I know that previous threads have covered such topics, but I just wanted to get this off my chest and maybe see what people think.

I returned last night from a British outdoor folk festival. I was looking forward to seeing some of the big acts and checking out lesser known artists on the bill. Aditionally, the festival advertised 'open sessions' and the blurb encouraged folk to bring their instruments and join in . I was well up for jamming, learning tunes, meeting nice people and all the other pleasant vibes which are generally associated with a good session.

However, the one session that I attended put me off playing for the whole weekend. It was dominated by one little gang of twenty - something mates who insisted on playing their own material. Maybe they are a band - don't know. Said characters played perhaps their fastest, flashiest and 'show-offy' tunes to the total exclusion of everyone else. They totally blanked me when I tried to exchange pleasantries.

Initially I was encouraged to play a solo on a song that the guy who was supposedly running the session was singing.Without blowing my own trumpet, I think I made a reasonable fist of this. However the 'cool as folk' brigade did not enjoy my offering (wonder why?), making sly comments, making faces and then immediatly excluding me with two sets of tunes in their aforementioned arrogant style. Said tunes went on forever and were maybe supposed to impress with their Paganini type modulations. ..And to put the tin hat on it, when I stood up for a few seconds, one of the tossers nicked my chair!!!

That was it, game up for me ! I left the session, never to return, confidence knocked. I am not saying, 'how dare these young 'uns not respect me and my music'. The whole thing just knocked my faith in the sociable and communal nature of these things and left a bad taste. The guy running the session should have kept things in order, yeah let people play the odd party piece, but do not let arrogance dominate!

And boy, were this lot arrogant!, I should have realised this earlier, as they seemed to spend most of the rest of the day playing informally - IN FRONT (!) of one of the stages where people were booked to perform!

I am not a beginner, I have nearly 20 years gigging experience with a wide range of people. I am paid to play every weekend. Yep, they suceeded in driving me from a session and I wouldn't mind betting that they are extremely pleased with themselves. I will not stop playing. However, it does take a fair bit of confidence, as a lone player to enter such things. Someone with less experience may in the long run have had their confidence knocked irrepairably

Sorry to go on, maybe I've got too worked up, like I said, I just wanted to get it off my chest...