Noodlers - in a regulated or a music session, not really a problem when they are controlled by the organiser or other instruments can overpower them.

In an unorganised session - a sing up when you have a song/tune type and it's gone quiet session, they are fatal. The informality of that type of session is its' own worst enemy. An enthusiastic noodler can take over an evening like that because no-one is sure if they are going to actually perform or just fart about in the foreground. Many times I've wanted to sing an appropriate song, only to have a bloody noodler fill the silence before I've got my mouth open (no comments on the lines of 'they have to be bloody quick then' please!), or have started before I've finished the last verse/chorus!

And have you noticed that noodlers tend to be guitar players? AND they continue conversing whilst noodling!!

LTS