Launching a Beginners Tune Session

Subject: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 08:49 AM

Ok folks I have had much excellent advice on running a Beginners Tune Session (BTS) but do you have any advice on how to launch one?

Press, other sessions word of mouth ....................

Stands back .........

Chiz

L in C

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Will Fly
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 08:52 AM

Les - I started a monthly acoustic session down here 3 months ago. It was basically word of mouth at other sessions/clubs, by email to people I knew, in person, posters in the pub and getting a note inserted into local general email lists...

As you rightly said: Press, other sessions, word of mouth............

Standing back and wishing you well........

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 08:54 AM

Thanks Will

Les

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Marje
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 09:04 AM

If you are already in a network of session players, it shouldn't be too difficult to spread the word. I suppose you should be careful about approaching people individually in case they take offence ("Beginner? Me?") but you could print some flyers and spread them around, and ask people in a general way to pass them around and let others know.
Also, if there are any local music teachers teaching folk instruments on an individual basis, or any groups such as "folk orchestras", their players might just be looking for a beginners' session. I'm thinking of the sort of players who are perfectly competent at their instrument but perhaps new to the folk style and repertoire, and possible new to playing by ear.
Other ideas, probably obvious ones: local folk websites or mailing lists, posters (particularly in or near the proposed venue), and leaflets/flyers made available at any local concerts, gigs, clubs or sessions.
Marje

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 09:43 AM

Contact your borough and county councils to ask where you might post details.

If your county council has a culture, heritage and/or arts service, someone should be able to advise you how to get the word out. What about parish coucil bulletin boards? In fact keep an eye out for posting boards every where. Some pubs are very amenable and some are not. Cannot hurt to ask.

Don't stop at private music teachers. Contact school and college music departments. Some very good young muscians out there and they can be a wonderful asset.

Local music shops often display fliers for tuition and workshops. Tune session should not be a problem.

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: GUEST,Neovo
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 09:57 AM

Tell the mudcatters where and when!

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Dave Hunt
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 09:59 AM

And once you get it going - get everyones email address and then send out a monthly (if you are meeting monthly!) reminder. I have been doing this for the session I have been running for the last 13+years, and it's a valuable - and free - way of reminding people that it's still going on - and also for info on tunes, requests, announcing special music w'ends (eg ECMW) and discussing 'what I did on my holidays'!! Also gives people a feel of 'belonging' to a group with common interests.
For any musicians who play English tunes - you should be aware of ECMW which has had a very powerful influence in the dissemination of 'new' (ie recently discovered)tunes for very many years, and a meeting place for all the very best English style musicians. This year it's in Bedfordshire see http://www.mustrad.org.uk/ecmw.htm and get on the mailing list!
Dave Hunt
English music Session ( and just a few songs) at the Black Swan, Jackfield (near Ironbridge) Shropshire
Third Sunday every month 8.30 - 11ish
More info - [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: LesB
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 11:07 AM

"Contact your borough and county councils to ask where you might post details."


Absolutly what not to do. (in my opinion)Don't temp fate. If you bring up the subject of playing music in a pub, some bright spark is gonna start asking about music licences & then the pub may be in trouble. & what the landlord thought would be a few friends playing a few tunes in a corner on a quiet night, suddenly becomes, in the eyes of the Council, is a 'money making music gig'. Keep a low profile re the authorities I say.
As somebody recently said " It's easier to beg forgivness rather than ask permission"
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 11:20 AM

Really? I work for the heritage and arts service for a large county council. There are a folkies scattered through my council. I have even advertised for starting a local session (without success) on the county council free ad website.

If it is not a money making gig, there should not be a problem. A good heritage/arts service would encourage such activities. Keeps the culture alive in the community, doesn't cost the tax payer money and the council can ride on the coat tails of success by endorsing it.

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Marje
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 11:36 AM

You'd need to be a bit wary about approaching schools, for 2 reasons:
1. You'd need to check that the proposed venue (if a pub) was OK about under-18s being admitted. I've seen a competent 16-year-old flautist who was accompanied by her mother being asked to leave a pub session.
2. Some parents might send younger children in the hope or belief that it was like sending them to Scouts or swimming lessons - in other words, you'd be in charge of the kids. You'd need to work out who was "in loco parentis" (supposing a child is ill, or leaves the room and perhaps sets off home early, etc); or else you insist that a parent should accompany the youngster, which would then change the whole balance and atmosphere of the session. You might even find that all the adults had to have CRB checks....

If it were me, I wouldn't suggest having under-18s at a session.

Marje

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 11:40 AM

Good point Marje, unless the flier stated "no under 18s unless accompanied by parent or guardian" One could have once a month tune for youth sessions if you did not want them around every week.

I just hate to see an opportunity for the young to be included, because someone gotta carry the folk torch when we are all in nursing homes or admiring daisies from the underside.

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 11:47 AM

Well, what a start and thanks to you all.

Just a few things to sort and who knows?

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 11:48 AM

I just hate to see an opportunity for the young to be included

No, I don't like kids either.

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 12:31 PM

oops! y'all knew what i meant.

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 11:31 PM

May God Bless This Session, and All Who Wail In Her!



:-)

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Mo the caller
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 02:16 AM

There is (or was) a group that meets to rehearse and encourage musicians wanting to play for folk dancing (also a Lancs group meeting in Rainford). The Manchester group was started by Millie. Contact details on the Hi Jinks website

So of those people might also like to join a session. Playing by ear is a quite different skill from playing from music and having the tune announced in advance and time to find the page. Or some of your members (when you find them) might be interested in the bandworkshop.
The more links between groups the better for making the word of mouth spread.

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Menolly
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 06:17 PM

I am now attending a brilliant evening class "How to play in a ceilhd band" in Sedbergh. A place has been found for the a rank beginner - me, and we are making as quite pleasing sound.

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Will Fly
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 04:15 AM

Guitarist Richard Durrant runs a whacky open mic (by appointment only) at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham once a month. The flyer giving the information read: Musicians must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 05:00 AM

Has anyone had experience of beginners' tune sessions? I ask because I'm a rank amateur on the whistle, and I do mean rank (I was approaching the foothills of competence a couple of years ago, but I got out of the habit of practicing and it all went again). My worry about this kind of session would be that proper tune players would start coming, and it would drift from "beginners playing along with people who are actually quite good (but not super-fast)" to "people who are actually quite good (but not super-fast) playing along with twiddle demons".

I suppose what I'm saying is that a session like this should have a strict quality threshold. If you're as good as this, you're not coming in.

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Will Fly
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 05:15 AM

Pip, in my experience "beginners" sessions become a movable feast as people pass through depending on their level of competence and interest. The group, therefore, will not be static. I think many reasonable players worth their salt would be happy to stay with a group and help beginners along. I also believe that the way to improve is by listening to, and playing with, more experienced players. Group makeup, I admit, can be difficult to determine but, if you have a list of possible tunes (such as the Lewes Tunebook, for example), and a plan for teaching/playing them each session, then it should work.

I think I would say: If you're as good as this, then come in and give us a hand!

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: TheSnail
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 05:24 AM

Pip Radish

My worry about this kind of session would be that proper tune players would start coming,

This hasn't happened at the Lewes Favourites sessions and we've been going ten years or more. There are several good sessions in the area and what happens there is very different.

The whole point was to help people get past the barrier of trying to get into session playing when, in the outside world, you'd hear a tune played three times very fast (well, not that fast, this is the South) once a month or less. At the LF we selected a set of tunes that were frequently played and then played through them slowly over and over again until people started floating out of their chairs or it came to a natural stop. This doesn't have a huge appeal to twiddle demons. When people outgrow it, they move on.

Of course, if it did happen, great, you've got a new session and you can start a new beginners session elsewhere or elsewhen.

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 08:03 AM

In case it helps you decide what to put on your own flier, I'll copy this year's Lewes Favourites handout below. We send it to folk clubs and instrument shops throughout the area; it also gets posted to people attending Lewes Arms workshops.

Valmai (Lewes)

ENGLISH TUNES PRACTICE SESSIONS 2008
'The Lewes Favourites'

These are a regular opportunity to practice tunes popular in local English sessions, whatever instrument you play, to whatever standard, and whether or not you read music. It's a chance to identify some of those tunes you recognise when you hear them but can't quite remember, to put the names to familiar tunes, and to play them over until you are sure of them. You can record the sessions. Admission is free.

You can download 180 of the tunes plus 33 recent additions in Noteworthy Composer, ABC and midi form from the Lewes Arms Folk Club website www.lewesarmsfolkclub.org/: go to Links and then to Lewes Favourites. The 'Lewes Favourites' tune book compiled by Andy Warburton contains background information and pictures as well. It is available from the contacts below or through the website, price £10 plus £1 p&p, by cheque payable to 'Lewes Arms Folk Club'. A supplement of the additions is available at the sessions.

We meet in the Lewes Arms club-room, Mount Place, Lewes BN7 1YH from 8.00 p.m. onwards on the third Wednesday of every month, except in January & February.
15th. Jan (Tuesday)                12th. February (Tuesday)                19th. March                16th. April        
21st. May                        18th. June                                16th. July                20th. August        
17th. September                15th. October                                19th. November        17th. December

Bryan Creer, 12, Fife Court, 99 The Hydneye, Hampden Park BN22 9DD 01323 505372 [e-mail]
Valmai Goodyear, 20, St. John's Terrace, Lewes BN7 2DL        01273 476757 [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 08:38 AM

Don't foregt to keep me posted, Les. The offer of help and/or a room still stands so PM me if you want either:-)

Cheers

DeG

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 10:38 AM

Thanks Dave,

I checked with the pub last night and that looks ok. I just have to agree a day with the others who are up for it.

Which ever day we pick will clash with something but I am thinking last Tuesday of the month at the moment.

That Pip Radish better turn up he's just the beginner we are looking for. If we get loads of seasoned players I will suggest they start a seasoned player session on another night.

If we can get a harmony night, a Mummers Play, Morris dancers and a clogging workshop we might just keep the pub open

Chiz

Les

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 12:07 PM

You can download 180 of the tunes

Tangentially, this is one of the reasons I love traditional music - there's so much of it!

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 12:15 PM

Following much advice from above I have a number of tunes in Noteworthy which shows you the dots then plays the tune. I will print these off to get us started but also put them on my "yet to be started" Myspace so that anyone can get them.

It will be useful for would be "tune beginners" to get the Noteworthy reader from their site. Looking at the end of January for a start.

So Phil get them whistles and flutes polished!

Chiz
Les

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 01:39 PM

I'm not so keen on Noteworthy these days, but as long as they're in the Book or the Other Book I'll be fine. (Not the Other Other Book, mind you - that's a swine.)

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 01:47 PM

Phil,

get it free here:

Noteworthy

I will send you some tunes shortly. I think you will know most of them and instantly need to lead the advanced group!

Les

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 02:31 PM

I've got Noteworthy, I was just being picky. I'll look forward to getting some choons practiced.

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 02:36 PM

gud

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 06:36 AM

You can also convert Noteworthy dots to .pdfs and attach them to emails for people who don't want to buy the software themselves. There's a useful thing called 'PDF Creator' which can be chosen instead of a printer when you select File/Print.

In our early days, when the Lewes Favourites were in bundles of sheets and we used to hand out copies at the sessions, we would ask people not to pay but to make a few copies and bring them back to the group if they could. This meant that anyone with unsupervised access to the office photocopier could run off a few and increase our stock. Andy Warburton described this as 'furtive reproduction'.

We occasionally choose a tune as optional homework and suggest that people practice it for the next month's session.

Tootle pip,

Valmai (Lewes)

By the way, here's our handout with dates for next year. It's a good time to put out lists like this as people have recently got their new diaries:

ENGLISH TUNES PRACTICE SESSIONS 2009
'The Lewes Favourites'

These are a regular opportunity to practice tunes popular in local English sessions, whatever instrument you play, to whatever standard, and whether or not you read music. It's a chance to identify some of those tunes you recognise when you hear them but can't quite remember, to put the names to familiar tunes, and to play them over until you are sure of them. You can record the sessions. Admission is free.

You can download 180 of the tunes plus 33 recent additions in Noteworthy Composer, ABC and midi form from the Lewes Arms Folk Club website www.lewesarmsfolkclub.org/: go to Links and then to Lewes Favourites. The 'Lewes Favourites' tune book compiled by Andy Warburton contains background information and pictures as well. It is available from the contacts below or through the website, price £10 plus £1 p&p, by cheque payable to 'Lewes Arms Folk Club'. A supplement of the additions is available at the sessions.

We meet in the Lewes Arms club-room, Mount Place, Lewes BN7 1YH from 8.00 p.m. onwards on the third Wednesday of every month, except in January & February.

13th. Jan (Tuesday)        
10th. February (Tuesday)
18th. March                
22nd. April        
20th. May
17th. June
15th. July
19th. August        
16th. September        
21st. October
18th. November
16th. December

Bryan Creer, 12, Fife Court, 99 The Hydneye, Hampden Park BN22 9DD 01323 505372 [e-mail]
Valmai Goodyear, 20, St. John's Terrace, Lewes BN7 2DL        01273 476757 [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 06:40 AM

Thanks again Valmai. This is a great little idea:

"we would ask people not to pay but to make a few copies and bring them back to the group if they could. This meant that anyone with unsupervised access to the office photocopier could run off a few and increase our stock. Andy Warburton described this as 'furtive reproduction'".


Les

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Gedi
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 08:29 AM

You can't beat a bit of 'furtive reproduction'   ; )

Just been checking out your Tunebooks Valmai and they're really good. A very useful resource, especially as you can just click on them to hear them without having to download them first.

Ged

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 08:38 AM

How do they do that then?

Les

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Will Fly
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 08:44 AM

There's an A-Z index of the Lewes Favourites tune titles here which tells you the volume, and number within the volume, of each tune in the collection.

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Will Fly
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 08:50 AM

Whoops - should have mentioned that the lnik in my previous post is as an addition to the main Lewes Favourites Index here.

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: greg stephens
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 08:57 AM

Suggestions for a beginners tune session in Manchesater.
1) Include some good old standard tunes, not just the latest RCMW exciting discoveries from the recently unearthed Rutland MS tunebook.
2)Make sure tunes are played s-l-o-w-l-y
3) Play tunes many times over, and then stop. Then start another one.
4) Tactfully discourage the placing of sheet music on tables.(But not an outright ban for the totally memory challenged).
4) Include regionally appropriate material. (THere is nothing whatsoever wrong with Scan Tester or East Anglian melodeon players, but your session is in Manchester).
5) If you are playing in public, remember there is an underlying moral duty to make the experience enjoyable for those listening, if humanly possible.

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 08:59 AM

Thanks Greg,

plans roll on

Les

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Paul Burke
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 09:05 AM

Can I add:

Slowly but not mechanically and don't get into a sort of teacher leads, squad marches in formation mode. There's a group of players not far from here like that, and it sounds like a cult gathering. That one is sheet music basd, and it's strictly play once through with teacher, then on to the next one.

Help learners to play with expression. Getting the notes right is actually secondary to this in some ways, and acquiring the skill of turning a cockup into a variation is useful.

If you are already in a network of session players, it shouldn't be too difficult to spread the word.

The trouble is that all too often session players avoid contact with beginners. They might want to shunt off long- term no- hopers onto you though- such people do exists. The problem is usually attitude rather than ability.

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: TheSnail
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 09:24 AM

In response to Greg's comments -

1) The selection for the practice sessions came from tunes that were already being played in the real life sessions that were going on in the area. As Valmai likes to say "Collected from the wild".
2) YES!
3) YES!
4) Well... this is a practice session. Not everyone has the talent for learning by ear. Just get rid of the dots as soon as you can and they carry a government health warning that they are only a guide, not the law.
4) (reprise) See 1) but that repertoire already did include a lot of local material. Much as we'd love you to use the Lewes Favourites book, it would be shame not to track down stuff from your own area (and produce your own book).
5) Lewes Favourites is out of the public eye so that learners don't have to feel that they are playing to an audience. If anyone is drawn in by the music, they aren't turned away but they are warned that it is definitely a practice not a performance.

If Les's session is in the bar he may have to have different rules.

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: TheSnail
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 09:30 AM

Les in Chorlton

How do they do that then?

If that really was a technical question, the links to individual tunes point to a MIDI file of the tune. The machine generally finds a way to play it. For download, the tunes are zipped into packages of thirty or so in ABC, Noteworthy and MIDI format.

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Mr Red
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 09:55 AM

I was at the Crown in Uley (every Wed, Gloucs). see cresby.com
Their session was slow first hour then free for all. It does seem now to be slowish all night. I was frustrated - does that mean I can call myself a musician? Or am I a speed merchant?

It is an open session and some of them were not reading from the dots. The dots came from a recent workshop at the Prema Arts centre in the village. And there seemed to be a play list to choose from which seemed to be a community thing. The sessionists where passing round a Christmas dinner list. It had all the hallmarks of a club without being one.

So - does a workshop allied to the session sound a good idea?
Christmas dinner?
And they asked me to sing - so friendly definitely helps.
And they didn't balk at the bodhran.

Local libraries, local radios, TIC's, posters in shops, Mudcat, and in the Costwolds there is a Yahoo group for Trad Music - do you have one for your area? Face book, myspace and links there. Folk North West. Website like mine for your area?
Basically free publicity is worth every penny, and more.

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 09:55 AM

Ok I will Have to have another play with Noteworthy

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 25 Nov 08 - 04:58 AM

Les, let us know how you get on when your sessions get going, because we can all learn from each other.

Tootle pip,

Valmai

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: greg stephens
Date: 25 Nov 08 - 05:10 AM

My strange cryptic referenc to RCMW in my list of hints was a typo. It should have been ECMW, and I should have typed it out in full: English Country Music Weekend.

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 25 Nov 08 - 05:18 AM

Thanks Greg,

I will check this out and pass info round

Les

Subject: RE: Launching a Beginners Tune Session
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 26 Nov 08 - 01:00 PM

A simple question - can I put Noteworthy files om Myspace or Facebook? Or for that matter any other free website?

Cheers

Les