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There are two
general camps of thinking regarding session etiquette. Many claim
(usually those who have grown up in the tradition or around the
tradition) that there's no such thing as session etiquette and it's
silly (not the word normally used) to say that there is. And there
are those who think that this is so much bull puckies (also not
the word normally used), and who say that session etiquette sometimes
borders upon the arcane.
As
in most cases, the truth is somewhere in-between.
General
Session Etiquette
Etiquette is
simply a French word meaning "the practices and forms prescribed
by social convention or authority." Using this definition,
there are definitely some conventions followed by most sessions,
although the SCTLS does not follow all of them, as befits a learning
session (more about this below). Some of these
might include:
- It is considered
polite when first visiting a session to wait to be invited to
play, if you are not an expert player (most expert players don't
need this list). If you walk into a session with an instrument
in a case, the musicians will notice, even if you don't think
they do. Strike up a conversation with one of the musicians between
tunes. (If you're a beginner in a new area, asking after teachers
is a good way to start.) Nine times out of ten, you'll be invited
to play a tune or two.
- If you are
not a habitué of a session, expect to spend at least half
of your time listening at first. The tunes may not be the same
ones regular to your home session. Pay attention to what's going
on around you. This session might play tunes in a different key
or wildly different setting from what you're used to.
- Keep your
instrument in tune. If there is a piper or a non-tunable instrument
(a box, for instance), usually you're expected to tune to that
instrument. Otherwise, use a tuner or tune to the session leader
-- and tune quietly, especially when others are playing. Check
your tune every now and again, especially if you tuned to a piper.
- Be aware
of who the session leader(s) is/are, and defer to that person
(especially where it comes to tempo and choices of tunes). Even
when there's not a designated session leader, someone is usually
filling that role. Far better to be first seen as humble or quiet
than first seen as rude to the session leader.
- If you are
an accompanist, be sensitive. If there is more than one guitar
or other accompanying instrument, play quietly so as not to drown
out the melody instruments, or clash with another's choices of
chords. If it's noisy, you might even sit it out until it's your
turn. There should never be more than one bodhran player playing
at one time in a regular session of average size (under 10 players).
If you're a beginning piper, make sure that you don't over-use
your drones, especially when there are accompanists.
- Never "twiddle"
during a tune unless this appears to be something everyone likes,
nay, even expects. Irish traditional music rarely incorporates
lovely harmonies and lush orchestration. An occasional foray into
this won't get you banned, but a lot of it will get you jokes
and insults behind your back.
- Don't mix
types of tunes (a hornpipe with a reel with a slip jig). This
is fine in a performance, but usually not at a session. Also,
if it's an Irish session, discuss tunes of other countries with
the other players before launching them. Some sessions (especially
those in the US) are Irish-only sessions.
- Miscellany:
If a singer starts a song, stay very quiet. Ask before you record,
and to be safe, don't bring a video camera.
In general,
sensitivity goes a long way. Every session is different depending
on the players in it, so you must be aware of what's going on around
you and adjust accordingly. In middling to desperate cases, asking
a friendly musician about whatever is puzzling you might be your
best avenue. We highly recommend Barry Foy's book, "A Field
Guide to the Irish Music Session" for a look at Irish session
etiquette that's so complete some people think
it's total bosh.
SCTLS
Etiquette
The SCTLS, however,
follows a slightly different etiquette in the following ways:
- Since we
actively welcome beginners (most sessions do not provide for beginners),
it is not necessary to wait for an invitation to play. If you
bring an instrument, in fact, we will insist that you play at
least one tune that you know at a good speed for you to play it
(don't worry if that speed is really slow -- that's better
than too fast for you).
- We especially
ask that all musicians be respectful and helpful to each other
(this doesn't count "slagging") regardless of playing
ability. Everyone is making a contribution to the session, for
which we're happy. Be generous with your help and encouragement.
We believe that every musician can learn something from another
musician, period.
- About the
only things we actively discourage are speed snobs and
sheet music. We are concentrating on good style and feel, and
learning of tunes by ear, and our speeds range from a quarter
speed, to half speed, to almost full speed, depending on who is
playing that day. As fun as playing quickly is, that's not what
this session is about. It's a good opportunity to discover new
things about a tune that you already know while others are learning
it, experiment with variations, etc.
- This is an
opportunity for you to develop and hone your skills and techniques.
Usually in a session, if you don't know a tune, you should play
quietly. At the SCTLS, however, we want you to play out so we
know when you have the tune (and when you don't!).
- We don't
care how many (fill in the blank) players there are (we
once had seven bodhrans, which was a lot even for us)...play
away! We're a session that's all about everyone playing and learning
together. However, be aware that this is not usual session etiquette.
All we ask is that you try not to clash with each other with chord
choices or pulse or such, so please pay attention.
So...what are
you waiting for? Come and play!
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