Rick Fielding said: Soph, it's hopeless. In the 2 years I've been on Mudcat this subject has been done to death! Some folks are just rude...and don't know it. It's back to that "social skills" thing I was talking about. It's why song circles, group therapy sessions, bluegrass jams, Church congregations, and card games all follow the same path. Eventually the ones who take their enjoyment of music seriously, split off into another group....and the same pattern happens again.

The only answer is "closed sessions"....and then you're called "elitist".

Joan, a couple of times at "The Woods Music and Dance Camp" I was asked to facilitate very large song circles. I tried a few things, but the best was to ask folks to break into 3 separate groups. Nobody complained and everyone in each circle got to sing 4 or 5 songs. Naturally, the next day I heard that "someone" complained that I'd messed with the "community spirit". Ya can't win! Rick

... I've been at the Woods a couple of times, and found, as did Rick, that the song circles were indeed too large. I like his idea of splitting them into smaller groups.

I have also hosted music circles, and eventually found that it's necessary to be an active host-- to intervene, albeit gently; to dampen down overexuberant guitar play-alongs and songhogs; make time for, and encourage shy people to do songs; and include commonly known chorus/songs that encourage participation... Include too, some a cappella songs.

I guess it up to all of us at such an event to be aware-- and encourage others to be aware, musically and socially.