No Sessions In June 

Harps will be in Ireland!! Check back after July 1.

3:30 PM, Tuesday

790 Events Place

 Monthly dates: 2nd and 4th Tuesday

Snow day plans are to meet via Zoom, same time. Zoom address sent to regular members.  Send me an email for the link to join. 

(all acoustic instruments and playing levels past beginners welcome)

3:30-5:00

790 EVENTS

790 North Dixie Avenue 

Elizabethtown , KY 

New Monthly Tune Audio Recordings

*scroll down to see complete audio track listings*

In the event you've never attended an “Irish Session” (slow or fast), and like me were more familiar with old-time jam sessions, I found a really good side by side comparisons of the two that put into words exactly what makes the difference between a “jam” and a “session.” Click here to go directly to the link: http://www.tbanjo.com/2014/09/oldtime-jam-and-irish-session-lessons.html

The Riley School of Irish Music in Cincinnati has a great online resource for those wanting to learn Irish music.  Click on the link to find lots of recordings for core Irish session tunes, as well as new tunes taught throughout the year. You can also stay informed about events and session. 

Molly Malone's Pub and Restaurant in Louisville, KY has hosted a once monthly live music session for Irish musicians (3rd Sunday each month) for many years.  Good eats and drinks and fine music from 5-8 PM.

I started a You Tube playlist with videos of tunes that we are currently working on. It's been fun going back through old recordings I made, as well as videos of inspirational players.  Thought you might enjoy this as a fun listening resource. Session Video Playlist.

And a good resource in Lexington, Kentucky is the Kentucky Irish Music Academy in Lexington.  This group meets  on Sunday afternoons at the McTeggart Irish Dance School, 3519 Landsdowne Drive, Lexington, Kentucky, and most recently, at the Kentucky Native Cafe on Thursday evenings.  

 

New Tune(s) of the Month: 

Jacky Tar (Em Reel) and Going to the Well for Water (D slide)

Session CORE TUNE List:

A Dainty Dish, Sligo Air, Sally Gally, Eleanor Plunkett, Primrose Lasses, Clare Jig, Old Favorite, Rights of Man, Einini, Dawning of the Day, Merry Blacksmith, Maggie in the Woods, Tom Mhic's Polka, Poor Distressed Soldier, The Leitrim Clog

New Monthly Session Tunes

Lorinda Jones

Download

Newest recordings at a slower pace as an aid in learning a new tune. Scroll down to see a complete list of session tunes to date.

0:00/???
  1. 1
    Jacky Tar/Old Maid of Galway/Morpeth Rant 5:23
    Free
    0:00/5:23
  2. 2
    Dainty and Sliabh Luchra 3:35
    Free
    0:00/3:35
  3. 3
    Hole in the hedge 0:41
    Free
    0:00/0:41
  4. 4
    Anthony Frawleys 2:14
    Free
    0:00/2:14
  5. 5
    Mary Neil 1:42
    Free
    0:00/1:42
  6. 6
    The Surround 1:15
    Free
    0:00/1:15
  7. 7
    Young May Moon A B 1:08
    Free
    0:00/1:08
  8. 8
    Lark in the morning 2:47
    Free
    0:00/2:47
  9. 9
    Lark in the morning A Part 0:46
    Free
    0:00/0:46
  10. 10
    Lark in the morning B Part 0:46
    Free
    0:00/0:46
  11. 11
    Lark in the morning C Part 0:39
    Free
    0:00/0:39
  12. 12
    Lark in the morning D Part 0:43
    Free
    0:00/0:43
  13. 13
    Dainty Dish Sisters of Loretto 1:26
    Free
    0:00/1:26
  14. 14
    A Dainty Dish 0:48
    Free
    0:00/0:48
  15. 15
    A Sligo Air melody and Accomp 2:10
    Free
    0:00/2:10
  16. 16
    Sally Gally By Damian Connolly 2:48
    Free
    0:00/2:48
  17. 17
    Poor distressed soldier 1:25
    Free
    0:00/1:25
  18. 18
    The Leitrim Clog 2:26
    Free
    0:00/2:26
  19. 19
    Rolling in the rye grass practice 1:53
    Free
    0:00/1:53
  20. 20
    Merry blacksmith 2:06
    Free
    0:00/2:06

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.

Varying Views about Slow Sessions:

*It’s called a ‘slow’ session because for most relative beginners it is almost impossible to make the jump from playing on their own to playing in an established session, as the music is usually just too fast for them initially. The secret is in finding a pace that is slow enough to make it possible for newcomers to join in, but not so slow as to kill the music. ~(East Antrim, Ireland)

*The slow session is intended to help newer players learn some of the more commonly played tunes, and to play the tunes they have learned with some other musicians. More experienced players are welcomed - in fact encouraged! - to attend, just remember that you’re there to help the noobs and play at their pace.(Central Connecticut)

*All Celtic musicians, especially beginners, are welcome. ~ The Slow Session plays session tunes at a slower than normal tempo in a friendly, learning atmosphere for beginners and for those who prefer to play at a slower pace. We take turns choosing the tunes, so everybody gets to play their favorites, or whatever they wish to learn. (Celtic Arts of Southern California)

*Our Slow Sessions are aimed towards adults who have been learning an instrument and are at a stage where they wish to take part in a relaxed informal Session. These Sessions aim to encourage the participants to learn a repertoire of new tunes while playing with other musicians at slow to moderate tempos. All welcome. (Dublin, Ireland)

 

0:00/???
  1. 1
    Dawning of the Day 2:54
    Free
    0:00/2:54
  2. 2
    The Minstrel Boy 3:01
    Free
    0:00/3:01
  3. 3
    Planxty Fanny Power Harp Session 3:46
    Free
    0:00/3:46
  4. 4
    Southwind hp session 2:52
    Free
    0:00/2:52
  5. 5
    Road to lisdoonvarna 2:28
    Free
    0:00/2:28
  6. 6
    Inisheer 1:39
    Free
    0:00/1:39
  7. 7
    Kesh Jig Melody 1:32
    Free
    0:00/1:32
  8. 8
    Harvest Home Melody 2:47
    Free
    0:00/2:47
  9. 9
    John Ryans Polka Melody 1:52
    Free
    0:00/1:52
  10. 10
    Kerry’s Polka Melody 1:29
    Free
    0:00/1:29
  11. 11
    Elizabeth Kelly's Delight/Last Night's Fun with John 2:11
    Free
    0:00/2:11
  12. 12
    Elizabeth Kelly_s Delight and Last Nights Fun Slow Harp 2:04
    Free
    0:00/2:04
  13. 13
    Munster Cloak 3:31
    Free
    0:00/3:31
  14. 14
    Down By The Sally Gardens 2:15
    Free
    0:00/2:15
  15. 15
    Cameron Highlander/Boys of Bluehill/Sean Ryan/Peg Ryan 5:13
    Free
    0:00/5:13
  16. 16
    Britches Full of Stitches 1:26
    Free
    0:00/1:26
  17. 17
    Tom Mhic's Polka #1 1:58
    Free
    0:00/1:58
  18. 18
    Eleanor Plunkett 3:44
    Free
    0:00/3:44
  19. 19
    Butterfly 2:34
    Free
    0:00/2:34
  20. 20
    Flatwater Fran 2:14
    Free
    0:00/2:14