Well, I was finally able to get my sorry arse down to a local session here in Hamilton, Ontario last night and I’m glad I did. It was a treat. Taking stock of the instruments, I seem to remember 2 guitars, 1 mandolin, 1 whistle, 1 accordion, 2 wood flutes played by one person not simultaneously of course, 1 bodhran (played tastefully and with a cylindrical hairbrush) and finally 2 violins. As far as singers goes, there was one woman with a beautiful voice who sang about 4 tunes, albeit not loud enough … and throughout the night many patrons started songs that the whole pub sang and played together! I had a great evening, made some really great acquaintances, including a kiwi soap star of all people, and her Irish Uncle. I had me a number of pints and despite what everyone told me at the pub, I’ve learned that I have a lot of work to do before I actually attempt to play with the group. According to some of the regulars, the mix isn’t always as great as it was last night but I think that is to be expected anywhere. The verdict is that I think I’ll go back; I feel lucky I’ve found this little musical Mecca and this renewed motivation. The musicians I did get to meet were all very encouraging and didn’t pressure. The general attitude was “bring yer’ fiddle and play what ya’ know, and if you’re only comfortable with one tune, then play that one till you know more… we may even be able to just join in.”
Probably the most encouraging part of my evening was that the second fiddler (a philosophy professor) has only been playing for 9 months!
Usually, more experienced musicians are encouraging but they don't tend to "pressure". Probably, because they understand what you're going through. Even they will experience the difficulty of attending a session where they know very few(if any) of the tunes. Of course, they can always start their own but that's not very good manners. Usually, it's the punters or on-lookers who make you feel under pressure with comments like "Play up!", "Just have a Go", "Can you not play that thing?" etc. They don't understand that there's thousands of tunes in the world and it's impossible to know them all. Or, on the other hand, they think it's the normal procedure to play whether you know the tunes or not. So, when you do actually play, these people are absolutely astounded. "Oh, you can play after all!" they exclaim.
I had the misfortune of being pretty well-acquainted with the barman at the venue where the session I attended was held.
He knew it was my first session, and that I was on my best behaviour, meekly sitting and listening and not playing anything really, since I only knew a handful of tunes.
So he thought it would be a terribly funny thing to walk up to the table between sets, point at me and exclaim: "This guy's useless! He hasn't played a single tune all night" and cackle insanely as I turned beetroot and tried to look invisible.
A first session...
A first session...
Well, I was finally able to get my sorry arse down to a local session here in Hamilton, Ontario last night and I’m glad I did. It was a treat. Taking stock of the instruments, I seem to remember 2 guitars, 1 mandolin, 1 whistle, 1 accordion, 2 wood flutes played by one person not simultaneously of course, 1 bodhran (played tastefully and with a cylindrical hairbrush) and finally 2 violins. As far as singers goes, there was one woman with a beautiful voice who sang about 4 tunes, albeit not loud enough
… and throughout the night many patrons started songs that the whole pub sang and played together! I had a great evening, made some really great acquaintances, including a kiwi soap star of all people, and her Irish Uncle. I had me a number of pints and despite what everyone told me at the pub, I’ve learned that I have a lot of work to do before I actually attempt to play with the group. According to some of the regulars, the mix isn’t always as great as it was last night but I think that is to be expected anywhere. The verdict is that I think I’ll go back; I feel lucky I’ve found this little musical Mecca and this renewed motivation. The musicians I did get to meet were all very encouraging and didn’t pressure. The general attitude was “bring yer’ fiddle and play what ya’ know, and if you’re only comfortable with one tune, then play that one till you know more… we may even be able to just join in.”
Probably the most encouraging part of my evening was that the second fiddler (a philosophy professor) has only been playing for 9 months!
# Posted on October 20th 2004 by c_ya
Re: A first session...
it's the best thing in the world, isn't it?
Next week, it'll be exactly a year since my first session. A life-changing event if ever there was one, and it just keeps on getting better.
# Posted on October 20th 2004 by Q
Re: A first session...
Usually, more experienced musicians are encouraging but they don't tend to "pressure". Probably, because they understand what you're going through. Even they will experience the difficulty of attending a session where they know very few(if any) of the tunes. Of course, they can always start their own but that's not very good manners. Usually, it's the punters or on-lookers who make you feel under pressure with comments like "Play up!", "Just have a Go", "Can you not play that thing?" etc. They don't understand that there's thousands of tunes in the world and it's impossible to know them all. Or, on the other hand, they think it's the normal procedure to play whether you know the tunes or not.
So, when you do actually play, these people are absolutely astounded. "Oh, you can play after all!" they exclaim. 
# Posted on October 20th 2004 by Johannes J
Re: A first session...
I had the misfortune of being pretty well-acquainted with the barman at the venue where the session I attended was held.
He knew it was my first session, and that I was on my best behaviour, meekly sitting and listening and not playing anything really, since I only knew a handful of tunes.
So he thought it would be a terribly funny thing to walk up to the table between sets, point at me and exclaim: "This guy's useless! He hasn't played a single tune all night" and cackle insanely as I turned beetroot and tried to look invisible.
He still does it, the bastard.
# Posted on October 20th 2004 by Q
Re: A first session...
Face it Q, there's no smoke without fire!
;o)
# Posted on October 20th 2004 by showaddydadito
Re: A first session...
In this case, there's only smoke 'cuz I just set fire to your mandolin!
%7p
# Posted on October 20th 2004 by Q
Re: A first session...
Where you been Showdaddy ?
# Posted on October 20th 2004 by BegF
Re: A first session...
Had the hump for a week or so.
# Posted on October 20th 2004 by showaddydadito
Re: A first session...
Something I said ?
# Posted on October 20th 2004 by BegF
Re: A first session...
Come on BegF - if I took the hump every time you were unspeakably and unforgivably horrible to me. . . .
(you know I don't mean it)
;o)
# Posted on October 20th 2004 by showaddydadito
Re: A first session...
Hump!
# Posted on October 20th 2004 by BegF
Re: A first session...
Shouldn't that be HumpF ?
# Posted on October 20th 2004 by showaddydadito
Re: A first session...
And shouldn't THAT be
"Showaddyn't that be HumpF" ?
# Posted on October 20th 2004 by BegF
Re: A first session...
Can I go now?
# Posted on October 20th 2004 by showaddydadito
Re: A first session...
No.
Wait.
Nnnnn....now you can go.
# Posted on October 21st 2004 by BegF