Until I went to a Dwight Diller's workshop in Michigan I was only exposed to one type of old-time session here in Toronto. What a difference I found. At the Diller session we played the tunes much slower. Dwight facilitated the session kind of like a conductor so if we sped up he slowed us down again. I was also with several beginners so I felt more relaxed with the group. If I didn't know the tune, I just dampened my strings and strummed to the beat.
I think I got spoiled by Dwight's sessions. After attending one of those nothing seems to compare so far.

Bonnie