Slow Session Inspiration: Etiquette, Tunes and More
Our Place, 790 North Dixie, Elizabethtown, KY
Second and Fourth Tuesdays of each month
(there may be exceptions to the meeting dates, so please check here for updates)
3:30-5:00 P.M. Eastern Time Zone
Purpose: To establish a space in Elizabethtown where lovers of Irish music can come to play, listen and learn.
Session purpose and etiquette varies depending on whether it's an informal house gathering with a few folks, or a pub setting, or a big festival event. In this setting, we hope you will feel comfortable sharing what you know and willing to listen and learn what you don't know! In following general Irish session protocol:
- The person “leading” the tune sets the tempo and others follow.
- If you do not know the tune, then it is best to put your instrument aside and listen.
- If the tune is being presented by the leader as a “learning” tune, then it may be appropriate to jump in and start “finding the notes.”
- However, if the tune is being led for the purpose of others to play along with, and you are unfamiliar with it, best to use the time or listen and/or record it. It is okay to ask the name of the tune when the playing is finished.
- Most sessions to do not encourage printed music. However if you feel you need it in the beginning for the core tunes, do not expect others to wait until you find your score and do not expect others to be playing note for note what your score looks like. Our aim is to get you to find a way to participate (which includes listening) without looking at music.
- We will try and begin the session with some consistent, familiar tunes (see audio listing below) and from there it's “listen and learn” from others!
- Have fun! It's okay to engage in conversation between tunes and to get to know the others in the group.
