Hey FLUTE old skin:
I have been playing Irish music most of my life - I vertually stoped going to sessuns because of this kind of (appologies to all, you know it is unlike me to say what I am going to say in polite company) shite. I was sent a message from a fecking BODHRAN player, that he didn't apreciate my playing. Now this kind of crap erases from one's mind the praise of - not bragging but making you feel better - Killian Vallale, a piper I could never hope to hold a candle too, and other praise from unexpected quarters, and knaws at ones heart. Take some degree of notice and always strive to be the best you can be, ask for pointers till the day you find yourself looking at the lid for ever, but remember, folks who just fire barbs at you are destructive of our tradition and here in New York, the Ethnicity Police are more hated than the occational missed note, off beat and trying new comer to our music. I don't doupt that the reason there are so many great bands in Britony, is the degree to which I witness real fostering of new musicians. Now there are one or two blockheads, who continue to play loud and bad, and listen not to heartfelt kind critique which seeks to instruct, you don't sound like that kind. So, look the idiot in the eye, thank him for his interest in your future, and then file him in - not to heed - file,
If Cathal McConnel is giving a workshop in your neighborhood, go... if not go on a pilgrimage to Edinburgh, at some time you know he is in at his local, and you will find that even the best give great help and direction.
Good luck and tough skin,
Larry