Weird - where I play, and LTS had a great piece of advice (watch and listen for the first bit - or ask). If the session is at an open space we just go around the circle. If the session is at one of our homes - we just go around the circle. If there are new folks we do our best to make them welcome and offer them the same opportunities as the rest of us. For the most part all of us sing and play with equal fun - and our "style" is to sing a verse, let someone do an instrumental, sing a verse, let someone else do an instrumental, sing a verse, play it myself, sing a verse - well you get the idea. Everybody gets an opportunity to do both. Up front whoever chooses the song makes the rules of who sings or doesn't sing along. Just be polite.

All of my training is in Grange Halls and back porches and I consider myself a fun musician. If it isn't fun - I'll be polite and listen, then leave for home.

BTW - The end of the song is announced with the extension of the foot towards the center of the circle - or a dip of the guitar head to the center - and the end is coming. If you forget this part you get to play another tune, or at least start one.

And if it doesn't go all smooth - big deal. One thing I don't do well with is large Egos. Usually moves me on to more fun times.

The style we play is called the "Bluegrass" style. But we play a lot of different music. Just my 2 cents worth :-)

Steve