What is a Session?

Sessions (seisiúns) in traditional Irish music are an informal gathering of musicians who come together to play tunes, usually in a pub or community space. Unlike a performance, a session is a participatory event where musicians share tunes, play together, and sometimes sing songs. The music is typically instrumental, featuring jigs, reels, hornpipes and other dance tunes played on fiddles, flutes, tin whistles, accordions, and other traditional instruments.

There is usually no set list or formal structure – one musician starts a tune, and others join in if they know it. Sessions range from open and welcoming to highly advanced and exclusive, depending on the experience level of the musicians involved.

The Top 7 Things to Know About Irish Sessions

1. Listen first, play later. If you’re new to a session, take time to listen before jumping in. Each session has its own pace, style and set of unwritten rules. Observing first will help you understand how the group operates.

2. Know the core repertoire. Irish sessions are based on a shared repertoire of tunes. If you want to join in, familiarize yourself with commonly played jigs and reels, and hornpipes. If you don’t know the tunes being played, it’s best to sit out rather than guess your way through. But it’s also okay to ask what that tune was so you can learn it for the next time. In TradChattanooga’s session, we’ll try to keep a list of common tunes (below) so that visitors can feel prepared and know our regional favorites.

3. Don’t hijack the session. Avoid playing tunes that are obscure, overly complex, or outside the traditional style unless you’re certain they fit. Sessions work best when everyone plays together, not when one person dominates.

4. Respect the session leader. Many sessions have a leader (formally or informally) who guides the flow of tunes and ensures things run smoothly. Pay attention to their cues, and don’t try to take over unless invited. PRO TIP: Session leaders will signal the end of a tune with either eye contact or body language. In TradChattanooga, we often adopt the foot raise from Old Time fiddle. As we’re an Appalachian session, this seems an appropriate cue given many of our musicians also play Old Time music.

5. Be mindful of volume and instrument balance. Loud instruments like bodháns, accordions, and guitars should be played with care. The melody instruments (fiddle, flute, pipes, etc.) drive the session. If you play guitar, for example, it may be wise to school yourself in some basic Irish backing techniques.

6. Respect the social aspect. Sessions are as much about camaraderie as they are about music. Be friendly, introduce yourself, and don’t be pushy. If people are chatting between tunes, don’t rush to start another – enjoy the atmosphere.

7. Know when to join and when to sit out. If you’re unfamiliar with a tune, it’s okay to sit out and listen. Humming along or quietly figuring it out is fine, but avoid playing loudly unless you’re confident. If invited to start a tune, pick one that fits the session’s style and is well-known.

For Vocalists

Many songs, both Irish and otherwise, are appropriate for a session. Sometimes it’s just the thing to break up and reset a session, or give some musicians a break. TradChattanooga welcomes singers as long as we have musicians to properly accompany or if it works without accompaniment. Please understand that the focus of our community is on Irish music, so while we might love your version of Blackbird, we might prefer O Danny Boy.

For Classical Musicians

One of the beautiful things about traditional Irish music is that it offers classical musicians an opportunity to stretch their repertoire, build musicianship skillsets, and gives variety to their playing styles. We welcome classical musicians, and have several in our community that play in orchestras as much as they do orchestras and chamber groups.

Where to start?

There is a vast ocean of music, YouTube videos and websites. To make things simple, this community recommends that you begin in two places: first, The Session.Org, which has a wealth of information on sessions, music, history and discussions. Second, Tom Morley’s Playalong Sessions on Facebook. These weekly Facebook beginner sessions offer any musician the ability to practice with someone who has dedicated his life to music, including Irish and Old Time fiddle. Tom’s sheet music, emailed weekly for online sessions, offers students the ability to see bowings and other musical notations that help give more direction that straight tune music.