Irish Traditional Jam Sessions in Southern Michigan

An Irish session is a gathering of musicians for the express purpose of playing traditional Irish music on acoustic instruments. Unlike a performance for an audience of passive listeners, the session is primarily for the musicians themselves, although many non-playing patrons often come just to enjoy the music. The type of sessions listed here are intermediate level and are known as an "open session" in which all able musicians are invited to participate.

The tunes played at sessions are typically grouped into "sets" (several tunes of the same type strung together) and are usually played in unison and in a straightforward manner, which means that there are no special arrangements which deviate from the traditional tune. They tend to be mostly reels and jigs and, to a lesser extent, hornpipes, waltzes, polkas, and marches.

Song: "The Spoons Murder" (also applicable to bad bodhran playing)

Session etiquette is nothing more than exhibiting common courtesy and sensitivity to others.
A few key points are:

• If you are new to a session it is advised that you introduce yourself and ask the session leader for permission to sit in.
• Depending on the specific session, starting of tunes and sets may either be "round-robin" or called or directed by the session master. Know which method is being used before you start to play.
• If you're not familiar with a tune being played or are trying to learn it, either sit that one out or try to play very quietly so as not to be disruptive.
• The use of recording devices is encouraged as a method for learning new tunes at home.
• Use of sheet music during the session is discouraged.
• Playing in an incorrect key or improvisation (noodling) is highly frowned upon.
• Only one bodhran and/or guitar/bouzouki playing at a time, switching off if there is more than one. More than one will often clash with each other, disrupting the melody.
• At times a song may be sung or a slow air played by a single musician between sets. Unless invited, these are generally unaccompanied by the other instruments.
   

Below is a small portion of some of the more common tunes that are played.
For new musicians wishing to join in the sessions, this list can serve as a guide for the tunes you may wish to work on first. Those marked with an asterisk (*) are played somewhat more often.
Check out www.thesession.org for more of your favorite tunes, including sheet music, ABC files, sound files, discography, locations of sessions around the world, forum, and more.