Aktuality 23. 12. 2022

Session etiketa

Již několikrát jsme se na našich stránkách zmiňovali o hráčské etiketě na sešnách. Prostor k takovému hraní zejména v Praze není moc (kupodivu) a tak je třeba si možnosti takovou událost uspořádat přímo hýčkat. A k tomu patří i takové ty nepsané zásady, které je dopbré dodržovat jak ze strany hudebníků, tak ze strany posluchačů či diváků. Pak taková session dává smysl, plní svůj účel a je radost se jí zúčastnit. Letos těsně před Vánocemi mi přišla objednaná knížka s názvem Irish Traditional Music, jejímž autorem je  Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin a její poslední kapitolka nese název A Note on session etiquette.  A protože těchto a podobných informací není ku prospěchu akce nikdy dost, tak jsem si dovolil poslední kapitolku sem umístit.

A NOTE ON SESSION ETOQUETTE

Every year, thousands of people attend traditional music sessions all over Ireland. These sessions take place in city bars, on street corners during fleadhanna, and in small rural pubs. To the stranger or visiting musician, the session may seem like a haphazard affair that stops and strats without any apparent logic. However, each session has its own internal logic, social code and sense of time, all of which vary from one setting to the next. The following set of pointers should help the visiting musician, as well as  listener, to enjoy the session and, hopefully, to come to terms with some of the unspoken subtleties of Irish musical life and the social worlds that surround it.
     Most pubs reserve special seating areas for musicians. These will usually be self-evident on arrival and should not be ocupied by visitors, unlessthey are invited specially by the most senior musicians. Bodhrán players should use discretion when ‚sitting in‘ to sessions. A ‚quiet‘ peripheral role is always appreciated by experinced musicians. If a second bodhrán player is present, it is usually a good idea for one player to take a break, rather than have both bodhráns play together. A similar practice holds for guitars and other harmony instruments.
     Every session has a key or number of key players. The standard practice in the West of Ireland is to defer to the oldest or the most experienced player in the session. He or she will usually start each set of tunes, set the rhythm and the pace of the music (which should be respected scrupulously) and decide on the combination of tunes to be played during any one set.
     Sessions generally consist of dance music but may also involve an occasional solo song or dance. It is usually considered polite to wait until one is invited before giving a solo performance. The interlude between tunes is an important opportunity for conversation and for learning the names of tunes and sources. It is impolite for the unacquainted stranger to interrupt this ritual to give a solo performance. However, when solo performances – especially songs – are taking place, an attentive silence is always appreciated.

     Although sessions are usually held in a public place, most musicians are uncomfortable when members of the audience record their music on video or audio recorders. Many musicians feel that this intrudes on the intimacy of the gathering and steals the draíocht of the music. It is most impolite to record without the explicit permission of the musicians, most of whom will give it in any case. It is extremely impolite to record a session with a concealed recorder. This constitutes an act of musical piracy and can lead to unpleasant consequences in the event of the ‚pirate‘ being exposed.
     Finally, The Belfast poet Ciarán Carson, in his wisdom, has suggested that the best form of appreciation for the music is to buy a ‚discreet drink‘ for the musisicans. He is absolutely right! Enjoy the music!

Václav Bernard