Irish music session at the Tranzac

It's been over a year since I nervously stepped through the doors at the Tranzac for my first Irish music session in Toronto. I didn't know anyone and had only a handful of tunes that no one else seemed to recognize.

Last night, I couldn't help but compare how I felt then to how I feel now. I still have a long way to go, but at least I'm not a complete newbie anymore. I was able to play along with a fair number of tunes in last night's slow session without sheet music, and even do some playing on some less familiar tunes after hearing them only once or twice; my ear has definitely improved since last year.

I brought my new Burke whistle to the session for the first time and was immensely pleased at how much of a difference it made. For one thing, I could tune it to match the lead player; I adjusted the tuning a couple times last night. But most importantly, I could actually HEAR myself in the crowded room, even when everyone around me was playing. Last night there were mostly fiddles, some accordions and concertinas and Irish flutes, a couple of banjos, a few whistles. I hope to start using my Burke with Urban Tapestry eventually.



For those who missed the entry, I ended up ordering the Burke wide bore brass black tip model (DBSBT). The choice was based on helpful comments from whistle-players in the Chiff and Fipple forums who suggested that the wide bore would be slightly louder, and that the brass model has a darker tone than aluminum.

Anyway, I LOVE MY BURKE WHISTLE!

Last night's session was also enlightening for me because I was sitting beside a newcomer; it was her first session at the Tranzac. I remember how frustrating it was in the beginning for me, when I'd ask people what tune had just been played and no one could remember. How could you not know the name of a tune YOU WERE PLAYING A FEW SECONDS AGO? I felt like asking, but didn't.

I found myself in the opposite role last night when Lisa asked me several times about the names of tunes...and I honestly couldn't remember, despite the fact that my fingers obviously knew the tune I had just been playing.

The "slow session" (where focus is on playing tunes more slowly so people could learn them more easily and beginners could practise) was from roughly 7:30-9 pm. Around 9, the pace picked up. Usually at this point I just put away my whistle and listen, both because I can't keep up yet but also to avoid aggravating my tendinitis.

I enjoy listening as much as playing at these sessions. It's an incredible experience, sitting there in that small room filled with amazing music I'd pay money to hear in a concert hall. As the pace picks up and still more experienced players arrive, feet start tapping, heads nod in time to the music. I also love watching the seasoned musicians in action, bows and picks a blur, fingers flying over whistle and flute holes. The fellow beside me was playing a flute made in the 1800s!

I was in heaven; it was so difficult having to leave before the end of the session, but I knew I had a longer commute back home than when we lived downtown.

Besides, I'll be back soon.

Anyway, I'm so very VERY glad I decided to push open that door at the Tranzac last December; I would have missed out on a world of good if I had chickened out. Thanks again to Mary Bertke for getting me hooked on Irish music sessions in the first place, and to folks at TheSession.org and The Chiff & Fipple message boards for their encouragement and advice. And ESPECIALLY the friendly folk at the Tranzac session.

:-)

Photo below: Taken by John Hall at the GAfilk session in Atlanta earlier in the month. You can see John's other GAfilk photos here.

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