So I went and lurked at a session last night, my first attendance at such an event. I’ll need a bit more practice to feel confident enough to participate, as these sessioners were quite a talented bunch (though with widely varying degrees of “accomplishment,” if you will). It was a wonderful event, held every Wednesday at a bar here in town. Most of the musicians were fiddlers. There was a button accordianist in attendance, a lute/guitar player, a bodhran player, and a harpist. Two of the fiddlers occasionaly (but only occasionaly) broke out their whistles and played (very very well, I might add).
I also discovered a wonderful side-effect of just sitting and listening (with a couple of good friends, of course). I went home that night and went to sleep, got up this morning, took the kids to school, then returned home for a little while before my walk to work. I picked up my whistle and bloody hell - I impressed myself! Not to be vain, but I was surprised how well I was playing this morning - like everything I’d been practicing for (oh, around two) years now fell into place and I couldn’t make a mistake (and no, I don’t drink, so you can’t blame it on alcohol)!
Is this normal? Does anyone else have everything sort of come together after a night of simply listening to a session, or is it sheer coincidence?
My missus has identified a whole bunch of Irish pubs in our area where regular sessions take place (Luton, UK - big Irish community). Needless to say we’ll be going along as soon as possible! Er… my two piece Doolin D, which goes everywhere with me, will be staying safely in my pocket for the first few visits, until I find a beginner-tolerant session to inflict my noises upon.
Forrest,
I definitely found attending sessions very inspiring, and I’m certain that makes for better playing. It also helps to hear the music and instruments in a context: other instruments, people, a laugh, a pint, appreciative listeners etc.
There a thing about playing/practicing at home that makes it a bit sterile.
It took me a long time to gather the courage to play/start a tune in a session, since I don’t know more than half the tunes. But when I do, I just play and learn at the same time. I think that is what can make a person’s playing better: not to be afraid/self conscious and just play, or even seeing and experiencing other do that. Don’t mind making smal mistakes; they’ll turn into variations at some point. Then the tune can flow. Maybe that’s what you experienced?
Yes, I find sessions inspiring. I don’t go to them much anymore, but when I do, I might play a bit better after attending. And I think the local session scene where I used to live was what made me keep at it in the first place.
Ditto for me (what Jessie said) – the sessions are what got me playing more seriously in the first place, and have kept me playing since (although a little less so now that I’m truly bitten and have lots to work on alone). But warning: if my last couple years are any indication, it starts SO innocently. First a wee session lurk or two or five; then you learn a few of the session tunes; then you start playing along on one or two and more and more; then one fine day you start a tune or two by your big bad self; then you go to a one-day workshop; then you go to a one-week workshop; then you find yourself driving an hour or two or three (with nothing but your Irish Monster Mix CD in the player, of course) to sessions around the region; then you find yourself posting furiously on C&F because you’ve become hopelessly obsessed – and next thing you know you’re on your way to Ireland for summer school. [Oh, and of course somewhere in there you go into full-bore WAF or FAF (Whistle or Flute Acquisition Frenzy) ]
At that point, there’s no hope … Hi, I’m Cathy, and I’m a fluteaholic.
[Oh, and of course somewhere in there you go into full-bore WAF or FAF (Whistle or Flute Acquisition Frenzy) ]
At that point, there’s no hope … Hi, I’m Cathy, and I’m a fluteaholic.
Have a blast!
Yes, the fuse is lit. I’m afraid I’ll be on an upward trend now, spiraling my way through session after session . . . in time. And I’m now acquiring a Parkhurst D and a Freeman tweaked Shaw, which should serve to further whet my appetite for even more whistles.
I feel like a child watching the olympics, waiting, waiting to be big enough . . .
And, Buddhu, Luton? My dad was stationed at RAF Chicksands, halfway between Luton and Bedford. I lived there for about three years in the mid-80s. Luton’s a wonderful town, though I visited Hitchin more often because of it’s quietness and quaintness. Plus, as an American teenager, you could go pub crawling and never be asked if you were of legal drinking age.
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Have a blast!