I have heard just as many instrumentalists at sessions take the floor with truely dire self penned tunes.

I have written many tunes but do not generally play them at sessions because the whole idea is for folk to play together - rather than for individuals to perform. As for them being thought of as "dire" that is of course a matter of opinion but I hope it is not being suggested that they are "dire" simply because they are original tunes?

But there is a trick - that can apply to songs also. You just play the tune. At sessions folk often ask when they like a tune and may wish to learn a new one - one that they do not recognise. The assumption is that it will be a traditional tune so you DON'T correct them and proudly claim ownership. If you do this, I have found that they tend to lose interest at his point - but I have no idea why this should be the case. You just come up with a name like 'Charlie's Favourite' or 'The Dead Dog Jig' and leave it at that.

You just carry on playing it at subsequent sessions as you would any other traditional tune, you will find more and more people will just pick it up. Should or when it becomes a session favourite you can then proudly claim ownership - but of course then everyone will know that it is a traditional tune and that they have always played it and that you are a liar!

It's a hard old life...........