Podcast thumbnail for In Tune with Tradition - Perspectives on Session Etiquette in Irish Traditional Music

In Tune with Tradition - Perspectives on Session Etiquette in Irish Traditional Music

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by Tara Connaghan

21 episodes
Updated Daily
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Podcast Overview

Welcome to “In Tune With Tradition,” the podcast dedicated to exploring the unwritten rules, shared experiences, and stories of Irish traditional music sessions. Sessions are magical gatherings where music, community, and tradition come together, and it is session etiquette (the customs and courtesies shared by all) that helps sessions run smoothly and ensures everyone feels welcome, whether playing, listening, or joining in for the first time. Hosted by Tara Connaghan, a seasoned and well respected Irish fiddle player and cultural insider, this series dives deep into the heart of the Irish session. Each episode features conversations with musicians, session regulars, and passionate participants from Ireland and beyond, sharing their personal experiences and perspectives on the etiquette and quirks that make each session unique and magical. Whether you’re an experienced player, a newcomer, or simply curious about the world of Irish traditional music, “In Tune With Tradition” offers an authentic, entertaining, and insightful look at the elements that make memorable Irish music sessions. Expect lively stories, practical advice, and plenty of laughs as we celebrate the music, the people, and the spirit of the session. The podcast was launched Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy 2025 in Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, Ireland by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, renowned fiddle player, singer, and founding member of Altan. Join Tara and her guests each episode as they tune into the tradition, sharing the wisdom and warmth that resonate through the magic of Irish music sessions. Episodes are usually launched fortnightly.

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Publishing Since

7/3/2025

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Recent Episodes

Episode thumbnail for What makes a good Irish music session?

July 18, 2026

What makes a good Irish music session?

<p>In this episode of In Tune with Tradition, Tara Connaghan speaks with Donal O’Connor in Belfast ahead of Belfast Trad Festival and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.</p><p>This conversation goes straight into one of the hardest parts of Irish session culture: expectations.</p><p>Donal talks about how different people arrive at a session wanting different things. Young musicians may want to play their new tunes. Adult learners and intermediate players may want the buzz of a big inclusive session. Older or more experienced musicians may hope for a smaller corner, strong repertoire, good listening, space, chat and musical connection.</p><p>The problems begin when all of those expectations land in the same room and are not spoken about.</p><p>Donal also talks about Belfast Trad Festival, the challenge of managing session trails, why master musicians need space to play too, how listening sessions can help, why song and dance matter, and why respect remains central to the whole thing.</p><p>This is a practical, thoughtful conversation about sessions as living social spaces: places where music, people, rooms, listeners, age, gender, alcohol, confidence, safety and expectation all meet.</p>

Episode thumbnail for Podcast 1st birthday special - Celebrating a year of Irish music sessions and community

July 11, 2026

Podcast 1st birthday special - Celebrating a year of Irish music sessions and community

<p>Join Tara Connaghan as she reflects on a vibrant year of exploring Irish music sessions, session etiquette, and community connection via the In Tune with Tradition podcast.</p><p>This special episode features insights from musicians, educators, and session enthusiasts from around the world discussing what makes sessions meaningful and how to foster better experiences for all.</p><p></p><p>Guests: Dr. Michael Walsh, Michael Eskin, Lori Madden and Mimi Vidaver-Davis.</p><p></p><p>Transcript available on https://www.sessionetiquette.com/podcast</p><p></p><p>This episode is also available to watch on https://www.youtube.com/live/V6ItyDgg9y0</p><p></p><p>Resources</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Back-Up-Instrumentalists-Chris-Smith/dp/0786640650" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Celtic Back-Up for All Instruments by Chris Smith</a> (book)</p><p><a href="https://duckduckgo.com/?q=youtube.com+john+doyle+guitar&amp;ia=web" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">John Doyle Guitar on YouTube</a></p><p><a href="https://www.sheffieldfolksessionsfestival.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sheffield Folk Sessions Festival, UK</a></p><p><a href="https://www.michaelwalshmusic.com/home" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dr. Michael Walsh </a></p><p><a href="https://www.michaeleskin.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Michael Eskin</a></p><p><a href="https://www.sandiegocomhaltas.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">San Diego Comhaltas</a></p><p><a href="https://www.brightwoodtunes.com/mimi" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mimi Vidaver-Davis</a></p><p><a href="https://blueridgeirishmusic.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Irish Music School</a> Virginia-based Irish music education</p><p><a href="https://theploughandstars.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Plough and Stars pub</a></p><p><a href="https://thestarryplough.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Starry Plough pub</a></p><p><a href="https://slainteoakland.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Slainte pub</a></p><p><a href="http://TheSession.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TheSession.org</a> - source of tunes, discussions, directory of sessions </p><p><a href="http://TradRadar.ie" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TradRadar.ie</a> - directory or sessions in Ireland</p><p><a href="https://shift.irish/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shift.Irish</a> - app to connect Irish people at home and abroad plus list of sessions / pubs </p><p><a href="https://www.sessionetiquette.com/retreat" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">In Tune With Tradition - Private Session Experience</a></p><p><a href="https://www.patreon.com/cw/SessionEtiquette?utm_source=search" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/cw/SessionEtiquette</a></p><p>In Tune with Tradition / Session Etiquette website - https://www.sessionetiquette.com</p><p>Sign up to the In Tune with Tradition newsletter <a href="https://www.sessionetiquette.com/newsletter-signup" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.sessionetiquette.com/newsletter-signup</a></p><p></p><p>Intro music: Track 1: John Phadaí Chonchubhair’s jig - Derek McGinley &amp; Tara Connaghan <a href="https://farsideoftheglen.com/wp/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">‘Far Side of the Glen’ album </a>(2011)</p>

Episode thumbnail for The Song is the Boss

June 26, 2026

The Song is the Boss

<p>Summary</p><p>In this engaging conversation, Tara Connaghan speaks with Deirdre Scanlan, former singer with Irish music group, Solas. Deirdre is a passionate musician and educator, about the essence of Irish music, the importance of traditional singing, and the dynamics of music sessions. She shares her insights on emotional connections in music, the role of technology, and the challenges of teaching and learning in the musical community. They explore the expectations and realities of participating in music sessions, the significance of participation, and the balance between tradition and innovation. The discussion also touches on listener questions, providing valuable perspectives on navigating the world of Irish music.</p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><p>00:00 Introduction to Deirdre Scanlan</p><p>01:50 The Essence of Irish Music Sessions</p><p>05:35 Understanding Traditional Singing</p><p>09:15 Emotional Connection in Music</p><p>12:51 Gender Perspectives in Music Expression</p><p>15:31 The Evolution of Tradition</p><p>17:14 Variations in Singing vs. Instrumental Performance</p><p>22:57 Teaching and Learning in Music</p><p>28:24 Navigating Music Sessions</p><p>30:46 Navigating Session Etiquette</p><p>33:39 Understanding Session Dynamics</p><p>36:15 The Role of Personal Experience in Sessions</p><p>38:24 Baggage and Expectations in Musical Spaces</p><p>40:48 Inclusivity and Participation in Sessions</p><p>44:26 The Pressure of Performance and Hosting</p><p>47:45 Diverse Motivations in Musical Sessions</p><p>51:20 Finding Value in Every Session</p><p>54:16 Session Behaviour and Respect</p><p>56:20 Exploring Session Dynamics and Imposter Syndrome</p><p>58:22 The Art of Participation in Musical Sessions</p><p>01:01:22 Navigating Social Expectations in Irish Music</p><p>01:04:01 Understanding Personal Motivations in Musical Engagement</p><p>01:06:56 Supporting Others in Musical Settings</p><p>01:09:47 Final Thoughts and Personal Connections to Music</p><p></p><p>Resources</p><p><a href="https://www.sessionetiquette.com/retreat" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">In Tune With Tradition - Private Session Experience</a></p><p><a href="https://www.patreon.com/cw/SessionEtiquette?utm_source=search" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/cw/SessionEtiquette</a></p><p>In Tune with Tradition / Session Etiquette website - https://www.sessionetiquette.com</p><p>Sign up to the In Tune with Tradition newsletter <a href="https://www.sessionetiquette.com/newsletter-signup" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.sessionetiquette.com/newsletter-signup</a></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DeirdreScanlanMusic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Deirdre Scanlan</a></p><p></p><p>To read the transcript, please listen to the episode on <a href="www.sessionetiquette.com/podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.sessionetiquette.com/podcast</a></p><p>This is the transcript Tara generates (not AI generated).</p>

21 total episodes available

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What is In Tune with Tradition - Perspectives on Session Etiquette in Irish Traditional Music?

Welcome to “In Tune With Tradition,” the podcast dedicated to exploring the unwritten rules, shared experiences, and stories of Irish traditional music sessions. Sessions are magical gatherings where music, community, and tradition come together, and it is session etiquette (the customs and courtesies shared by all) that helps sessions run smoothly and ensures everyone feels welcome, whether playing, listening, or joining in for the first time.

Hosted by Tara Connaghan, a seasoned and well respected Irish fiddle player and cultural insider, this series dives deep into the heart of the Irish session. Each episode features conversations with musicians, session regulars, and passionate participants from Ireland and beyond, sharing their personal experiences and perspectives on the etiquette and quirks that make each session unique and magical.

Whether you’re an experienced player, a newcomer, or simply curious about the world of Irish traditional music, “In Tune With Tradition” offers an authentic, entertaining, and insightful look at the elements that make memorable Irish music sessions. Expect lively stories, practical advice, and plenty of laughs as we celebrate the music, the people, and the spirit of the session.

The podcast was launched Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy 2025 in Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, Ireland by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, renowned fiddle player, singer, and founding member of Altan.

Join Tara and her guests each episode as they tune into the tradition, sharing the wisdom and warmth that resonate through the magic of Irish music sessions.

Episodes are usually launched fortnightly.

How often does this podcast release new episodes?

This podcast updates daily.

Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

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