I’m going to my first session tomorrow - outside Boston. Having never been to ANY session before, I was hoping for some input as to what to expect. I will be going to the slow sesion in the afternoon. What will I encounter?
Will there be any C&Fer’s there?
I’m just a little nervous…
All help greatly appreciated!
Don’t be suprised if you end up doing a lot more listening than playing unless you already have a formidable bank of tunes in your head. Take some paper & pencil & write tune names down, or if you can, get copies of the tunes so you can begin learning them. Sessiuns tend to have fairly standard tune sets and it’s to your advantage socially to learn them. If you don’t know a tune, sit back & listen, or play “air flute” rather than interrupting the flow of the music (this tends to drive the more experienced members away when they have to compete with a newbie who doesn’t know the tune). Try to hook up with someone who has a normal-sized ego and start learning from them. Drink a few Guinness and enjoy yourself!! If you know a tune or two, it isn’t improper to ask if you could try leading on those…just be sure you know them well enough to lead a group without making mistakes or losing the tune entirely. Understand that there are about 1000 variations on every Irish tune ever written, so don’t be rattled if you play some individual notes differently than the person next to you. Some people say that the only way to properly learn is by rote, with no music and may refuse to give out music… I say that is a load of poo… some of us are visual learners…
Have fun, I envy you being able to get within 60 miles of a sessiun…I’m out here in the cultural vacuum since Tony Higgins left…
Hi Crystal
Most sessions are the same but there are two basic types.
1)sessions that include singing and poetry in the Gaelic tradition.
2)Instrumental only sessions.
On the first day you will probably not play much because you will want to observe the “protocol” on how to join in. The session leader will offer you a stack of sheet music(for a small printing fee) and direct you to publications of music common to the general group.
I suggest bringing a small tape or MP-3 recorder to help you learn the tunes “by ear” and give you insights on how tunes are initiated at the session.
You will have a BLAST or as they say in the UK, “The Crack’ll be GRAND!”. The time will evaporate, leaving you breathless for next weeks session. Don’t try to cram too much into this first time and I hope this will become a lifelong passion for you as it is for me!
Thomas Hastay.
Crystal, good advice in the above. Sessions are great! Especially once you’re comfortably settled in.
Where I live, sessions average anywhere from five to even twenty-plus musicians (that’s usually holidays). Last night at Molly Quinn’s it was just myself on flute and a banjo/fiddle player (bodhrán and iffy guitar showed up late and left early, won’t count them). That was a treat in itself, taking 2 melodic instruments and making it work, and the result was satisfying because of its simplicity. Beware the alcohol intake, though. I don’t play well with more than one beer in me -and that’s over a 2-3 hour period of playing. Some folks can hack it, but Tom and I were being bought Guinnesses by a generous punter, and at the end of the night we were both shaky (I think it was 4 pints by then) and judiciously wrapped it up. Strange how we both agreed that our playing was starting to stink, and yet punters would come up and show their earnest appreciation. 
Attending sessions has become a big part of my social life. It’s great stuff if you have the opportunity, and I count myself lucky.
Best,
N