About 4 years ago I started going to a music session in a small village in Yorkshire. It was brilliant, a wide variety of musicians of all levels of ability, playing all sorts of instruments, in a small cosy pub. Beginners were made welcome, and tunes were played at a moderate speed so that everyone could join in. There was gaps in the proceedings when people chatted but when the music was playing, those not playing listened. Unfortunately the place became quite well known, and is a victim of its own success. Now if your not there before 9pm it's standing room only, and there isn't much of that. Musicians are spread around the room because the can't sit together, little islands of Music in a sea of chatter. The majority now aren't musicians, but are there because of the music. The number and variety of musicians, is reducing, because a) they can't get a seat, and b) they can't hear what they, or the others are playing because of the constant chatter from people. We play louder, they shout! It is becoming a "box " night 'cos nothing else can cut through the din, and recently we have had problems with two tunes being played because people on one side of the room can't hear what's playing on the other side, this is in a room that seats 30 Max! It's awful to see the distruction of what was a great session. Anyone have any suggestions?