It is strange to me. As a musician-performer, I can tell the difference between a carefully worked out embelishment, and an off-the-top creation.... in a few seconds... who are we fooling? Now don't get me wrong,... I love Garcia-esque noodling as well as preordained traditional/classical aesthetics... BUT... It is the performer (who is often quite worked up about being 'on' next) who decides how their song goes, PERIOD.

Listening well is the best way to help those around you become better players, which is the best way to become a better player yourself! IMNSHO, the average open-mic is far too susceptible to being overrun by the loud and pushy, because listening just isn't provoative enough for today's musicians. *BG* (o:

But further than that, the posturings of the mock freindly, who are much more concerned with their social standing than anyone's performance, do more damage to folk music with their pat phrases, and their passive-agressive 'little' digs, than anyone here lets on. How many people just don't come back, how many people never really get into their power because of these horrid little self-centered twits, who see 'folk' music as a great way to be seen as "great"... I've become so sick of this that performing in most group settings has become intollerable for me. It seems like more than half the new-comers don't come back,... EVERYTIME! And who do we have to thank for this? Those set-in-their-ways "finally found a club they can belong in" 'folk bureaucrats' that's who.

You know who I'm talking about,... the ones who NEED to decide stuff, and only encourage others if it's Kewl... But seldom (if ever) really dig anything... but themselves putting others down... BLEAHCH!!!!

The remarkable thing is, that traditional music just will not be denied... and that this forum is changing the face of folk-music all over the world. Thank you Mudcat! ttr