Got to find the right session though. The kind with human beings are best. Better than the rule enforcers and the TRAD police. Humans. Not too few or you're limited, not too many or you never get your turn.

I play several instruments, so I tend to look for something there's not too many of. Too many of anything can spoil it for everyone. Yes, even too many fiddles! Though the fiddlers won't admit it.

Our problem is, people often think a bodhrán is easy to play, whether you have any music in you or not, so they blather away and embarrass us all and give us a bad reputation so other musicians reject us.

But we can overcome that. Come and sit and listen at first. Just appreciate the music. Ask nicely if there's a tune that would be good with a bodhrán, and accept with good nature the ribbing that may come. Play quietly and on-beat. Save your blood and guts stuff for after you've won their confidence. And if they still won't let you in, start your own session. It's not as hard as you think.