Jam Fundamentals & Etiquette

Fundamentals

• Music should be fun.
• Do what gets you the most musical fun the soonest. Easy is good, as long as the music is good.
• Learn chords and basic timekeeping first. Start by playing along with 2-chord songs, then 3-chord songs.
• Practice jam skills at home. Play/sing from a songbook. Play along with recordings and videos.
• Keep it slow at first, about 70 beats per minute.
• It’s easy enough to be in tune, so make it a practice to check tuning regularly.
• Jam in a circle. Groups of 4-6 are best for bluegrass, 8-10 unwieldy. When possible, divide into smaller groups.
• Soloing is optional, and is easier once jam skills are learned.
• Instrumentals are difficult for novices; stick to singing songs.
• Song leading is a necessary part of a jam. At least one person in a jam, but preferably more, must have this skill.
• Students may not read chords from paper in a jam; read a guitar player’s left hand. If no guitar player knows the chords, the song leader first teaches a guitar player the chords. There is usually no need to call out chords.
• Ear skills are needed for bluegrass, tab and music reading skills are not. Cultivate ear skills.
• Learn about bluegrass basics, and work on them first.
• Learn the typical ground rules and protocols for jamming.
• Respect bluegrass sensibilities and traditions.

Jam Etiquette

• Learn to control your backup volume.
• Practice singing so you can carry a tune and sing in a jam. For each song, choose the key that’s best for your singing, one that you and your fellow jammers can probably play in.
• Learn choruses by listening/singing. Only a lead singer needing the words may have a book open.
• Learn “placeholder” soloing, do it when appropriate.
• Learn more chords so you can play more songs, in more keys.
• Help others stay on track.
• Learn the basics of using a capo. Players of non-capoing instruments: learn to read capoed guitar chords.
• Learn “filler content” soloing as an upgrade to simple placeholder soloing.
• Learn how to find melodies and build simple solos that include them.
• Playing exactly memorized instrumental solos is difficult, and not necessary but optional in jams.

For Extra Participation and Respect

• Learn to lead songs.
• Learn to take good-sounding solos, including kickoffs.
• Learn to sing harmony, and practice adding harmony on the fly.

For Respect and Success of the Group

• Work with the limitations and preferences of your fellow jammers.
• Share the spotlight—give others a chance to show off.
• Bring good material to the jam that you are prepared to lead.