You know, a bodhrán is a rhythm instrument particularly well suited to play along with lively dance rhythms. Anything else is a rare exception and if done at all should be left to someone experienced enough to pull it off. If this guy just bought his drum, it should be a year before it sees the dim light of a pub or indeed any light except where he practices, and where he takes lessons.

The only songs I tend to play along with are "Sí Do Mhaimeo" (which is in a straight jig rhythm) and "Os Liostail Mé le Sairsint"(which is a march) and both only when sung by my friend and former band mate, Peter, who would actually be upset if I didn't join in. The proper bodhrán accompaniment to a ballad or an air or a waltz is to put your drum in your case, cock your head slightly to one side, listen intently and enjoy.

The same could be said for automatically singing along with someone who starts to sing a solo.

On the other hand, I've seen people come to a session geared towards playing together, and want to sing and play solo all night.

The bodhrán is really just too easy to be an asshole with, and therefore demands the player to be even more sensitive of the players around him than players of most other instruments. I was at a couple of sessions while on a visit to Chicago last year, where one of the session leaders commented that it must be tough to be a bodhran player and have to prove you're not one of those "Bodhran-owners"(His term, not mine) every time you play someplace new. It was at a session I would have not heard about to begin with if he hadn't been happy with my playing and more importantly, my etiquette the night before.

Rich