Sure...you can establish your own song list but we are discussing the fair/uniform use of the filter of your choice and the fact that you can apply a filter means that you can define the whole.

Not being part of a tradition? I have played tin whistle for ages and tend to specialize in the music of the isle of ireland - both major parts thank you very much! I also teach survey course in Irish Traditional music. I do everything from grand airs of Connemara to the favorites from Margaret Berry and the Chieftains with whom I have shared many a Guinness (ok maybe 20) I have sat at the feet of many of the exponents of the tradition of the Isle of Ireland and learned tin whistle by ear from a donnegal native we were instructed for rounds in the pub and I still play with hands in mirrored image position as from watching. If my daughter learns from me she will have her hands in the right position!

I have loads of tunes in my head. They include irish and english. A good and growing number of geordie songs.

It is very important for me not to make any rules as Gaughan has done in regard to not singing songs for a reason (divisiveness) I play whistle and it is a bit difficult to sing at the same time so I am more tune oriented than lyric oriented.

I am not a commercial musician so I play mainly what comes to mind. I am not dependant upon pleasing anyone generally but I can do requests. When I played with a small band I found it most discouraging to keep to the short list of shared tunes. I can understand how musicians can let themselves focus too narrowly. I also find that I am not concerned with the titles of tunes. When not playing the mouth is otherwise occupied with food and drink so I am not so concerned about announcing.

What is the filter I apply- who knows.....On the 12th of July I play Orange favorites and on March 17 I play Green ones. Sometimes the wrong ones still even come out then as well.....I think I can truthfully say that overall I have not imposed any filter other than that perhaps of mood and ability. I would surely not rule out a tune or lyric for some sort of political or religious reason... Such a shallow way of limiting things.

While I read music (learned when playing French horn which I did into college years and now teach daughter) I do not read music when playing whistle. It is all in the head or not at all....

The tradition is a bit ecclectic but it is none the less a tradition....

I think it is very important that all musicians become independent of gigs. I respect the fact that some musicians are gig dependant but if you trust your art you will always be able to hold an audience. It is important to take steps to help your audience to grow. A mindless audience calling for the same five songs is not something to encourage so the trap should be avoided by preparing well an ever changing and diverse song list.

As for singing songs with spirit- well there are lots of markings in music- flavors of loudness and quietness and indications for speed and for singing from the heart, with passion. All you have to do to sing a song of another point of view with passion is to drop your intolerence and master your instrument.

Conrad