Yes, obviously.

This is particularly the case when it's a public performance before a paying public but a session or singaround is a semi-public environment where a non-participative audience may be present and become thus negatively influenced by a sub-standard presentation of traditional music.

I do not perform in public myself these days and many might screech that this topic is not my business. I disagree. Just regard me as representative of the punter forced on too many occasions to endure ill-rehearsed and toe-curlingly bad floor spots when newcomers I have attempted to introduce are filled with incredulity and vow to run a mile at any future mention of the dreaded "f*lk".

To be clear, the reasons why I rarely participate in performance are twofold: firstly I felt I was merely adequate, barely competent. What was in my head failed (despite a clutch of grade certificates) to transfer to my fingers. I remained a classical violinist and choral singer. Secondly, I had become a music and considered it unethical to continue to play out when I hadn't time to practice enough anyway.

I know all too well (and have said it on innumerable occasions) that practice and more practice is paramount. And the place for this is well away from the public eye and ear. The music and especially other musicians trying to eke a living from it deserve that respect.This is our cultural heritage.