Welcome Drew.
Michael Eskin has tips on session etiquette and some suggested songs to learn. The rules are for one particular session, but first time session goers would do well to read them.
from
http://members.cox.net/eskin/acoustic_expressions.html
THE MUSIC
We will be playing tunes in traditional Irish dance styles such as reels, jigs, slip jigs, slides, hornpipes, and polkas. Other styles, such as bluegrass, old-time, and Scottish are discouraged.
Traditional Irish dance style means that tunes are played in unison, with no melodic improvisation other than ornaments. Prospective players are encouraged to seek out and listen to groups like Altan or the Bothy Band for examples of seisiun style playing.
INSTRUMENTS
The early seisiun is intended for traditional Irish melody instruments only.
These instruments include: Fiddle, flute, pennywhistle, low whistle, Uilleann pipes, button or piano accordion, concertina, guitar (melody flatpicking), mandolin, bouzouki/octave mandolin, and tenor banjo.
Non-traditional instruments (such as saxophone, recorder, or trumpet) are not allowed.
There will be no guitar or bouzouki backup or bodhran allowed in the early seisiun without special invitation from the seisiun leader.
TOUCHING INSTRUMENTS
Please do not touch or play other player’s instruments without their permission. Musicians can be very protective of their instruments and some are easily damaged.
TUNING
All players are expected to tune their instruments before the seisiun and to keep them in tune. If you need to retune, please do during the breaks between tune sets, and get help if you need it. Be sure to tune to any fixed pitch instruments such as pipes or accordion. Most mass-produced pennywhistles have tuning issues. Whistle players are strongly encouraged to have a tunable whistle before they start playing in seisiuns.
STARTING A TUNE
Seisiun leaders will start most of the tune sets. If you’d like to request a particular set of tunes, or would like to start a set, please ask the seisiun leader.
NO ‘NOODLING’
If you don’t know the tune, either very quietly work it out while staying in time with the music or you are unable to do so, just sit the tune out. A simple guideline is to play the tunes you know and don’t play the tunes you don’t know. Do your practicing at home, not at the seisiun.
USING WRITTEN MUSIC IN SEISIUN
While useful for initially learning tunes at home, the use of music books or sheet music during the seisiun is not allowed. Irish music is primarily an aural tradition.
TEMPO
As a courtesy to the other players, please play the tunes at the speed started originally, don’t speed up or slow down. This is extremely important for an enjoyable seisiun.
RECORDING
Players are encouraged to record the seisiun and use the recordings to learn the tunes! Recordings made at the seisiun are for your own personal use only.
CHILDREN
Children are welcome and encouraged to actively participating in the seisiun or listen to the music. Any families with unsupervised children will be asked to leave.
RESPECT OTHER PLAYERS
Please don’t carry on conversations while others are playing. If you need to talk to someone, go to another part of the room.
Always be courteous to the people around you.
Most important of all - have fun playing, and enjoy the music!
GOOD TUNES TO LEARN
REELS
Merry Blacksmith
Cooley’s
Cup of Tea
Tom Billy’s
Hunter’s Purse
Gravel Walk
JIGS
Banish Misfortune
Lark in the Morning
The Kesh
Morrison’s
SLIP JIGS
Kid on the Mountain
Snowy Path
