It occurred to me just now, having reread the "Is folk music elitist" thread, that perhaps the problem of elitism is really confined to the music sessions held in public spaces, like bars, coffeehouses, and pubs. As those of us with a life time of experience with folk music knows, the music sessions aren't the only place that people gather to play together regularly. But in our post-modern world, the sessions held regularly in public spaces, regardless of the type of music being performed, has become the default folk music community for many musicians with a passion for this particular type of music, especially when no one in their everyday world exists to share it with.

It would be unusual at this point for someone to suggest that the public session doesn't dominate the folk music scene in British North America, as well as in Britain and Ireland. Since folk music historically wasn't usually performed in public places, but rather in homes and other quasi-private/public spaces (ie fairs), I would humbly suggest that perhaps it is this new (as in last half of the 20th century new) development in folk music performance that is elitist, and not really the musicians and dancers and audiences which are elitist.

It is my perception that because the demands upon our time nowadays is so great (and the time and effort it often takes to find a session in sync with what one is looking for), those people who regularly get their folk music fix from sessions do tend to be more selfish about outsiders "wasting their time" in sessions. They only have a limited amount each week or fortnight to devote to performing music with the "regulars" and so tend to be more territorial about it.

It is also my perception that since most sessions tend to be predominately populated by male musicians, that predominance lends itself to a certain relationship dynamic that isn't as noticeably present when the gender mix is more balanced, or the session is predominately female musicians (which we all know is still pretty much a rarity). It has always seemed to me the latter type sessions are more relaxed and inclusive than the former.

Anyone else have thoughts to share on this?