The session is hosted by vocalist, harpist, and hammered dulcimist Anna Lisa Quinn. Anna Lisa uses celtic harp to accompany her singing of Irish ballads in Irish Gaelic and English.
We ask that musicians interested in coming to play the session please email your RSVP to Anna Lisa at: annalisa@nighteaglecafe.org
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What a Session is Not:
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In the United States, there are popular and inaccurate myths about Irish traditional sessions. Sometimes people mistakenly believe that sessions are like open mic nights where anyone off the street can walk in and can sing or play whatever. Sometimes people also have the mistaken notion that a session is a jam sessions where any person can participate by trying to play tunes they don't know and can "just do backup." While some types of American sessions are such open forums, the Irish traditional session is not such an event. Although a session might appear " completely informal, " there are rules of courtesy. Since it is a social gathering, we musicians want everyone in attendance to have a pleasurable experience. Therefore, common sense and good manners ensure that you will have plenty of "Good Irish Cheer" and many happy friends at the session.
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Some Irish Session Etiquette Tips for Musicians: To keep the session fair, authentic, inviting, and a pleasurable experience, some commonly held etiquette rules are observed. For hundreds of years, these courtesies have been honored at traditional Irish sessions worldwide.
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Irish sessions are not music lessons; nor are they group practice sessions. At a traditional Irish session, if you don't know the tune being played, then it is appropriate to sit out and listen to the tune. It is better to not play the tune (there is no disgrace in that; people will respect you more for sitting out on tunes with which you aren't familiar).
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In Irish traditional music, the Melody is of utmost importance. There are specific expectations as far as backup. A general understood courtesy observed is that " one bodhran/guitar/bouzouki plays at a time". If more than one guitarist/bodhran/bouzouki player is in attendance, then these musicians take turns so that people get a chance to play. Also, be mindful of your playing; overpowering backup is to be avoided.
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Percussion and backup players want to be especially mindful and courteous with their playing style. For all session musicians: playing off-tempo, playing too loudly, playing badly, or not in character with the style of the music are to be avoided.
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Consider the other musicians before starting a tune. It is a good idea to ask the others if they'd like to play a certain tune or if they know the tune instead of just launching into the tune. This is because the session is meant to be a group activity where people like to play the tunes together. It is not meant to be a competitive showcase.
Session Host and Guidelines
The session is hosted by vocalist, harpist, and hammered dulcimist Anna Lisa Quinn. Anna Lisa uses celtic harp to accompany her singing of Irish ballads in Irish Gaelic and English.
We ask that musicians interested in coming to play the session please email your RSVP to Anna Lisa at: annalisa@nighteaglecafe.org
-----
What a Session is Not:
-----
In the United States, there are popular and inaccurate myths about Irish traditional sessions. Sometimes people mistakenly believe that sessions are like open mic nights where anyone off the street can walk in and can sing or play whatever. Sometimes people also have the mistaken notion that a session is a jam sessions where any person can participate by trying to play tunes they don't know and can "just do backup." While some types of American sessions are such open forums, the Irish traditional session is not such an event. Although a session might appear " completely informal, " there are rules of courtesy. Since it is a social gathering, we musicians want everyone in attendance to have a pleasurable experience. Therefore, common sense and good manners ensure that you will have plenty of "Good Irish Cheer" and many happy friends at the session.
-----
Some Irish Session Etiquette Tips for Musicians: To keep the session fair, authentic, inviting, and a pleasurable experience, some commonly held etiquette rules are observed. For hundreds of years, these courtesies have been honored at traditional Irish sessions worldwide.
-----
Irish sessions are not music lessons; nor are they group practice sessions. At a traditional Irish session, if you don't know the tune being played, then it is appropriate to sit out and listen to the tune. It is better to not play the tune (there is no disgrace in that; people will respect you more for sitting out on tunes with which you aren't familiar).
-----
In Irish traditional music, the Melody is of utmost importance. There are specific expectations as far as backup. A general understood courtesy observed is that " one bodhran/guitar/bouzouki plays at a time". If more than one guitarist/bodhran/bouzouki player is in attendance, then these musicians take turns so that people get a chance to play. Also, be mindful of your playing; overpowering backup is to be avoided.
-----
Percussion and backup players want to be especially mindful and courteous with their playing style. For all session musicians: playing off-tempo, playing too loudly, playing badly, or not in character with the style of the music are to be avoided.
-----
Consider the other musicians before starting a tune. It is a good idea to ask the others if they'd like to play a certain tune or if they know the tune instead of just launching into the tune. This is because the session is meant to be a group activity where people like to play the tunes together. It is not meant to be a competitive showcase.
# Posted on February 15th 2007 by dragan