Less is more

We went to a session yesterday. Technically the fan runs it with the fiddle player, and technically it's an Irish/Celtic sesson. In practise either the fan or the fiddler can't make it and the very few regulars have a tendency to whack in something English, or American, or Italian. We've had a one or two absolutely cracking evenings at this sesson, but it's dwindling, not to say dying. Yesterday there were only four of us there. I play no Irish, one played no Scots. Two of us were mono-instrumental. Luckily the other two played five instruments between them, although one was another fiddle.

The slower, more relaxed atmosphere was helpful. The pub itself was half empty with most of the drinkers sat outside enjoying the cool weather that is passing for late spring around here. Rather than waiting patiently for gaps I cheerfully joined in with going round the table and taking turns. This meant I was able to trundle out three sets and three standalone tunes. The sets were pairs only, and none was perfect, but mostly it went well and I even gave Father John his first outing. But really, three sets and three standalone without resorting to The Rowan Tree or Bonnie Galloway. Surely this is progress writ large.

We were profusely thanked as we packed up by a group of Venezualans who had enjoyed the music and streamed it live to family at home, in part because it reminded them of the happy days when they lived next door to a Scot who played his "gaita" every morning. Whether the Scot was in Venezuala or the Venezualans in Scotland, or, indeed, if both parties were elsewhere at the time I didn't discover. It's a funny old world...but always good to see music bringing people together, overcoming language and geography, evoking memories...

(I've forgotten to menton that the Monkey and I have been together for two very fruitful and enjoyable years. Much as Morag got me going it has been the Monkey who has been the making of me as a piper, I feel.)