I think I'm getting a whiff of chauvinism here. The kind that says, "If you weren't born within sight of Tara, didn't come out of the womb speaking Gaelic, and don't have shamrocks growing out of you navel, then you'll never be able to learn how to play Irish session music.

I just spent some time listening to Irish session music on YouTube (and I have heard a lot of it before), and I didn't hear anything—INCLUDING the "diddly bits"—that could NOT be learned from written music and played as well as anybody else.

Folk police come in many shapes and sizes, and from various ethnic groups.

Ta ta, folks! Got better things to do than to continue running around this particular bush.

Don Firth

The originator of the thread feels this topic has run it's course and is dismayed at the disrespect shown elder statesmen in the field of folk music. Those of you who don't have anything better to do - take up another hobby - don't follow around people you disagree with just to pick fights and ruin other discussion. It reflects poorly on you and one day may come back to bite you in the ass. --mudelf