hi all, thanks for the responses, some interesting points... i've been listening to quite a number of names mentioned... quite a few of which i'm familiar with. I play tunes with Ben P quite often and do get over to the Lewes workshops occasionally.

Malcolm, I should listen to more of Gina's playing, I've been to a couple of workshops... however THIS opens a whole new tinned worm,

"some players in the 'modern' Irish style use so much that the melody disappears almost entirely behind the 'aren't-I-clever' frills, and it would be quite impossible to dance to."

Mainly, because I haven't ever head this done, if I know the tune and can recognise it from the playing then I almost always really enjoy the different ways people play.... the more variations, while holding the tune well, the better... otherwise I get bored...

also... and this is for another thread really.....is the music always there to be danced to, J Kirk Patrick seems to think so (intro to one of hism tune books) I really disagree! Shock horror! Mainly befcause well... I can enjoy it entirely independently of the dancing, and know many others that feel the same. But I can only really speak for me.

I do play for ceilidhs almost every weekend, and session abut twice a week average, and I enjoy both... but in different ways....

ax