hmmm...

interesting thread.

I am a good singer and a fair-to-middling boudhran player. Hence, at any given sessiun, I wait my turn to play or be heard. I end up sitting and listening a fair amount of the time, because even when I am the only boudhran player present, I think it is impolite to drum on every tune. It would also be impolite to ask to sing too often; I usually wait to be asked unless I don't know anyone. Any good drummer knows that they should not play along with every song; just as every singer knows singing along on every song is not appropriate, since sometimes an a cappella performance is indicated. Same goes with all those fiddlers, pipers, accordionists, etc.--if the tune does not seem to call for your instrument (and some tunes really do not lend themselves to a complete instrumentation every time), then, heck, sit it out! Sip your beer, listen for a change.

Same goes when you are trying to learn a tune; listening or recording it is far better than just trying to jump in, especially if you are a not a real quick study...I'm not saying players should always sit back and remain silent when they don't know the tune, but if we all tried this occasionally it might help things run more smoothly...

but to respond to the original question, drummers simply need to be sensitive to the needs of the sessiun...and of course, no matter what, there will always be someone who criticizes or ostracizes even the most considerate and accomplished boudhran player; call it prejudice borne of so many years' traumatic experience. But one bad boudhran experience need not color everyone's lives forever! We don't all suck, ya know...

peg