I'm sure that in folk music payment is not the key.

On the rare occasions that I am a "leader" in anything, I will point out the key in case anyone wants to join in, and warn if I am about to do anything that differs from custom or conventional practice - so my version of "Blackleg Miner" I point out that I use an unusual bridge (I once nearly had to stuff an insensitive fiddle player's fiddle somewhere the tuning pegs would have been an impediment before she understood) and I point out that if (as I do) you play "Famous flower of Serving Men" (in abbreviated form) the count is

ONE and TWO and THREE and FOUR and ONE and TWO and THREE and FOUR
AND one AND two AND three AND four AND one AND two AND three AND four and


ONE and TWO and THREE and FOUR (and so on)


Likewise I do some shanties in off-timings - and crap as I am and unfitted as I am to lead other musicians or singers - I will TELL people if I want something different from normal joining in - and also EXPLAIN so they don't think I am being a prima donna (or uomo)


In general the synergy is better than the solo.