What is a Session and what do you do there?
Sessions are a bit different from bluegrass or old-time jams. They are not 'jams', because we don't improvise. Everyone plays the same tune in unison with little variation. Using sheet music is impractical for many reasons, so we don’t use it. Traditional music has been passed on through the years by people hearing the tunes, then figuring them out and playing them with their friends.
We play tunes. We sing songs. Some tunes are also songs, but most aren't. Songs in the old style (sean-nós) are usually sung unaccompanied. Singers are welcome, but we don’t plan for more than two songs during a two-hour session, so please check in with the session leaders before embarking on a LENGTHY voyage on The Flying Cloud.
The tunes are usually played in sets of two or three, with each tune being repeated a few times. Anyone can start a set of tunes, and that person gets to set the pace.
There are a few guidelines:
1) If you are new to the session, introduce yourself. Listen and see how it flows, then join if you are comfortable.
2) Acoustic traditional instruments, please. Fiddles, flutes, whistles, pipes, banjos and button accordions are common melody instruments, with guitars, bouzoukis and bodhrans backing or playing melody. This is not a complete list. If you know the tunes and understand the music, you'll probably fit in.
3) If you don't know the tune, don't play. This applies to both melody players and backers. Chopping or droning doesn't teach you the tune. Listen to it a couple of times through before attempting to pick it up. You are very welcome to record tunes on your phone to learn later.
4) Backers beware: this is not bluegrass. Irish music tends toward the modal keys that have a different chord structure than the standard major/minors. Melody players, give the backers a break and let them know the key of the tunes that you start.
5) Backers beware: This is dance music, so the rhythm is just as important as the melody. Rhythms are distinct, and can be a bit puzzling if you aren’t familiar with Irish music. Please resist the urge to introduce random percussion devices into the tunes. Spoons are fun (if well-played) for one tune, but quickly lose their charm. The general rule of thumb for a session is: one guitar, one bodhran, and…one spoon.
6) If someone begins a song or a slow air, relax and listen. If they want accompaniment, they will ask for it (singers, we hand out starting pitch for free if you ask!).
7) Have a chat with your neighbors between tune sets. Sessions are social, not just an endless barrage of tunes played really fast. We are sharing music among friends, not performing. It’s easier to play with someone if you know a bit about them.
8) The Cellar, our very kind host, is as close to a traditional pub as you will find in central Oregon. In other words, there is not a lot of space and there are no extra chairs. Bring a chair, sit close, and please store your instrument cases out of the way of patrons entering and leaving the pub. Tip the staff! They are wonderful!
Traditional sessions are social. They are instant parties where everyone just happens to be a musician. We hope to nurture a community of musicians who are interested in traditional music. Everyone who plays here was a beginner once, and we learned to play this music because of the kindness and encouragement of other musicians. Please join us.