Within a community the members engage one another. It's not something which happens by only sitting safely within my room. I can spend all the time I like in my room. But until one ventures further, there is no community.
These are not idle words. At our last session we received the saddest news possible. Enough to make anyone retreat to their privacy. But that is not the way for a community to come together.
So, what say you? Is your session also your community? I hope this is not too difficult of a question.
Seems like there was an intense debate recently about the definition of 'community'...but, in a casual sense, I consider myself to be part of a local, ITM-centric community. I've made friends, seen drama unfold, I perceive a "pecking order" based on skill and seniority. And, I'm happy to be part of it.
I agree, and our little community has lost two members in the last couple of years. Very difficult. But we also lift each other up, which is what a community is for.
Not sure about that. My session often includes individuals who are not part of my community. My community is close knit, sessions are open. And I find many visitors have no idea what a session is, how it differs from an open mike night and how an Irish session should focus on a certain genre of music. Form many visitors it is just a chance for them to show what they can do - regardless of style, genre etc
'The session' in general is certainly a community. However there are various complex implication of any type of community. Quite often the word 'community' have positive connotations of a group of people connecting in a harmonious way, there are tough social negotiations in the session too. (See all the discussions on session etiquette and other issues on this site for example).
Of the two sessions I mainly frequent - one is definitely a little community (within a larger community) and the other is debatable. The first session is quite communal in the sense that people are involved with each others lives and music-making in a meaningful way - we are not just a group that plays music together because there is no other options. The second session - I feel more disconnected and wonder if it is a functioning community at all or just a weaker type (or something) community. At this session, we all share music, but little social interaction takes place, and I"m not sure if the other musicians know anything about me (or care to). This sessions community is more based around musical interactions only.
So I would say 'the session' is a community. Various sessions should be analyzed and judged individually to evaluate the type of community it produces. (Also some beginners might attend a session and feel like an outsider, while an advanced player might be accepted as a leader. In this way, people may have different perceptions of community within the same session).
Yes, I agree with jcawley's comments there, especially about people having different perceptions of community within the same session. Many sessions derive community not just from shared musical experienced, but shared cultural experiences, which makes it awkward for an incomer to ever stop feeling like an outsider.
I regard a session to be a *musical* community and the better ones are mainly comprised of "musical friends" although you may also have actual friends (in the more general sense of the word) too and maybe even neighbours if it's held within a small rural area.
However, it's usually nothing to do with the street or even the actual area where you live. The participants will often travel across town, to another town, and in some situations, even to another country to play tunes with each other. Of course, many will also be in communication at other other times.
That's not to say you can't build a strong relationship and bond with fellow musicians whom you meet at sessions but you may still only have contact with them once or twice a week or meet up regularly at festivals etc. However, outwith these times, you might have very little(if any) contact with them.
So, they aren't really part of your regular community although your session IS your community when you are there.
Two things John, you might clarify. on your first point "maybe even neighbours if it's held within a small rural area." - Why do you bring up the distinction of rural? Can't communities of musicians & neighbors come together in urban settings as well? (Perhaps rural communities are seen as more 'authentic' in ITM?)
Secondly, what do you mean by 'they aren't really part of your regular community'? You also seem to be defining community by location - "it's usually nothing to do with the street or even the actual area where you live."
I go to 3-4 sessions a week, so in my mind, they are my 'regular' community. (I suppose in this way, sessions at festivals are NOT a community, just a social, musical, group event/interaction). Sessions are more of a community than the location I live - Especially since the random lady next door has yet to say hello to me for the past 2 years!
Some urban areas are indeed like little villages, I admit....
Also, some sessions are arguably more "local" than others.
As a matter of interest, do each of the 3 or 4 sessions contain the same personnel?
I take your point about festival sessions although, certainly in the summer months, you can attend a festival almost every week...usually for a period of three or four days... and meet many of the same faces each time.
Also, many "pub session" regulars also attend festivals too and sometimes even move their own session there. Only the walls and beer are different!
So, I would still regard them as communal events. At least for the more ardent festival goers.
Good point about festival communities John. I think festivals can sometimes constitute communities (at Willie Week, you can run into the same people year after year). At small festivals (like the Flute Meeting in Ballyvourney, Co. Cork) you can certainly feel a sense of community after 4 days because there are usually only 50 people around, sometimes at Willie Week though I'm lost in the huge crowds of sessions. Just because loads of people are around (great people & great music), doesn't automatically lead to communities unfortunately.
These days, I mostly attend smaller Scottish festivals although I'll also visit a few of the bigger ones.
Invariably, you meet up with mostly the same people. Of course, many of the sessions will feature Scottish music but there is also a strong presence of Irish players who visit these too.
There's also singers but we try to keep out of their road.
Totally. We are a close-knit group of friends and family. We love to meet new folks and welcome them in, but at the heart of things are just old friends who love each other and the music. We have lived in the same places for years. The locals know us. We teach, we perform professionally, we session. We're a part of the community as well as our own community, a family.
Thanks for the responses all. I'm just reading them & then off to work, unless there is the distraction which happens all too often.
Odd night, last night. I cannot say the music was it's best last night. Well, perhaps it was if you don't consider my own playing. But while my playing was less than brilliant; the camaraderie was grand! And food too ~ you're never lonely when you're eating.
;)
Your session is your community
Your session is your community
Within a community the members engage one another. It's not something which happens by only sitting safely within my room. I can spend all the time I like in my room. But until one ventures further, there is no community.
These are not idle words. At our last session we received the saddest news possible. Enough to make anyone retreat to their privacy. But that is not the way for a community to come together.
So, what say you? Is your session also your community? I hope this is not too difficult of a question.
Cheers,
Ben
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Ben Steen
Cheers, again.
I've a session tonight. I'm looking forward to a robust discussion. ;)
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Ben Steen
Re: Your session is your community
Seems like there was an intense debate recently about the definition of 'community'...but, in a casual sense, I consider myself to be part of a local, ITM-centric community. I've made friends, seen drama unfold, I perceive a "pecking order" based on skill and seniority. And, I'm happy to be part of it.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by dereksmootz
Re: Your session is your community
I agree, and our little community has lost two members in the last couple of years. Very difficult. But we also lift each other up, which is what a community is for.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by AlBrown
Re: Your session is your community
It's a community alright. In Australia it's a national community,
although some of the people I know only by sight.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Hup
Re: Your session is your community
My local session is all friends and neighbors, a community by interest, proximity, and long-standing camaraderie. Works a treat.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Will Harmon
Re: Your session is your community
< Is your session also your community? >
YES !
Its also a way of keeping ' Your Sanity '
jim,,,
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by FIDDLE4
Re: Your session is your community
Not sure about that. My session often includes individuals who are not part of my community. My community is close knit, sessions are open. And I find many visitors have no idea what a session is, how it differs from an open mike night and how an Irish session should focus on a certain genre of music. Form many visitors it is just a chance for them to show what they can do - regardless of style, genre etc
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by redh
Re: Your session is your community
No, sadly. Doesn't feel like that these days. :(
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Your session is your community
'The session' in general is certainly a community. However there are various complex implication of any type of community. Quite often the word 'community' have positive connotations of a group of people connecting in a harmonious way, there are tough social negotiations in the session too. (See all the discussions on session etiquette and other issues on this site for example).
Of the two sessions I mainly frequent - one is definitely a little community (within a larger community) and the other is debatable. The first session is quite communal in the sense that people are involved with each others lives and music-making in a meaningful way - we are not just a group that plays music together because there is no other options. The second session - I feel more disconnected and wonder if it is a functioning community at all or just a weaker type (or something) community. At this session, we all share music, but little social interaction takes place, and I"m not sure if the other musicians know anything about me (or care to). This sessions community is more based around musical interactions only.
So I would say 'the session' is a community. Various sessions should be analyzed and judged individually to evaluate the type of community it produces. (Also some beginners might attend a session and feel like an outsider, while an advanced player might be accepted as a leader. In this way, people may have different perceptions of community within the same session).
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by jcawley
Re: Your session is your community
Yes, I agree with jcawley's comments there, especially about people having different perceptions of community within the same session. Many sessions derive community not just from shared musical experienced, but shared cultural experiences, which makes it awkward for an incomer to ever stop feeling like an outsider.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Your session is your community
I regard a session to be a *musical* community and the better ones are mainly comprised of "musical friends" although you may also have actual friends (in the more general sense of the word) too and maybe even neighbours if it's held within a small rural area.
However, it's usually nothing to do with the street or even the actual area where you live. The participants will often travel across town, to another town, and in some situations, even to another country to play tunes with each other. Of course, many will also be in communication at other other times.
That's not to say you can't build a strong relationship and bond with fellow musicians whom you meet at sessions but you may still only have contact with them once or twice a week or meet up regularly at festivals etc. However, outwith these times, you might have very little(if any) contact with them.
So, they aren't really part of your regular community although your session IS your community when you are there.
Does any of that make sense?
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Johnny Jay
Re: Your session is your community
Two things John, you might clarify. on your first point "maybe even neighbours if it's held within a small rural area." - Why do you bring up the distinction of rural? Can't communities of musicians & neighbors come together in urban settings as well? (Perhaps rural communities are seen as more 'authentic' in ITM?)
Secondly, what do you mean by 'they aren't really part of your regular community'? You also seem to be defining community by location - "it's usually nothing to do with the street or even the actual area where you live."
I go to 3-4 sessions a week, so in my mind, they are my 'regular' community. (I suppose in this way, sessions at festivals are NOT a community, just a social, musical, group event/interaction). Sessions are more of a community than the location I live - Especially since the random lady next door has yet to say hello to me for the past 2 years!
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by jcawley
Re: Your session is your community
Some urban areas are indeed like little villages, I admit....
Also, some sessions are arguably more "local" than others.
As a matter of interest, do each of the 3 or 4 sessions contain the same personnel?
I take your point about festival sessions although, certainly in the summer months, you can attend a festival almost every week...usually for a period of three or four days... and meet many of the same faces each time.
Also, many "pub session" regulars also attend festivals too and sometimes even move their own session there. Only the walls and beer are different!
So, I would still regard them as communal events. At least for the more ardent festival goers.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Johnny Jay
Re: Your session is your community
Good point about festival communities John. I think festivals can sometimes constitute communities (at Willie Week, you can run into the same people year after year). At small festivals (like the Flute Meeting in Ballyvourney, Co. Cork) you can certainly feel a sense of community after 4 days because there are usually only 50 people around, sometimes at Willie Week though I'm lost in the huge crowds of sessions. Just because loads of people are around (great people & great music), doesn't automatically lead to communities unfortunately.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by jcawley
Re: Your session is your community
These days, I mostly attend smaller Scottish festivals although I'll also visit a few of the bigger ones.
Invariably, you meet up with mostly the same people. Of course, many of the sessions will feature Scottish music but there is also a strong presence of Irish players who visit these too.
There's also singers but we try to keep out of their road.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Johnny Jay
Re: Your session is your community
Totally. We are a close-knit group of friends and family. We love to meet new folks and welcome them in, but at the heart of things are just old friends who love each other and the music. We have lived in the same places for years. The locals know us. We teach, we perform professionally, we session. We're a part of the community as well as our own community, a family.
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Your session is your community
Thanks for the responses all. I'm just reading them & then off to work, unless there is the distraction which happens all too often.
Odd night, last night. I cannot say the music was it's best last night. Well, perhaps it was if you don't consider my own playing. But while my playing was less than brilliant; the camaraderie was grand! And food too ~ you're never lonely when you're eating.
;)
# Posted on May 18th 2011 by Ben Steen