๐ŸŽป So how does one behave in a session anyway?


I have a feeling this topic could spark quite a bit of conversation, Reader, so I'll be curious to hear your thoughts on this!

Irish traditional music is primarily an oral tradition, with tunes getting passed down through listening. We do have sheet music involved of course, but the very nature of this music turns things into a bit of a game of "telephone."

In the telephone game, there's a group of people sitting in a circle (I'm getting flashbacks to summer camp). One person comes up with a message and whispers it to the person sitting next to them.

This continues all the way around the circle until you get back to the original person who shares the message aloud with the group.

It's a fun game, and can be hilarious to see how the message changes around the circle based on what everyone hears, and what they're interpreting through their own lens!

But really when you think about it, that's sort of what learning a tune is like!

It makes me wonder what some of the fiddlers from the 1920s would say if they could hear their tunes being played today. What would be different and what's the same?

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This week's YouTube tutorial was inspired by a question from one of you reading this newsletter (thanks Lanny!) -- what are acceptable melodic variations in a session environment?

I think with our "telephone" nature of learning tunes and putting our own spin on them, there is always going to be some natural chaos when you play with someone new or someone who interprets tunes differently than you do.

I also think that's okay! We're not aiming for a pristine "all bows going the same way" orchestral environment here.

But there is a fine line between what's natural in variation and what's "over the top" or "too much" in a session. And I think a lot of us that like improv or like to noodle around the tune can worry about how this will be perceived.

Have a listen to this week's video, and let me know what thoughts come up for you! What kinds of variations are too much for a session (but may be acceptable in a solo or band performance), and what kinds of natural chaos do you like to lean into?

And if you're not attending sessions -- do you prefer listening to cleaner recordings, or the ones that getting a bit grittier?

No wrong answers here, just curiosity!

Happy exploring in your music this week!

~Hannah

Hannah Harris
I help aspiring Irish fiddlers find their lilt and get the real feel for the music.
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Learn with me live in Saline for Michigan Celtic Fest on July 12, via private Zoom lessons, 1:1 Feedback Videos, and the Tune Library!

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