...I have withdrawn from semi-public Irish and Bluegrass sessions in my town because of issues covered elsewhere a long time ago on Mudcat. I do occasionally join sessions I know are open and my last excellent experience was joining the Saturday session that Banjer's friends have in a music store in Tampa.

...I found this session to be friendly and welcoming. It was bluegrass and it seemed the players had had experience with one another. I was the only woman for a while until a mando player joined us and the guys let me take breaks on autoharp in a very supportive fashion. I sang harmonies when appropriate or I knew the songs.

...My singing bluegrass repetoire is limited, in my opinion but I have played bluegrass for many years beginning in Arkansas in the 70's and find it an easy genre to adapt the autoharp to. I do play fast and so can easily keep up with the fast pace!

...I play sessions which are basically private with my singing friends and other musicians whom I know and respect and like. I no longer play with individuals I feel are difficult. Life is too short to experience unpleasantness when music is shared.

...Another session I walked into which was welcoming was the last Sunday session in the outdoor auditorium at John D. McArthur State Park. Again, these fellas and one woman have played together a great deal but they asked me to lead songs and encouraged breaks. I think that I could comfortably join that session again but the timing of being in South Florida isn't always right. It is a beautful outdoor State Park on the ocean. I find now that I avoid sessions in smokey bars, for the most part because I also want to play music in a physically pleasing atmosphere.

...My work is very demanding and I dwell with others in often painful spots for many hours during the week. I find that my musical life must be pleasant for me to be rejuvenated by the joys of playing with others. This is a very important aspect of music for me at this point in my life.

...I just avoid the complex, sticky, sessions where the undercurrent of personal politics is an issue which is expressed in the music, the session structure, or the singing/playing tug of war.

harpgirl