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08 Jan 04 - 02:31 PM (#1088841) Subject: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: jimmyt I would like your advice on attending a session. First, I am from Georgia, and the only real session I have ever attended was in Doolin, County Clare, where the musicianship was absolutely outstanding. ( I was only an observer) I am fairly new on the whistle, but also play upright bass although never much Irish Trad music. I have decided to try to get some playing experience, and have found 2 sessions in Atlanta, 100 miles away. THe question is, how does one go about this whole session idea? I have never attended either one, but my guess is that both are predominately attended by regulars. WHat is the protocol? Should I leave my instruments in the car and sort of scope it out first? Should I go up before the session starts and ask if I can sit in? I am most anxious to get some real experience, but don't want to approach this wrong. I got to play a bit of whistle with Leadfingers in his regular pub, so I feel that I can hang in there as long as the keys are pretty straightforward and the tune not too hellraising fast. Any advice will be appreciated. jimmyt |
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08 Jan 04 - 02:45 PM (#1088857) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: treewind Use your ears and common sense. In a new session I can spend ages listening to what other people are doing to get some idea of what sort of session it is and agonizing about what to play if I want to start something. Join in with tunes you know, and when you feel you've got the measure of the session have a go at starting something off if you feel confident it will fit in. Nobody minds very much if anyone just joins in unobtrusively with what what others are doing. With your bass, judging by my experience with a cello, you can join in with almost anything and it will add lots of musical value if you know or can guess enough of the harmony. My feeling is that if you've the sensitivity to bother to ask here, you won't have a problem. Start quiet and build up slowly if you're not sure. Oh, and if there's someone to ask before the session starts, why not? It can't do any harm and it's the beginning of making friends with some people. Anahata |
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08 Jan 04 - 02:50 PM (#1088862) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: Dead Horse So ya got ta play whistle with Pb, huh. Did ya blow, or wuz you the one workin' the holes???? Seriously, Jimmyt, some clubs are very formal, serious, and unhelpful. Some are just the opposite. Try to attend the club of your choice & have a good lookround & listen before actually committing yourself to what could be a painful experience that puts you off for life! (You know me, Jimmyt - tongue is in cheek) Speak to head honcho, (he's the one with the Martin) buy him several pints, then hide his guitar. During the search interval, you can play what yer like. Case sol-ved! .........................gin! |
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08 Jan 04 - 03:01 PM (#1088868) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: Mary Humphreys From my experience, sitting in a session is no problem for a newcomer. Most sessions welcome new instrumentalists. It is probably best to sit somewhere out of the front line so you can see what is going on and not be too conspicuous yourself if you are unsure of the tunes they will play. I have in the past left instruments in the car to check out what sort of music is played - I don't care to play fast Irish reels, so that would ensure I left my concertina where it was. If it looks like the sort of music you like and can play, it wouldn't hurt to ask who organises the session and ask to join in. You might get a chance to be introduced to other folks then, and find out about other sessions that aren't advertised. Phoning up in advance is also a good idea if you are sure that the music is exactly what you are looking for. If you don't know a tune, it doesn't hurt to play quietly to get the feel of the piece, provided you can only just hear yourself. Not playing at all during the evening could be mistaken for being too critical of the musicianship! A word of caution - if they ask you to lead a set, make sure it is something you know absolutely note-perfect. No-one likes to have several false starts at a tune. Last of all, enjoy yourself - that is what it is all about. Mary |
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08 Jan 04 - 03:01 PM (#1088869) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: jimmyt Good advice Treewind, typical gin soaked Deadhorse advice! But you have to admire him, being a closet Conservative, running for Mayor of Rochester. The session I will attend on Sunday afternoon is in a pub that only has music once a month, so I will not have an oportunity to get a listen until the session is in effect. I will take it quite slowly, though. Treewind, I pretty much play by ear, and 'til last Monday, I would have said I could grab the chord progression within a few bars and hang with it, but a guitar player friend came to my house and started playing The Girl from Ipanema in c# and I will have to admit, I don't think I got a single note right for 200 measures. Damn capos anyway! Once we got it to a civilized key it was fine! |
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08 Jan 04 - 03:06 PM (#1088875) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: PoppaGator As I was reading this, I had to wonder whether you're thinking of joining in on whistle or bass. The one could be brought in pretty unobtrusively, in your pocket -- but not the other, not hardly! I understand how you'd want to be sure of being welcomed before hauling in that big old upright. (I assume that by "upright" you mean a bass and not a piano, right?) |
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08 Jan 04 - 03:09 PM (#1088880) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: jimmyt Upright bass I would prefer to get some whistle experience, but if bringing the bass would "open the door" for the new guy, I would bring it also. |
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08 Jan 04 - 03:12 PM (#1088881) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: Cindy Go with your whistle in your pocket and your bass in the car. Go in and you'll soon know if you're confident enough to join in. In my experience someone will soon start talking to you and you'll be able to decide whether that particular session is for you or not. Don't be put off. Ive got very little confidence. I can remember looking at a notice board with a list of singers nights for the local folk club. I stood there thinking that I could never go to anything like that. Then a friend took me along to a session. I couldn't walk in until she arrived. I had to wait on the carpark for her.(Pathetic) Now I can walk into any session in the area and join in. I still have crises of confidence when a song I perform doesnt go that well but I hang in there because since I started going to folk events Ive had the time of my life. |
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08 Jan 04 - 03:39 PM (#1088895) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: JWB One other reason to bring your instrument in with you right off is that you'll get a free pint (if the pub's policy is that musicians' drinks are on the house). :0) Mary's right, though; before leading a set be sure you've got the tunes down cold. And be certain that you're in tune with everyone else. Have fun. Jerry |
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08 Jan 04 - 03:45 PM (#1088901) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: jimmyt See, for my purposes, I am always happy to defer tune/song selection to others. I am just as happy playing new stuff I have never played before, so leading out is not an issue to me. the instrument -pint idea is a good one, though, Jerry. WIll keep in mind |
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08 Jan 04 - 05:14 PM (#1088958) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: GUEST,Jon Pretty much what has been said above... Sessions can be quite complicated social affairs with thier unwritten rules. Take your time, get to know the people, the type of music they play and try to fit in. Most sessions will be very welcoming to anyone who wants to fit in but you may find yourself with a frosty reception if you don't make that effort - the onus is on you to learn what their session is about. Jon |
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08 Jan 04 - 05:43 PM (#1088971) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: GUEST,leeneia There are three kinds of sessions: 1. Sessions where everybody knows different tunes and they spend 20 minutes trying to think of what they have in common for every 5 minutes of playing. So keep a list of the tunes you know. 2. Sessions where people go round the circle, with each person getting the chance to lead or teach a tune. This is my favorite kind. 3. Sessions where people play the same twenty tunes all the time. The best thing to do is to remember the names of the tunes and learn them from a book or the Internet. My advice is to take the whistle and see what the session is like. Frankly, I wouldn't leave an instument in the car in a neighborhood I'm not familiar with. |
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08 Jan 04 - 06:29 PM (#1089013) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: PoppaGator Taking the whistle only first time sounds like a good idea, for purposes of making an inconspicuous entrance. On the other hand, arriving as a bass player has its own merits: 1. It's *your* first instrument, after all, on which you're most comfortable. 2. As a bassist, you're an accompanist and should be able to play with anyone/anything (as long as they don't capo to C#!) Only hitch would be if there's already a bass player on the session; two would be awkward. Also, you're not well positioned to *lead* a song/tune of your own, and shouldn't be expected to. Your role would be different from that of all the singer/guitarists, and even most other instrumentalists. |
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08 Jan 04 - 07:16 PM (#1089052) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: The Fooles Troupe ... and the last time I left a Piano Accordion on the back seat of the car, I remembered, then rushed back, but it was too late... someone had smashed the rear window... and thrown another two on the back seat... |
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08 Jan 04 - 08:06 PM (#1089096) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: McGrath of Harlow An upright bass is an unusual instrument in some types of music, such as an Irish tune session, as well as being a big instrument in what might be a crowded bar, so it'd be advisable to get a feel of the place before you heave it in. So "whistle in the pocket, bass in the car", to start with, sounds like a good idea. If there is someone leading the session, no harm to have a chat first, but it's not always clear who that is. If you go all set to enjoy the music, even if you don't play, but ready to play, if you feel up for it, that's the way to ensure a good evening. Sessions vary so much there aren't any rules you can predict. And Georgia is a long way from here, and I'm sure they do things differently. |
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09 Jan 04 - 02:35 AM (#1089232) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: Seamus Kennedy jimmyt, are you near Savannah? I'll be performing at the Savannah Irish Festival on Feb 14th and 15th. Then each night after the festival, there's a great session in Kevin Barry's Irish Pub on River St. in Savannah. Nearly all of the festival musicians go back to the pub and join in. Our own Jed Marum will be performing in Savannah that weekend, and may come to the session. So come along and bring the bull-fiddle and the whistle. Seamus |
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09 Jan 04 - 02:43 AM (#1089236) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: Hamish There is loads of accumulated wisdom here including a bit on Joining Your First Session. Go for it! |
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11 Jan 04 - 09:40 PM (#1090761) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: jimmyt Well, I am just returned from the session in Atlanta. It was very eclectic, but all the folks were quite friendly. 2 fiddles, Bodrhan, mandolin a couple of singers and me with a sack of whistles. Odd instrumentation but the group was undaunted by this, and trudged on with relish and glee. They made me feel quite welcome, but were always amazed that when it was my turn to choose a tune I deferred to someone else. I can play a fair amount of this repertoire but damned if I know the names of the tunes I am playing! I was just happy to join in once I got the melody. One thing that I found odd, though was sometimes a singer would start a song and expect the instrumentalists to join in, and frequently the key would be something between D and Eflat. Oh well, it was fun and I got a kick out of meeting a few new folks I have also turned them on to Mudcat, so expect to see some new faces soon from Georgia. |
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12 Jan 04 - 12:09 AM (#1090844) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: Bassic Jimmy, as has often been said, the person that invents the D Bass/ Cello/Fiddle Capo for use when playing with session singers will be worth a small forune!! We could sell a dozen just for the Barrow/Barton (UK) session players when we play for "Capo Karen" :-) (Glad you enjoyed your first session mate!) |
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12 Jan 04 - 06:18 AM (#1090963) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: Leadfingers If a session is a REAL session, then the participants ought to have enough sense NOT to pitch things so that other musicians cannot join in. If it is a singaround , then fancy arrangements in C# are OK but playing in silly keys when jamming with C/G melodeon players is at the least impolite. And Jimmy, next time you come over , try and bring the bass as well as the whistles. |
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12 Jan 04 - 06:43 AM (#1090976) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: McGrath of Harlow Generally speaking if a singer pitches a song in between keys, they adjust soon enough once people start playing. Of course it'd be tricky is half the musicians started playing in the key on one side of the singer, and half on the other side, but that never seems to happen. |
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12 Jan 04 - 07:42 AM (#1091005) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: The Fooles Troupe Well, now the guy who invents a capo for a whistle.... |
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12 Jan 04 - 08:00 AM (#1091016) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: Hamish ...or for a piano... ...actualy a spring loaded capo (e.g. Kyser) works well on the male human voice: raises the pitch by about two octaves if applied correctly. |
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12 Jan 04 - 08:40 AM (#1091032) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: Pete_Standing I've learnt the hard way not to leave instruments in the car. Either be bold on your first date or just enjoy the session and go back fired up. |
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12 Jan 04 - 08:45 AM (#1091035) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: McGrath of Harlow So long as the instrument fit in the boot (aka "trunk") out of sight, there's no more risk than there is to the car as a whole. Of course with a double bass that could be a bit impractical. |
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12 Jan 04 - 08:49 AM (#1091038) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: Bassic This is one of the advantages of the Acustic Bass Guitar of course. Fits in the boot/trunk of the car and can stay in its case in the session if required and no one will give it a second glance. |
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12 Jan 04 - 09:25 AM (#1091068) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: Pete_Standing My concertina was in a covered section of a station wagon (estate). Not the usual sort of blind but a removable hard shelf. |
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12 Jan 04 - 01:43 PM (#1091277) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: Leadfingers Why would you need to capo a whistle Foolestroupe?? They are nearly as easy to play in 'other' keys as a piano accordian. Or at least they are for modest guys like me!! |
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12 Jan 04 - 04:45 PM (#1091394) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: jimmyt Terry, I am working on an Inflatable upright bass, and if I can get this perfected before spring, I will simply let the air out, throw it in my suitcase and reinflate when I get to Brentford. Should be fairly straightforward I would think. |
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13 Jan 04 - 01:38 AM (#1091730) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: The Fooles Troupe ... would be a real fool leadfingers... I play whistles myself... :-) and say, jimmyt, if you packed a blond wig... |
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13 Jan 04 - 09:21 AM (#1091763) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: Pete_Standing John Spiers of Spiers and Boden has just had a couple of Melodeons stolen from his motor. One is an Oakwood model 7 in D/G (light coloured wood and black buttons in a case with a fake-leopardskin interior, white diamond motif on the bellows), the other is a Saltarelle Irish Bouebe in C/F (light cherrywood and white buttons). He'd appreciate a call to the web site if either is seen. |
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13 Jan 04 - 11:39 AM (#1091861) Subject: RE: Newcomer to a session, advice? From: Wilfried Schaum Let's get back to the original question, folks! Come early, when there are not so many people around, and ask them wether you may stand them a round. The answer will seldom be negative, and you soon will start a real nice chat. There you may ask your questions. Wilfried |