Editing Pub session (section)

== Instruments ==
[[File:Nash-session.jpg|thumb|Various instruments being played at a pub session]]

The [[fiddle]] has predominated since the 17th century. The [[Diatonic button accordion#Melodeon|melodeon]] became popular in the 1890s. By the 1950s the [[accordion]] took over, particularly in Scotland. By the 1960s the [[guitar]] was the instrument most frequently heard in a pub. Nowadays so many people can afford instruments that ensemble playing is the norm. [[Celtic music|Celtic]] tunes are popular, even in England, however English music is enjoying a large revival currently, due in part to 'new-folk' artists playing traditional English music, such as Bellowhead and Eliza Carthy. Some people go to folk festivals simply in order to play along with others in the beer tent.

=== Choosing an instrument ===

Each session has its own informal rules as to which instruments are acceptable and in what number. Some sessions may have a strict "'traditional' instruments only" rule whereas others will accept anyone who shows up to play with any instrument.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marjorie-freimuth/an-outsiders-guide-to-a-d_b_9556002.html |title=An Outsider's Guide to a Dublin Pub Session |last=Freimuth |first=Marjorie |date=2016-04-18 |website=Huffington Post |language=en-US |access-date=2018-03-13}}</ref> The word ''traditional'' is used loosely as sessions themselves are a relatively recently revived phenomenon and some instruments considered 'traditional,' such as the [[bouzouki]] are in fact relatively new to the genres played at a session. It is wise to ask about what is expected at a particular session before bringing a non-'traditional' instrument.

Generally there can be an unlimited number of [[fiddle]]s, [[flute]]s, [[accordion]]s and [[tin whistle]]s. The [[bodhrán]] is common in Irish sessions, but many sessions prefer that only one person play the bodhrán at a time. [[Uilleann pipes]] are common in Irish sessions, but the more commonly known [[Great Highland Bagpipe]]s are never used in a session, because they drown out other instruments. [[Mandolin]]s, [[banjo]]s, [[cittern]]s and [[bouzouki]]s are welcome in moderation. [[Guitar]]s and [[Appalachian dulcimer|dulcimers]] are frequently allowed in sessions without strict "'traditional' instruments only" rules.