I'm a newcomer to this website, and so far I am thoroughly enjoying it. I have mostly played in sessions with people that I know, but a few days ago I sat in on a session with people that I had never met, and I'd like some etiquette guidance.
I just found a weekly session close by and have played in it once. I made sure to introduce myself to the session leader and the musicians sitting around me. I played quietly on tunes that I know (I play bodhran in this session), and sat out on the tunes that I did not know. I also watched the session leader carefully to pick up his body language - these people have been playing together for a long time and know when someone is going to take a solo or do a variation on a tune by him or herself.
I tried to behave politely and discreetly at the first session. Is there something more I can do so as not to disrupt the existing chemistry? Are there things I should absolutely NOT do? When it is appropriate to play with more ornamentation?
All advice on how a new sessioneer should act would be very appreciated! I love playing in sessions and would never want to make the other musicians uncomfortable or upset because of any poor behavior. Not knowing how to behave is not an excuse to behave poorly!
What a nice post to read, Lissadell! Sounds to me like you've done just fine, you've obviously got the right instincts.
About the only thing left to do is to strike up a quiet conversation with a friendly musician (preferably the session leader, but any leading light of that session will do) and earnestly ask if they mind (in the philosophical sense) that you're playing a bodhran at the session. (If you tell them that you've heard people talking about not liking bodhrans in a session and you want to make sure that your playing is welcome there, you'll probably endear yourself to them forever.) Another good tactic is to ask after teachers (if you don't already have one). Shows willing and all that.
Just remember that sessions are all about the crack -- getting together with friends and doing something that you all enjoy together, in this case, making music. You treat the situation the same as any other time that you join a new circle of people.
At any rate, it sounds to me that you're doing fine! Welcome to The Session. It's a great group of people, and a fine bunch of players.
Gosh, first Barney tells me I belong underground, now Toni calls me a deep pit, what's a girl to do?! Heh...just joking, Toni -- I think you do fine in English, much better than I would in German or Norwegian or Russian or Spanish or Gaelige. That's the right expression, just the wrong person to apply it to! Our deep well is probably Will, I'd think. Heh. Well, Will? *snicker*
If *I'm* the well, you'd all better tap another and find a bigger aquifer. Besides, I usually feel more like the bucket, hanging dry at the top most of the time, then dipped in unceremoniously only to spill it all out at the top again.
I was wondering if Lissadell Lady was just pulling our leg--I mean, a bodhran player with a sense of discretion...how likely is that? (*Just kidding*)
I agree with Toni--I wish more people would show such good manners and respect. And it's not really even for the musicians' sake as it is for the session and the music itself. So you're off to a great start. Just keep paying attention to the unspoken etiquette, aks a few questions, and blend in. You'll do fine.
Thanks for the encouraging replies!! I had trouble discerning at the end of the session whether they enjoyed my presence. A fiddler next to me did comment on how nice it was to have a bodhran (they hardly ever have a tipper show up). I also play the tin whistle, but I only know a limited number of tunes, so I rarely play that instrument at the session unless its one that I've been with for a while and am familiar with the core sets of tunes that are played.
Im from the United States, but I learned to play traditional Irish music and began my session experiences in Ireland. More specifically, I'm a college student in Michigan.
One other thing - sometimes my friends come to the session as well (it takes place in a pub), and Im wondering if its proper or not for me to physically leave the session during a set of tunes Im not playing in to visit with my friends, get a drink from the bar, etc - or if, once I've sat down in the session, I should stay there.
The thing I like best about this session is that the session leader teaches fiddling, and many of his students (ages 6-12) attend the session. Tunes that they know are played often, and at a moderate speed. Its quite humbling to sit next to a 7-year old fiddler who's leading a set of slipjigs!
At most sessions I've been to, it's okay to get up and leave any old time. But most of the time, most people wait till a break between sets. Also, if you know ahead of time that you'll want to bail once in a while, pick a chair with a convenient exit. I've noticed that there's a brief sense of disruption when one of the key players in the circle gets up in mi-tune, but not when a peripheral player does the same thing. It depends on your volume, whether you're actively contributing tunes or just following along, and whether you're a lead or accompaniment instrument. It also depends on the overall size of the group--it's easier to slip in and out of a big group.
It sounds like you'll have ample opportunities to pick up the tunes they play regularly at the session you're joining. Are there other whistle players? If not, the addition of your whistle will most likely be very welcome. Being able to switch back and forth between bodhran and whistle should make you a welcome asset to any good session. Start working up those tunes!
>I had trouble discerning at the end of the session whether they enjoyed my presence.
>A fiddler next to me did comment on how nice it was to have a bodhran (they hardly ever have a tipper show up).
Ha! I think Will is right: LissadellLady is pulling our leg. First she's telling us about being a bodhran player with tact and now she is telling us a story about a fiddle-player with a sense of humor. We're not that easily had, my dear Lady.
Definitely develop your whistleskills. Get L.E. McCullough's "121 Favorite Irish Session Tunes" and learn them from the CD rather than the music. It will develop your ear and probably help you bodhran playing as well. It's available at www.homespuntapes.com.
Not only did the fiddle player have a sense of humor, but he was very good looking as well.
To clarify, I did not leave the session mid-tune - only during a break, and I did have a chair on the outside of the circle.
Ive learned some tunes out of 110 Ireland's Best Tin Whistle Tunes by Clare McKenna, and also from the Walsh Session Tune book. I'm a little more self-conscious of my whistle playing than my bodhran playing, but I'll try to learn from the other whistle player(s) in the session and see if I can cultivate those skills.
Oooo, it must have been Will! Or Brad! Or Jeremy! Jorg, were you in the States? hehehehe.
You know, Lady, That Book that Will and I are so fond of quoting from says that the main reason you might be polite to a sessioneer that isn't all that good a player is that you still want to have a chance and slipping a hand down their jeans. *snort*
Just being silly. Sorry.
Anyway, you're fine, m'dear. Just fine. Just follow all your instincts, they're obviously good!
Hi Lissadell Lady! Just a note to let you know that there is also an active whistler's board who would love to see you aboard. Check out www.chiffandfipple.com in your spare time. Depending on the group, sessions can be very open to new people taking active roles in the music after seeing their faces only a few times. I'll bet you'll be greeted as an old friend next time you show there.
Oops, I also play the tin whistle and recently went to my first session. I thought I was doing fine with my technique, and that I had a well rounded selection of tunes to play...hornpipes, jigs, reels, some aires and waltzes. I was overwhelmed by how much I did not know. However, they members of the session were extremely welcoming and offered encouragement all night long. I was fortunate in that in this session there are as many as five whistle players, and I have picked up more tidbits of playing with them than any time I have spent rehearsing by myself. Keep going back, and don't get intimidated in your lack of knowledge...it will come.
Tom
Lady, may I just say on behalf of all the closet bodhran players in the session how uncommonly lucky you are to have found a session without a mob of bodhran players already engaged in a battle royale for rhythmic supremacy. My poor drum gets so lonesome...
Welcome, by the way. I'm late getting into this thread, but look what I've missed! The only thing I have to add is relax. It isn't likely the other players are watching your every move, getting irritated when you go to the bathroom or have a rhythmic slip-up. I'm sure they get a general idea of your respect and sensitivity already from the tact you seem to naturally posess.
I've seen the best session players break every etiquette rule we've ever discussed here - but they break them with such love and good timing no-one could fault them for it. The mainl faux pas at any session is the failure to pay attention. Sounds like you already have that one nailed. The rest are minor details.
New to a session (and to The Session)
New to a session (and to The Session)
Hi all,
I'm a newcomer to this website, and so far I am thoroughly enjoying it. I have mostly played in sessions with people that I know, but a few days ago I sat in on a session with people that I had never met, and I'd like some etiquette guidance.
I just found a weekly session close by and have played in it once. I made sure to introduce myself to the session leader and the musicians sitting around me. I played quietly on tunes that I know (I play bodhran in this session), and sat out on the tunes that I did not know. I also watched the session leader carefully to pick up his body language - these people have been playing together for a long time and know when someone is going to take a solo or do a variation on a tune by him or herself.
I tried to behave politely and discreetly at the first session. Is there something more I can do so as not to disrupt the existing chemistry? Are there things I should absolutely NOT do? When it is appropriate to play with more ornamentation?
All advice on how a new sessioneer should act would be very appreciated! I love playing in sessions and would never want to make the other musicians uncomfortable or upset because of any poor behavior. Not knowing how to behave is not an excuse to behave poorly!
Thanks!
# Posted on February 26th 2002 by LadyDi
Re: New to a session (and to The Session)
What a nice post to read, Lissadell! Sounds to me like you've done just fine, you've obviously got the right instincts.
About the only thing left to do is to strike up a quiet conversation with a friendly musician (preferably the session leader, but any leading light of that session will do) and earnestly ask if they mind (in the philosophical sense) that you're playing a bodhran at the session. (If you tell them that you've heard people talking about not liking bodhrans in a session and you want to make sure that your playing is welcome there, you'll probably endear yourself to them forever.) Another good tactic is to ask after teachers (if you don't already have one). Shows willing and all that.
Just remember that sessions are all about the crack -- getting together with friends and doing something that you all enjoy together, in this case, making music. You treat the situation the same as any other time that you join a new circle of people.
At any rate, it sounds to me that you're doing fine! Welcome to The Session. It's a great group of people, and a fine bunch of players.
Zina
# Posted on February 26th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: New to a session (and to The Session)
C
# Posted on February 26th 2002 by Toni Ribas
Re: New to a session (and to The Session)
Gosh, first Barney tells me I belong underground, now Toni calls me a deep pit, what's a girl to do?! Heh...just joking, Toni -- I think you do fine in English, much better than I would in German or Norwegian or Russian or Spanish or Gaelige. That's the right expression, just the wrong person to apply it to!
Our deep well is probably Will, I'd think. Heh. Well, Will? *snicker*
Zina
# Posted on February 26th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: New to a session (and to The Session)
snicker? Aren't you supposed to snort, Zina?
# Posted on February 26th 2002 by Bloomfield
Re: New to a session (and to The Session)
If *I'm* the well, you'd all better tap another and find a bigger aquifer. Besides, I usually feel more like the bucket, hanging dry at the top most of the time, then dipped in unceremoniously only to spill it all out at the top again.
I was wondering if Lissadell Lady was just pulling our leg--I mean, a bodhran player with a sense of discretion...how likely is that? (*Just kidding*)
I agree with Toni--I wish more people would show such good manners and respect. And it's not really even for the musicians' sake as it is for the session and the music itself. So you're off to a great start. Just keep paying attention to the unspoken etiquette, aks a few questions, and blend in. You'll do fine.
Welcome to the circle!
# Posted on February 26th 2002 by Will Harmon
Re: New to a session (and to The Session)
Hey guys,
Thanks for the encouraging replies!! I had trouble discerning at the end of the session whether they enjoyed my presence. A fiddler next to me did comment on how nice it was to have a bodhran (they hardly ever have a tipper show up). I also play the tin whistle, but I only know a limited number of tunes, so I rarely play that instrument at the session unless its one that I've been with for a while and am familiar with the core sets of tunes that are played.
Im from the United States, but I learned to play traditional Irish music and began my session experiences in Ireland. More specifically, I'm a college student in Michigan.
One other thing - sometimes my friends come to the session as well (it takes place in a pub), and Im wondering if its proper or not for me to physically leave the session during a set of tunes Im not playing in to visit with my friends, get a drink from the bar, etc - or if, once I've sat down in the session, I should stay there.
The thing I like best about this session is that the session leader teaches fiddling, and many of his students (ages 6-12) attend the session. Tunes that they know are played often, and at a moderate speed. Its quite humbling to sit next to a 7-year old fiddler who's leading a set of slipjigs!
# Posted on February 26th 2002 by LadyDi
At most sessions I've been to, it's okay to get up and leave any old time. But most of the time, most people wait till a break between sets. Also, if you know ahead of time that you'll want to bail once in a while, pick a chair with a convenient exit. I've noticed that there's a brief sense of disruption when one of the key players in the circle gets up in mi-tune, but not when a peripheral player does the same thing. It depends on your volume, whether you're actively contributing tunes or just following along, and whether you're a lead or accompaniment instrument. It also depends on the overall size of the group--it's easier to slip in and out of a big group.
It sounds like you'll have ample opportunities to pick up the tunes they play regularly at the session you're joining. Are there other whistle players? If not, the addition of your whistle will most likely be very welcome. Being able to switch back and forth between bodhran and whistle should make you a welcome asset to any good session. Start working up those tunes!
# Posted on February 26th 2002 by Will Harmon
Re: New to a session (and to The Session)
>I had trouble discerning at the end of the session whether they enjoyed my presence.
>A fiddler next to me did comment on how nice it was to have a bodhran (they hardly ever have a tipper show up).
Ha! I think Will is right: LissadellLady is pulling our leg. First she's telling us about being a bodhran player with tact and now she is telling us a story about a fiddle-player with a sense of humor. We're not that easily had, my dear Lady.
Definitely develop your whistleskills. Get L.E. McCullough's "121 Favorite Irish Session Tunes" and learn them from the CD rather than the music. It will develop your ear and probably help you bodhran playing as well. It's available at www.homespuntapes.com.
Welcome!
# Posted on February 26th 2002 by Bloomfield
Re: New to a session (and to The Session)
Even more startling, a fiddler with good manners!
# Posted on February 26th 2002 by Will Harmon
Re: New to a session (and to The Session)
Why there's lots of them thar fiddle player types with good manners.
# Posted on February 26th 2002 by flyinfiddler
Re: New to a session (and to The Session)
And a few bodhran players!
# Posted on February 26th 2002 by linda
Re: New to a Session
Hi, LL! I'm in Chicago
# Posted on February 26th 2002 by linda
Re: New to a session (and to The Session)
Guys,
Not only did the fiddle player have a sense of humor, but he was very good looking as well.
To clarify, I did not leave the session mid-tune - only during a break, and I did have a chair on the outside of the circle.
Ive learned some tunes out of 110 Ireland's Best Tin Whistle Tunes by Clare McKenna, and also from the Walsh Session Tune book. I'm a little more self-conscious of my whistle playing than my bodhran playing, but I'll try to learn from the other whistle player(s) in the session and see if I can cultivate those skills.
# Posted on February 26th 2002 by LadyDi
Re: New to a session (and to The Session)
Oooo, it must have been Will! Or Brad! Or Jeremy! Jorg, were you in the States? hehehehe.
You know, Lady, That Book that Will and I are so fond of quoting from says that the main reason you might be polite to a sessioneer that isn't all that good a player is that you still want to have a chance and slipping a hand down their jeans. *snort*
Just being silly. Sorry.
Anyway, you're fine, m'dear. Just fine. Just follow all your instincts, they're obviously good!
Zina
# Posted on February 26th 2002 by Zina Lee
Re: New to a session (and to The Session)
Hi Lissadell Lady! Just a note to let you know that there is also an active whistler's board who would love to see you aboard. Check out www.chiffandfipple.com in your spare time. Depending on the group, sessions can be very open to new people taking active roles in the music after seeing their faces only a few times. I'll bet you'll be greeted as an old friend next time you show there.
T
# Posted on February 28th 2002 by Tyghress
Re: New to a session (and to The Session)
Hi LL,
# Posted on February 28th 2002 by LoWhistle
Oops, I also play the tin whistle and recently went to my first session. I thought I was doing fine with my technique, and that I had a well rounded selection of tunes to play...hornpipes, jigs, reels, some aires and waltzes. I was overwhelmed by how much I did not know. However, they members of the session were extremely welcoming and offered encouragement all night long. I was fortunate in that in this session there are as many as five whistle players, and I have picked up more tidbits of playing with them than any time I have spent rehearsing by myself. Keep going back, and don't get intimidated in your lack of knowledge...it will come.
Tom
# Posted on February 28th 2002 by LoWhistle
Re: New to a session (and to The Session)
Lady, may I just say on behalf of all the closet bodhran players in the session how uncommonly lucky you are to have found a session without a mob of bodhran players already engaged in a battle royale for rhythmic supremacy. My poor drum gets so lonesome...
Welcome, by the way. I'm late getting into this thread, but look what I've missed! The only thing I have to add is relax. It isn't likely the other players are watching your every move, getting irritated when you go to the bathroom or have a rhythmic slip-up. I'm sure they get a general idea of your respect and sensitivity already from the tact you seem to naturally posess.
I've seen the best session players break every etiquette rule we've ever discussed here - but they break them with such love and good timing no-one could fault them for it. The mainl faux pas at any session is the failure to pay attention. Sounds like you already have that one nailed. The rest are minor details.
# Posted on March 1st 2002 by Kerri Brown