The scene was the same as before: the regular Thursday night picking session held near here. Many of the people present were the same as the last time, but there was one exception—there was a different banjo player.  And I am glad to say that this banjo picker not only was an excellent picker, but had the exact opposite manners of the one I commented on last time. This banjo player not only picked well, but LISTENED to what everybody else was playing and singing, and did whatever was appropriate to make the music work. If someone was singing, he played softly. If a guitar or mandolin break needed to be heard, he’d just do quiet little vamps, never covering up the lead. Everybody had a good time.

If you’re a banjo player, please think about that. When you’re picking in a group of people, ALWAYS think about the music and listen to what the others are playing and singing, and fit in the best you can. That way, folks will know you have good “Banjo Manners.”

I usually have a fine time at the session. Although few of the pickers are pros, they are usually competent musicians and nice folks who know what to do in a jam. But there are exceptions to this behavior.

A couple of weeks ago a new banjo player showed up, and he did not have good “Banjo Manners”. As we played tunes and songs, he played LOUDLY all the time— right through all the other people’s playing, and all during the singing.

The session’s hostess, who is an excellent musician and has one of the best voices I’ve ever heard, began singing early in the evening, but with that banjo player picking loudly all through her song and practically right in her ear (she’s short and he’s tall), she sang just that one song and then never sang again all night. And I didn’t blame her. And I didn’t stay very long myself, but left so as to get away from that guy’s poor Banjo Manners.

Folks, when you’re in a session, don’t let that banjo player be YOU. In a session, don’t just listen to yourself. Always be listening to the other instruments and singers. if you can’t hear them very well, somebody’s playing too loud, and if you’re holding the banjo it may be YOU! Let everybody else be heard as well as yourself! Use good “Banjo Manners” and make everybody happy.