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Author Topic: Session Etiquette  (Read 31342 times)

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Chris Brimley

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Re: Session Etiquette
« Reply #60 on: July 26, 2009, 05:18:04 PM »

Chris, that was interesting, and I sympathise.  I had to have a quiet word with somebody recently whose input to our session was musically good, but highly insensitive, and I didn't like doing it, but I had to, for everybody else's sake.  I thought there are some other messages coming out of your experience, which I have also tried to think through in our session:

Do 'we' know who 'we' is?  If not, how do 'we' find out whether everybody, or the majority, agree with 'us'?

In a pub, is it right to have a session organiser at all, anyway?  Some people do feel that any form of organisation is inappropriate and bossy.  My experience is that most musos at sessions of most kinds want, and expect, to be organised, but if their feathers are ruffled that won't stop them criticising anyone who they thinks is being too bossy.

How should people be approached who are upsetting others?  In my case someone not taking part in the session felt slightly sorry for the person I had to have a quiet word with, saying that they hadn't actually understood that it was a 'somethingaround', and they just wanted to perform as much as they could, not being used to etiquette at sessions.  I wasn't sure the person concerned hadn't understood, but it might have been a good point, and anyone grasping this nettle has to be very careful!

If the accepted etiquette is to establish a circulating 'leader' for each tune/song, who can set the rules for their spot as they wish, does that take care of the issue?

Chris

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ladydetemps

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Re: Session Etiquette
« Reply #61 on: July 26, 2009, 05:26:08 PM »

Why not put up a list of the rules or guidelines at the venue or on the session website? I think that would be useful.

Howard Jones

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Re: Session Etiquette
« Reply #62 on: July 26, 2009, 07:16:02 PM »

Every group will have a 'gatekeeper' of some sort who will sort out who's allowed access to the group and who's not
Not necessarily.  The session I go to has been running for at least 30 years - at least that's how long I've been going, and it was already well-established.  Whoever originally started it has long gone, and although there are many who have been playing there for many years, no one is "in charge".  It's a free-for-all, mixed genre session (sometimes heavily Irish, sometimes more English, it all depends who turns up).

New musicians are welcomed, and all abilities are tolerated.  There are a few who don't seem able to figure what key we're in, or to distinguish major keys from minor, but a gentle (or not-so-gentle) hint usually puts them right.

I must admit we've not had to deal with someone playing something totally inappropriate - not even the visiting digeridoo player who managed to provide an effective, if somewhat unusual, accompaniment to some Irish reels.

forrest

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Re: Session Etiquette
« Reply #63 on: July 26, 2009, 08:15:24 PM »




New musicians are welcomed, and all abilities are tolerated.  There are a few who don't seem able to figure what key we're in, or to distinguish major keys from minor, but a gentle (or not-so-gentle) hint usually puts them right.

I must admit we've not had to deal with someone playing something totally inappropriate - not even the visiting digeridoo player who managed to provide an effective, if somewhat unusual, accompaniment to some Irish reels.

 Sounds like a good setup to me. Let's not forget that in almost every voluntary group endeavor, each person will have their own expectations. My personal expectation is to play to my best abilities and have fun!
  I can do neither if the atmosphere is charged with ego, negativity, or intimidation. We all have choices if faced with these situations: go elsewhere >:(, sit quietly and listen ::) (not a bad idea sometimes), or using what skills we have, adjust to the situation 8)

« Last Edit: July 26, 2009, 08:20:49 PM by j.w.forrest »
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Falseknight

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Re: Session Etiquette
« Reply #64 on: July 26, 2009, 11:07:55 PM »

Why not put up a list of the rules or guidelines at the venue or on the session website? I think that would be useful.

Ah, cat-herding.  It relies on the relevant people knowing they are the relevant people, the relevant people knowing what they want the rules to be and lastly, but most importantly, the other musicians and lookers on agreeing with this.

I've run singers clubs (singaround or whatever) and that's hard enough, even knowing all the musicians who turn up.  Session organising has always seemed one step beyond.
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cw67q

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Re: Session Etiquette
« Reply #65 on: July 27, 2009, 09:53:26 AM »

Hello Chris,

It is horrible to have to talk to someone about the fact that they might be having a nagative impact on the session. I wouldn't have done it if I didn't think it necessary. In fact I wouldn't have done it if I hadn't spent 3 or 4 months thinking "this can't go on" and been sure that all the other regulars felt the same (in this case "we" was pretty much a consensus). I'm the last person to want to exclude someone, we've had really unsuitable people join us and we've put up with it because it is clearly a one off, or they've tumbled in  half an hour before closing: why upset someone when the night is almost over anyway? Or when they are unlikley to ever turn up again? (If they do turn up next week, then we'll need to have a quiet word, but lets not rush to upset someone).


I think you are right about the downside of having a dominant session-organiser. If there are minor organisation issues then people tend to look at me, because (a) we are all equally shirty about responsibilty and putting ourselves up as "leader" and (b) I made the mistake of being the one to contact the pub about having a session thus making mysaelf the default patsy for responsibilty (doh!). But as far as the actual tunes go, one of the things I like most about the current session is that it doesn't revolve around a central figure or clique. Anyone can, and does, start sets of tunes and not in some rotational order but when and as they please.  Vistors and newcomers are encouraged to start sets, but not pressurised to do so, and we like hearing the odd set of tunes from other traditions.


But we have found through experience that it is a mistake to be absolutely open.

Cheers - another Chris


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ladydetemps

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Re: Session Etiquette
« Reply #66 on: July 27, 2009, 10:16:51 AM »

Cheers - another Chris

.. someone did say 'cat herding'

   Cheers - another Chris  8)
I'm sure herding cats is easy. Next door's cats always like my playing.....they come and sit next to me in the garden and sit quietly with head to one side in a 'intrested' fashion.

Chris Ryall

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Re: Session Etiquette
« Reply #67 on: July 27, 2009, 08:56:11 PM »

I'm sure herding cats is easy. Next door's cats always like my playing.....they come and sit next to me in the garden and sit quietly with head to one side in a 'intrested' fashion.

Gosh - my cat Bensham used to physically attack my concertina. I suspected that some harmonic hurt her ears. Or maybe the high notes just sounded mousy?
« Last Edit: July 28, 2009, 07:28:05 AM by chrisryall »
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ladydetemps

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Re: Session Etiquette
« Reply #68 on: July 27, 2009, 09:06:20 PM »

Well all the dogs started barking so i guess mine sounded like a cat.

Accordion Dave

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Re: Session Etiquette
« Reply #69 on: July 28, 2009, 03:08:30 AM »

I am greatly enjoying a monthly jam session about 40 miles from my home.

Most of the instruments are guitars, with an occasional mandolin, bass fiddle, and dulcimer.

They seem to have accepted my accordion. I try not to overpower the other players and add appropriate harmony. 

There is a variety of styles of music and musical ability.

We pass the microphone around the circle and tell a little bit about the song we are going to play and the various chord changes. Everybody joins in and we have a good time.

Some of the songs have only two chords, others are quite complex.
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Ollie

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Re: Session Etiquette
« Reply #70 on: December 16, 2011, 11:11:54 AM »

Sorry to drag up an old topic...

Here's the scenario. I'm at a session and I have a set of tunes in mind. I start playing the first tune, and no one joins in on the first or second time through. Do I carry on playing the set (as I'm now unsure as to whether they're likely to know the others), or stop at the end of the second time through the first tune? In the past, I've stopped and people have said I should've carried on; other times, I've carried on and got the impression that people would've preferred it if I'd stopped.

Thoughts?
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Marje

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Re: Session Etiquette
« Reply #71 on: December 16, 2011, 11:28:31 AM »

Ollie, knowing how good a player you are, I think most people would enjoy hearing you complete your set, even if they don't join in. It's only by about the third time through that most people will begin to get the pattern of a new tune and consider joining in. If they think they'd like to learn the tunes, someone will probably ask you for the names or where you get the dots or sound files for them, indicating that they're more likely to join in next time you play them. If no one shows any curiosity, just treat it as a one-off party-piece, but there's nothing wrong with that.

If on the other hand they all start talking among themselves or going to the bar, you'll get the message that this really isn't what they want to hear ... but I'm sure that won't happen.

And the reaction may not be uniform - some players enjoy the challenge of having a go at new tunes, while others only ever play tunes that they know and have practised for weeks. And some have no interest in  anything that's Irish, or English, or French ... As long as there are a few of the first type there, your playing will not be wasted.
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Marje

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Re: Session Etiquette
« Reply #72 on: December 16, 2011, 12:49:52 PM »

Thoughts?

Enjoy yourself and the music, those that will, will ............

To quote the Mandarin Philosopher Wi Xai Gnu ..."Some of the people, some of the time"  ;D

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Graham

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Thrupenny Bit

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Re: Session Etiquette
« Reply #73 on: December 16, 2011, 01:00:15 PM »

Ollie: It is a tricky one, it also depends on those others in the session. i.e. if they're long established mates where you're a regular player, they might well be listening to another new 'Ollie' tune and be enjoying it.
If you're a visitor to a new session then you run the risk of raising hackles as being a smart @rse who is showing off.
I, like you, often play twice through and stop. If I guage the reaction as 'oh that was nice...' then next time I'll go for it a bit more.
As mentioned up there ^^ sensitivity is desirable at sessions  (:)

Chris and LdT: My cat has often hopped onto the piano stool, being fairly large area, and purred and headbutted in afection my left hand, whilst basses honk out over his head, ducking occasionally. Whilst sitting cross legged, he sometimes nestles into my lap looking content as another tune comes out.
Obviously a cat with taste  ;D
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Thrupenny Bit

I think I'm starting to get most of the notes in roughly the right order...... sometimes!

Lyra

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Re: Session Etiquette
« Reply #74 on: December 16, 2011, 01:05:18 PM »

I'm just a beginner but my cat ostentatiously leaves the room. It's a bit dispiriting  :'(
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Chris Ryall

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Re: Session Etiquette
« Reply #75 on: December 16, 2011, 01:58:15 PM »

They really don't like high notes. Concertina is worse, and improving your play doesn't help matters.  

Guess it's high order harmonics we cannot hear - been discussed before.

durrrrr - said that twice  :|bl  ahah - July  :Ph
« Last Edit: December 16, 2011, 03:28:32 PM by Chris Ryall »
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Rob2Hook

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Re: Session Etiquette
« Reply #76 on: December 16, 2011, 02:29:22 PM »

It can be so difficult to please everyone!  If I'm intending to play a set and no-one joins in the first tune, I change earlier than I would otherwise have done and if no-one joins in the second tube I'll cut it short and forget the third!  It's a pleasant surprise when someone asks what the tune was...

I prefer the unorganised syle of session.  I often cannot think of a tune to play for most of the evening so I need to get it off my chest when one pops into my head.  I sometimes go to one session where I have been accused of playing too fast, even though I'm only playing a dance at dance speed.  I find it ranckles when the accuser then plays Speed the Plough at breakneck speed, it sounds ridiculous once it has lost its rythm!

Rob.
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Owen Woods

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Re: Session Etiquette
« Reply #77 on: December 17, 2011, 08:16:38 PM »

My local session is one where people tend to listen rather than join in if they don't know the tune, despite my protestations. I'll always play tunes at least twice through; if I get to the end of the second time through and nobody is trying to play it then I'll switch, otherwise I'll play a third. I wouldn't curtail a set though, although I do always try put at least one tune in a set that I know that people will know. Or else do a set of two tunes.
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Marje

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Re: Session Etiquette
« Reply #78 on: December 18, 2011, 09:09:00 AM »

If I have a new tune, I'll try to follow it with something better known, so if people don't join in the first one, they will on the second. Then I don't end up playing on my own throughout. Or if you play three tunes, put the new tune in the middle, like they do in classical concerts when they want to introduce something a bit novel.
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PaulM

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Re: Session Etiquette
« Reply #79 on: December 18, 2011, 11:22:53 AM »

Hi Gang
  Here in Cambridge Ontario  we have a bi weekly english session..yes english ..theres an irish session at the same pub on our off weeks..dots are allowed , in fact we have our own session book that new folks can buy cheaply and learn some of the stuff within.beginners are welcomed , we have everyone from old farts like me to a 10 yr old fiddle playing demon ;),and weve been told that we are a very friendly session ..if you are ever in our neck of the woods ..drop on in we can always use more toaster players ..theres only 2 of us at present
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