The Many Shapes and Sizes of the Session
In my last blog we unpacked the 5 layers of the session. Playing at even the most basic of sessions requires a certain level of musical knowledge and proficiency, and so is not for the complete beginner. It takes time and practice to build up these essential skills. Reaching the level of being able to participate in a session is a significant milestone for any player.
Preparation for joining in a session can be factored into the learning experience both in lessons (the Pre-Session Phase) and at Practice Sessions. This helps the upper beginner-intermediate level musician to approach the Slow Session with a degree of confidence. The next level is the Step-UP Session, aka the ‘Goldilocks’ Session. This serves the ‘in-between’ learner; those upper intermediate-early advanced level players who find the Slow Session, well frankly, too slow, and the Session proper, too fast. This session is ‘just right’ for them. It’s a strategic step up from the slow session, one that stretches and challenges them in their journey towards the Session proper. This session – the Peak Session – is, of course, for those more accomplished and experienced musicians; it’s the top tier of session playing. A session at this level might involve a gang of university music students “having a few tunes”, a group of adults gathering for a monthly session, tutors at a summer school having an impromptu get-together, or a touring band relaxing after the gig. It really is a broad church.
The session, too, has come to mean different things to lots of different people. For pub owners, being able to provide a communal space where musicians might gather to play music, has created an obvious monetising opportunity. For tourism providers, it allows for a glimpse into – and an up close and personal experience of – a hidden Ireland, and as such, it has become a highlight – indeed, even the focus of – an increasing number of package tour holidays and day trips. For musicians, a regular session in a local establishment can provide a steady source of income, as well as an opportunity to play tunes. This has resulted in lots of session types – session spin-offs, so to speak – emerging. Let’s s take a look at some of these:
2. The Amplified Session. A feature of the session – whether at Practice, Slow, Step-UP, or Peak level – is that it typically happens acoustically. However, in responding to needs the session’s audience (most often, pub patrons), the practice of introducing microphones into the session environment was born. Typically happening in those sessions involving more advanced and experienced musicians, some of these amplified sessions retain the session’s circular seating format, with a mic either positioned on a table between the players or suspended from the ceiling above them.
A further development of this amplified practice involves musicians not sitting in the session circle, but instead directly facing the audience (from a seated or standing position). Although sometimes billed as a session, this is more properly considered an informal gig; the music will be loosely pre-planned, and the musicians will directly speak to and engage the audience, positioning it more in gig territory than in session territory.
3. Instrument specific sessions. While the norm at a session is to have a mixed group of instruments, both melody and accompaniment instruments, sessions that are built around a specific instrument e.g. fiddles or pipes, have also become popular. These follow the same format as any session, but are intended for players of a certain level on that specific instrument (usually with accompanying instruments as a given).
4. E flat (Eb) or low sessions. Traditional musicians generally play in standard concert pitch at A=440 Hz. But there can be fashions or trends where alternate tunings – higher pitched or lower pitched – are preferred. The brighter, more piercing Eb is popular as a higher tuning, sitting a semitone above the norm; B is common where ‘flat’ sets of pipes are involved. For instruments like flutes, accordions, or pipes this essentially means that players need to have a second instrument that is built to this tuning; stringed instruments (fiddles, banjos, guitars) are more flexible, and so can easily be tuned up or down accordingly.
5. Adult, Family, Teen Sessions … Sometimes sessions are labelled according to the type of participant involved – or the type of musician it is hoping to attract. Some of these imply a particular level or stage of learning. For example, the Teen Session implies that this is for those students who have progressed beyond the Slow Session, which is more suited to younger, beginner players. Some sessions invite ‘all players at all levels’. In practice, this will inevitable settle around players of one particular standard and level of experience (necessary for any session to find its flow!).
6. The Open Session, House Session, Tea-time Session, Street Sessions, Farewell Sessions … and more. Lots of sessions are named according to the time, place or event that they are based around. For these to be successful, it is important to consider the level of the session as well e.g. it this a Slow Session, a Step-UP Session, or a session for more experienced players. Even when a session is advertised as an ‘Open’ Session, in practice, a free-for-all approach (where anyone, at any level, can join in) often ends up being a disappointing experience for everyone involved.
7. The A.B.I. Session …. and Other Titles. While tunes and songs from other, related traditions (think Scotland, Shetland, Galicia, Cape Breton) may feature in the repertoire of any trad session, sometimes the genre is explicitly stated e.g. Bluegrass session, Oldtime session, Irish trad session. One of the more unusual session descriptors I have seen was the A.B.I. session (spotted in Newcastle) … Anything but Irish! So do pay attention to the session title, if there is one.
Remember that any session is most effective when the players involved are, for the most part, at a similar level of ability and experience. So, once you have established broadly what the session is about, always dig deeper – figure out the level and if it’s the right fit for you!
The session certainly comes in all shapes and sizes. Far from a one-size-fits-all setup, it’s a much more nuanced entity. Everything – from the level of playing, to the location, time, context, and format – can vary wildly. There are so many different ways a session can be constructed, so as a learner, it’s worth taking time to think about what kind of session you’re walking into before you show up, instrument in hand. Consider if it’s the right fit for you right now, based on your current ability and experience, so that you can maximise the benefit and enjoyment of the whole experience.
Liz Doherty iteachtrad.com
