I had a very sad epiphany the other night at my local session. It may take a long time until I’m comfortable in playing in a session. Although I can’t really put a number on that, but l’ll make a ballpark guess of a couple years. But here’s the scary part: when I finally bring the pipes to my local session a in the future, what if no one else really wants them there? Even the great players who do bring them around my local haunt can sound pretty crappy at times, and they have a lot of squeaks. It makes me wonder why I should even bother. It’s hard to love something in isolation. I’m sorry to be so cynical, but I’ll throw it out there for a philosophical debate. 
Please impart your optimistic wisdom.
Don’t be too discouraged. Sessions can be bad for your piping anyway. Okay for learning tunes, but no good for learning to ‘pipe’. And if they’re anything like my local sessions, there’s a bunch of losers who are under the impression that one’s ‘musicianship’ is judged by the number of tunes you know. They therefore can’t understand why it is that after 14 years learning the pipes I still only know ‘a few’ tunes’. Since discovering the pleasures of solo piping, I’m quite content with playing on my own, or in the company of two or three other pipers, but no more. I prefer to play a few tunes well (not that I can even do that yet 
). Plus I’ve got plenty of CDs to learn tunes from.
I suggest that you practice a few tunes with one or two other members of the session. Do this on your own time - not during the session. That way you’ll feel more confident about these tunes when you do play them in the session.
“It’s hard to love something in isolation.” My friend, please think about this statement. If something is worth loving, how is the presence or absence of others relevant? Why did you want to learn the pipes to begin with, to amuse punters in a pub or because you wanted to make the music? Personally, I don’t understand why anyone would want to entertain punters in a commercial establishment selling alcohol or be anywhere near them when playing an acoustic instrument. I urge you to forget what other people think or your perceptions of what they think. Strap on your pipes because you want to hear them. Please yourself first. If others hear and enjoy them, its a bonus; if not, who cares.
Get back to the core of the music. It is music, not a competitive event. Everyone wins if we play for ourselves.
All of the foregoing is intended in a friendly manner, to get you back to piping. There’s plenty of enjoyment even if you never darken the doorway of another session.
Well, if there’s any deficiencies in one’s pipes or piping ability, a session will surely bring them to the fore. There’s just no where to hide or noodle quietly. Lack of success in a session can be only temporary if you take note of where you fall short and work on making it better for the next time.
Tuning, timing, tempo and repertoire are all fixable, and frankly, probably all of us should never stop working these areas. I never walk away from a session without being aware of something I could do better. And in two years time, I’ll be a better player than I am today - and I’ll still be thinking about what needs some work.
I think playing with others can be a lot of fun, but sometimes you have to choose when you jump in and play and when to sit and listen. Playing with others whose skill level is close to your own is probably a better idea than trying to run with the “big dogs” when you’re not quite ready.
I wouldn’t be dismayed about how long it takes to get to the playing level that you desire. This piping business is a marathon, not a hundred yard dash. Serious pipers are in it for the long haul - and like I said before - when you finally get to where you want to be, you’ll be wanting to be someplace else. Learn to love to practice, play every day and enjoy the journey. Hmm… I think I just made myself feel better.
I think this is a really good idea. Find someone at about your level on whatever instrument and just get together with that person. That person might be feeling the same way you do. I think I do understand what you mean about it being hard to love something in isolation. It is not a matter of not loving the pipes, but it is easy for some of us to get discouraged when there is absolutely no one that one can talk to about problems, etc. I will have a teacher and this is one of the very reasons that was so important to me. So you can solve the problem without worrying about the two year thing, which is a very discouraging sort of thought you don’t need to be having. And also you can be confident that you are not being unwelcome at the session.
The great thing about tomorrow is that it isnae formed yet and doesnae exist.So why waste your day today worrying about something that is not in being.If ye take it just a tiny bit further tomorow will never exist so why not concentrate on getting on wi today and try and enjoy it while your at it. 
Slán Agat
Uilliam
PJ Thanks for pointing out my error. 
Uilliam - In fairness to eedbjp, I don’t think he has brought his pipes to the session just yet. His original post seems to be prophetic:
But here’s the scary part: when I > finally > bring the pipes to my local session a in the future, what if no one else really wants them there?
eedbjp - Not everyone loves the pipes. When the time comes, it’s best to test the water and then progress gradually. Play one tune with people you have practiced with and then put the pipes away. If nobody packs away his/her fiddle/flute after you’ve played, take it as a positive reaction (if the bodhran players leave, take this as resounding approval) and then go back to playing your whistle. If you’ve played well and people still don’t like the pipes/your piping, then Uilliam’s advice about starting your own session is the best.