what is a session?

Subject: RE: what is a session?
From: doc.tom
Date: 10 Dec 14 - 10:02 AM

Session
Tune session
Singaround
Playalong
Open Mic session
Big Sing....

Discuss (again)

Subject: RE: what is a session?
From: Johnny J
Date: 10 Dec 14 - 09:26 AM

A session is what those who attend regularly or organise it decide what it should be as opposed to what a visitor may like or wish it to be. This is often on a de facto basis, of course.

Ideally, for me, it should be a participatory activity involving sharing music with people as opposed to playing or singing AT people. This doesn't exclude singing a solo song or playing a tune on your own but generally people will be expected or encouraged to join in if they can. Of course, they should also have enough good sense and taste to know when it's best to stay out.

Many Irish players believe that a session is a very strict "tune only" affair and always a communal effort. That is fine, of course, and I respect that if I'm there but I believe other arrangements are also possible.

Subject: RE: what is a session?
From: PHJim
Date: 10 Dec 14 - 09:12 AM

In Southern Ontario, if I go to a session, usually in a pub, I expect it to be almost all, if not all, instrumental music, mostly Irish trad, but some English, Scottish, Welsh and Canadian tunes creep in at times. Fiddles, flutes, mandolins, concertinas, accordions, bouzoukis, sometimes a guitar or bodhran seem to be the most common instruments. The tunes are usually played in unison and if a tune is completely new to you, you will either sit out or try to play very quietly.

An open mic is usually one person/duo or small group at a time and everyone waits their turn.

A sing-around, I'm not so familiar with, but it's obviously mostly vocal music.

Subject: RE: what is a session?
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 10 Dec 14 - 09:09 AM

Wouldn't a session be where there are multiple players joining in as opposed to one person performing at a time? Maybe not in every tune but in most?

Subject: what is a session?
From: GUEST,baggi
Date: 10 Dec 14 - 08:36 AM

...as opposed to a singaround, open mike etc etc
Will Fly, where are you?