There's a certain tradition in the WAY it's played that 1. makes strangers be able to play it together (not unlike folk dances that people can participate in as complete strangers and end up COMMUNITY). 2.carries over as a common thread even in the newest of newgrass--we know to what Bela, Sam, Tony, Mike etc. are connected. We can't DO it but we know from where it comes.
That didn't make any sense...I'm gonna come back to this and try again later--I know what I feel just can't say it right.