Wednesday 18th May 2011
When is a session not a session?
This is something I’ve been thinking about for some time. I may have been slow to get here but there’s more to a session than just a group of individuals getting together with a common cause. I suppose the fact that there are now some sessions that achieve that mythical life makes me wonder about the others that are at worst, a group of individuals wondering what to play next. The act of forcing a reluctant tune out is palpable.
So what are the key ingredients for a session?
1.Musicians. Obvious I know but I use the term to distinguish players from worriers. 6 bodhran players do not a session make.
2.Musicians with leadership ability. Starting tunes, keeping things going. More than one is useful. If a session isn’t led, it is easier for it to be hijacked*.
3.Enthusiasm. Not much fun if nobody wants to be there.
4. Venue. It is important for space, comfort, amenities and acoustics. A friendly welcome is nice too.
5. Audience. Some say it doesn’t matter, but there is something about an audience that gives more life to a session.
6. Balance. A variety of instruments, styles, tunes, personalities.
7. Common repertoire. The inverse is prima donnas
8.Listening. Good sessioneers listen to each other and try to blend harmoniously.
9.Strength. Not only strength in performance but the strength to refuse requests for Duelling Banjos and the strength to maintain the integrity of the session.
10. Generosity. To other musicians especially. Allowing others to start and following them without taking the tune away. Can be a drawback if tolerance allows *hijacking.
I think that’s everything. Of course there are many things that can go wrong even when these elements conspire to produce a worthy session. *Hijacking is the most common. Usually it is singers that hijack sessions but I have known completely talentless tuneless tootlers do the same thing. Without leadership, (and a sense of identity) it is easy for a session to drift from one genre to another. We aren’t talking ‘guest Appalachian set’ we’re talking about all the musicians who can, changing sides and playing a completely different style of music. That’s a little bit selfish to all those who only play the style they turned up for. Another form of hijacking I suppose.
Anyway, Wednesdays continue as always but sometimes aren’t very sessiony – see the above reasons (2,3,5,6 mainly I suspect). Thursdays (Faversham) are much as before but at a different venue. In a way, the venue is better (not as hot, more space, car park). Pretty much ticks all the boxes but prone to song hijacking. Thursdays (Canterbury) and very lively and the closest to being a true session. A little bit of a problem with 1 & 7 sometimes but nothing that detracts from the overall sense of session.
Sundays at Bekesbourne have a sense of session, Sundays at Faversham less so. Part of this is 4 & 5. It’s amazing the lift that a small audience gives and it’s nice to be welcomed at the venue as well.