Customer Reviews

Field Guide to the Irish Music Session

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The only people I know who don't like this book are people who don't do well at Irish sessions for the very reasons Mr. Foy gives. Funny thing, that. If you want to fit in and aren't Irish (ie: didn't grow up in Ireland, and are therefore completely experienced in the intricacies of Irish society), get this book, read it, and believe it. If you don't end up using the stuff in here, great. You're gold. If you DO need it, then you'll have it. Great. You're gold.

The people I know who don't like this book always call it "elitist" -- interesting, if you think about it long enough.

I should also point out that Irish people think a book of something like this is ridiculous -- unless they've lived outside of Ireland and regularly suffered through a session that has been so hammered into another shape that it's really not a session anymore, and then they are ALL for this book (and you'll note Martin Hayes writes a plug for it, among others).

Irish sessions are often changed beyond belief to the point where they're no longer Irish sessions (or at least, sessions of traditional Irish music). Anyway, it's called "traditional" music for a reason, and if you don't like it or all the etiquette attendant upon it, then go make your own music, just don't sully either your own music nor Irish traditional music by calling it by the wrong name.

Oh, and by the way -- "etiquette" has somehow become a bad word, I'm not sure how. It's worth remembering that there's an "etiquette" to inviting your friends over for pizza and beer or hanging out at the mall -- "etiquette" isn't relegated only to weddings and formal occasions.

An extremely famous Irish fiddler once told me that there are sessions where he's glad that the participants are having fun, that they're doing something better than watching TV and all, but he would rather not be there. If you don't want to be the one to make an experienced player feel that way, get the book.

P.S. Oddly enough, I recognize most of the names giving reviews. This is a very small society over the globe, this society of Irish musicians.

A definite must for the ignorant hoi poloi (such as myself). Extremely witty, from the acknowledgements, in which the author acknowledges his own genius, to the glossary (Alpha male/female: .. the woman with the loudest instrument or the man with the biggest one). The rather odd illustrations indicate why the Irish are known for literature and music, but not for graphic arts.

Let me say up front that I am an experienced amateur musician; I have played in groups for years, although not Irish sessions. However, I am of Irish descent and I love Irish trad music, so I bought this book as a way to prepare myself to work into sessions. I completely appreciate that sessions have "rules" and need to, and that a newbie needs to work into sessions slowly and learn the ropes. I also have to admit I got a chuckle or two out of the book, because despite my better instincts, I like understated sarcastic humor and the author has a knack for that.

But I have to say this book was very discouraging and no help at all. It seems more intent on lampooning beginners than helping them, which seems mean-spirited. I saw no useful advice in this book for helping people actually work into sessions. The advice seems to be "Those who can play in sessions know who they are. Everyone else should just sit out. If they try to fit in, they will be the object of ridicule." Unfortunately, I have actually seen this kind of behavior at Irish sessions, much more so than in jams/sesssions for other genres. It's a shame. I think this is not in the best traditions of the Irish culture. I do believe that it is more characteristic of Irish sessions in the US than Ireland. Other musicians I know who have gone to Ireland and played in sessions have found a much more welcoming atmosphere than this book describes.

So, if you are an experienced US Irish session player, this book will give you some good laughs at beginners' expense. If you are a beginner, this book is just discouraging and a waste of time and money.

This cheerfully vicious little book tells you all you need to know about the Irish music session, be you a listener or a performer. It's a quick, fun read, and makes a nice gift (as long as the recipient won't recognize him or herself in its pages).

This book is a must-read for session newbies, who will be introduced to the unspoken rules of etiquette at the typical Irish session, and for advanced players, who will probably get a kick out of Foy's amusing take on what very often goes wrong at sessions, and for those who attend public sessions but don't play, who will be interested to know what is really going on during a session.

I wish that this book had been available about fifteen years ago when I first took up the Irish fiddle and cluelessly dove into sessions, probably helping to drive away some really outstanding players in the process. Thank you, Mr Foy, for putting into print what I had to figure out for myself over the years, and doing so in such a funny way.

The only people I know who don't like this book are people who don't do well at Irish sessions for the very reasons Mr. Foy gives. Funny thing, that. If you want to fit in and aren't Irish (ie: didn't grow up in Ireland, and are therefore completely experienced in the intricacies of Irish society), get this book, read it, and believe it. If you don't end up using the stuff in here, great. You're gold. If you DO need it, then you'll have it. Great. You're gold.

The people I know who don't like this book always call it "elitist" -- interesting, if you think about it long enough.

I should also point out that Irish people think a book of something like this is ridiculous -- unless they've lived outside of Ireland and regularly suffered through a session that has been so hammered into another shape that it's really not a session anymore, and then they are ALL for this book (and you'll note Martin Hayes writes a plug for it, among others).

Irish sessions are often changed beyond belief to the point where they're no longer Irish sessions (or at least, sessions of traditional Irish music). Anyway, it's called "traditional" music for a reason, and if you don't like it or all the etiquette attendant upon it, then go make your own music, just don't sully either your own music nor Irish traditional music by calling it by the wrong name.

Oh, and by the way -- "etiquette" has somehow become a bad word, I'm not sure how. It's worth remembering that there's an "etiquette" to inviting your friends over for pizza and beer or hanging out at the mall -- "etiquette" isn't relegated only to weddings and formal occasions.

An extremely famous Irish fiddler once told me that there are sessions where he's glad that the participants are having fun, that they're doing something better than watching TV and all, but he would rather not be there. If you don't want to be the one to make an experienced player feel that way, get the book.

P.S. Oddly enough, I recognize most of the names giving reviews. This is a very small society over the globe, this society of Irish musicians.

[....] The book in no way is serious but DOES contain some definite nuggets of truth. The derision of the statement "The fact that you are holding a musical instrument in your hands does not automatically entitle you to play it." is off base I feel...the statement IS true in an Irish session. Irish sessions have, generally, unwritten and unspoken rules which one would be advised to learn before plunging in!

And it completely depends on the TYPE of session one is attending. Many "purists" come across as elitists in exclusion of "non-trad" instruments and turn their noses up at anything other than a fiddle and button accordeon. Singing is even frowned upon! Whereas many include much which is non traditional.

I felt the book was amusing and held many grains of truth. Regardless of how the man handles himself in person his book is a witty intro to the structure of Irish sessions. I certainly know some folks who could benefit from reading it!

My oh my, some people are sure getting themselves worked up about this book! Everyone I've shown this book to, especially those involved in the Irish music scene, have nearly died from uncontrollable laughter and have been completely unable to put this book down.
I truly think that the only people who don't find this book hilarious are those who are the worst session offenders and are in some sort of deep denial. Laugh a little! This book pokes good-natured fun at every instrument used in Irish music, and especially at those that are better used for other types of music, such as the autoharp. It pokes fun at the way a session works, and the way it doesn't work. It pokes fun at everything, and does it in a humerous and spot-on accurate way. I wish there was some way of making it mandatory for all session newcomers (and quite a few session regulars) to read this book.
So, if you're in the mood for a good laugh and want the best insight available on the workings of a traditional Irish music session, buy this book. You'll love it (unless you play the autoharp).
This book is a true gem and I recommend it 103.7%
Chris

Barry Foy answers every single question I've ever been asked in my 23 years of playing Irish session music. Whether you're a beginner or have a little experience, this is the BEST book on anything you want to know to have fun in session, and gain a good reputation. GET IT!!!!

This humorous and insightful guide is helpful for the musician who has learned a few Irish tunes (or aspires to learning them) and is ready to tackle a session, as well as the Irish pub-goer who regularly notices the musicians jamming over in the corner and wonders what it's all about. Appropriate and inappropriate instruments for a session, expected participant behavior, the different types of tunes and their playing styles and speeds, and why sessions are important to the vitality of Irish traditional music are all covered.

The book is short, sweet, and to the point, just like an Irish dance tune.