Martha, please allow me to state my opinion and maybe help to clear your mind. The sessions are open, but with 15 musicians in the room, everybody does tend to hammer away trying to be heard. There is a core group that know when to play, and better yet... when NOT to play. The "leader" tries to keep control, but it's tough. He is really a good guy and more than willing to ask anyone to step up. If I remember who you were, he asked you, right? But when I start moaning about not having a chance, which we all do... I remember. This is a learning experience and we are fortunate to have the semi-pros there to learn from. Jam etiquite requires a person to work their way into the group and earn some acceptance, maybe one song lead one week... gradually increasing your presence. Beginners mix with intermediate and mix with advanced players. Kinda like music soup. I consider myself a beginner, although I have been playing bass and guitar since I was 13... 46 years ago. My dobro is 7 months old. SO, I take leads when they are offered and nod them off if I am not sure I can pull it off. THAT is the experience you can garner! That is open to anyone who has the heart to try. Come back and do it again. The old timey group is still forming and hopefully it will be a solid mass in the next couple of months to offer alternatives to those of us who are poking around and experimenting. Hope this helps, and did not offend. IF so, sorry.