I'm a beginner fiddler and I would like to know how session musicians out there got started in the session scene? How was your first day and how did you become part of the group? Were you invited or did you just come by on your own with your fiddle?
I've only been fiddling for a year and will probably take another year until I'm ready for sessions! When I am, it'd be nice to get some 'lessons learned' from folks out there from their own first time session experiences.
Gonefiddling,
You don't say much in your profile about where you come from but it really depends on the local session. If it's a friendly "low key" affair, you are ready NOW to take your fiddle along and join in if you know the tune. There might even be an opportunity for you play a couple of tunes you have learned. The important thing is not to get in the way if the session is really busy or is obviously too advanced for you. Just good manners and comon sense, really.
I know many of the members disapprove of beginners (or slow) sessions but these might be an option if there are any in your area.
Don't worry too much about being "ready" as you will never be really ready. Just "go for it" but always be respectful of the circumstances you find yourself in.
I played some of this music as guitar fingerpicking tunes before ever going to a session, so sort of went in reverse. Chording was easy. What was not easy, was keeping up with the twists and turns that tunes went ... there were suddenly a million tunes that I never heard before nor anticipated going from A part in D to B part in B minor or something. I just tried to lay low or not play when I didn't know it. I found most people really nice and welcoming, and that was in NYC! in the mid 70's.
I had been playing a long time already before coming out, and to my amazement was asked to join a group playing a pub three nights a week, which led to other great and wonderful gigs and a treasury of wonderful memories and great lifelong friends.
There were, are and always will be those who don't like my style, fingerpicking for backing, and after some snide remarks which cut, it's fine, not everyone will like everyone's playing and that's just how it is and you need to get used to it and not take it personally. There are styles in other instruments like fiddle or flute, all of them, too, that not everyone loves. The first nasty remarks are a shocker though, I must admit..... a simple, "well, the chords and notes are right but I prefer flatpicking" would suffice. Luckily mostly I heard how it compliments the music without being intrusive and is more melodic (some want straight rhythm was the thing!) I think a little politeness goes a long way, esp. for those first coming out to play sessions.
If a beginning guitar player or one new to this music is struggling, if they want to sit with me that's fine and I am more than happy to whisper the changes. I think we ought to make newcomers comfortable.
At sessions there are all levels and styles of players, and that should be expected since they are open invite. For those who prefer to be rude and intimidate a beginner, they really should be playing a gig where they can say who does or doesn't play. Of course you get some who don't get it, and bash whatever instrument out of time and tune, and they should just get some gentle advice, at least at first. If they are obnoxious about continuing, well then you get a bit stronger, they can't be allowed to ruin the music for long. Usually they don't even realize it, and are, though a bit embarrassed, thankful for the advice.
Going to a session the first time is scary. You should go with someone who is already a part of it if possible and be introduced around.
I started going to sessions by going to a session.
It can be scary, but Philadelphia happens to be a good scene with welcoming musicians. I asked if it was OK to tape and I listened mostly, as I didn't have too many tunes. I was invited to start a tune and I did and everyone joined in. I learned 15 tunes from the tape, and went back the next week and they didn't play any of those tunes. Now that was intimidating! Stick with it and don't be pushy. If people at a session are rude to first-timers, find a new session
I went to the session and listened a number of times, then one night asked if I could participate the following week, and the next week brought my guitar and whistle. For a few months, I strummed quietly with my thumb as I got a feel for the chord structures, and played the odd hornpipe or waltz on the whistle. As time went on, I started playing more, and playing at full volume. And eventually, I was one of the regulars.
In the bluegrass scene, where chords on the fiddle and long bows are expected, I find orchestra mutes to be a great way to keep the bow moving without interupting the flow of the group.
That said, I would hesitate to try to play full speed at a trad session at all without an invite from a member. Even then, I would keep a low profile and learn as much as I can before playing a tune. Trad sessions seem much scarier to me than other sessions because you either know the tune or you don't. I learned the hard way that "chucking" at a Trad session is a no-no.
first time session stories
first time session stories
Hi everyone,
I'm a beginner fiddler and I would like to know how session musicians out there got started in the session scene? How was your first day and how did you become part of the group? Were you invited or did you just come by on your own with your fiddle?
I've only been fiddling for a year and will probably take another year until I'm ready for sessions! When I am, it'd be nice to get some 'lessons learned' from folks out there from their own first time session experiences.
cheers!
# Posted on May 3rd 2006 by gonefiddling
Re: first time session stories
Gonefiddling,
You don't say much in your profile about where you come from but it really depends on the local session. If it's a friendly "low key" affair, you are ready NOW to take your fiddle along and join in if you know the tune. There might even be an opportunity for you play a couple of tunes you have learned. The important thing is not to get in the way if the session is really busy or is obviously too advanced for you. Just good manners and comon sense, really.
I know many of the members disapprove of beginners (or slow) sessions but these might be an option if there are any in your area.
Don't worry too much about being "ready" as you will never be really ready. Just "go for it" but always be respectful of the circumstances you find yourself in.
# Posted on May 3rd 2006 by Back for a while
Re: first time session stories
I played some of this music as guitar fingerpicking tunes before ever going to a session, so sort of went in reverse. Chording was easy. What was not easy, was keeping up with the twists and turns that tunes went ... there were suddenly a million tunes that I never heard before nor anticipated going from A part in D to B part in B minor or something. I just tried to lay low or not play when I didn't know it. I found most people really nice and welcoming, and that was in NYC! in the mid 70's.
I had been playing a long time already before coming out, and to my amazement was asked to join a group playing a pub three nights a week, which led to other great and wonderful gigs and a treasury of wonderful memories and great lifelong friends.
There were, are and always will be those who don't like my style, fingerpicking for backing, and after some snide remarks which cut, it's fine, not everyone will like everyone's playing and that's just how it is and you need to get used to it and not take it personally. There are styles in other instruments like fiddle or flute, all of them, too, that not everyone loves. The first nasty remarks are a shocker though, I must admit..... a simple, "well, the chords and notes are right but I prefer flatpicking" would suffice. Luckily mostly I heard how it compliments the music without being intrusive and is more melodic (some want straight rhythm was the thing!) I think a little politeness goes a long way, esp. for those first coming out to play sessions.
If a beginning guitar player or one new to this music is struggling, if they want to sit with me that's fine and I am more than happy to whisper the changes. I think we ought to make newcomers comfortable.
At sessions there are all levels and styles of players, and that should be expected since they are open invite. For those who prefer to be rude and intimidate a beginner, they really should be playing a gig where they can say who does or doesn't play. Of course you get some who don't get it, and bash whatever instrument out of time and tune, and they should just get some gentle advice, at least at first. If they are obnoxious about continuing, well then you get a bit stronger, they can't be allowed to ruin the music for long. Usually they don't even realize it, and are, though a bit embarrassed, thankful for the advice.
Going to a session the first time is scary. You should go with someone who is already a part of it if possible and be introduced around.
# Posted on May 3rd 2006 by irisnevins
Re: first time session stories
I started going to sessions by going to a session.
It can be scary, but Philadelphia happens to be a good scene with welcoming musicians. I asked if it was OK to tape and I listened mostly, as I didn't have too many tunes. I was invited to start a tune and I did and everyone joined in. I learned 15 tunes from the tape, and went back the next week and they didn't play any of those tunes. Now that was intimidating! Stick with it and don't be pushy. If people at a session are rude to first-timers, find a new session
# Posted on May 3rd 2006 by Plunkett.mi
Re: first time session stories
I went to the session and listened a number of times, then one night asked if I could participate the following week, and the next week brought my guitar and whistle. For a few months, I strummed quietly with my thumb as I got a feel for the chord structures, and played the odd hornpipe or waltz on the whistle. As time went on, I started playing more, and playing at full volume. And eventually, I was one of the regulars.
# Posted on May 3rd 2006 by AlBrown
Re: first time session stories
In the bluegrass scene, where chords on the fiddle and long bows are expected, I find orchestra mutes to be a great way to keep the bow moving without interupting the flow of the group.
That said, I would hesitate to try to play full speed at a trad session at all without an invite from a member. Even then, I would keep a low profile and learn as much as I can before playing a tune. Trad sessions seem much scarier to me than other sessions because you either know the tune or you don't. I learned the hard way that "chucking" at a Trad session is a no-no.
It's a great question.
# Posted on May 6th 2006 by Meri-pixie