You're very welcome! I look forward to seeing you at a session in the fall.
You can certainly sit and listen before you dive in. The etiquette is not to sit in the session circle (or whatever shape or clump passes for the circle) if you're not playing, but at both Blaggard's and Dempsey's there are seats at the bar right up close to the music, where you can observe the interaction and get a feel for the ambience (and what tune sets are popular). The moment you introduce yourself as someone who might like to play, you'll be encouraged to play, and if you failed to bring a whistle someone may offer to lend you one. Be warned. *G*
There's a wonderful book by Barry Foy called A Field Guide to the Irish Music Session: A Guide to Enjoying Irish Traditional Music in Its Natural Habitat (ISBN 1568331940). I highly recommend getting it. It's hilarious as well as spot-on, and will fill you in on all the subtle points of etiquette.
The other thing to be aware of is that at both Blaggard's and Dempsey's (but more at Dempsey's, early in the evening when they go in a round-robin style), you may be encouraged to start a set of tunes. You can always pass, so don't panic. :)
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sforzinda
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Date: 2004-06-18 07:21 pm (UTC)You can certainly sit and listen before you dive in. The etiquette is not to sit in the session circle (or whatever shape or clump passes for the circle) if you're not playing, but at both Blaggard's and Dempsey's there are seats at the bar right up close to the music, where you can observe the interaction and get a feel for the ambience (and what tune sets are popular). The moment you introduce yourself as someone who might like to play, you'll be encouraged to play, and if you failed to bring a whistle someone may offer to lend you one. Be warned. *G*
There's a wonderful book by Barry Foy called A Field Guide to the Irish Music Session: A Guide to Enjoying Irish Traditional Music in Its Natural Habitat (ISBN 1568331940). I highly recommend getting it. It's hilarious as well as spot-on, and will fill you in on all the subtle points of etiquette.
The other thing to be aware of is that at both Blaggard's and Dempsey's (but more at Dempsey's, early in the evening when they go in a round-robin style), you may be encouraged to start a set of tunes. You can always pass, so don't panic. :)