Next sessions: Sunday 19th October, Sunday 16th November 7-9.30PM
From October sessions will be 3rd Sunday of every month
A regular session to play well known traditional English and some Irish tunes at a relaxed speed. Ideal for anyone who is learning these tunes. We will have a slow first 50 minutes from 7-7.50PM probably playing the slow house tunes (see below), then speed up a little and everyone is welcome to suggest or lead their choice of tune as well as the steady house tunes. We aim to create a supportive welcoming session- it doesn’t matter if you don’t know the tunes and just join in where you want- or come and listen.
Venue
Kelham Island Tavern large downstairs room. We don’t have exclusive use of this room- people already here having a drink are welcome to stay. The pub permits children to stay all evening.
Please note- the sessions at The Lescar have now stopped
Rules
We aim to make this a welcoming, friendly session, we also need to maintain good relationships with the pubs. Please follow these rules- hosts may ask people to leave the session if they are not followed:
Please do not make any critical comments about other people’s playing ability/ use of sheet music/ preferring to listen to most tunes and joining in with those they know. This includes giving unasked for advice about how someone could improve. A negative comment- perhaps made as a joke could be enough to put someone off wanting to come back and join in.
Do not bring your own drinks and please support the pub by buying drinks.
Under 18s are welcome. At Kelham Island Tavern under 18s must be out by 11PM but we expect to finish by 10PM . Under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult- it’s not possible for the session hosts to also be responsible for looking out for young people. Please make sure that children do not disrupt the session.
Thank you.
House Tunes
If you want to practice the tunes before the session here is a list of tunes we plan to play regularly with suggested links to sheet music. You are very welcome to bring sheet music along if you like.
Slow section: Bear Dance E minor (A and B parts only) / Michael Turner’s Waltz G major / Princess Royal G major/ Shropshire Lass D major / Sussex Cotillion – sometimes called Cotillion, G major (A and B parts only) / Adieu Les Filles de Mon Pay G major/ Shepherds Hay G major/ Britches full of Stitches G major/ Emma E minor
Steady section: Enrico D major / Off to California G major / Seven Stars D major / Salmon Tails Up the Water G major/ Out on The Ocean G major / Three around Three G major
Sheet music pdf:
Taken from: Royal Traditions House tunes with permission, Paul Hardy’s Session Tunebook and The Session The Session website has usefult audio files that you can alter the pace off.
List of tunes from 19/5/24 – gives an idea of some of the other tunes that are played at sessions. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QJfZiDLVz7n7-cDkSZwSo7LPpOEj47QblFR8xlJOWWI/edit?usp=sharing