Something New in Oght Eight?

Hi Y'all! Yes, it is December. No, I have not posted since November. I'm sorry! I told you all I started a new job, and fabulous it is, and busy I am...oop, turning into Yoda am I?

Thank you to Colleen and George for staffing the slow session this month. I hope you all had a good time.

I've been watching the dynamics of our group for some while now, and wondering how to meet the needs of all our different participants. It seems to me that you probably have an opinion about that.

This post is a mini survey. I need feedback on what we'd like to be doing with our session in the new year. I think our regulars have come along great, and maybe are looking for something new.
I started this thing because I wanted there to be a place for people to learn the tunes together in a friendly, non-judgemental setting. And thank goodness Colleen and George stepped up to the plate to help guide, lead, and inspire us all!

So, gang, I'm curious to hear what is working for you, and what is not. Please be gentle -- remember, I do have feelings!

Please make "comments" to this post so everyone can see what you think.

Please pick and choose, and give me additional feedback:
"In 2008, I'd like to see us:

1. continue to work on new tunes together
2. have a mix of session and new tunes
3. just play tunes
4. other (fill in your own blanks)"

___________________________________________________________
One caveat to all:
this session focuses specifically on Irish tunes. There are some wonderful groups and sessions out there that open the floor up to French Canadian, old time, folk, country, bluegrass, etc. So those tunes are covered elsewhere. My love, my focus, and my area of interest is Irish music. That's what this gathering is for. (Yes, we worked on Josefins Dopvals. So, I make exceptions!)

Three points to all:
1. I'd really like to see people learning more by ear and relying less on the notes.
2. the best way to accomplish that is to a) buy and LISTEN to IRISH recordings and musicians; and b) to listen to the trad shows on www.clarefm.ie.
and finally,
3. there is no "secret list of Irish tunes" that are popularly played, because the repertoire is different from session to session, town to town, state to state, region to region.
That being said, I WILL have a list of popular tunes to hand out at the January session.

Remember, you all are doing great! You all inspire me, and I look forward to seeing you every month! Keep playing, keep loving it!

The Trad

p.s. Trusty Companion and I have updated our website. Please visit www.lawsontrad.com!