"~ You should have learned the basics of your instrument, and have been playing for a minimum of two years. Most instruments are welcome, but if you play smallpipes, you should have another more versatile instrument as well."
Following this short intorduction is a list of tunes including notation and MP3s.
"The Traditional Music Slow Session’ is a group of people from the area who are relative newcomers to traditional music and are learning to play either through individual tuition (mostly in the East Antrim Traditional Music School), or through self tuition. So its for beginners, but not absolute beginners. Basically, the group provides an opportunity for local people to play together with others who share the same interest in traditional music and who have a similar level of ability.
It's called a ‘slow’ session because for most relative beginners it is almost impossible to make the jump from playing on their own to playing in an established session, as the music is usually just too fast for them initially. The secret is in finding a pace that is slow enough to make it possible for newcomers to join in, but not so slow as to kill the music. ~
The group are using the East Antrim Traditional Music School’s recently produced tutorial book (with accompanying CDs) for their repertoire of music. Tunes are selected from the beginners, intermediate and advanced sections of the book for participants to learn between monthly meetings. The more they learn between meetings, the more they can join in, on the night. ~"
"This Session is intended for newer players, as well as for more experienced players that wish to refine their techniques at a slower pace."
Slow Session - Central Connecticut, USA http://www.centralctsessions.net/slow_session.php
"The slow session is intended to help newer players learn some of the more commonly played tunes, and to play the tunes they have learned with some other musicians. More experienced players are welcomed - in fact encouraged! - to attend, just remember that you're there to help the noobs and play at their pace. Save your 120bpm 6-part reels until after 4:00 please."
"All Celtic musicians, especially beginners, are welcome. ~ The Slow Session plays session tunes at a slower than normal tempo in a friendly, learning atmosphere for beginners and for those who prefer to play at a slower pace. We take turns choosing the tunes, so everybody gets to play their favorites, or whatever they wish to learn.
In order to assist in the learning process this Web Site has many popular session tunes in sheet music form, for those who prefer it, and in midi form (at slow and normal speed) for learning by ear (which is the best way to learn Celtic Music).
We would welcome help from experienced musicians also."
"The slow session welcomes people of all ages, at all levels, on all instruments. We provide a music book, and cds of the tunes played slowly. It's an excellent way for beginners to see how much fun a trad session can be and also a good place for the more experienced to pick up a tune or two."
"A slow session or learning session is where we learn tunes together by playing them very slowly and many, many times. Even if you don't read music or even if you are a complete beginner on your instrument of choice you could learn to play traditional Irish music, as well as learn about traditional Irish music and about Irish sessions."
"teaches a tune during the first hour, and the remaining time is spent playing tunes in a slow session. The goal is to introduce different tunes into Milwaukee's traditional Irish music community and to rekindle interest in tunes that don't get played much in our sessions. The slow session is a perfect opportunity for newcomers to Irish music to play tunes in a safe, stress free environment. ~
NOTE: For the remainder of 2010, we'll be focusing on the slow session aspect of the event rather than having a tune swap at the beginning. The idea is to give learners more of a chance to play with each other in a group setting for a few months!"
"Our Slow Sessions are aimed towards adults who have been learning an instrument and are at a stage where they wish to take part in a relaxed informal Session. These Sessions aim to encourage the participants to learn a repertoire of new tunes while playing with other musicians at slow to moderate tempos. All welcome.
Contact us for a list of tunes which are regularly played at the Slow Session."
"We welcome all skill levels to play at a moderate and steady pace, although our overall pace may change from week to week, depending on which musicians are attending at the time, and we are mainly beginner to intermediate players. ~ Officially, we learn one tune each Sunday and play tunes we've learned the rest of the of the time, but that's flexible depending on who is at the session on any given Sunday. ~
"We're a friendly and supportive group of beginning to intermediate level musicians who gather monthly in the East Bay to play and sing Irish, Scottish and Welsh tunes in a slow seisiún. We focus on learning some well known seisiún tunes so that we can have a good time and eventually work our way up to playing in a fast seisiún. We provide a packet of tunes (written music) for sight reading during the session and practice at home.
All instruments and abilities are welcome - the only requirement is a willingness to play slowly!"
"We are a dedicated group of people that enjoy Celtic music and are devoted to learning and teaching it in a group format. A slow play session is a session that plays the tune at about half speed or less. As we learn the tune the pace will often progress to full speed. The overall goal of the session is to learn the tunes in a friendly and supportive environment. ~ we have put together the following list of guidelines for your benefit. ~"
"The Celtic Slow session is for anyone who wants to learn to play traditional tunes from Ireland, Scotland, Cape Breton etc. It's a great way to get started, while gaining speed and technique. It's also for those who prefer to play tunes in a slow, relaxed manner."
"This is a traditional Irish session in all ways except one: the tempo. We play the same session tunes at a slower than normal pace, so that beginning and intermediate players can more easily learn the tunes and join in the session. ~ All traditional instruments are welcome! Beginners are welcome to sit in, and once you've learned a tune, we will do our best to play it as slow as you like so you can join in. Advanced players may want to come enjoy the music at a more leisurely pace. And, anyone at all is welcome to come listen!"
"~ for all music learners, in the Ryevale Tavern in Leixlip. These sessions give musicians the opportunity to play with others at the same standard as them, and to experience playing with other instruments. We have a beginner session and an intermediate session." ~ "These sessions give musicians the opportunity to play with others at the same level as them, and to experience playing with other instruments. We have a beginner session and an intermediate session."
"~ designed to be a supportive, friendly environment in which to learn, practice, and play traditional Irish music. ~ Everyone is welcome -- musicians of all ages and all levels. Listeners are also welcome! We've had spouses come along to be supportive. We encourage step dancers and set dancers to visit us, as well, as we can learn from you and it helps us to see the dancing connected with the music."
The only one I've been to is Nigel Gatherer's - I occasionally drop in when it's convenient (it's a lot of travelling for me, and doesn't go on for very long; I draw the line at spending longer on the bus than playing). A couple of features that he doesn't make explicit:
- it' not all that slow. Just about never drops to half pace, as you say some of the others do. But the ethos is, don't leave people behind if you can help it.
- it happens in a public bar which often gets a large audience (it's next to a theatre and people drop in after the show, or stay on from earlier in the evening after eating in the pub). And the audience is often very appreciative. More so than the audience at a good many sessions led by egomaniac speed demons. Tip: most people listening to this music (well, Scottish in this instance) do not find speed intrinsically impressive or entertaining.
Here's our local (Helena, Montana, USA) learning session, run by yours truly. Nearly everyone who participates also plays in our regular weekly session on Thursdays.
Irish Music Mondays
I'm hosting a group learning session every Monday from 6:30 to 9:00 pm at Piccolo's Music. The basic idea is to sit in a circle and play traditional Irish tunes together. This gives us all a chance to get used to playing with other people, learn new tunes, and have fun with other people who enjoy making music.
Each week, we play through tunes at an easy pace. Some weeks we learn a new tune, mostly by ear. I provide sheet music for all the tunes for anyone who wants the dots, and sound clips are available on our web site
The Monday sessions are open to anyone who can carry a tune on their instrument. I'm asking $10 per person to help cover materials and my time. Chairs are provided, and you can bring a beverage of your choice. As of March 2011, we're an easygoing group of 4-10 people--fiddlers, fluters, whistles, a bouzouki or two, mandolin, and concertina players--but any instruments common to Irish sessions are welcome. Invite your musical friends too--the Monday sessions aren't limited to my students.
One has just restarted East Cork-West Waterford area for adults.
One hour "slow",followed by one hour "free and easy",where more experienced players who are are either a bit stale or can't commit to weekly sessions might like to drop in.2nd group would pick up tunes quickly and get totally bored/frustrated with pace of first hour,hence the split.
Slow 'learning' Session & Community Ceili(dh) Band
Thanks Will and Lucy, that's what I'm fishing for, descriptions and expectations, as I chase up a new venue and possibly a restructuring of our own description and expectation. In our case we add to all that 'Community Ceili(dh) Band' and have a direct tie in to local dance classes, with they hopes to eventually set in motion a monthly sit-in ceili(dh)...
As to charging, as Will does, with the experience and respect for the extra effort that goes in to organizing, we've done a weekly charge, a contribution, and free. I found in interesting that most of those I've found online are free, though some of them are attached to organization like Comhaltas and may mean 'free to members', with the usual annual membership fee?
Your descriptions help me to think about all this, as well as being inspirational, thanks, much appreciated...
>>most people listening to this music (well, Scottish in this instance) do not find speed intrinsically impressive or entertaining
I think you're dead right, Jack - at least if you are talking about the non-specialist public. I have had several conversations with people about how repetitive this music is. My answer is that it is no more so than other types, once your ear becomes accustomed to it. While we do need nyah, speed alone only makes it harder for people to follow a tune.
These links are all really useful. The guy who ran our local slow session has recently moved away and myself and another musician have taken over, so all these discussions have been most timely!
We changed the format a little so there was a tune-swap at the beginning and tried it out for the first time last month and had a good response.
Here's how we describe our session:
-- "The purpose of the sessions is to allow novice folk musicians to practice at a nice slow pace (as slow as necessary). Learning on your own at home is good but sooner or later you'll want to step out and play with other musicians. The Old School Session is a halfway house between home and the pub sessions. You can practice the art of playing tunes in a session environment, have some fun, and hopefully learn a few things along the way." --
There's a longer description on our website but I don't want to copy it all here: http://oldschoolsession.org/ The website also allows perusal of our slow tune list and to hear samples, etc.
Thanks for your hard work putting the list together, ceolachan.
Another point on speed, especially in that too often in the gallop and leap-frog of a session, is how erratic and out-of-control it can be, the adrenalin rush of a train wreck. I do believe that is probably the greatest contributor to the ideas of it being 'repetitive' and 'all the same', or 'diddly-diddly-diddly' music, where the ears lose track of the melody...
One possibly hard-ass expectation I had, trying to put some control on bangers and mash, drum thumpers and chord blaggers, was to expect anyone with a drum or any variety of bass & chord machine ~ to also have some ability with and instrument that was melodic, or to be learning melody too. And yes, it did turn some folks away, sadly... But, I also expected like-for-like, that the melody players at least learn something about rhythm, and try their hands at the occassional and simple bodhran rhythms for accompaniment, basic beats and phrasing... That was fun and we had some good laughts. It's interesting that the melody players never complained and embraced those moments. It was only the accompanist limited, bodhran bashers or chord strummers, that ever refused giving melody a try - and walked out, sometimes in a huff. I often wonder if there's something about personality traits that attract people to drum banging or band-in-a-box piano accordions?
I'd better say here, some of those I consider friends ~
"Even though there are a lot of tunes on the list, you only need to learn one to start with. Just sit out the tunes you don't know and listen. Your personal tune list will soon grow, and in time you'll be playing along with more tunes and putting sets together."
But, and not really wanting to open up that can of worms again, we'd had some problems with stands-&-sheets and basically did our best to have people keep that option at home, and to emphasize as you do above ~ listening ~ and following with the ears, we'll slow down if necessary, within reason...
Before circumstances brought ours to a close, one of our aspirations was six sets of jigs, two tunes per set, being worked up for a given jig set of quadrilles, five jig figures, popular with our local Irish dancers... That remains one of our goals, as too for a very short set of quadrilles that uses polkas and slides, but only needs one tune per figure because of how short the figures are, no tune sets required, as in the 'old days'...
However, while wanting to play for dance and get that experience, we're much more interested in a house dance sound rather than 'ceili(dh) band', more akin to a good tight house session, 'in-the-groove' without beating it to death...
Our slow session has evolved quite a lot over the last 18 months. For a start we no longer call it a 'slow session', we call it a 'tune learning group', because we don't necessarily play tunes slowly.
We found that just slowing stuff down isn't particularly helpful - if you take a fast tune and slow it right down, bowing and breathing patterns change, and you have to almost re-learn the tune when you bring it up to speed. So now we start off playing at a speed where everyone in the group is comfortable, then after a few times through we start to crank it up, so that people are stretching themselves beyond what they would normally consider their limit.
Choice of tunes is important too - our original intention was to teach the tunes that are regularly played in local sessions. But we found many of them really aren't suitable for beginneres and improvers, even at moderate speed. So now we encourage everyone to bring in tunes that they want to play, and the group learns them, so that in the open sessions they can start 'their ' tunes, knowing that others will join in. It means it's no longer 'pure drop', we play a disproportionate number of waltzes, airs and old-timey stuff, but everyone enjoys what they're doing.
Choice of leader is important too - it can be a real cacaphony at times. We started out with the leaders on fiddle or whistle, but found we often got drowned out. So now we get a friendly PA player to lead - he can always be heard!
skreech - we did something similar, taking some of our tunes from the local session scene, some from those attending, and a few from outside both sources, and we stepped up the tempo on some of the tunes later on. Our slowest going was learning, and that was no more than one tune in an evening, sometimes one part, a phrase at a time. We met weekly...
"Every 1st Friday of the Month from 8:00 -9:00 there is a slow session. This is a traditional Irish session in all ways except one: the tempo. You will play common session tunes at a slower than normal pace, so that beginning and intermediate players can more easily learn the tunes and join in the session. Also great for experienced players who are picking up another instrument!"
Regarding Minneapolis session at Keegans.
The session is lead by Jason, a great flute player and there are usually 5 -10 players ranging from 2yrs on an instrument to regular session players. New tunes are explained and taught by ear a couple of bars at a time slowly. A good portion of the time is spent on playing sets at a moderate pace.
'C,' your comments about using the learning session to work on playing for set dances got me to thinking about our local situation here in Montana.
We *do* play for ceilidhs and various sorts of sets, but more often we're playing for one of the two local step dancing schools. I often end up leading the tunes for the dancers, stringing them together on the fly based on whatever they ask us for (usually one of the girls will come up and ask for a light jig or a fast reel). We launch a tune, and then I keep them coming as long as the dancers are still at it.
But sometimes I leap to a tune that only one or two other folks know. Instead, what I'll do now is teach some jigs and reels in sets and those can be our default dance sets. I may have to ask people not to string the same tunes together when we're just sessioning, not playing for dancers, to prevent musical rigor mortis....
But it'd be a good way to get more people actively playing for the dancers.
Thanks all, and for polymerflute coming back with more, and mulcreavy adding another description and link, appreciated. It is helping me to think and re-think, and inspiring me not to give up, even with another bout of computer hell, and ~ worse ~ my torn right shoulder-blade acting up and giving me worse agro than the digital gremlins.
And thanks for the extra inspiration Will, which raised a smile and another twist on 'playing for dancers', step dancers... We have a few that sometimes give us a solo during breaks, and that would give us another goal for slip jigs too.
Slow / Beginners / Learning / Session (Class / Tune Swap) ~ definition & direction
Slow / Beginners / Learning / Session (Class / Tune Swap) ~ definition & direction
For starters, here's how some have defined themselves, slow sessions near and far, beginning here ~
Discussion: Running a slow session is good for you...
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/26945
Sessions: Slow session in Sydney
http://www.thesession.org/sessions/display/2851
Slow Sessions by Eric Armstrong (Running a slow session)
http://www.treelight.com/music/slowsessions.html
SMG (Scots Music Group) Slow Session Class ~ Wednesdays 7- 9 p.m.,
Boroughmuir School, Edinburgh, Scotland
http://www.nigelgatherer.com/mixed/slos.html
http://www.nigelgatherer.com/sess/ss1.html
http://www.nigelgatherer.com/mixed/wss.html
http://www.orpheusweb.co.uk/gatherer/scottish/sess.html
http://www.scotsmusic.org/events/449/
"~ You should have learned the basics of your instrument, and have been playing for a minimum of two years. Most instruments are welcome, but if you play smallpipes, you should have another more versatile instrument as well."
Following this short intorduction is a list of tunes including notation and MP3s.
The History of the Wednesday Slow Session ~ Nigel Gatherer
http://www.nigelgatherer.com/forum/announcements.php?aid=5
a friendly, learning environment, less intimidating to the less experienced.
nigelg ~ Nigel Gatherer
http://www.thesession.org/members/display/11834
Slow Session - East Antrim, Northern Ireland
http://ni-websites.com/eatms/slow.htm
"The Traditional Music Slow Session’ is a group of people from the area who are relative newcomers to traditional music and are learning to play either through individual tuition (mostly in the East Antrim Traditional Music School), or through self tuition. So its for beginners, but not absolute beginners. Basically, the group provides an opportunity for local people to play together with others who share the same interest in traditional music and who have a similar level of ability.
It's called a ‘slow’ session because for most relative beginners it is almost impossible to make the jump from playing on their own to playing in an established session, as the music is usually just too fast for them initially. The secret is in finding a pace that is slow enough to make it possible for newcomers to join in, but not so slow as to kill the music. ~
The group are using the East Antrim Traditional Music School’s recently produced tutorial book (with accompanying CDs) for their repertoire of music. Tunes are selected from the beginners, intermediate and advanced sections of the book for participants to learn between monthly meetings. The more they learn between meetings, the more they can join in, on the night. ~"
Slow Session - Bloomington, Indiana, USA
http://www.thewhistleshop.com/slow/session.htm
"This Session is intended for newer players, as well as for more experienced players that wish to refine their techniques at a slower pace."
Slow Session - Central Connecticut, USA
http://www.centralctsessions.net/slow_session.php
"The slow session is intended to help newer players learn some of the more commonly played tunes, and to play the tunes they have learned with some other musicians. More experienced players are welcomed - in fact encouraged! - to attend, just remember that you're there to help the noobs and play at their pace. Save your 120bpm 6-part reels until after 4:00 please."
Slow Session - The Celtic Arts Center of Southern California
http://www.ellwood.org/slow/
"All Celtic musicians, especially beginners, are welcome. ~ The Slow Session plays session tunes at a slower than normal tempo in a friendly, learning atmosphere for beginners and for those who prefer to play at a slower pace. We take turns choosing the tunes, so everybody gets to play their favorites, or whatever they wish to learn.
In order to assist in the learning process this Web Site has many popular session tunes in sheet music form, for those who prefer it, and in midi form (at slow and normal speed) for learning by ear (which is the best way to learn Celtic Music).
We would welcome help from experienced musicians also."
Slow Session - CCE Harp of Tara - Kingston, Ontario, Canada
http://www.srayner.ca/comhaltas/M_Music.htm
"The slow session welcomes people of all ages, at all levels, on all instruments. We provide a music book, and cds of the tunes played slowly. It's an excellent way for beginners to see how much fun a trad session can be and also a good place for the more experienced to pick up a tune or two."
House Slow Session - Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
http://www.thesession.org/sessions/display/2556
"A slow session or learning session is where we learn tunes together by playing them very slowly and many, many times. Even if you don't read music or even if you are a complete beginner on your instrument of choice you could learn to play traditional Irish music, as well as learn about traditional Irish music and about Irish sessions."
Tune Swap & Slow Session - Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
http://www.irishfest.com/archives/tuneswap.php
"teaches a tune during the first hour, and the remaining time is spent playing tunes in a slow session. The goal is to introduce different tunes into Milwaukee's traditional Irish music community and to rekindle interest in tunes that don't get played much in our sessions. The slow session is a perfect opportunity for newcomers to Irish music to play tunes in a safe, stress free environment. ~
NOTE: For the remainder of 2010, we'll be focusing on the slow session aspect of the event rather than having a tune swap at the beginning. The idea is to give learners more of a chance to play with each other in a group setting for a few months!"
Slow Session - Buenos Aires, Argentina
http://slowsession.blogspot.com/2009/05/musica-tradicional-irlandesa.html
& a bit on 'Session Etiquette'...
Slow Session 0 Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre - Naul, Fingal, Co. Dublin, Ireland
http://www.seamusenniscentre.com/eventsi.asp?e=829
"Our Slow Sessions are aimed towards adults who have been learning an instrument and are at a stage where they wish to take part in a relaxed informal Session. These Sessions aim to encourage the participants to learn a repertoire of new tunes while playing with other musicians at slow to moderate tempos. All welcome.
Contact us for a list of tunes which are regularly played at the Slow Session."
Slow Session - SlowPlayers.Org
http://www.slowplayers.org/
Slow Session - The Small Circle Tune Leaning Session - Denver/Boulder, Colorado, USA
http://www.slowplayers.org/SCTLS/
"We welcome all skill levels to play at a moderate and steady pace, although our overall pace may change from week to week, depending on which musicians are attending at the time, and we are mainly beginner to intermediate players. ~ Officially, we learn one tune each Sunday and play tunes we've learned the rest of the of the time, but that's flexible depending on who is at the session on any given Sunday. ~
Slow Session - East Bay Slow Players
http://www.slowplayers.org/EBSP/index.html
"We're a friendly and supportive group of beginning to intermediate level musicians who gather monthly in the East Bay to play and sing Irish, Scottish and Welsh tunes in a slow seisiún. We focus on learning some well known seisiún tunes so that we can have a good time and eventually work our way up to playing in a fast seisiún. We provide a packet of tunes (written music) for sight reading during the session and practice at home.
All instruments and abilities are welcome - the only requirement is a willingness to play slowly!"
Slow Session - Bay Area Slow Session - Alameda, California, USA
http://www.slowplayers.org/BASS/index.html
"We are a dedicated group of people that enjoy Celtic music and are devoted to learning and teaching it in a group format. A slow play session is a session that plays the tune at about half speed or less. As we learn the tune the pace will often progress to full speed. The overall goal of the session is to learn the tunes in a friendly and supportive environment. ~ we have put together the following list of guidelines for your benefit. ~"
& Seisiun Etiquette
http://www.slowplayers.org/BASS/etiquette.html
Slow Session - Boston's Original Slow Session
http://www.slowplayers.org/BOSS/index.html
Slow Session - McDonnell's Traditional Irish Music Slow Session - Melbourne, Australia
http://irishsession.net/
Slow Session - Bloomington, Indiana
http://faculty.ivytech.edu/~bpfingst/ss/ss.html
Slow Session - Los Angeles, California, USA
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=145933955419064
"The Celtic Slow session is for anyone who wants to learn to play traditional tunes from Ireland, Scotland, Cape Breton etc. It's a great way to get started, while gaining speed and technique. It's also for those who prefer to play tunes in a slow, relaxed manner."
Slow Session - San Francisco, California
http://www.sfpipersclub.org/session.html
"This is a traditional Irish session in all ways except one: the tempo. We play the same session tunes at a slower than normal pace, so that beginning and intermediate players can more easily learn the tunes and join in the session. ~ All traditional instruments are welcome! Beginners are welcome to sit in, and once you've learned a tune, we will do our best to play it as slow as you like so you can join in. Advanced players may want to come enjoy the music at a more leisurely pace. And, anyone at all is welcome to come listen!"
Slow Session - Fairhope, Alabama, USA
http://thefiddlecenter.com/?p=289
Slow Session - CCE Leixlip, County Kildare, Ireland
http://www.cceleixlip.com/content/slow-sessions
"~ for all music learners, in the Ryevale Tavern in Leixlip. These sessions give musicians the opportunity to play with others at the same standard as them, and to experience playing with other instruments. We have a beginner session and an intermediate session." ~ "These sessions give musicians the opportunity to play with others at the same level as them, and to experience playing with other instruments. We have a beginner session and an intermediate session."
Slow Session - Voorheesville, New York, USA
http://www.myspace.com/tradirishslowsession
"~ designed to be a supportive, friendly environment in which to learn, practice, and play traditional Irish music. ~ Everyone is welcome -- musicians of all ages and all levels. Listeners are also welcome! We've had spouses come along to be supportive. We encourage step dancers and set dancers to visit us, as well, as we can learn from you and it helps us to see the dancing connected with the music."
Slow Session - Lyon, France
http://lyon.session.online.fr/
# Posted on March 27th 2011 by ceolachan
Re: Slow / Beginners / Learning / Session (Class / Tune Swap) ~ definition & direction
That must have taken hours to put together.
The only one I've been to is Nigel Gatherer's - I occasionally drop in when it's convenient (it's a lot of travelling for me, and doesn't go on for very long; I draw the line at spending longer on the bus than playing). A couple of features that he doesn't make explicit:
- it' not all that slow. Just about never drops to half pace, as you say some of the others do. But the ethos is, don't leave people behind if you can help it.
- it happens in a public bar which often gets a large audience (it's next to a theatre and people drop in after the show, or stay on from earlier in the evening after eating in the pub). And the audience is often very appreciative. More so than the audience at a good many sessions led by egomaniac speed demons. Tip: most people listening to this music (well, Scottish in this instance) do not find speed intrinsically impressive or entertaining.
# Posted on March 27th 2011 by Jack Campin
Re: Slow / Beginners / Learning / Session (Class / Tune Swap) ~ definition & direction
Here is one in Minneapolis. Friendly supportive group.
http://www.keeganspub.com/id58.html
# Posted on March 27th 2011 by polymerflute
Re: Slow / Beginners / Learning / Session (Class / Tune Swap) ~ definition & direction
polymerflute ~ what's it like? How do they and/or would you describe it? Are there any rules or expectations?
# Posted on March 27th 2011 by ceolachan
Re: Slow / Beginners / Learning / Session (Class / Tune Swap) ~ definition & direction
Session Tune Swap. After everything else that is it. People sharing music.
Grand!
# Posted on March 27th 2011 by Ben Steen
Re: Slow / Beginners / Learning / Session (Class / Tune Swap) ~ definition & direction
Here's our local (Helena, Montana, USA) learning session, run by yours truly. Nearly everyone who participates also plays in our regular weekly session on Thursdays.
Irish Music Mondays
I'm hosting a group learning session every Monday from 6:30 to 9:00 pm at Piccolo's Music. The basic idea is to sit in a circle and play traditional Irish tunes together. This gives us all a chance to get used to playing with other people, learn new tunes, and have fun with other people who enjoy making music.
Each week, we play through tunes at an easy pace. Some weeks we learn a new tune, mostly by ear. I provide sheet music for all the tunes for anyone who wants the dots, and sound clips are available on our web site
The Monday sessions are open to anyone who can carry a tune on their instrument. I'm asking $10 per person to help cover materials and my time. Chairs are provided, and you can bring a beverage of your choice. As of March 2011, we're an easygoing group of 4-10 people--fiddlers, fluters, whistles, a bouzouki or two, mandolin, and concertina players--but any instruments common to Irish sessions are welcome. Invite your musical friends too--the Monday sessions aren't limited to my students.
# Posted on March 27th 2011 by Will Harmon
Re: Slow / Beginners / Learning / Session (Class / Tune Swap) ~ definition & direction
One has just restarted East Cork-West Waterford area for adults.
One hour "slow",followed by one hour "free and easy",where more experienced players who are are either a bit stale or can't commit to weekly sessions might like to drop in.2nd group would pick up tunes quickly and get totally bored/frustrated with pace of first hour,hence the split.
# Posted on March 27th 2011 by lucy farr
Re: Slow / Beginners / Learning / Session (Class / Tune Swap) ~ definition & direction
Meant to say email me if want to know more details.
# Posted on March 27th 2011 by lucy farr
Slow 'learning' Session & Community Ceili(dh) Band
Thanks Will and Lucy, that's what I'm fishing for, descriptions and expectations, as I chase up a new venue and possibly a restructuring of our own description and expectation. In our case we add to all that 'Community Ceili(dh) Band' and have a direct tie in to local dance classes, with they hopes to eventually set in motion a monthly sit-in ceili(dh)...
As to charging, as Will does, with the experience and respect for the extra effort that goes in to organizing, we've done a weekly charge, a contribution, and free. I found in interesting that most of those I've found online are free, though some of them are attached to organization like Comhaltas and may mean 'free to members', with the usual annual membership fee?
Your descriptions help me to think about all this, as well as being inspirational, thanks, much appreciated...
# Posted on March 27th 2011 by ceolachan
Re: Slow / Beginners / Learning / Session (Class / Tune Swap) ~ definition & direction
>>most people listening to this music (well, Scottish in this instance) do not find speed intrinsically impressive or entertaining
I think you're dead right, Jack - at least if you are talking about the non-specialist public. I have had several conversations with people about how repetitive this music is. My answer is that it is no more so than other types, once your ear becomes accustomed to it. While we do need nyah, speed alone only makes it harder for people to follow a tune.
The same must be true for beginner-players.
# Posted on March 27th 2011 by ian stock
Re: Slow / Beginners / Learning / Session (Class / Tune Swap) ~ definition & direction
These links are all really useful. The guy who ran our local slow session has recently moved away and myself and another musician have taken over, so all these discussions have been most timely!
We changed the format a little so there was a tune-swap at the beginning and tried it out for the first time last month and had a good response.
Here's how we describe our session:
-- "The purpose of the sessions is to allow novice folk musicians to practice at a nice slow pace (as slow as necessary). Learning on your own at home is good but sooner or later you'll want to step out and play with other musicians. The Old School Session is a halfway house between home and the pub sessions. You can practice the art of playing tunes in a session environment, have some fun, and hopefully learn a few things along the way." --
There's a longer description on our website but I don't want to copy it all here: http://oldschoolsession.org/ The website also allows perusal of our slow tune list and to hear samples, etc.
Thanks for your hard work putting the list together, ceolachan.
Dave
# Posted on March 27th 2011 by davedupplaw
Re: Slow / Beginners / Learning / Session (Class / Tune Swap) ~ setting limitations?!
Another point on speed, especially in that too often in the gallop and leap-frog of a session, is how erratic and out-of-control it can be, the adrenalin rush of a train wreck. I do believe that is probably the greatest contributor to the ideas of it being 'repetitive' and 'all the same', or 'diddly-diddly-diddly' music, where the ears lose track of the melody...
One possibly hard-ass expectation I had, trying to put some control on bangers and mash, drum thumpers and chord blaggers, was to expect anyone with a drum or any variety of bass & chord machine ~ to also have some ability with and instrument that was melodic, or to be learning melody too. And yes, it did turn some folks away, sadly... But, I also expected like-for-like, that the melody players at least learn something about rhythm, and try their hands at the occassional and simple bodhran rhythms for accompaniment, basic beats and phrasing... That was fun and we had some good laughts. It's interesting that the melody players never complained and embraced those moments. It was only the accompanist limited, bodhran bashers or chord strummers, that ever refused giving melody a try - and walked out, sometimes in a huff. I often wonder if there's something about personality traits that attract people to drum banging or band-in-a-box piano accordions?
I'd better say here, some of those I consider friends ~
# Posted on March 27th 2011 by ceolachan
Re: Slow / Beginners / Learning / Session (Class / Tune Swap) ~ definition & direction
Nice description Dave, thanks, and for the link...
# Posted on March 27th 2011 by ceolachan
I like this, from your linked to web page ~
"Even though there are a lot of tunes on the list, you only need to learn one to start with. Just sit out the tunes you don't know and listen. Your personal tune list will soon grow, and in time you'll be playing along with more tunes and putting sets together."
But, and not really wanting to open up that can of worms again, we'd had some problems with stands-&-sheets and basically did our best to have people keep that option at home, and to emphasize as you do above ~ listening ~ and following with the ears, we'll slow down if necessary, within reason...
# Posted on March 27th 2011 by ceolachan
I love your flyer and (manageable and beautifully balanced) tune list, a great idea...
# Posted on March 27th 2011 by ceolachan
~ & Community Ceili(dh) Band
Before circumstances brought ours to a close, one of our aspirations was six sets of jigs, two tunes per set, being worked up for a given jig set of quadrilles, five jig figures, popular with our local Irish dancers... That remains one of our goals, as too for a very short set of quadrilles that uses polkas and slides, but only needs one tune per figure because of how short the figures are, no tune sets required, as in the 'old days'...
# Posted on March 27th 2011 by ceolachan
However, while wanting to play for dance and get that experience, we're much more interested in a house dance sound rather than 'ceili(dh) band', more akin to a good tight house session, 'in-the-groove' without beating it to death...
# Posted on March 27th 2011 by ceolachan
Re: Slow / Beginners / Learning / Session (Class / Tune Swap) ~ definition & direction
Our slow session has evolved quite a lot over the last 18 months. For a start we no longer call it a 'slow session', we call it a 'tune learning group', because we don't necessarily play tunes slowly.
We found that just slowing stuff down isn't particularly helpful - if you take a fast tune and slow it right down, bowing and breathing patterns change, and you have to almost re-learn the tune when you bring it up to speed. So now we start off playing at a speed where everyone in the group is comfortable, then after a few times through we start to crank it up, so that people are stretching themselves beyond what they would normally consider their limit.
Choice of tunes is important too - our original intention was to teach the tunes that are regularly played in local sessions. But we found many of them really aren't suitable for beginneres and improvers, even at moderate speed. So now we encourage everyone to bring in tunes that they want to play, and the group learns them, so that in the open sessions they can start 'their ' tunes, knowing that others will join in. It means it's no longer 'pure drop', we play a disproportionate number of waltzes, airs and old-timey stuff, but everyone enjoys what they're doing.
Choice of leader is important too - it can be a real cacaphony at times. We started out with the leaders on fiddle or whistle, but found we often got drowned out. So now we get a friendly PA player to lead - he can always be heard!
# Posted on March 27th 2011 by skreech
Re: Slow / Beginners / Learning / Session (Class / Tune Swap) ~ definition & direction
How do you play a PA system?
# Posted on March 27th 2011 by ian stock
Re: Slow / Beginners / Learning / Session (Class / Tune Swap) ~ definition & direction
skreech - we did something similar, taking some of our tunes from the local session scene, some from those attending, and a few from outside both sources, and we stepped up the tempo on some of the tunes later on. Our slowest going was learning, and that was no more than one tune in an evening, sometimes one part, a phrase at a time. We met weekly...
As to ian's request ~ buttons!
# Posted on March 27th 2011 by ceolachan
Re: Slow / Beginners / Learning / Session (Class / Tune Swap) ~ definition & direction
It's taken me 20 years to figure out how to play a PA and I still hate the thing.
# Posted on March 27th 2011 by horatio spens the blademan
Re: Slow / Beginners / Learning / Session (Class / Tune Swap) ~ definition & direction
Philadelphia Ceili Group's slow session:
http://theirishcenter.com/calendar.php#/?i=1
"Every 1st Friday of the Month from 8:00 -9:00 there is a slow session. This is a traditional Irish session in all ways except one: the tempo. You will play common session tunes at a slower than normal pace, so that beginning and intermediate players can more easily learn the tunes and join in the session. Also great for experienced players who are picking up another instrument!"
# Posted on March 27th 2011 by mulcreevy
Re: Slow / Beginners / Learning / Session (Class / Tune Swap) ~ definition & direction
Regarding Minneapolis session at Keegans.
The session is lead by Jason, a great flute player and there are usually 5 -10 players ranging from 2yrs on an instrument to regular session players. New tunes are explained and taught by ear a couple of bars at a time slowly. A good portion of the time is spent on playing sets at a moderate pace.
# Posted on March 28th 2011 by polymerflute
Re: Slow / Beginners / Learning / Session (Class / Tune Swap) ~ definition & direction
'C,' your comments about using the learning session to work on playing for set dances got me to thinking about our local situation here in Montana.
We *do* play for ceilidhs and various sorts of sets, but more often we're playing for one of the two local step dancing schools. I often end up leading the tunes for the dancers, stringing them together on the fly based on whatever they ask us for (usually one of the girls will come up and ask for a light jig or a fast reel). We launch a tune, and then I keep them coming as long as the dancers are still at it.
But sometimes I leap to a tune that only one or two other folks know. Instead, what I'll do now is teach some jigs and reels in sets and those can be our default dance sets. I may have to ask people not to string the same tunes together when we're just sessioning, not playing for dancers, to prevent musical rigor mortis....
But it'd be a good way to get more people actively playing for the dancers.
Thanks!
# Posted on March 28th 2011 by Will Harmon
Re: Slow / Beginners / Learning / Session (Class / Tune Swap) ~ definition & direction
Thanks all, and for polymerflute coming back with more, and mulcreavy adding another description and link, appreciated. It is helping me to think and re-think, and inspiring me not to give up, even with another bout of computer hell, and ~ worse ~ my torn right shoulder-blade acting up and giving me worse agro than the digital gremlins.
And thanks for the extra inspiration Will, which raised a smile and another twist on 'playing for dancers', step dancers... We have a few that sometimes give us a solo during breaks, and that would give us another goal for slip jigs too.
# Posted on March 28th 2011 by ceolachan
Re: Slow / Beginners / Learning / Session (Class / Tune Swap) ~ definition & direction
One of our set dancers does a terrific job of an extended set of steps to The Blackbird, always fun during a break in the sets.
# Posted on March 29th 2011 by Will Harmon