Kids playing at English sessions?

Subject: Kids playing at English sessions?
From: GUEST,Ben
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 04:10 AM

Hi!

I've got kids, 6 & 8, who've been playing fiddle for years, Suzuki training which is basically learning to play by ear. I can't have been the first to notice that this sets kids up nicely for e.g. picking up tunes at sessions. I have started taking them sometimes to the English session in Stockholm (Sweden) where we live where I'm a regular (I play fiddle too). They really like it and luckily their tiny fiddles don't make much noise so it's doesn't seem to be a problem even when they aren't nailing the tunes.

I've lived abroad most of my adult life but the few times I've been to sessions in the UK I have never seen kids. Can you get away with this kind of thing in England and if not how is the new generation learning the tradition? We make several trips to England most years (Dorset) and it would be nice to know if there's anywhere I could take them.

Cheers,

Ben

Subject: RE: Kids playing at English sessions?
From: r.padgett
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 04:14 AM

One problem is that sessions take place often in pubs where there is an age restriction particularly at night time

Festivals during morning or afternoon session can be useful

Ray

Subject: RE: Kids playing at English sessions?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 04:46 AM

Our sessions at The Newt in Sidmouth have always been welcoming of parents bring their children in , thiugh it is often embarrassing when they are SO much better musicians than me !

Subject: RE: Kids playing at English sessions?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 06:35 AM

In Scotland children are allowed in rooms that don't have a bar in, during the afternoon (licencing laws vary in different places). I play in a session on Sunday afternoons that always has lots of kids present. But you don't often see kids playing music in pubs in Scotland.

Subject: RE: Kids playing at English sessions?
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 09:05 AM

Yes, sessions and beer drinking seem to have gone hand in hand for many decades. Perhaps it's time we looked at alternatives. I see lots of musicians nowadays sitting all night with a pint of soda water because like me they've come in the car. I'd certainly subscribe to a session earlier in the evening in a coffee bar, and I'm sure kids would be more than welcome.

Subject: RE: Kids playing at English sessions?
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 03:16 PM

I have seen children playing in afternoon sessions but if kids have homework to do and have to be at school next day an evening session that runs until 11 really isn't suitable even if the licensee lets them in.

Subject: RE: Kids playing at English sessions?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 06:52 AM

Thanks for the info, people! Good to hear that kids can be welcome at some sessions. I'll be on the lookout for some afternoon ones next time we are over then.

I'm looking forward to the day when my kids can embarrass me with their superior skills, it might not be far off...

Cheers,

Ben

Subject: RE: Kids playing at English sessions?
From: GUEST,John Foxen
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 11:18 AM

Broadstairs folk festival has a Shooting Roots section where youngsters can play.
Chippenham folk fest is usually very good for young people.

Subject: RE: Kids playing at English sessions?
From: IanC
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 11:29 AM

Since the 2003 licensing act there have been no restrictions on children in bars in England and Wales, with 2 exceptions.

   (1) where there is a license which specifically restricts childrens' access (very rare).
   (2) where the landlord states that children aren't allowed (the landlord can disallow who he likes) also quite unusual.

Over the 20 years my session has been running, there have been a number of youngsters, mainly teenagers, in the bar and some have been playing or singing.

The youngest was 1 year old but wqsn't playing an instrument.

:-)

Subject: RE: Kids playing at English sessions?
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 01:39 PM

I was at Friday folk ,Orpington recently where there was a child, and she sang something from the pop charts, I think. being unaccompanied, I presume it could pass for folk, but its a broad music club anyway.

Subject: RE: Kids playing at English sessions?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 02:15 PM

Fine, but if more kids start attending and performing
are some folk going to start getting over sensitive & hysterical about anyone videoing sessions ?

Or is it just a myth about cameras being frowned upon, if not banned outright, at school plays & concerts ?

Subject: RE: Kids playing at English sessions?
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 19 Feb 14 - 03:39 AM

Does it also make you alter what you sing if children are around?
FloraG

Subject: RE: Kids playing at English sessions?
From: Joe Nicholson
Date: 19 Feb 14 - 11:02 AM

Mo and I run Singarounds at Whitby we have always welcomed Children and children always come but you have to put it in the publiciity. Also we usually go to The Showcase on the Friday afternoon when people show of the skills they have paractised in the workshops. The bulk of these people are children and youngsters so it must be going on somewhere. By the way it makes a great show well worth going.

Joe Nicholson

Subject: RE: Kids playing at English sessions?
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Feb 14 - 05:32 PM

The Albion Band have passed the baton to their children. Blowzabella's latest apprentice was 15 when they took him on, but from a folk family, he's been playing since age six. Kathryn Tickell took up the Northumbrian pipes aged 9, and had won most of the competitions by the time she was 15. Radio 2 are awarding the Young Tradition Award at the moment. Bella Hardy started at Folkworks aged 13. The EFDSS' President is Eliza Carthy, who formed the Watersons aged 13. I'm just home from rehearsing with half of Bellowhead, working with a bunch of kids aged 6 to 10 in an style which, to be fair, is not folk, although folk-inspired: not a tour, just a fistful of fun gigs to come. So what's the problem? Kids are people and people learn. Kids learn easier than us old'uns. They'll do it differently, and that's folk. JFDI.

Subject: RE: Kids playing at English sessions?
From: Noreen
Date: 19 Feb 14 - 06:53 PM

Eliza Carthy, who formed the Watersons aged 13 ?
You mean Waterson:Carthy, though I wouldn't say "formed", rather "joined".

I trust you know that the Watersons were singing well before Eliza was born.

Subject: RE: Kids playing at English sessions?
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Feb 14 - 09:16 PM

And in what way does that affect the age Eliza went sorta pro? Of course they did, the fact remains that that lineup included a very competent thirteen year old. All we need do is encourage the kids and not put, indeed remove, any bureaucratic obstacles in their way.

Subject: RE: Kids playing at English sessions?
From: Noreen
Date: 20 Feb 14 - 04:16 PM

are some folk going to start getting over sensitive & hysterical about anyone videoing sessions ?

I know quite a few adults who would not be happy about their sessions being videoed, which is nothing to do with whether children are there.

I think it is at least bad manners to video a session without asking permission first.

Stepping over that red herring, I have been at several singarounds and mixed sessions where youngsters have sung or played, and they have been welcomed with delight.
The festivals I go to are generally very family-friendly; how about trying Warwick for example, Ben? 24th-27th July this year. My children have been attending with me since they were little, and now bring friends and spouses :)

Subject: RE: Kids playing at English sessions?
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Feb 14 - 06:06 PM

Some years ago at an English folk festival, there was a stall selling video tapes (which shows how long ago it was) of folky things. One of them was called "Children's Fiddling Method".

You would not want the police to find that title on your shelves.