yes, and impossible to see due to the way the browser handles word wrap…
Hmm, now where did I put that shovel…
Rob
Use a lute
Yes sessions are very variable but I’ve heard plenty that contain the best of music, so I don’t think that’s always the reason for occasions where people don’t listen. I’ve also seen some sessions which don’t have the best of music but still have plenty that’s worthwhile for the listener in them. E.g. A since of fun can go a long way. Also variety. I’ve went to one session where the players were off putting, too serious and self pretentious bad players / singers. I encourage beginners and those like myself who will never be ‘good’ players. There’s often still bits that are worthwhile; but this small gathering was not a good add for the folk scene but were very funny and entertaining by accident.
Woops, I only wanted to defend sessions. Why did I take so many words to state the obvious, I need to list less and practice more.
I attended a session last night at which I was one of the weaker players, and I sat out the better part of it. But I came away happy, feeling I had learned more than I would have by grinding through the old, familiar sets. Listening is good, and it leads to better playing.
That hasn’t been the case for a couple of generations, at least.
melismatic? Where is my dickshunairey?
oh wait…http://lmgtfy.com?q=melismatic
He doesn’t get out much, you see.
I dated a gal named Melisma but it didn’t last.
Oh, how she’d drone on and on and eventually I just had to leave.
There once was a gal named Melisma
Who’d succumbed to our Aanvil’s charisma
Yet she’d drone on alone, more charmed by her phone
Than his large-bore, simple-system machisma
LOL!
In her defense… it was a really nice phone.
Unfortunately, for her, Apple came out with a new and much better one a few days later.
Hi. When I say “solo” I don’t mean that in a Luddite or fundie way.
More than one muso can play together but still deliver the fruits of a solo interpretation. For instance when Martin Hayes on fiddle is accompanied by Cahill on guitar the melismatic quality is not sacrificed. Good working musicianship.
Compare this to a session where 2 fiddles and 2 flautists and 2 whistle players and an accordion grind on and on together. Something has to be sacrificed for the sake of easy conformity.
Its different where there is a concerted relationship among the players
that allows individual expression or where the players are so good
that they allow each other space and support in a spontaneous way
even though they may not have played together before.
Are we resurrecting the 'flute poetry ’ thread? 
Arbo
Love It! 
Well I would never walk into a pub and ask them to turn off the music so everyone could hear me play.
The only time I’ve done such is when I’m with a group of players and we are about to start a session that has been prearranged with the pub management.
But about people’s responces to my music in general, as you can see by my avatar that when I play flute young maidens tend to lie upon fountains.
I know a young piper named Pan
Who tootles whenever he can
The maids from the mountain
Do flock to his fountain
To lie down as close as they can
When busking, play in areas frequented by parents with small children.
Nearly alll kids “get” Irish music. They dance, the parents think it’s cute and tip the busker.