Bluegrass Music Jam Etiquette - Everything Jammers Should Know
- Martin Gilmore
- 21 hours ago
- 30 min read
Introduction
One of the things that makes bluegrass music so special is its culture of including players of any skill level to participate in making music with others. Beginning pickers can sit next to advanced musicians, play the same songs, and learn through observation in real time. Over the years they make musical friends, discover a community of belonging, and often improve much more quickly than they would practicing alone at home. But it’s a unique social situation and can be very intimidating for new players, especially if they don’t know the culture of the bluegrass jam.
Every jam is different, but there are a common set of rules and expectations that can help folks feel comfortable almost anywhere. This article introduces many of those ideas, but there’s no substitute for getting out there and playing in the jam circle. If you are looking for more structured introduction there are many classes, camps and workshops offered all around the country (and the world) that can help. I teach for the Wernick Method Bluegrass Jam Camps (at Swallow Hill Music Association in Denver, Colorado). They are a wonderful place to build your confidence before jumping in!
Bluegrass isn't just music you listen to.
It's music you participate in.
What Is a Bluegrass Jam?
A bluegrass jam is an informal gathering of musicians to play bluegrass music together. It can be at festivals, on front porches, in living rooms, at breweries or coffee shops; just about anywhere musicians can gather with acoustic instruments. I have jammed in parking garages, stairwells, on boats, and plenty of other unexpected places. It is a place where players take turns sharing the songs they know, expressing their creativity through solos and singing, and support other folks in their playing.
Bluegrass grew out of older traditions of community music making in times before television and computers. Communities in the isolated Appalachian Mountains would gather for events and make music for dancing and entertainment. Many of these communities were influenced by Scots-Irish musical traditions, along with African American musical traditions and other cultural influences that blended together over time to shape old-time and, eventually, bluegrass music. New players would learn the tunes by listening, sometimes a mentor (grandma, grandpa, mama, papa, etc.) would show them the tunes slowly, and then when everyone got together they could play the songs. In Old Time music (as in Celtic music) the tunes would repeat over and over again, giving players a great opportunity to learn the songs, feel the groove, and get to know the music. Listening was as important as playing. It’s a social activity, a collaborative activity, and the foundation of bluegrass music and culture.
A jam is not a performance. It is a shared community activity. Usually jammers stand or sit in a circle facing one another. Usually there are no microphones or stage lights. It is music that is not made specifically for a listening audience (though it can be really great to listen to). The goal of a jam isn’t to impress other people, it’s to make music together, and, most of the time, you are invited provided you know some important ground rules.
The goal isn't to impress people.
The goal is to make music together.
Every Jam Is Different
Because bluegrass jams can happen anywhere with all sorts of different musicians, there is a lot of variety in the culture and dynamic of each jam. However, the rules and customs are usually very similar. Here are some examples of the types of jams you might encounter.
Many communities around the world (but especially in the United States) have jam sessions in bars, breweries, restaurants, church basements, community centers, etc. that are hosted by a skilled musician and are open to the public. Often, these jam sessions are open to players of all skill levels, but sometimes they are labeled as “beginner” “intermediate” or “advanced”. Those might be confusing to new folks who might not know where they fit. Here’s a general breakdown of what those descriptions basically mean.
Beginner jams are open to everyone. They are mostly meant for folks who are just starting out on their instruments and/or who don’t know much about bluegrass music. Often folks will use lyric sheets or chord charts (sort of a no-no in more advanced circles), the songs will be played at a slower tempo, and mostly folks will play in easier keys for bluegrass instruments (G, D, A, C). If you find a beginner jam, you are welcome to attend no matter your skill level.
Intermediate Jams are harder to define. My guidance would be, if you are a good musician and you already play pretty well, but you don’t know much about bluegrass music, you would be welcome at an intermediate jam. They probably won’t play very many super-difficult songs, but they also aren’t going to go slow. If you know all your basic chords, and can keep good rhythm, you would be welcome at these jams.
Advanced jams are for folks steeped in bluegrass music. They know the songs, they know the picking techniques, and they are usually meant for real connoisseurs of bluegrass. Often the pickers in these jams will play specific arrangements from bluegrass records, and try to call cool or obscure bluegrass songs to break away from the standards. If you don’t know bluegrass music well, these jams would probably be good places to go and listen to see how things work. These jams aren't necessarily trying to exclude newcomers, but they're usually intended for players who already know the repertoire and style. If you're still learning bluegrass, they can be wonderful places to listen, observe, and discover new music.
Slow jams Slow jams are built around learning by ear, a tradition that is especially common in old-time and Celtic music but has become popular in bluegrass communities as well. They are open to any player who is a competent lead and/or rhythm player. Usually the group chooses a song and then they play it slowly for a very long time so folks can learn it by ear. After everyone mostly has the tune learned they will speed up and play the tune for a long time at speed so people can really get it anchored in their memory. If you’re struggling with basic chords and simple lead lines, these jams might not be for you. This is a great way to experience the tradition of learning bluegrass music, and to develop your ear.
House jams are curated in a different way. Because they are private, usually the personnel at the jam are chosen specifically. These are usually great jams. There’s less background noise, they are usually smaller, and you get to know the folks really well. Often, I think, these are the best jams you can be in, and if you get invited to one you should definitely go. You can also start one yourself. If you meet some musicians who seem like nice folks who you want to pick tunes with, buy some pizza and invite them to come over. Musicians love food! Keep it casual, and small. When the jam is over, ask everyone “when can we do this again?”
Festival and Impromptu Jams - Bluegrass festivals aren’t just about the performances. In fact, it’s fairly common for folks to attend a bluegrass festival and not see any performances at all. Instead, they sit in the campground, or gather in the parking lot to pick. Some campsites are set up as curated spaces for folks to sit and play tunes. Sometimes they are kind of exclusive, sometimes folks will say “come pick a tune”. Just stand and observe for a little bit, every jam has its own personality. If it seems too advanced, or if the folks seem to have a good thing going and you don’t think you can contribute to it, don’t jump in. If it’s really good, just listen and take some mental notes about what you like. If you want to jam and can't find folks to jam with, just find a prominent place to stand or sit, take out your instrument and start playing by yourself. It won’t be very long before someone comes by and asks you if you want to pick a tune. Or if you see someone standing alone with their instrument out (or walking by) just say “hey, wanna pick a tune.” Usually, the answer is yes! Then you have to be prepared!
The important thing to remember is to listen before you jump in. Sit across from someone who seems to know what’s going on and see if you can copy what they are doing. If you feel like you can keep up, dive in. Play quietly until you figure out what’s going on and get comfortable. If the jam feels too advanced after you sit down, just strum along and use it as a learning experience. You’re usually welcome as long as you’re doing your best to make the music better.
Look for a jam that feels challenging, and fun. You should try to never be the best musician in a jam session, but you also don’t want to hold anyone back. If you find a jam with good folks and they seem fine with you being there, keep going back!
Every jam has its own personality.
Learn the room before you join the conversation.
Before You Ever Play a Note
A little preparation goes a long way toward making your first jam enjoyable. Before you ever play a note, there are a few simple things you can do to set yourself up for success.
First, arriving early gives you time to settle in, tune your instrument, meet a few people, and enjoy more of the music. Try to arrive before the jam starts. Pull your instrument out and get tuned up before everything starts up so you don’t disrupt the music while folks are playing. If they are already going, try to make as little distraction as possible.
Next, introduce yourself to folks so you can get to know them and call them by name if you want them to take a solo. It’s worth the effort because, who knows, they might become your new permanent pickin’ pals! Make sure to introduce yourself to the folks sitting next to you, they might be good resources for when you get lost. Most folks in a public bluegrass jam love to be helpful. Bluegrass is a remarkably friendly community, and introducing yourself is one of the easiest ways to become part of it.
Tune between each song. Be as quick as you can, but don’t sacrifice being in tune. If you use a capo, you need to tune every time you put it on or remove it. Practice tuning your instrument at home so you can get really good at it. Make sure you have a tuner and it is charged up and ready to go. If you realize you're badly out of tune during a song, it's usually better to quietly stop playing until the song ends than to start tuning while everyone else is still playing.
If you’re unsure about how things work at the jam, play quietly, or just watch for a bit while you learn the ropes. Most jam sessions have a similar format, but sometimes there are local traditions or jam cultures that are important to the function of the jam circle. If there is a jam leader, sit across from them so you can see them. Often they will be good guides, because they are often good musicians. If there is no official jam host, sit across the circle from someone who plays your same instrument so you can see what they are doing and copy them. That’s a totally fair practice in a jam session, and very common even among very advanced players when they don’t know a song.
Set yourself up for success by being well prepared and sitting in a good spot!
Bring a notebook (or use the Notes app on your phone) and write down every song that gets played. Do this for the first few weeks you attend a jam. Before long you'll notice the same songs coming up again and again. Those are the tunes to spend your practice time on. The next time you return, you'll already know a few more songs, and your confidence will grow quickly.
You learn what you need to know at the jam.
Where Should You Sit?
Where you sit can have a surprisingly big impact on your experience in a jam session. A good seat makes it easier to hear, communicate, watch experienced players, and participate confidently.Most bluegrass jams naturally arrange themselves in a circle because everyone can see and hear one another. Eye contact is one of the primary ways musicians communicate. A nod, a raised eyebrow, or even a glance can mean, "You're taking the next solo." Very rarely there are quasi-performance jam sessions that might be arranged towards a crowd, or even a stage jam that feels almost like a performance with several strangers, but usually it’s a circle.
Solos are passed from person to person in one direction, and turns for the song selection are usually passed in that same direction from person to person. Since solos often move around the circle, I usually avoid sitting next to another guitarist. That way there isn't a long stretch of guitar solos before another instrument gets a chance. Otherwise there might be several guitar solos in a row. I like to sing, and I am comfortable singing harmony, so if there are other good singers there I try to sit next to them so we can hear each other really well. Leave enough room so everyone can move comfortably and see one another.
Sometimes that simply means making the circle a little wider.
Sometimes jam sessions get really big (especially impromptu jams at festivals) and a second circle will form outside of the main circle. Don't overlook the second circle. It's one of the best places to learn. You can hear the music, watch experienced players, and quietly join in without feeling like you're under a microscope.. Sometimes you might get a solo if you're in the second circle, but sometimes not. Don’t let it make you feel bad, if you’re not having a good time, go find another circle at the festival, or stand somewhere and start your own. Again, every jam has its own personality.
Sit where you can hear, see, and support the music.
How Things Work
Once the jam gets going, you will notice a few things about the functioning of the group. Solos and song selections usually go by turns around the circle to the right or left. Sometimes a singer will add another verse before the next solo, or a song might feature multiple instrumental breaks, but the turns usually continue around the circle in the same direction. Once everyone who wants a break has had one, the song leader will usually tag the song.
Songs start with a kickoff. If there are good instrumentalists in the jam session it might start with some pick up notes and then an instrumental break on the melody, if they know the song. These kinds of kickoffs usually start with a count so everyone will know the tempo If no one feels comfortable playing the kickoff, the singer can just start playing their instrument on the root-chord of the song until the jam gets the feel and starts strumming along. Once the group is going the singer will start singing, and the song has started. Just watch the song leader or the jam leader and follow along if you feel lost.
The end of the song is called the tag. Sometimes you will hear the jam leader say “tag it” that means, end the song. There are usually several signals that the song is ending. Often, the first sign that you might be near the end of the song, is that the singer sings the chorus part after an instrumental break. That means they are out of verses and are getting ready to tag the song. At the end of the chorus it is common to repeat the last line of the chorus as a big signal that the song is ending. Finally, there’s a very big rhythmic thing that happens in most bluegrass songs that indicates the ending. It’s hard to describe in writing, but after you hear it once you will know! Depending on the jam session, some musicians will also stick one foot out toward the middle of the circle to signal that the ending is coming. Even in advanced jams you will see this, but usually only if the ending is strange because the other signals are so strong.
If you pay attention, the music will tell you what's coming next.
Less Is Usually More
The goal of jamming is making music together. It’s not the place to show off how good you are or to play all the craziest stuff you can play all the time (though there are opportunities to show off your skills). You have a responsibility to make sure everyone is having a good time and making music the best they possibly can. When you're playing rhythm, you're building the foundation everyone else stands on. A great rhythm player makes everyone around them sound better. That means you need to listen to what’s going on and make sure you leave space for other musicians. Often, that means you shouldn’t be playing crazy bass lines or syncopated licks. Instead, you’re frequently playing the most basic strumming patterns or back up so others have a chance to express their music.
The majority of your time at a jam session is playing rhythm. Being good at it should be a big focus of your practice. You need to be generous towards others, and keep in mind that you are there to make each song as good as possible. Listening to what’s going on and responding is a very important skill. Remember, every jam has its own personality and you need to celebrate that.
There is a common repertoire in bluegrass music, but often there are different versions of the same song. Play the version the person who called the song has requested. You might know the song differently, but they have practiced it the way they are playing it and you should provide a space for them to make the best music they can. Hopefully they will extend the same courtesy to you when you play the Carter Family’s version of “Can the Circle Be Unbroken” rather than the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s version of the same song. The person who called the song gets to decide the version.
Play at a volume where you can hear others. Some players play very quietly. Some singers don’t have loud voices. If you can’t hear what other folks are doing, play quieter. You should never be playing as loud as you possibly can, there should always be a change in your dynamics to suit the situation. Banjos and fiddles are louder than mandolins and guitars when taking solos, some singers are louder than others, etc. If you ever find yourself wondering if you are playing too loud, you probably are. Listen and respond to the volume of the soloist so everyone can hear the song!
The best compliment you can get at a jam session isn’t “You are the fastest picker! It’s “I love playing music with you.”The musicians everyone wants to play with aren’t the flashiest, they are the ones who make everyone else sound better.
Martin’s Teaching Tip -
Make the music the best you can in the moment.
Serve the song!
Learn the Common Songs
Bluegrass music has a great community of jamming because it has a standard repertoire of songs that are familiar, easy to follow, and allow a high level of musicianship. Players of all levels can learn some standard songs and jump right into a jam session with great pickers as long as they know their basic chords and can keep good time. Folks interested in jumping into jamming can learn this standard repertoire and pretty much know what’s going on at a bluegrass jam session. Even if someone calls a song that you haven’t heard, if you know the standard songs you will probably be able to see the similarities in new songs and be able to follow along.
Bluegrass standards are the core songs of the genre. They are the songs that defined the instrumentation, the vocal style, the culture, the groove, and the ensemble arrangements that have made this community possible. Bluegrass standards are the shared language of the jam. They define the instrumentation, vocal style, groove, and arrangements that have shaped the music for generations. Learning these songs is like learning the vocabulary of a language. Once you know them, you can walk into almost any bluegrass jam and join the conversation. Bluegrass music is played all around the world and almost everywhere bluegrass music is made you will hear familiar songs of this standard repertoire. Learning them is the way you get to join in!
There isn't a universally agreed-upon list of bluegrass standards, but if you learn the songs below, you'll be well on your way to feeling at home in most jam sessions.
Vocal Tunes
Blue Moon of Kentucky
Blue Ridge Cabin Home
Bury Me Beneath the Willow
Can't You Hear Me Calling
Cora Is Gone
Dark Hollow
Darling Corey
East Virginia Blues
Freeborn Man
Handsome Molly
How Mountain Girls Can Love
I'll Fly Away
John Hardy
John Henry
Little Cabin Home on the Hill
Little Maggie
Long Journey Home
New River Train
Nine Pound Hammer
Old Home Place
On My Way Back to the Old Home
Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms
Sitting on Top of the World
Sunny Side of the Mountain
Will the Circle Be Unbroken
Instrumentals
Angeline the Baker
Big Mon
Blackberry Blossom
Cherokee Shuffle
Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Gold Rush
Old Joe Clark
Red Haired Boy
St. Anne's Reel
Whiskey Before Breakfast
There are several wonderful songbooks and great tune lists of jam standards as well, so search around. One of the big no-nos at bluegrass jams (besides very beginner jams) is to use a music stand, or even music. Because the tradition is to learn the tunes by ear, there is an expectation that you have the songs memorized. So, when you spend time learning songs, you need to get them in your head so you can remember them on the spot. If you are going to a festival and hoping to play in some impromptu jams, it’s too hard to wander the campground with a music stand anyway, plus it puts a barrier between you and the other musicians. You will make better music if you are memorized!
The standard repertoire is the shared language of bluegrass.
Know Your Role
Bluegrass is string-band music. There are no percussion instruments in traditional bluegrass, and generally, you won’t see any at jam sessions. That means the rhythm is the responsibility of the instruments in the ensemble. Each instrument has a unique and specific role to play in keeping the song moving. It is important to know the role of your instrument, and the role of the other instruments so you know your responsibilities in the jam, and how you can stay out of the way of other instruments, or help support the jam if something is missing.
Guitar
The guitar is the rhythmic foundation of the bluegrass band, providing the groove, feel, and chord changes that hold the ensemble together.
Often, in traditional bluegrass bands, the guitarist will also be the singer because it is a helpful instrument to direct traffic in the jam. It can reinforce the bass and the mandolin to keep the core rhythm together. Bass runs can help folks know when the chords are going to change. Embellishments and texture changes can bring emotion and dynamics to the song.
Playing rhythm is by far the most important thing you can do! Often, in traditional bands, the guitar never takes a solo because its rhythm responsibilities are too great. If you are a guitarist, you need to be thoughtful, supportive, and interested in rhythm.
Banjo
The banjo provides much of bluegrass's signature sound, adding drive, energy, and rhythmic momentum while requiring careful restraint.
Because of its intricacy and volume, it can easily drown out anything else happening in the jam session. Banjo players must be thoughtful about what they are doing. It’s as important to learn good backup playing skills as it is to learn melodic leads. Banjos are often called upon to kick off a song, so it’s a good idea to know the standard kickoff licks. If you are a banjo player, make sure you are comfortable with the standard banjo rolls (forward roll, reverse roll, alternating thumb roll, etc.) and that you listen closely and play dynamically.
Mandolin
The mandolin is the rhythmic "snare drum" of the band, locking in with the bass to create the unmistakable pulse of bluegrass.
Its primary job is to "chop" on the second and fourth beats of the measure. When the mandolin stops chopping to play a solo, it's important for another instrument to pick up the slack so the groove stays intact. It may be tempting to noodle and play licks, but if no one else is chopping, it's very important for the mandolin to prioritize that. There are a lot of different textures of chopping that can add flavor to the song, but any style of chop is better than nothing. When in doubt… chop.
Bass
The bass is the heartbeat of the band, establishing the tempo and harmonic foundation that everyone else depends on.
Most of the time, bass players alternate between the root and fifth of the chord to form an alternating bass pattern. There is a kind of call and response between the bass and the mandolin, like they are playing volleyball together. The bass starts the volley, the mandolin hits it back, the bass hits it again, and the cycle repeats.
Folks often gravitate to the bass because it seems easy to play, but often bass players are among the best musicians in the band because they have to keep track of the music in their heads while maintaining steady time. It's a big responsibility, and because the bass has so much influence over the tempo of the song, bass players need to listen carefully and stay locked into the groove.
It's incredibly special to have a bass in a jam session, and often jams will restrict the circle to only one bass player so there isn't a conflict between different grooves.
Fiddle
The fiddle adds melody, color, and emotion, filling the spaces between the vocals and bringing life to the ensemble.
It's also a loud instrument and can get in the way of other soloists or singers if the player is not discerning. Often the hardest part of being a fiddle player is being patient and not playing anything. The secret is to find the spaces between the phrases and play a small musical phrase, reinforce the melody in strategic places, or simply play long tones on chord notes to emphasize the drama.
Listening to great fiddlers like Kenny Baker or Bobby Hicks and hearing how they played backup when other things were going on will give great insight into how to be a supportive and collaborative fiddler in a jam session. Also, fiddlers should really focus on playing the melodies of the songs because they sound so great when they do that.
the bass is the heartbeat,
the mandolin is the pulse,
the guitar is the foundation,
the banjo is the drive,
the fiddle is the color.
Taking Breaks
In bluegrass, solos are called “breaks”. So, when someone says “take a break” that doesn’t mean they want you to quit playing. It’s your turn to play a solo!
In most bluegrass songs, the first break comes after the first chorus (if there is one), and then continues around the circle. Pay attention to the direction that the solos are going. When the person sitting next to you plays their solo, be ready to go. You might get a solo right after theirs, or the singer might sing another verse and chorus before your turn. You need to be paying attention and prepared. The breaks are usually short, so if it takes you two measures to get on track that’s a significant portion of your solo.
Usually the breaks are over the same musical section as the verse unless the jam leader says otherwise. So you can expect to play the melody of the verse section. Don’t practice or noodle over other people’s solos. That is their turn and you need to be respectful of them and they should be respectful towards you when your solo comes. Breaks are everyone’s big moment so be courteous.
Bluegrass is melody driven music, which means you should focus on playing the melody of the song as closely as you can. It’s very helpful to have solid pickup notes to your solo so that the group knows exactly where you started. If they know where you are they can play good backup for you and your break will be better. You don’t have to play anything fancy, you don’t have to impress anyone. If you concentrate on playing the basic melody of every song, even if it’s just quarter notes, your solos will be good. Musicians who can immediately play the melody of a song they have never heard before are way more impressive than someone who just shreds hot licks all day.
Bluegrass music is also improvisational. It’s not always the same kind of improvisation that you would find in jazz (though if you have that kind of musical knowledge, there are certainly places to apply it in bluegrass). You don’t need to know a lot of scales (though that can be useful), you don’t need to know a lot of hot-licks (though that can be fun). What you are trying to do is express the melody in the most personal way possible. How do you hear the music? How can you twist and shape the melody to represent your feelings or personality? What things in the environment can you mimic or be inspired by? What makes your instrument special and how can you highlight that? There are a lot of really great and influential bluegrass musicians who basically played the major scale when the song was in a major key, the minor scale when it was in a minor key, and the pentatonic scale when they wanted to be bluesy. It’s not about how much you know, it’s about how you use what you know to express yourself.
Your break is the place where you get to shine. It is your place to be in the spotlight. Play whatever you like, but if you want to sound really authentic and good, try to follow the melody closely and embellish it in your own personal ways. If you want to play some hot licks, put them in between the melodic phrases unless they follow the melodic phrase closely. Hot licks are like special effects, they are pretty boring without context.
If your goal is to become a confident soloist, say yes to every break that comes your way, even if it's a song you don't know and you feel nervous about soloing. If you skip your break too many times the jam leader might start skipping you out of efficiency, or the group might just start assuming you don’t want a solo. If you take one every time you will always get your turn on the song you know. On top of that, the more breaks you take, the better you get at taking breaks! It’s hard to practice playing with other people alone at your house. Dive in! My friend is a stand-up comedian, and he says, "To be good at stand-up comedy, you just have to get on stage and bomb until you are good at it." It’s the same thing learning to take breaks in jam sessions. Just jump in the deep end and learn to swim! Everyone has been there!
On the other hand, if you aren't interested in taking solos, passing is completely fine. It’s great to just sit and practice strumming along and getting a sense of the music. As long as you are enjoying it and being supportive of the group you are doing great!
The melody is home. Everything else is decoration.
Singing Etiquette
Bluegrass singing is special. It’s like no other style of singing in the world. You can listen to Bill Monroe or the Stanley Brothers sing a gospel song and understand what I mean. Good bluegrass singers are a treasure to a band and a jam session. If you can sing, you should learn some songs for the jam session. If you like to sing, even better!
If you intend to sing a song at the jam session you need to be prepared with some information for everyone. You need to choose a good key for you to sing the song in. Don’t start the song and then stop it and say “you know, that’s too high for me”. It wastes time and kills the momentum of the jam. Choose a good key before you get started. Know the tempo of the song so you can count it off and translate the groove easily for everyone.
Practice the song, memorize the words, and be ready to give folks a nod when it's their turn. Often, if you are the singer of a song, you also become the defacto jam leader for that song. Make sure you can communicate with folks rather than be absorbed in a lyric sheet. One of the most special things about bluegrass singing is that there is a formula for jumping in on harmonies. Bluegrass singers learn the structure of the harmonies and can suddenly jump in on pretty decent harmony lines on a song they have never heard before. It’s magical if you have ever seen it done, and it’s a skill you can learn. But there is an etiquette that goes along with it. Whoever calls the song gets to sing lead unless they invite someone else to do it. Don't sing the verses with them unless they've asked you to. The person who called the song chose it because it means something to them, and they deserve their moment to share it. Never ask, "Can I sing that one instead?" It puts them in an awkward position. It's their turn.
If they sing a different version than the one you know, that's okay. If they choose a different key than you would, that's okay too. When it's their turn, they choose the song, the key, and the arrangement. Everyone else's job is to support them. If they sing a song you were hoping to sing, bad luck, but that’s how it is. It’s the reason to learn lots of songs! When it’s their turn they get to choose the song, the key, and the version and the rest of the folks in the jam should support them as well as they possibly can.
In the chorus sections, if you are a good harmony singer and can hear the part, you can jump in and sing the tenor or the baritone. Sometimes there are other singers at a jam session who are really good at harmonizing and they might jump in on the parts as well. If the harmonies begin to sound cluttered, someone should quietly drop out. We are all there to make the best music we can, and sometimes that means sitting out and letting someone else cover the part. It’s great to be in the middle of a great bluegrass trio and just listen, even if you know you can sing one of the parts too.
If you can sing harmonies, that’s great! Make sure that the lead singer can be heard over the harmonies. Some singers have loud voices and others do not. Harmony singers should follow the phrasing and dynamics of the lead singers. If you are singing with someone, watch their mouth and copy their vowel shapes, listen for the timing in their phrases, and sing quietly if they sing quietly. If you end up being the jam leader for the song, make sure that you give everyone who wants a break their chance to play one. That means you might have to give a couple of folks a solo before you start singing again. The solos should always follow the chorus (if there is one). If you don’t feel confident, the jam host, or a more experienced player can probably help you direct the music. But don’t just sing whenever you want, and then not give others their turn to play your song. They might really like your singing and be excited to play with you. Give them their chance!
When it's their turn, support their music.
Calling Songs
Most folks at a bluegrass jam expect songs to come from the standard repertoire, though there's certainly room for the occasional Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Beatles tune, or another song that fits naturally in a bluegrass setting. But there’s more to it than just choosing a standard. You need to take a look at the general ability level of the jam session. If many of the folks there are fairly beginner level, you should not choose a song that is very complex. Choose a song that you like that also suits the level of the jam session. Choose a song that sets everyone up for success.
When you call the song, make sure to tell everyone the key you are playing it in, and tell them the tempo you would like and count it off clearly (practice this!) If the song has any unusual chord changes, unique rhythmic things, or a different form than other standards it’s good form to let everyone know about those.There are many bluegrass standards that are complicated songs for beginner level jam sessions. Songs such as “Rocky Top”, “Ginseng Sullivan”, and even “Old Home Place” have more complicated chord progressions than most standards. Just because it’s a familiar bluegrass song does not mean it’s appropriate for the jam session you are in. Every jam has its own personality.
Similarly, you shouldn’t play a fast song if everyone else is struggling to keep up. There are so many great mid-tempo and slow bluegrass songs, there’s no reason to call a hard-driving high-tempo song if no one else can keep up. It’s not fun to feel like you are just holding on.
Some keys can also be difficult for folks, and there are non-standard keys that are pretty much off-limits in jam sessions. Standard keys such as G, D, A, C are usually fair game for any jam session. More advanced jam sessions might play songs in E, B-flat, B, and F. Usually keys such as E-flat, A-flat, C-sharp are off-limits. Choose songs in a key everyone can feel comfortable with.
Pay attention to the setting you're in. Some songs have violent themes, adult humor, or other content that might not be appropriate for a family-friendly jam, a school, or a public gathering.
One final piece of advice! Don’t call the same song every week. Make it a priority to learn new songs each week and call something new and unexpected. If you always call something different you’re more likely to get folks to ask you to come play with them again!
When you choose songs that fit the jam, everyone has more fun, including you!
Choose songs that help everyone make great music.
Listening Is the Most Important Skill
Listening is the most important skill you need to have in a jam session. You need to constantly be hearing what’s going on and then responding to it. You should always be asking yourself “what do I want to hear next? What would make this song better?” and then work to make that happen. There are several levels of listening, and it takes practice to learn. That’s another reason it’s important to go to jam sessions, because you can’t learn to listen in your practice room at home.
I mentioned before that you need to match the dynamic level of the jam, and the soloist or singer. Match the volume, intensity and feel of the jam. Some jams like the hard driving bluegrass feel, and some like a more contemporary fluid feel. Sometimes that switches between songs. Don’t try to turn someone’s pretty song into a hard driving Jimmy Martin style song, play it the way they want to play it. If you don’t know what to do, you can always sit back and listen. Sometimes the most important thing you'll hear is an empty space. Learning when not to play is just as important as learning what to play.
You need to be listening for the chord changes. Sometimes people will miss the moment they were supposed to start soloing, but they will play a clear kickoff to their solo and the group will adjust to give them a good turn at their break. You need to listen for those subtle shifts in the form. It’s important to look up and check in with the jam session by looking around anytime you are nearing the beginning of a new section, especially if you are going from a singing section into an instrumental section or vice versa.
Eye contact is important. Sometimes the jam leader or the song leader will give notes to the group such as “play the chorus” for the soloist, or “bass solo” which means you are supposed to play diamonds or drop out. You need to be alert and listen because those instructions come fast and they are important. If you know your solo is coming up soon, you should watch the jam leader because your turn might come up sooner than you expect if someone skips, and they might only give you a small nod to let you know. Another reason to be memorized and not use chord charts or lyric sheets.
You need to listen for new songs and songs you should learn. Bluegrass folks love to share the history and stories of songs in between actually playing. You could learn a lot about the history, culture, and repertoire of bluegrass. If you listen to the conversation you can learn what albums you should listen to, where folks in your scene are drawing their inspiration from, and what songs you should focus on learning. Who knows, you might discover your new favorite band or song!
Finally, you should listen to bluegrass music on your stereo (or your phone) at home or in your car. Some of the best practice you can do doesn’t involve picking up your instrument. You can learn the feel of the bluegrass groove, improve your sense of timing, learn the lyrics and melodies to songs. Listen as much as you can! Listen more than you play!
Ask yourself: "What do I want to hear next?"
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
Playing too loudly - Make sure you are courteous to others and matching the volume, intensity, and feel of the jam session. Make sure you can hear everything.
Tuning during songs - Get in tune between the songs so you don’t take away from the song. If you go drastically out of tune during the song, stop playing, or turn away and tune very quietly so you don’t disrupt anyone else’s playing.
Taking overly long solos - Bluegrass solos are a set length (usually the verse of the song). Don’t play over the next person.
Practicing instead of jamming - Don’t just sit at home and play, get out there to the jam session so you can learn the skills you need to focus on, meet new folks, and make music!
Looking only at your instrument - You need to be communicating with the group. Look up, look around, pay attention to what’s going on.
Talking over music - The song is sacred! Don’t talk in the jam circle while someone is singing or playing their break. Be attentive and supportive.
Not knowing when the song ends - If you are paying attention the ending should be very clear. Don’t just fly on auto-pilot. Look around and listen carefully!
Trying to impress everyone - A jam is not a competition. Your job isn’t to prove how good you are, it’s to help everyone make better music together.
Jam Session Do's and Don'ts
Do:
Encourage others
Smile
Keep time
Ask questions
Thank the host
Don't:
Show off
Correct everyone
Dominate conversations
Criticize beginners
Tune loudly
What If You Make Mistakes?
You are going to make mistakes. It is going to happen. How do I know? Because I make mistakes. Everyone does. One of the funny things about getting better at music is that you start noticing more of your mistakes. But the nice thing about music is that if you make mistakes, no one dies. Nobody even gets hurt, and there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Playing music is hard, and it’s a journey of self-discovery and improvement.
The trick is, you can’t let your mistakes throw you off. Great musicians know how to recover, or turn their mistakes into something cool. If you let it discourage you, then you are missing one of the most special things about music. It is art made just for that moment. It will never be the same again. Those mistakes are representative of that place and time, and highlight everyone’s humanness.
Not only that, but they show you the things that you can take back to the practice room and work on. They are fuel for your journey. Your attitude is much more memorable than the notes you miss. If you make a huge mistake, just stop playing for a second and jump back in when you figure out where you are. It’s all about learning to recover, keeping a positive attitude, and remembering that there is no “destination” in music. It’s a constant journey of self-improvement. You are doing just fine as long as you keep going.
Music is art made just for the moment.
Where Do I Find a Jam?
Jam sessions happen all over the world, but they can be a little difficult to find.
Ask your local bluegrass association. Many states and international communities have bluegrass associations with lists of jam sessions.
Attend a bluegrass festival. These are marketed events and should be easy to find with a quick online search. There will be jamming there.
Visit a local acoustic music store. Even if they aren’t specifically a bluegrass music store they will have an idea, or at least an idea of someone who might know.
Check your local folk society. Folk music and bluegrass are different, but there’s a lot of overlap in the communities. It would be worth the call.
Search Facebook for "[your city] bluegrass jam." Or any social media site really, but Facebook has lots of group pages that are focused on local communities.
Why Bluegrass Jams Matter
Bluegrass jams are the core of the genre, and the music survives because folks gather together to make music.
One of the things that makes bluegrass unique is that it invites participation. The music doesn't just belong to the professionals on stage. It belongs to anyone willing to learn a few songs, listen carefully, and join the circle. It is a community of musicians from all over the world, all parts of the political and social spectrum, all demographics, and skill levels. It creates a place where folks can share a common repertoire, express their creativity, participate in a tradition, and leave it just a little richer than they found it.
Many of the greatest bluegrass artists grew up in a jamming community learning songs person to person from their family members and friends. Jam sessions gave them a place to experiment, make mistakes, learn songs, and meet the people who would become their bandmates and lifelong friends. Folks discover new instruments, meet new friends, find belonging in the community.
You can be part of it. Seek out a bluegrass jam near you and dive in!
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