How Irish music became part of my life

The first time I joined an Irish session, I was sure I could jump right in. I was a solid musician, comfortable improvising, and eager to play. But every time I started to catch a tune, it slipped into another. Then another. Before long, I was completely lost.

It felt like everyone else had a rulebook—or maybe a tunebook—that I didn’t.

What I didn’t understand then is something every Irish session quietly teaches: listening is part of playing.