I joined some of my friends at a party Saturday night where we all sat around a big bond fire. Many of the people who attended the party are involved in music so gradually people started pulling out their instruments. There were many drums of all different shapes and sizes. I would say, half the musical group had drums. The other half had guitars and there were a few singers. The drums would get a rhythm going and then the guitars on the other side of the fire would start strumming to their own tune which seemed different from the drums. I found the circle was split. Guess who one every time? The drums.
Watching these dynamics there was no way I was going to pull out my banjo. There didn't seem to be a cohesive group to join in with. So I just sat there and let the two groups battle it out. It actually got kind of humorous to watch.
Eventully I did pull out my banjo, but it was at the end of the evening when it felt timely.
I felt good about being able to assess the situation and feel some of my wise decisions had to do with discussing these kinds of musical etiquette situations here on the Mudcat.
Thanks guys,

Bonnie