Hmmmm! "It's all a matter of personal taste" is a useful little phrase, isn't it? A wonderful device for shutting down debate. There are definitely "paid performers" who I would pay to listen to - and those I wouldn't. This is, of course, a matter of my personal taste.

But the point that I was trying to make, further up the thread, is that although we should give beginners every opportunity to perform, and do nothing to discourage their efforts, perhaps we shouldn't be so tolerant towards amateur performers who show no sign of improvement after a considerable amount of time has passed. I'm not convinced that this is primarily a matter of personal taste - more a matter of lack of talent, lack of practice and lack of self-awareness (on the part of the amateur performer).