Boston Session

Whistle
1

Hey all,

I am going to be in Boston for a week starting this Thursday. Just wondering if anyone can point me to a nice session. I have taken a peek on the net and the Burren stands out as something not to miss… but I was looking for something a little less high powered… just a nice intermediate session where I might be able to get a few tunes in.

Thanks in advance.

Matt

2

Less high powered, in boston :confused: :laughing:

Actually, there may be, I’ve not gotten out much yet, but I know there are a few folks here who could make recommendations. Still, it is Boston, so be prepared, the standard is pretty high here.

Loren

3

P.S. You might want to cross post this message to the flute forum, I think we tend to have more of the Boston session players over there.

Have fun!

4

I understand this is friendly, although I’ve never gone myself:

http://www.slowplayers.org/BOSS/index.html

Robin

5

I stopped by the Burren with my whistles during my trip to Boston in September. The lads there were very friendly but it was an advanced session. There was a mandolin player from Philly sitting in also.

The main problem there was the atmosphere, not the musicians. It was loud - the regulars were miked through a cool little system with lavaliers hooked up to an overhead lamp, but we guest players were on our own. I brought Susatos and couldn’t even hear myself. In addition, there were couples dancing, which is fun, but it’s a very narrow place and they were swinging dangerously close to us most of the time.

Finally, there was a lot more drinking than playing going on. Still, it was a great experience and I hope to get back there again. The caliber of musicians that go through there on a weekly basis is mind-blowing…

6

This is the place to go. I was in a similar situation and exchanged a few emails with the leader before my business trip and he was very helpful and friendly. The slow session actually splits into two parts – one very beginning and one more intermediate – and is followed by an advanced session. So you’ll likely get whatever level you need at some point in the evening!

– Scott

7

I attend this session weekly (the BOSS session at the Green Briar). The “slow” session (which is not really slow at all) starts officially at 7pm, but doesn’t really get going good until around 7:30. At 9pm, the advanced session starts and goes until around 11 (or later). Many players play in both, and it is not uncommon to see 50 musicians there.

The “ultra slow” session does not happen every week, but only when the back room is available and there is a leader who’s willing to teach it. It is mostly a small group of beginners trying to learn a few tunes.

The sessions at the Burren are usually done by professionals who play weekly (I think). A few of them are instructors at the Comhaltas school. The Burren can get packed tho, especially on Friday or Saturday night. Without the mics, the instruments are not audible.

hope this helps!
Brendan