The Practice Session If you are really quite new to playing Irish music or are completely dependent  on and happy with playing from sheet music, then the best slow session for you is at the Rincon Market on alternated Tuesdays at 7:00 - 9:00 and hosted by Jamie Massey er4az@aol.com.  The slow session at the Auld Dubliner is more of a practice or intermediate session where the goal is to try out new tunes in a more relaxed environment, and then take them to the advanced session when you are ready to play at speed. The practice session is informal, sheet music is fine and there is a very friendly and welcoming attitude and you are likely to find some of the advanced players like Sharon, Claire or Bob, ready to offer ad hoc instruction and suggestions. The Advanced Session One does not need to be a seasoned professional to participate in sessions, but because this is not a "beginner session" and it takes place in a public venue, it is important for the health of the music to maintain as high a standard of musicianship as possible. The pub owner and staff treat musicians well at The Auld Dubliner  and are very supportive of the music, and they do us a great service by providing us with a nice place to play and a free drink. The musicians should return the favor by taking the time to consider if they are ready to play at a level comparable to the others at the session or not. If not, rest assured that the musicians VERY much appreciate listeners who are genuinely interested in learning the music. It’s nice to know that folks are using the session to find traditional music in the area and we regulars are always delighted to have good players find us and join in the fun, whether they’re new to the area or just passing through! However, for those who are new to the genre or to their instruments, they should consider first whether they are *ready* to play in a session! Most of us who have been playing for awhile already know this, but some folks are really new and need to be aware of a few things before they sit on down at the table. *If a budding player is still reading sheet music, that person is not ready to play at the advanced session! *  That’s what slow sessions are for and most of us started in a slow session somewhere until we were ready to play at a reasonable speed and without sheet music. Also, just "tooting along," fumbling around for notes, playing odd "harmonies," or pretending that one knows a tune is really impolite and disruptive. We can hear you…and so can the people who are there in the pub to enjoy the music. It’s really quite OK to sit out a tune if you’re not ready to play it or to sit off to the side of the playing table to listen and learn. The beginning player should not seat himself next to the lead player or among the other experienced players . We consider the playing table to be a stage, and until a person is ready to perform with the other players, it is agreeable to all of us for that person to enjoy the music from a safe distance. And by all means, that person should go home, practice, and join in the fun when they’re truly ready! They should listen to their Irish Trad CDs and MP3s….if they can play along with those tracks and up to speed by and large, then they’re ready to join the advanced session at The Auld Dubliner! Unlike , for example, a bluegrass jam, an Irish session does not feature breaks or  leads, and the goal is for all instruments to be heard and the sound to be a blend of the melody and back up instruments. One can pick up out a specific instrument if one listens for it, but no instruments should overpower the session. Consequently, certain instruments are generally not welcome at sessions including hammer dulcimers, 5 string banjos, piano accordions, spoons, tubas, etc. There are certain instruments that are need to be played carefully including tenor banjo, button accordion and concertina, to avoid overpowering the flutes and fiddles. Instruments that may need to be played in moderation include the bodhran, guitar, bouzouki and bones. Two or even three expert bodhran players may be OK, one newbie may not. It’s all about listening to the group and not just your self. Do not feel offended if one of the regulars asks you to sit out a set, or play softer. We really want to have as many contributing musicians as possible and the more musicians, the more rewarding the session is for both musicians, audience and dancers.