Where's the best place to sit at a session?

[Infernaltootler]

It's an age old conundrum - where's the best place to sit at a session?

Your choice of neighbour can really effect your evening. I've had some horrible experiences of late, particularly with body odour and bodhrans.

Can you Fipplers help?

[BigDavy]

Hi Infernaltootler

I have been in most of the situations above (and am the dodgy bodhran player to boot ) - basically I sit anywhere I can get a seat.

David

[DrPhill]

HI

I voted for too scared..... but that is partly because I do not know of any near me. If I did go I would try to look like someone who 'just happened along' until I worked up the courage to admit that I actually played an instrument. Or if the session was too good I would enjoy the music and keep my mouth shut.

I am impressed with your high opinion of fish and chipplers in that you gave no option to sit next to the pretty girls in the corner. Not that I would of course. Anyway they would probably turn out to be the star musicians.

Phill

Why are there so many more ways to play a tune wrong than there are ways to play it right?

[fancypiper]

Next to the piper, of course (body odor)

[Martin Milner]

You forgot to put an option for:

Next to the Guitar Player who thinks this is a jazz session

and

Next to the Fiddle/Flute player who is bound to prang you at least once with their bow/flute

[ten or more]

I sit by myself and let people fill in the chairs next to me. Then it's their fault for sitting next to a rhythmically challenged player.

[Ceili_whistle_man]

No options available there for me in your poll, I usually stand. I have a pretty touchy nerve in my back that plays up if I sit for too long, or should I say, any longer than five minutes and I have to get off my backside and stand. It has the advantage of me being able to walk around and find a spot where I can hear all the instruments. It is also useful for finding a sweet spot behind the bodhran player and letting the drool from my flute or whistle drip down their neck.

[brewerpaul]

Near the bar?

Actually, for a newbie that's probably a bad idea. You don't need any distractions.
I'd say hang out for the first couple of tunes and listen to the players. If you can find a competent whistle player, sit hear him or her. You'll learn a lot that way.

[pipersgrip]

You forgot to put an option for:

Next to the Guitar Player who thinks this is a jazz session

and

Next to the Fiddle/Flute player who is bound to prang you at least once with their bow/flute

Did you sit next to me once?



Seriously though, at my sessions, usually all of the pros sit in a group, and the beginners kind of sit in the back. The intermediates usually sits first come, first serve.

[Nanohedron]

You forgot to put an option for:

Next to the Guitar Player who thinks this is a jazz session

and

Next to the Fiddle/Flute player who is bound to prang you at least once with their bow/flute

I just wave my drippy flute-end ominously over the player's lap on my right and I get plenty of room. Works every time.

A fiddler on my right is another matter altogether. Then it's a mutual prangfest.

[Gecko]

Next to the Guitar Player who thinks this is a jazz session

Definitely have sat next to lots of those

But usually I just sit next to my pipes teacher.

[Thomaston]

I usually sit between 2 fiddlers, and more often than not probably mess them up with my banjo playing!