When I play a song in performance, I phrase the lyrics and ply the melody carefully and precisely (hopefully) in order to communicate what that song means to me. The song has a life of its own, but it is based upon what that song means to me (a closed and personal experience).

When I play a song in a session, with other players I play that song with a predicatble rythym and straight melody, so that others can join in easily. That song takes on a life of its own, and it is based upon the dynamics of the group (an open and democratic experience).

If we have participate in an open forum, we participate in an arena where many perspectives are represented. If we particpate in a closed club discussion, the repartee is, by definition, parochial. I believe the Mudcat forum is intended to be open. That means the topics of conversation will ebb and flow with influence of newcomers, passing or long term.

I am a new comer to Mudcat and have particpated in frequently music discussions (that is what brought me here). But i have also been guilty of particpating in much non-musical frivolity as well, and that is what has kept me coming back.

Wanting to keep the forum a 'parochial' experience is very much the same as I have seen at some music jam sessions; where Celtic sessions break up because the singer folkies and the jigs and reel folkies want their own session ... or where beginners are not allowed to particpate with the more advanced players, or where country pop is not allowed at folk sessions. These attempts to segregate, and 'stick to our own kind' tendencies may be a typical human response, and they may be appropriate, but they are not open minded and welcoming.

My experience as a new comer here has been quite positive. I have found people intelligent, humorous, open minded, fun loving - and our primary common interest is music! I don;t want to see the forum close the doors to people like me.