The Irish “Session” (Part 2)
by Stewart Hendrickson
Last month I wrote about how the traditional Irish pub
session is a recent phenomenon, which became popular only after the folk craze
of the 1960s. Prior to that time Irish music was played mainly at céilí
(social gatherings, dance & music) houses where people would gather around
the kitchen fire to entertain themselves with music, dancing, singing and
story-telling. Only after Irish musicians emigrated to America and England
in the 20th century did they gather at the local pub to play their music.
This new “tradition” only became popular in Ireland after the 1960s.
So what is the nature of playing Irish music in pubs?
What happens when Irish musicians get together and play? What are the preferred
instruments? What is the proper session etiquette?
If you happen upon a pub session you might find musicians
gathered in a circle, sometimes around a table, engaged with each other in
their music, almost oblivious to other bar patrons. The instruments might
include fiddles, flutes, whistles, uilleann pipes, concertinas, accordions,
mandolins, banjos, a guitar or bouzouki, and bodhran.
The tunes played are mostly from a long tradition of
Irish dance music in the form of jigs, reels, hornpipes, and polkas. Occasionally
a slow air or waltz might be performed and someone might sing an unaccompanied
song. Or someone might do a lively step dance to a fast jig or reel.
If you happen to be a musician, it is important to know
the proper etiquette before joining in. Most sessions are open to anyone who
wants to join, provided they know how to play traditional Irish music. However
sessions may vary from place to place and have different unwritten guidelines
and styles. It is best to first observe the session and try to understand
how it operates. Common sense and a sensitivity for the music and musicians
is most important.
If you would like to participate, you might ask the host
or other musicians about joining with them. If you don’t know the tunes they
are playing, just sit and listen, and only play the tunes that you do know.
After all, you wouldn’t want to annoy both musicians and listeners by trying
to play tunes that you don’t know. If you want to learn tunes played at a
particular session, you could ask if it is okay to tape record the music for
learning. That, and attentive listening, is the best way to learn.
It is most important not to disturb the flow of music.
The purpose of the session is to have fun; when this is not the case, musicians
tend to leave. Guitar, bouzouki, and bodhran players should approach a session
very cautiously. These are not traditional Irish instruments, and need to
be played with great skill and understanding of the music. If not played properly,
they tend to throw off the rhythm and melody of the other players. Only one
bodhran or guitar (or bouzouki) will be tolerated at any time; two guitars
or bodhrans in a session are too many! This is because different rhythms
or chords are possible, but should not occur at the same time.
As you observe the session it may not be obvious how
tunes are started, and by whom. Some sessions operate by musicians taking
turns around the circle to start tunes; in others, musicians seem to start
tunes at random. In the latter case, a musician will start a new tune as
he or she deems appropriate, but should not dominate the session. A good
host will often encourage new players to lead a tune. A player who leads
a tune may often follow it with another paired tune in the same key and form,
or another player will follow with an appropriate paired tune.
Often the pub owner will reward the session players with
free beer or other drinks, up to a limit of course. It is best to ask the
local custom, and in any case tip the bar person (it improves the service!).
If you are not a musician but just a punter (non-musician
listener), it is also important to know proper etiquette. If you provide a
proper listening environment (talk quietly) the music will be heard and played
better by the musicians. Don’t crowd the musicians, but give them ample room
to play. If you want to be close to the music, try not to take up space that
another musician might want to play in; ask a musician if it’s okay.
When a song is called for, it is essential that everyone
be absolutely quiet. Most singing is unaccompanied and solo. If everyone is
quiet you will be delighted with the beautiful melodies and interesting stories
that make Irish songs so great.
If you want to photograph, video, or record a session,
it is proper to first ask permission. Clapping or “whooping” is appropriate,
but only at the end of a set of tunes. Musicians appreciate this because it
means that you are listening and enjoying their music. But don’t clap or
“whoop” during a tune as this may tend to throw them off or worse, scare them.
Just enjoy the “craic” (general conversation and ambiance) and have a good
time.
A useful and humorous guide to the Irish session is the
Field Guide to the Irish Music Session (a guide to enjoying Irish traditional
music in its natural habitat ) by Seattle writer and musician Barry Fox (with
drawings by Rob Adams), available at Dusty Strings and other Irish shops.
Here are some Irish sessions in the Seattle area: Fadó,
801 1st Ave. (intermediate level, minors allowed), every Sunday, 4 - 7 p.m.
Molly Maguire’s, 610 NW 65th St, every Sunday, 1 - 3 p.m. The Old Pequiliar,
1722 N.W. Market St., every Sunday, 9:00 p.m. Dubliner, 3405 Fremont Ave.
N., every Monday, 9 p.m. Irish Emigrant, 5260 University Way N.E., every Wednesday,
9:00 p.m. (advanced, led by Leo McNamara). Celtic Bayou, 7281 W. Lake Sammamish
Pkwy N.E., Redmond (intermediate level), every Thursday, 9:00 p.m. Wit's
End Bookstore, 4262 Fremont Ave. N., first Friday, 7 p.m. (host, Kieran O'Mahony).
Stewart Hendrickson is Chemistry Professor Emeritus – St. Olaf College,
Research Professor Emeritus – University of Washington, and in his new career,
an unemployed folk musician (voice, fiddle, guitar; http://www.stolaf.edu/people/hend/music.html
). Contact him at hend@stolaf.edu for questions, ideas or comments.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer
