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js665 - Posted - 06/07/2025: 09:46:42
I'm not a musician but I love old-time music and particularly love hearing informal gatherings of musicians in the campground at fiddle festivals. When there is a group of people listening to a jam, I just join the crowd. However, I'm never sure about what to do when I'm the only non-musician approaching a group of musicians who are jamming in a campground. Should I ask them if it's OK for me to listen or is it just accepted that people who are not playing are welcome to stand and listen? Does this differ by time of day (daytime vs evening)? What about sitting if I bring my own chair: is it OK for me to listen if I stand but not OK to bring a chair? I'd be grateful for anyone who could help with the nuances of fiddle festival campground etiquette for non-musicians. Thank you!
Brian Wood - Posted - 06/07/2025: 11:38:42
In my experience non-musicians are always welcome to listen. As a player I've always found when I'm in a group that there is a boost to the music when it's being listened to by others. Big plus, no minus.
stumpkicker - Posted - 06/07/2025: 12:29:35
Sure, bring a chair if you’d like to. And during downtime between tunes you could ask if they could play a particular favorite of yours. Most will be happy to oblige if they haven't already played it.
A bag of Oreos to help the musicians keep is their strength up is always a welcome addition! 
farmerjones - Posted - 06/07/2025: 15:01:15
I know nobody mentioned it but I've had many times folks sit and record entire sessions/jams. It's a free country and all that, but I always thought it would be considerate if said recorder would give us a little card so we can watch it if it ever gets uploaded.
Oh yeah, cookies are a good idea! Nothing chocolate dipped for me. Jussayin'
The Violin Beautiful - Posted - 06/07/2025: 17:30:01
I think it depends somewhat on the setup of the festival. If a competition is part of it, you may need to be mindful of groups that are rehearsing for the competition and don’t want to be distracted by anything. You can usually tell by the way they’ve kept the playing circle very tight, put up obstacles around the campsite to deter an audience, and by the look of mortification in the eyes of the players if someone comes too close to their area. You can quickly surmise that listening family members are grudgingly tolerated, but all others are preferred elsewhere.
If it’s more of a jamming-oriented event, there’s a much better chance that all comers are welcome. There will often be more open space and you’ll see a circle of players surrounded by a circle of listeners.
The more welcoming jams tend to be advertised more widely by word of mouth, so it’s always a good idea to ask around a bit. You can always just wander the grounds and look for yourself, but asking seasoned festival-goers tends to be more expedient if you’re trying to find the friendliest spots.
Bringing a chair is usually fine as long as it doesn’t crowd the players. Recording jams is often fine as long as it’s unobtrusive.
Brian Wood - Posted - 06/08/2025: 07:29:28
quote:
Originally posted by farmerjones
I know nobody mentioned it but I've had many times folks sit and record entire sessions/jams.
Oh yeah, I wasn't thinking about recording. Everybody experiences life through their phone now. I don't, so I forgot. I'm not big on being photographed, although not much to be done about it. Since I am a big fan of watching Clifftop videos, etc, I shouldn't complain. But to the original question, listeners are almost always welcome. If it's just you, consider yourself an appreciated audient.
Edited by - Brian Wood on 06/08/2025 07:29:57
alaskafiddler - Posted - 06/08/2025: 14:27:08
Etiquette? That's a lot to expect with fiddlers and banjo players.
I don't think there is any stock rules, or entitlements; as it's individuals/personalities. To me, it boils down to - if those specific individuals are going to be comfortable with you want to do, or are doing? Not just assume everyone is or has to be.
A festival, while all in public (reduced expectation of privacy), has lots of different type jams, contexts, and different individuals, comfort levels. Some folks are just more welcoming, might revel in an audience of listeners, including strangers... others simply want more toward private intimate small get together; strangers might make them bit uncomfortable (for lot of reasons).
Can develop a sense, can be various clues of boundaries (physical and personal), such as where they chose to jam, visibility/traffic; how they set up the space, if make it seem welcoming or not. Many folks, esp group; like any other public camping; set up their encampment (inc. food/drink/cooking/seating), a bit of idea of respecting others private space; for them and who they want to invite in to that space. There is also relying on general ability to read the people, context; tacit body language, facial expression, eye contact... as you approach, do they seem welcoming or not. Some are easy to read, others not so much; generally it's not a big deal, as it is in public; sound will attract; boundaries can be misread.
Should I ask them if it's OK for me to....
I side with this... I'm not sure there is any downside, etiquette rule violation, to simply politely ask those specific individuals? Seems pretty direct way to clarify, and show respect of others comfort level. Applies to other aspects; recording, video, photos; to getting instrument out, noodling off to side, or joining them.
doryman - Posted - 06/08/2025: 15:51:31
quote:
Originally posted by The Violin Beautiful
You can usually tell by the way they’ve kept the playing circle very tight, put up obstacles around the campsite to deter an audience...
This! We always have few groups who arrange vehicles, tent, chairs, tarps, etc., in such a way that it makes it pretty clear that they don't want outsiders hanging around, for whatever reason.
ChickenMan - Posted - 06/09/2025: 09:24:50
quote:
Originally posted by doryman
quote:
Originally posted by The Violin Beautiful
You can usually tell by the way they’ve kept the playing circle very tight, put up obstacles around the campsite to deter an audience...
This! We always have few groups who arrange vehicles, tent, chairs, tarps, etc., in such a way that it makes it pretty clear that they don't want outsiders hanging around, for whatever reaso They likely have a partying style that could be unacceptable (drinking at a no alcohol event seems to be common)
bsed55 - Posted - 06/16/2025: 06:10:40
Look at it this way. You have musicians playing in a public space. There are other ppl in said space, many of them not musicians. It is ALWAYS appropriate and good to listen. And be respectful of the musicians at all times. Ask if they mind being recorded, make a request.......You know if the musicians were that sensitive to being listened to, they should be playing in somebody's bedroom.
