In Missouri Old time fiddle/dance music the foot (typically given by the lead fiddler or whoever by the group's conventions has control of the tune) is one well accepted way of terminating a tune, particularly in a jam where one may not know all the other players tendencies and predelictions. With the repetitiousness of Old time music and the varying length of the play there is usually a need for a signal of some type. The fact that in Old time music the players are often seated and facing each other makes the foot a fairly simple and visible thing to do. A modest kick motion rather than a full leg raise is the norm. One would only keep the foot up or otherwise exaggerate the motion if some one had missed the signal on a previous tune.

A vocal signal such as "last time" or "going home", is also a common method in Old Time, but sometimes be problematic if the other players aren't accustomed to the particular application - ie saying "one more time" at the start of the A part of a tune can be misleading. In some quiet settings an audible signal may not not desired, but in others situations it's just part of the music, which can have a certain amount of whooping and commenting going on. Alternatively a good fiddler will often make a break in his play toward the end of the last time through the tune to let players, particularly experienced ones, know that the end is coming. When the members of the group are familiar with each other the eye contact, nod or other more subtle, signal can be used. Most experienced players have a general a sense as to when a tune should end and start looking at the lead fiddler for the sign. Often in jams we see a combination of a number of these methods used - such as "last time" at the start of the A part and a kick during the final B part - just to be sure. Since Old Time Music is frequently not done as a "performance", many players dont care whether the sign looks or sounds odd, as long as it does the job. At a dance the caller will typically signal one more time or two more times with his fingers (or off mike statement), making further signs by the band less critical so long as they are all awake.

The foot is used a little less in bluegrass here due to the more vocal or performance orientation and more regular structure of much of bluegrass music. Also since many bluegrass groups perform standing the foot is often less in the line of sight than in Old Time. If it is a song, the verses then often provide the structure to the song, often with a repeat of the first verse or chorus signaling the end. Also typically a bluegrass group will go around the group doing their solo breaks so they typically wont want to end a song before every one who wants to has had a chance to play one or more breaks. Usually once the breaks have circulated back to the lead or controlling player's turn then it is just a questions of going around again or ending it here - so the players are alert to the possibility at that juncture. A good bluegrassy ending to a song or tune at a time when the other players are expecting it is often all that is needed. As noted by others previously the eye contact or head nods often are used to signal the breaks.