The Session Series (Blog 3)

“Are you going for a tune?” Or “we had a great tune” – this is musician-speak for the Irish traditional music session. So, it’s easy to think that the session is all about the tunes. Think again! The session actually has a whole lot more going on than meets the eye. It’s about way more than simply playing tunes. The optics of the session are that it is a casual and spontaneous affair, all about the tunes and the craic! And, of course, it certainly can be that. But, underpinning the session, is a complex web of customs, rules, expectations and behaviours – a below-the- surface session etiquette. This is a very clear (and generally, unspoken) consensus about what the session is, and what it is not. In fact, it’s a complex ecosystem, made up of many interconnected parts that rely on one another to thrive. 

Each musician in the room brings something different – melody players, accompanists, singers, learners and listeners all play distinct roles. The tunes themselves act as a shared language, passed around, absorbed, and shaped by those present. The unspoken yet understood session etiquette – knowing when to join in, when to hold back, how to listen – helps maintain the balance and flow, preventing chaos and keeping things alive and well. Even the setting matters. A pub corner, backstage at a festival, someone’s kitchen – each environment brings its own energy, influencing how the session unfolds. 

And so, no two sessions are exactly alike. They adapt, evolve, and respond to who’s there and what’s happening. The best, the most enjoyable sessions are those where everyone is on the same page, tuned in, contributing thoughtfully, and supporting the shared rhythm of the group. It’s all about a shared connection and energy. It’s about being in sync with the other players. Feeling the flow. Finding your place within it. That’s how you truly become part of the session’s ecosystem.  

And that’s why it’s about way more than simply, “having a tune.”  

 Liz Doherty iteachtrad.com