Sarah informs that there will be an acoustic session at the rear of the Bull Hotel in Stony Stratford this coming Thursday (March 5th) at 8.30pm....whether this will become a regular event is uncertain at present.
The aim of this website is to publicise and provide details of all open music sessions currently taking place in Milton Keynes and the surrounding area. The information it contains is hopefully current and accurate. However this depends on your input so if you know of any new sessions, sessions that have become defunct, cancellations, alterations or spot any errors please send details here or leave a message on the board.
ABOUT SESSIONS
Music sessions are most often described as "Open Mic" or "Acoustic".
Open Mic sessions usually have a PA system available and musicians are invited to take turns at performing. Types of music can be very varied.
Acoustic sessions are non-amplified and once a musician has started a tune other players can join in. Types of music can be varied but folk tunes usually dominate though a few sessions are more biased towardguitar/singers. Some acoustic sessions are "round the room" where players are invited to take turns at starting a tune (these are generally those that are more guitar/singer based). The more instrumental & folktune based sessions are less formal and anyone can start a tune at an appropriate moment. However, this requires a degree of etiquette so that all players get a fair chance to play tunes at their own level of ability or confidence.
Jazz sessions have their own format which usually relies on the ability to read from musical arrangements and being able to improvise.
MK SESSIONS CHATis a forum for all who support our local sessions. It is administered by this website so welcomes any input that helps to promote sessions and encourages new players to join our ranks.
Midi files can be of great assistance in learning new tunes. Unlike normal music formats such as mp3 etc, midi files are tiny as they are only a set of instructions for the synthesiser on your sound card to play a series of notes. With the appropriate software the files can be automatically converted to notation which will visibly follow the notes as the tune is played. A free basic player/converter is available below. More advanced player/converters allow the speed to be varied and the key to be transposed. This more versatile software usually has to be purchased. There are thousands of midi files available covering all types of music....the links below should give you access to many downloads.