Chairs
I’d like to discuss ‘chairs’.
1. Is it good etiquette to sit and play (as opposed to standing up)?
2. What is the best type of chair?
3. What do you do if there are no chairs left at a session?
4. What do you think about bringing your own folding chair to a session?
5. What do you think of the sometime practice of ‘saving a chair’ for someone coming later (even if they are a regular or ‘Pop Star’!)?
Random personal observations on the subject:
No-one stands up and plays! (I was most surprised to find players at English Trad sessions standing up happily and out of choice!)
At my main local pub session, the new management have changed the chairs from simple ‘dining room’ ones (backs, no arms) to more luxurious and larger chairs with backs and, indeed, arms.
This has also precipitated an inconvenient reduction in the overall number of available chairs.
Everyone sitting down to play the music in Trad Irish appears to be a maxim.
Anyway the new chairs are unsuitable.
One needs loads of elbow room to play properly.
Many a time I’ve been sat at a session but cramped.
I prefer a low stool.
I don’t like sitting on the built in ‘banquet’ type seating. At a busy sesh too many people try to squeeze in.
I have a fold away fishing tripod stool that I take just in case.