Jams Postponed!
We will be looking into resuming onlime jams this winter season. please check back.
To Jam w/ Joe:
-Read Jam description below
-Visit stageit.com and create an account
-Purchase 50 or more Notes (10 notes = $1)
-Set your computer up with some external speakers
-Find my shows (links provided in the schedule below)
-Enter password: Bluegrass Rules
-Buy tickets to desired shows with your Notes
-Get your instrument tuned and set up near computer
-Wait for show to start
-Jam along!
JAM DESCRIPTION:
These are online shows designed specifically to practice jamming in a real life bluegrass jam. Playing songs that you may or may not know, but that are generally regarded as "Standard" in the bluegrass/country community. Although not the same as being in person with a group of players, we can practice the essential skills needed to do so together online. Some advantages of these sessions will be that no one is around to hear you, so you can be comfortable trying things that are normally outside of your comfort level such as perhaps: soloing, trying new scales or riffs, singing or even trying harmonies! There will not be a great deal of instruction here, and taking notes or using any exterior reference during these shows is discouraged. The idea here is to feel that same pressure you would feel in a real jam, where you are with another person or group, and songs are being called quickly and you are expected to play along whether you know the song or not! Bluegrass music is a jam friendly music which makes this possible even with a very low experience level. You will find there is a bit of a formula and similarity in all the standard songs you hear at bluegrass jams. I will be making Youtube videos for your reference where I talk about some of those formulas and other useful tools and tricks that can help you understand the art of the jam. Let's get pickin'!
Helpful Youtube Instructional videos for guitar:
Creating effective Bluegrass solos: https://youtu.be/XZcmTnvIOTU
Bluegrass Improv Exercises: https://youtu.be/DTTQxjNc5Bk
Bluegrass/Country Scales: https://youtu.be/L1a8czoCGOc
For Mandolin:
Pentatonic Scales and soloing:
https://youtu.be/YYVQWnMxkpI - Don Julin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMFHv_n2X0o - Banjo Ben
For other instruments do a quick search you will find plenty ;)
I will search around and post a few of my favorites when I have time
-Joe
Level 1:
-Simple one part songs, usually only 2 or 3 chords total, played at a slow tempo
-Each song will have a quick description and a few basic tips
-We will only cover 2 or 3 songs, and we may repeat them for practice
-Player is required to quickly memorize the chord progression as much as possible during description
-Practice "listening" while you play so you can keep up with the chord changes, even if not memorized
-Practice singing the choruses with me. These will generally always be the same lyrics, repeated after every verse
-Practice using scales or given tips to solo with your instrument in the breaks between singing
Level 2
-Songs practiced in Level 1A jam will be repeated at a slightly faster and more common tempo
-There will be a short description/reminder of each song before playing
-There will be one spot in each song where Joe takes a solo, requiring you to play the chords by yourself
-There will be additional songs, similar in nature, with very little introduction to try and play along with
Level 3
-Similar to Levels 1A & B but the songs will often have 3 to 5 chords, often have 2 parts, be in more difficult keys, have different time signatures and may be played at faster tempos. The descriptions may move a little faster and I will often do a very quick rundown of the melody in hopes that you can use ideas from it in your solos.
Things to try:
-Find runs to lead into your solos, see if you can land on the 1st melody note to start your solo
-End turnarounds with a clean G run (Or C,D, A or E run if in one of those keys)
-Sing a harmony to the chorus melody
-Practice “filling” during the vocals rather than always playing chords. Listen to professional bluegrass bands play and you will very often hear an instrument “filling” or “noodling” in the background while someone is singing. In jam sessions this is a good way to let the other players know that your “solo’ or “break” is next. This can really add to the energy and flow of the jam!
Jam schedule and links:
Stageit stage name: Moonrambler
Password to access shows: Bluegrass Rules
VIEW JAM SCHEDULE ON OUR CALENDAR