So how does one go about organizing a session? Not just any session- but a sustainable, reliable session that is full of friendly, talented musicians - welcoming to novices. Here in the Willamette Valley, we are known for our excellent wine- the musicians are a little more elusive. However, I am starting to notice more and more very capable ITMers - We don't quite have the pub "system" you have in Ireland- most of our bars are places only for getting drunk, picking fights or attempting to lure a suitable partner to your bed (or car or what ever). There are a few microbreweries that may consider hosting a session- but not sure if they would be up for a regular gig. Does any one ever pay musicians to "lead" a session? Would a place that sells alcohol be better? Or not? How many people do you need for a successful session?
Perhaps you could start by getting together a group of musicians in closed sessions in each other's houses for a while. This will help you to get to know each other and establish a stable group and a repertoire of tunes. BTW, I'm not talking about setting up a band, just a group of people playing music for their own enjoyment. While you're doing this you'll have more time to look round for a suitable public venue, so that when you do go public you'll already have a good core of reliable people which will sound good to the public and attract the novices - the potential life-blood of The Music. Just a thought - it might just work.
In London, at any rate, most sessions have two or three paid musicians. I can only speak for the places I have been to sessions in, but this is the case elsewhere as well, including many parts of Ireland.
As for whether you look for licensed or unlicensed premises to hold you session, that depends on the musicians. If most of the musicians in your locality like to drink beer when they play, then try to find a bar that will have you. If they are happy to drink tea or pineapple juice, then that gives you other options - cafés, church halls, community centres. If any of them are strict Muslims, that might preclude holding it it a bar.
Try off-hours for bars - Monday or Tuesday nights or sunday afternoons. The proprietors are often glad to have something interesting going on. We tend to have ours in microbreweries on sunday afternoons.
Whereabouts are you? When I was living in Eugene about 8-9 years ago, there was a steady Sunday session at Sam Bond's Garage. I hear it's still going strong.
If all the musicians already know each other, or everyone knows someone, then you don't need to have a regular sesh in a public place. But if you think it would suit folk , and you might lure in passing musicians as well as ones hiding in the woodwork.
Saturday or Sunday afternoons are great times for sessions especially if most people have to drive to get there, which I suspect will be the case for you.
you can start by getting a ceili circuit started to get some local musicians together at various houses and then gradually build up to a house concert format which will then lead to regular sessions at a pub or other establishment. it's good to get some low key exposure first and get the musicians used to playing together for a bit before going public.
I just found another player ( in case no one shows up which never really happens ) and found a place that wanted some music ( there are 100-or-something Irish pubs in SF ) and talked to the owner. Oh, and I mentioned it on thesession.org. I think a few out of towners have dropped by. It helps if you can play a lot of tunes as you are more likely to attract more and better players.
10 tunes eh? Well depending on how slow you play them, tunes last about 3 minutes each. That's 30 minutes. If you allow for chit chat you can stretch it to 45 minutes. Most sessions last about 3 hours or so.
I second the comments about house sessions; they're a good way to get something going, and then you can hunt for a venue when you're ready to go up the next notch. And they're a lot of fun if the people are congenial. Both the sessions I attend are house sessions. The tunes session last night went very well. Admittedly we did slide over into songs as the players got more and more tired, but that can be great fun if you're in the right mood, which we all were. If you or someone you know has a house with a living room that will hold 8 to 10 people and give enough elbow room for them as needs it, I would say give it a go and see what happens.
BTW, if you're ever going to be down Ashland way, drop me a line and we could maybe have a few tunes together. My husband's repertoire is about like yours, and mine isn't exactly huge either, so no need to worry about whether you know enough to get by with!
I just got back from a workshop - we learned a new tune there (North Shore)- and I think I've also got farewell to whiskey under control- that's two more tunes!
Nope, that is the problem- the closest session I have found is in Dallas (which is mostly oldtime)- I have heard that there are some good ITM sessions in Portland - which is an hour and fifteen minutes drive time. I don't mind the drive occasionally- not sure I would be up for every week. McMinnville is a relatively small rural community - about an hour or so SW of Portland and 45 minutes from Salem.
MY session?
MY session?
So how does one go about organizing a session? Not just any session- but a sustainable, reliable session that is full of friendly, talented musicians - welcoming to novices. Here in the Willamette Valley, we are known for our excellent wine- the musicians are a little more elusive. However, I am starting to notice more and more very capable ITMers - We don't quite have the pub "system" you have in Ireland- most of our bars are places only for getting drunk, picking fights or attempting to lure a suitable partner to your bed (or car or what ever). There are a few microbreweries that may consider hosting a session- but not sure if they would be up for a regular gig. Does any one ever pay musicians to "lead" a session? Would a place that sells alcohol be better? Or not? How many people do you need for a successful session?
# Posted on November 20th 2005 by scjandy
Re: MY session?
Perhaps you could start by getting together a group of musicians in closed sessions in each other's houses for a while. This will help you to get to know each other and establish a stable group and a repertoire of tunes. BTW, I'm not talking about setting up a band, just a group of people playing music for their own enjoyment. While you're doing this you'll have more time to look round for a suitable public venue, so that when you do go public you'll already have a good core of reliable people which will sound good to the public and attract the novices - the potential life-blood of The Music. Just a thought - it might just work.
# Posted on November 20th 2005 by Trevor Jennings
Re: MY session?
"How many people do you need for a successful session?"
2
KFG
# Posted on November 20th 2005 by KFG
Re: MY session?
I can answer two of your questions:
In London, at any rate, most sessions have two or three paid musicians. I can only speak for the places I have been to sessions in, but this is the case elsewhere as well, including many parts of Ireland.
As for whether you look for licensed or unlicensed premises to hold you session, that depends on the musicians. If most of the musicians in your locality like to drink beer when they play, then try to find a bar that will have you. If they are happy to drink tea or pineapple juice, then that gives you other options - cafés, church halls, community centres. If any of them are strict Muslims, that might preclude holding it it a bar.
# Posted on November 20th 2005 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: MY session?
Try off-hours for bars - Monday or Tuesday nights or sunday afternoons. The proprietors are often glad to have something interesting going on. We tend to have ours in microbreweries on sunday afternoons.
# Posted on November 20th 2005 by wormdiet
Re: MY session?
Whereabouts are you? When I was living in Eugene about 8-9 years ago, there was a steady Sunday session at Sam Bond's Garage. I hear it's still going strong.
# Posted on November 20th 2005 by TaoCat
Re: MY session?
If all the musicians already know each other, or everyone knows someone, then you don't need to have a regular sesh in a public place. But if you think it would suit folk , and you might lure in passing musicians as well as ones hiding in the woodwork.
Saturday or Sunday afternoons are great times for sessions especially if most people have to drive to get there, which I suspect will be the case for you.
# Posted on November 20th 2005 by Bren
Re: MY session?
you can start by getting a ceili circuit started to get some local musicians together at various houses and then gradually build up to a house concert format which will then lead to regular sessions at a pub or other establishment. it's good to get some low key exposure first and get the musicians used to playing together for a bit before going public.
# Posted on November 20th 2005 by newfie percussionist
Re: MY session?
I just found another player ( in case no one shows up which never really happens ) and found a place that wanted some music ( there are 100-or-something Irish pubs in SF ) and talked to the owner. Oh, and I mentioned it on thesession.org. I think a few out of towners have dropped by. It helps if you can play a lot of tunes as you are more likely to attract more and better players.
# Posted on November 21st 2005 by Farr
Re: MY session?
And I made sure to pick a night that would annoy Jack. ( goofy smiley face ).
# Posted on November 21st 2005 by Farr
Re: MY session?
"It helps if you can play a lot of tunes as you are more likely to attract more and better players"
Hmmmm - well, last count I can play 10 tunes reasonably well- on a good day - at a slow speed.....
# Posted on November 21st 2005 by scjandy
Re: MY session?
10 tunes eh? Well depending on how slow you play them, tunes last about 3 minutes each. That's 30 minutes. If you allow for chit chat you can stretch it to 45 minutes. Most sessions last about 3 hours or so.
# Posted on November 21st 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: MY session?
I second the comments about house sessions; they're a good way to get something going, and then you can hunt for a venue when you're ready to go up the next notch. And they're a lot of fun if the people are congenial. Both the sessions I attend are house sessions. The tunes session last night went very well. Admittedly we did slide over into songs as the players got more and more tired, but that can be great fun if you're in the right mood, which we all were. If you or someone you know has a house with a living room that will hold 8 to 10 people and give enough elbow room for them as needs it, I would say give it a go and see what happens.
BTW, if you're ever going to be down Ashland way, drop me a line and we could maybe have a few tunes together. My husband's repertoire is about like yours, and mine isn't exactly huge either, so no need to worry about whether you know enough to get by with!
# Posted on November 21st 2005 by sara g
Re: MY session?
I just got back from a workshop - we learned a new tune there (North Shore)- and I think I've also got farewell to whiskey under control- that's two more tunes!
# Posted on November 21st 2005 by scjandy
Re: MY session?
I'd start going to other people's sessions a lot more before starting my own if that's the case. Is there a good one locally?
# Posted on November 21st 2005 by Farr
Re: MY session?
Nope, that is the problem- the closest session I have found is in Dallas (which is mostly oldtime)- I have heard that there are some good ITM sessions in Portland - which is an hour and fifteen minutes drive time. I don't mind the drive occasionally- not sure I would be up for every week. McMinnville is a relatively small rural community - about an hour or so SW of Portland and 45 minutes from Salem.
# Posted on November 21st 2005 by scjandy