Bluegrass Jam Etiquitte

• Before joining 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.
• Ensure that your instrument is in tune. If you’re new to digital tuners, be aware that they should be calibrated to A440.
• The purpose of jamming is to make bluegrass music and have fun. It is not to play as loud as you can, as fast as you can, or to show off how good a player you are. Listen to others in the jam, and make sure you blend into the music and/or singing.
• Don’t practise 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 that this is a major difference between bluegrass and Celtic or Old-timey jams.)
• Don’t hog the jam. Give everyone a chance to play. Be supportive.
• When it’s your turn to pick a tune, let everyone know the name of the tune, the key, the form (if it’s an instrumental) and if there are any odd or unusual chord progressions, timing, or rhythm issues. It’s best and most rewarding to do tunes in generally accepted keys. Songs, however, are usually done in the key selected by the singer. It’s best to pick a key and tempo that suits the tune and the abilities of the other jam participants. (For ideas see Archive of Jam Tune Lists)
• 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 halfway 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.
• Listen for the rhythm of the tune or song, get in the groove AND STICK WITH IT. If you find 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, communicate with your eyes and body. A lot of communication in a jam is very subtle and you need to be alert to catch the signals.
• Listen, listen, listen. Listen to the bass and the room as a whole. Don’t just listen to your neighbours because they may be leading you astray.
• Familiarize yourself with the Nashville Numbering System to communicate chord changes to other players.