Bluegrass Jam Etiquette

Jams will always go more smoothly if people follow a few simple guidelines. Please take the time to not only read the following words of jam wisdom, but to actually practice them while participating.

• Before joining in on an existing jam, listen to a tune or two in the background. Join in if you think you can keep up, if not play quietly in the background.
• Please make sure that your instrument is in tune to the standard A440. If you don't already have a digital tuner, you should get one of the new small tuners that clip onto the headstock and work via vibration as opposed to sound. Two of the more popular ones for bluegrass musicians are the Intelli IMT-500 and the Barcus-Berry Soul Mate, both of which are available from Union Music located at 142 Southbridge St. in downtown Worcester right next door to the legendary Coney Island Hot Dogs.
• The sole purpose of jamming is to make bluegrass music and to have fun. It is NOT to play as loud or as fast as you can. Listen to others in the jam, and make sure you blend into the music and singing.
• Never practice your break (solo) in the jam circle. If you're playing the melody when it's someone else's turn to take a break or when someone's singing, you're stepping on toes. (Note: this is a major difference between bluegrass and Celtic or old-timey jams where unison playing is common.)
• Don't hog the jam and give everyone a chance to play. Encourage others to choose a song and be supportive of the timid.
• When it's your turn to pick a tune (instrumental), let everyone know the name of the tune, the key, and if there are any odd or unusual chord progressions, timing, or rhythm issues. It's best and most rewarding to play tunes in generally accepted keys. Songs (vocals) are usually done in the key selected by the singer, so you better bring a capo. It is best to pick a key and tempo that suits the tune and the abilities of the other jam participants.
• If capos are being put on or taken off between tunes, wait a few seconds for people to recheck their tuning.
• If you don't want to take a break on a particular tune, make it obvious, such as by stepping back out of the circle, and letting the person on your left know. No one wants to start their break half way through.
• If you can't hear a break or the words of a song, you are playing too loudly. Tone is every bit as important as volume. If the volume is getting "up there" on a particular tune, don't play. Work on your harmony singing or listening skills. Instrumentalists who have been working diligently on their solos loathe the "loud strummer". Please lighten up on your back-up volume whenever someone else is taking an instrumental break. The volume of your instrument is MUCH louder to the people standing in front of it than it is to you.
• Listen for the rhythm of the tune or song, get in the groove, and stick with it. If you find that you're not in good time, stop playing for a beat or two until you feel the rhythm again. It is next to impossible to pick up the rhythm again, without stopping first.
• Don't have your eyes glued to your instrument. Look around and communicate with your eyes and your body. Most communication in a jam is very subtle so you need to be alert to catch the signals.
• Listen, listen, and listen. Listen to the bass and the room as a whole. Don't just listen to your neighbors because they may be leading you astray.
• Never touch another player's instrument, or even open their case without permission.
• Once again, PLEASE be aware of your volume levels. It is tempting to increase your own volume so that you can hear yourself as more pickers join the circle. But just the opposite should happen... the more pickers involved, the softer you should play so that the soloists can be heard. Many fine pickers never return to a jam if they find themselves working too hard to overcome the LOUD STRUMMERS.
• And finally... HAVE FUN! That is what a jam is supposed to be. It is not a contest. It is not even a performance. It is simply an opportunity to play the music you love with others who feel the same.