If you're new to the seisiún and are not comfortable joining the circle, it is OK to wait and watch, sitting right outside the seisiún circle and paying attention. Although other seisiúns usually have an inner core, all are welcome at ours. We are building a warm community of musicians, singers, story tellers, dancers and punters (listeners.)
Our practice will be to take turns around the circle. For the first two times, when it is your turn, you may either call a tune(s) by name, or you may pass. Try to make sure you can play the tune you have called without faltering too much. None of us is perfect. Just do your best. Once we have moved around the circle a couple of times, it will be OK to request tunes or songs you don’t know when it is your turn (if you wish to hear them so you can begin learning them.)
Please tell us what key you are playing in before beginning your tune(s).
Since we are all learning, it is OK to record the seisiún. You do not have to ask permission.
In Irish seisiúns, the convention is usually to play a tune three times, and to call for two or three tunes to be played in a row. Nice convention, but if you only want to call one tune, that is OK.
Never Speed Up Or Slow Down or try to challenge the person who called the tune! The musician who started the tune sets the tempo, and the rest of us will follow.
Don't talk loudly while everyone else is playing. If you are involved in a prolonged conversation with another musician or punter, please step outside the circle.
Don't be afraid to ask questions when there's a break in the playing. Common courtesy and decency almost always win out, and a quick question or comment during a lull is appropriate.
Advice for our Ceili, which begins at 7PM
If you're new to the seisiún and are not comfortable joining the circle, it is OK to wait and watch, sitting right outside the seisiún circle and paying attention. Although other seisiúns usually have an inner core, all are welcome at ours. We are building a warm community of musicians, singers, story tellers, dancers and punters (listeners.)
Our practice will be to take turns around the circle. For the first two times, when it is your turn, you may either call a tune(s) by name, or you may pass. Try to make sure you can play the tune you have called without faltering too much. None of us is perfect. Just do your best. Once we have moved around the circle a couple of times, it will be OK to request tunes or songs you don’t know when it is your turn (if you wish to hear them so you can begin learning them.)
Please tell us what key you are playing in before beginning your tune(s).
Since we are all learning, it is OK to record the seisiún. You do not have to ask permission.
In Irish seisiúns, the convention is usually to play a tune three times, and to call for two or three tunes to be played in a row. Nice convention, but if you only want to call one tune, that is OK.
Never Speed Up Or Slow Down or try to challenge the person who called the tune! The musician who started the tune sets the tempo, and the rest of us will follow.
Don't talk loudly while everyone else is playing. If you are involved in a prolonged conversation with another musician or punter, please step outside the circle.
Don't be afraid to ask questions when there's a break in the playing. Common courtesy and decency almost always win out, and a quick question or comment during a lull is appropriate.
# Posted on April 27th 2006 by jcronin