I think that all this stems from the type of venues we have here in the UK. Many folk clubs are in rooms above pubs, which tend to have a great deal of echo in the acoustics, due to a lack of sound deadening furnishings.

In this situation a banjo tends to come out rather loudly in the mix, which might account for some of the antipathy displayed by players of other instruments.

The same would apply to bodhrans and spoons, which also tend to be treated with the same disdain.

When any of these instruments (I use the term advisedly, because that is what they are) is used with sensitivity, and a delicate touch the result is harmonious, but often they are not used in this way.

Don T.