What is a Celtic Jam? Is a Session another name for the same thing?
Some people use the terms interchangeably (you may have heard the term “jam session”), however many trad musicians recognize some differences. (for those really new on the scene, “trad” just means traditional, and can refer to any number of traditions: folk, Celtic, bluegrass, etc.) To most of the trad musicians I know, a jam is more of a free-for-all, where new people may show up not already knowing the tunes, but willing to just pick out chords and such on the fly. Often someone will suggest (i.e. shout out) a tune or set, and launch right into it, and everyone who wants to join in does. Quiet instruments and beginners might find the pace a bit breathtaking, and may feel overwhelmed at first. Part of the problem is that you don’t always know what to expect – some days you might show up to find you’re competing with three fiddles, two guitars, an accordion and four bodhran players (of varying skill levels). Singers and harp players may only get to be heard while everyone else is takin
