I asked Marty if he knew any other 'freshmen/JV' players and he said he'd ask. I don't really know anyone except Marty, I've taken a lesson from him. I'm going to try to make it this Sunday. I'm nowhere near ready to play yet, so I'll be punting with my Smithwick's.
SWFL! Do you realize that this is the first time my list of tunes has been brought up where I didn't have to defend why it is there? Has this become the Mellow-yellow board? I give it a little more time, tho.
Someone new showed up at the session last night. At first I thought it was you, Catsmeat. We had a great time. Ya should have been there.
I'll make it out sometime before too long. It is hard for me to make that drive this time of year with the weather, kids activities, etc. I'm going to the Conor O'Neill's session on Sunday though. Do you ever make it out this way, feardearg?
Got it. Thanks. I sent you a reply though your profile button. Let me know if you got it. I recall that you said before that didn't get the last one I sent, so I want to make sure the function is working properly.
Hey Rich,
Oops, I don't remember meeting you, but then again I don't remember a lot of things these days...In addition to Dick's and AOH, you might want to hit the DIMA stuff in Detroit. I saw somewhere today that Sean Cavanaugh is still hosting the "Slow Session". He plays Octave Mando (or is it a 'zouk?) and banjoes and things and is a great player as well as a really nice guy. He also shows up at some of Gary's sessions, as do a few other great local players.
Anyway, I hope to run into you again soon.
Tom
There are a few sessions "friendly to beginners" (ie, what I and most other people might call slow sessions) in the Detroit area. There seem to be mostly nice people at them, or at least the couple I went to. They have a website, I think. There's value in playing with people at your own level, definitely.
Of course, you're right in the town of the best session in Michigan, Conor O'Neill's on Sunday nights. You should definitely go there to listen to great irish music. No better way to learn than to hear it played very well, live. Better players than you will make you a better player in the long run!
I grew up in Ann Arbor and I have been to the Connor ONeil's session a few times. I even brought my whistles once or twice. I am glad to learn that their are other sessions in the Michigan area that might be more open to visitors or strangers. Unfortunately, I did not find the session at Connor's to be in that genre. Yes, the music there is VERY good and a good night out for listening but I did not find the atmosphere open to folks outside what seemed to be the regular crowd. I would imagine that if you want to go as a unannounced visitor, it would be a good idea to introduce yourself to the session leaders... is that Mick? Since I did not have the opportunity for this to happen, I do not know if that would have made a difference but perhaps it might.
I can report that I have had a much friendlier reception in other locations.
Maybe it was just an off night.
The website to the other sessions is at http://www.sessionite.com. You are always welcome and you will never be allowed to hover on the outside or sit there with your instruments on your lap.
Trad Study Group in Southeast Michigan
Trad Study Group in Southeast Michigan
I am looking for other musicians to start a study group, learning session, 'slower' session, call it what you will. The goal would be to learn tunes and improve proficiency on your instrument. My idea would be to know ahead of time what tunes will be practiced, so that the musicians have time to prepare. Other details are open to group consensus (e.g. bringing in a 'ringer' to coach from time to time, playing out, etc.). This could be an ideal opportunity to improve your abilities on a second (or third, or fourth) instrument.
I live in Ann Arbor, but would be willing to travel a bit to do this, and I expect that there could be a 'round robin' hosting schedule so that nobody gets stuck with a long commute every time. I do have a recording studio in my home (and mobile gear) and would be willing to record sessions to facilitate study/practice.
Anybody interested? Is anything like this already happening in Ann Arbor, Lansing, Jackson, Flint, Detroit ('burbs), or Toledo? Nothing like this is posted in the sessions section of this board.
# Posted on January 13th 2009 by Rhychawr Catsmeat
Re: Trad Study Group in Southeast Michigan
There's a famous session at Conor O'Neill's in Ann Arbor that's probably too advanced for what you're looking for, but going and listening is a great way to learn, too. Beer's good there as well. I go to the sessions at the Ancient Order of Hibernians club in Redford, it's slow to somewhat advanced depending on who's there and what time of night it is. There are a dozen or so tunes that tend to get played every session (more often than not they're the ones I start
) -- I'd be happy to give you a short list. Better yet, contact feardearg via this site and he can fill you in. Hope to share some tunes with you soon.
# Posted on January 13th 2009 by fidkid
Re: Trad Study Group in Southeast Michigan
I've been to O'Neill's, spoken extensively with Mick (a real good guy!), taken a lesson from Marty, and plan to take more. Marty is looking into whether there are other newbies around interested in practicing together. I've got the Dick O'Dow's list of 50 from Sessionite, and am working my way through it. I'd love to have the AOH list. You could email it to me at richbass1@comcast.net. Thanks!
I can't get feardearg to respond to any of my emails. I sent him one from his website, Sessionite, and one from here and heard nothing in return. I assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that he didn't know of any other players just starting out.
I'm really looking to woodshed tunes with other players.
# Posted on January 13th 2009 by Rhychawr Catsmeat
Re: Trad Study Group in Southeast Michigan
feardearg is a pretty busy guy these days, but unfailingly helpful. I'll send a list.
# Posted on January 13th 2009 by fidkid
Re: Trad Study Group in Southeast Michigan
I’m not sure exactly how far along you are with The Music, sounds like you have a strong general musical background. With an octave mando you could be playing melody or chordal backing, or both. Backing (chord strumming) is easier in one sense, in that you generally don’t have to know the tunes as intimately, but harder in that you have to have stronger theory to be able to judiciously choose appropriate chords, and the taste to play them in the style. It’s easier, I think, to learn more tunes faster if you just back them. I personally prefer backing to be nonexistent or sparse, but I‘m not militant because I’ve had so many great experiences with good backing players,. Even so-so playing, as long as it's not intrusive, I can roll with just fine.
If you’re playing melody, and are just starting out, here are some tunes that have about a 95% chance of hearing at the AOH session. Or if you start any one them yourself, or ask to play, everyone will enthusiastically join. Here are just a few in different categories that we sometimes play together in sets.
Jigs:
The Blackthorn Stick
Connaughtman’s Rambles
Reels:
Merry Blacksmith
The Banshee (McMahon’s)
Polkas:
Ballydesmond #1
Ballydesmond #2
Hornpipes:
Off to California
Rights of Man
Best wishes! Come on out when you can. AOH is kind of a hole-in-the-wall in a not fantastic part of town, but the staff and punters are top-notch, friendly and supportive.
# Posted on January 13th 2009 by fidkid
Re: Trad Study Group in Southeast Michigan
Thanks, fid.
# Posted on January 13th 2009 by Rhychawr Catsmeat
Re: Trad Study Group in Southeast Michigan
Sorry, Catsmeat, I have been moonlighting as a pirate in the waters around Somalia for a couple of weeks to help make ends meet.
Actually I didn't see any email from you. I check my mail all the time and delight in communicating with folks of like mania.
The AOH list is the same. Kinda the same folks show up to both. But the list is only a guide, just so you know the tunes that are super common. Be assured that if you start those, participation should be wide. But there are many, many more that we play regularly. So start out tunes you like and chances are we will join in on those, too, or enjoy hearing a tune that is new.
There are friends among us who are just starting out. They are warmly welcomed at our session and we will all play tunes at the speed that they begin with. We never moan and groan when any "old chestnuts" are started, even if they are repeated. Of course, you will be accepting, too, when tunes more rare are played or familiar tunes are played a little faster than you can keep up with. Thats because you can be sure that because of the way we do things, you will be able to play several tunes in the course of the evening.
In sum, the sessions usually associated with sessionite.com are friendly and well rounded. Some sons of Erin have stated that we have captured the "rural aspect" of traditional sessions that seems to have been lost to the music. I have no idea what that means, I confess, but if it means that you will find an evening of friends, craic and loads of tunes, well, I may understand what they are getting at.
Hope to see you soon.
# Posted on January 14th 2009 by feardearg
Re: Trad Study Group in Southeast Michigan
"Dick O'Dow's" -- that's hilarious!!! They 'stole' it off of "Dow" from this
site -- not his real name of course.
# Posted on January 14th 2009 by Hup
Re: Trad Study Group in Southeast Michigan
Feardearg - Thanks for the post. I don't know why you didn't get me emails. I'd love to have your email if you don't mind sending it on. My email is richbass1@comcast.net.
Re: your moonlighting career. Sounds like a pretty good gig! Do you get to wear the bandanna and pantalones?
# Posted on January 14th 2009 by Rhychawr Catsmeat
Re: Trad Study Group in Southeast Michigan
+1 rural action re: Michigan same as South West Florida. Come West Along The Road, young man. Leave the big city behind.
# Posted on January 14th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Trad Study Group in Southeast Michigan
Welcome to the club...
There used to be a dandy "slow session" at the DIMA classes (a few regulars and whomever else happened to be hanging around, including some of the instructors between classes); I'm not sure if it's still happening: http://www.detroitima.org
You might also try the Pittsfield Open Band (I think that you can find them through AACTMAD). They're a contra-dance outfit, but it's a good opportunity to get out and meet people and play some tunes. Bear in mind that playing for contra-dancers and playing in sessions are completely different things, in my experience anyway.
A friend of mine was hosting a sort of "acoustic jam session" thingee over near Gregory a couple of times a month, again not exactly session tunes...I'll try to get details if you want them.
Did you try:
http://www.thesession.org/sessions/index.php/search?country_id=173&areaname=Michigan&town=&day=Any&search=Search
I'm not sure if the thing in Waterloo is still happening.
Don't forget, the Midwest Fleadh will be in Detroit again this year: www.detroitirish.org.
If you already know folks like Gary, Mick, Marty, Alison, et.al., you're off to a great start. If Marty's looking to start a beginner thing, I'll have to ask him if he wants a backer. Heck, we could do it at my place, then I wouldn't have to move the piano. Let me know if you get something happening, I might be interested.
Be sure to look me up the next time you're at Conor's (or occasionally, Dick's and the AOH). I'll be doing one of the following:
a) playing a beat-up, very old mahogany Martin (if I know the tune).
b) playing a Yamaha P140 digital piano (ditto).
c) punting/flirting/schmoozing.
Take Care,
Tom Wall
# Posted on January 14th 2009 by tomw
Re: Trad Study Group in Southeast Michigan
Hi Tom,
We have met at Conor's before. I think I may have bummed a fag offa you.
Marty is not looking to start a beginner thing. I asked Marty if he knew any other 'freshmen/JV' players and he said he'd ask. I don't really know anyone except Marty, I've taken a lesson from him. I'm going to try to make it this Sunday. I'm nowhere near ready to play yet, so I'll be punting with my Smithwick's.
Cheers,
Rhychawr Catsmeat, AKA Rhych, AKA Rich
# Posted on January 14th 2009 by Rhychawr Catsmeat
Re: Trad Study Group in Southeast Michigan
SWFL! Do you realize that this is the first time my list of tunes has been brought up where I didn't have to defend why it is there? Has this become the Mellow-yellow board? I give it a little more time, tho.
Someone new showed up at the session last night. At first I thought it was you, Catsmeat. We had a great time. Ya should have been there.
# Posted on January 14th 2009 by feardearg
Re: Trad Study Group in Southeast Michigan
I'll make it out sometime before too long. It is hard for me to make that drive this time of year with the weather, kids activities, etc. I'm going to the Conor O'Neill's session on Sunday though. Do you ever make it out this way, feardearg?
# Posted on January 14th 2009 by Rhychawr Catsmeat
Re: Trad Study Group in Southeast Michigan
I avoid it. See your email.
# Posted on January 14th 2009 by feardearg
Re: Trad Study Group in Southeast Michigan
Got it. Thanks. I sent you a reply though your profile button. Let me know if you got it. I recall that you said before that didn't get the last one I sent, so I want to make sure the function is working properly.
# Posted on January 14th 2009 by Rhychawr Catsmeat
Re: Trad Study Group in Southeast Michigan
Hey Rich,
Oops, I don't remember meeting you, but then again I don't remember a lot of things these days...In addition to Dick's and AOH, you might want to hit the DIMA stuff in Detroit. I saw somewhere today that Sean Cavanaugh is still hosting the "Slow Session". He plays Octave Mando (or is it a 'zouk?) and banjoes and things and is a great player as well as a really nice guy. He also shows up at some of Gary's sessions, as do a few other great local players.
Anyway, I hope to run into you again soon.
Tom
# Posted on January 14th 2009 by tomw
Re: Trad Study Group in Southeast Michigan
Hey Rhychawr
There are a few sessions "friendly to beginners" (ie, what I and most other people might call slow sessions) in the Detroit area. There seem to be mostly nice people at them, or at least the couple I went to. They have a website, I think. There's value in playing with people at your own level, definitely.
Of course, you're right in the town of the best session in Michigan, Conor O'Neill's on Sunday nights. You should definitely go there to listen to great irish music. No better way to learn than to hear it played very well, live. Better players than you will make you a better player in the long run!
N~
# Posted on January 16th 2009 by Nico
Re: Trad Study Group in Southeast Michigan
I grew up in Ann Arbor and I have been to the Connor ONeil's session a few times. I even brought my whistles once or twice. I am glad to learn that their are other sessions in the Michigan area that might be more open to visitors or strangers. Unfortunately, I did not find the session at Connor's to be in that genre. Yes, the music there is VERY good and a good night out for listening but I did not find the atmosphere open to folks outside what seemed to be the regular crowd. I would imagine that if you want to go as a unannounced visitor, it would be a good idea to introduce yourself to the session leaders... is that Mick? Since I did not have the opportunity for this to happen, I do not know if that would have made a difference but perhaps it might.
I can report that I have had a much friendlier reception in other locations.
Maybe it was just an off night.
# Posted on January 17th 2009 by johnbunch
Re: Trad Study Group in Southeast Michigan
The website to the other sessions is at http://www.sessionite.com. You are always welcome and you will never be allowed to hover on the outside or sit there with your instruments on your lap.
# Posted on January 19th 2009 by feardearg
Re: Trad Study Group in Southeast Michigan
*sigh*
# Posted on January 19th 2009 by feardearg