It occurs to me that there is too much intolerance on both sides of this argument, and it seems to stem from the mistaken belief that there is only one reason why a musician chooses a particular method, and that you (without any talent for mindreading) know what that reason is.

I sing (if you can call it that) and accompany myself on a guitar. So far so good!

Though I could manage most of them quite comfortably in D, I perform many of my songs in the key of E. Not so good for melodeons!

So, according to at least one poster to this thread, I am a miserable git who doesn't want to have others playing along.

Well NO, actually.

The clue is in the word accompany. I choose the key which, in my opinion, gives the best sounding mix of vocal and music, for the song I am performing, and the key of E, with the open bottom E string has a ringing bass sound which I find particularly pleasant.

I find also that the songs I sing in that key tend to sound great with a violin, a concertina, or maybe a whistle, and I do encourage impromptu backing.

Looking at the issue from the other side, I very much enjoy joining in the instrumental sets at a session, and I find my guitar playing has improved greatly as a result.

The human voice is the oldest, and most versatile, of all musical instruments, and for that reason alone, if a singer does not want instrumental backing, all of us players should back off, show some respect, and enjoy the song.

I guess all that explains why I love mixed sessions

Bored? I should say NOT! And I would suggest that very few attenders are bored, but it's amazing how much energy you can use up in a good sesh, hence a tendency perhaps to yawn when you are not actively performing.

Don T.