Stikman - Posted - 04/09/2013:  09:46:09

I might go to my first old time jam tonight(if im summon up enough courage!).I have been playin clawhammer banjo for 3 months now and have never played with other musicians before.The music will be mostly old time southern fiddle tunes.I would imagine that key of D will be the norm.I no nothing about jams and would appreciate any advice.

hova1 - Posted - 04/09/2013:  09:53:32

I'm sure you'll get plenty of good advice here, but I'll just say have FUN and don't put too much pressure on yourself.

RedStar - Posted - 04/09/2013:  10:00:38

Mike

Rule 1 = Have Fun

Rule 2 = See Rule 1

No great words of wisdom here, but I will would get a feel for how things go. Sit in, but pay attention to see how its put together.

Oh, and remember to breathe.. <--not kidding

Mark

edsnyder - Posted - 04/09/2013:  10:06:15

Mark just gave you the best advice ever, breathe.......I learned that one the hard way.

Ed e

Zischkale - Posted - 04/09/2013:  10:11:12

I just attended my first jam last month, Mike, and the above advice is correct. If you're anything like me you'll be nervous the first go round no matter how lax the joint is.

Comp the changes as best you can, chords in D G and A (though some will advise to stay away from chords in clawhammer, I think it's a good idea to know the changes and even claw around with your fingers fretting the chords as you learn a new song).

For the next jam, practice on the Old Time Jam Machine (incredible resource!), and have at least one song that you're comfortable enough with to suggest and lead (in the jam I attended, whoever suggested the song would kick it off for a few measures before everyone joined in--I'm sure with some jams the fiddle always takes lead.

Enjoy it, listen to some great musicians play and take notes on what songs they play so you can start learnin' 'em for next time!

OldPappy - Posted - 04/09/2013:  10:34:56

Wear good deodorant, and don't play too loud.

They will likely play tunes you don't know, so just listen to a phrase, and pick a few notes where you can find them, and don't worry too much about getting it "right", relax, have a good time, and just let the tunes find you.

If a more experience player offers you any advice, or instruction, take it as the gift it is intended to be, and thank them for it.

OldPappy - Posted - 04/09/2013:  10:35:15

 Deleted double post.

Edited by - OldPappy on 04/09/2013 10:36:00

Brerrabbit - Posted - 04/09/2013:  10:38:48

First read some jamming rules. drbanjo.com/instructional-blue...asics.php  Then first time, sit in back row and play softly, you will get the hang of it.

arcticpoppy - Posted - 04/09/2013:  11:22:31

Good for you!!! This just may probably be your first step to a new and incredibly FUN future of Old Time!

doryman - Posted - 04/09/2013:  13:09:28

Sit right across from the guitar player so that you can clearly see him or her and the chords!  It's always a huge help for me, since I don't know many of the tunes.  I guess that's assuming that you know guitar chords.  

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 04/09/2013:  13:13:05

Bring a pen and notebook to write down titles of the tunes played. 

If you have time beforehand read my blog post on jamming:

banjohangout.org/my/oldwoodchuckb

If you don't have time - just make sure you have that pencil and notebook. You can read the article when you get home.

Glenn K - Posted - 04/09/2013:  17:25:21

I'm getting ready to do the same thing Sunday. Glad I stumbled on this topic.

Stikman - Posted - 04/09/2013:  18:07:15

Thanks for all the great advice.That jam machine website is the cats _ss!I used it tonight and boy do i have a lot of work to do!! I didnt go tonight,not because i was afraid.I was just too tired to go.Its been a long tough week.There are 4 old time jams a month within an hour from my house so i have options.thanks again,Mike

J-Walk - Posted - 04/09/2013:  18:15:04

Lots of good advice here. 

But there's no telling how it will go. It all depends on the personalities of those who "run" it. It will range on a scale of (1)  "Newbies are welcome!" to (10) "Please sit in the back and don't play too loud." 

If you attend our monthly jams in Tucson, we're a #1. But Tucson isn't exactly the old time capital of the world.  I suspect it's different in an area where there are lots of good old time players. 

Pam Monfore - Posted - 05/06/2013:  12:43:06

Take a recording device and use it! I learned the majority of my repertoire in jam sessions, so record the tunes (remember to get the name of the tune!) and go home and work on them until the next session. Keep at it, don't give up, and before you know you'll have a nice selection of tunes you can play well. Have fun!

maryzcox - Posted - 05/06/2013:  13:24:01

Just go, smile and listen, listen, listen. Take a small recorder to tape one or two tunes that are your favorites--but make sure you ask before hand if it is okay if you record the group for your own use.

Take some good group snacks and beverages and make sure you share generously with the other pickers.  Try to establish yourself as someone who is friendly, and wants  to learn---and compliment the players that really sound good.

It would probably be a good idea to attend a few times without ever taking your banjo out of the case. Take notes on who seems congenial and who is bossy or grumpy. Try and seat yourself by someone who plays reasonably well and is always in a good mood.  When you do finally take your banjo out of its case--try and sit next to a solid guitar or mandolin player that seems friendly--and only play on tunes you know. 

Try not to sit next to anyone that is a beginning fiddler (remember--they have no frets and can go sharp & flat at the same time)  also--try not to sit next to anyone who sounds off beat or out of tune--it will actually hurt your learning process and will get you used to playing out of tune or off beat.  Remember, you can still be friendly to these folks--offer them food snacks and beverages.  Most folks understand that shared food  & drink is a friendly gesture.

Don't sit next to anyone who acts like a Nazi and tries to verbally control the jam with rules--especially if they don't play all that great.

Just listen, listen, listen--its not a race--it may take awhile to learn the tunes at home before you can slowly join in--but when you do--you will be welcome 

laertes22 - Posted - 05/07/2013:  06:15:59

@Zischkale

Thanks for pointing out the existance of the Old Time Jam Machine! I did not know that it existed, and that is an amazing resource, especially for those that don't have any active community to Jam with!

hweinberg - Posted - 05/07/2013:  15:45:28

Not that you need one, but here's an incentive:  If you write down the tunes and learn one or two in between jams, in a year or two you will have reached Old Woodchuck's standard of knowing a hundred tunes which gives you the chops to play almost tune after listening to it for an AABB or two.  I play in jams ranging from semi-pro level folks who have recorded together to whoever-walks-in-the-door on Tuesday night.  All are fun.  -- Howard

RV6 - Posted - 05/07/2013:  17:57:48

First, I want to second the value of the "Old Time Jam Machine": oldtimejam.com/Jam.html I listen to it on my computer, daily, just to "implant" the tunes in my head (hopefully) and because I enjoy the music. I sent Josh $25.00 the other day just to show my support. He will send out tabs in Tabeledit and PDF for the top twenty. With all of the Levinson, Erbsen, Perelman, Iverson and RSB resources I have, I may never get to the Old Time tabs but I thought Josh should be rewarded with my support for making such an amazing resource available. I can even play along with some of the slow guitar tunes.

I was invited to a local jam a few months ago by a very nice older couple I met at the "Y". (Well, older than me, anyway. I'm 66.) I'd only been play clawhammer for 8 months or so and am the only banjo player in the group (I've been playing 14 months as of now.) It was pretty intimidating but everyone was really nice and I enjoy them all. I was "way behind the curve" and didn't know any of the tunes but the ones I'd practiced. (I didn't know any music before starting the banjo. Just watched "Hee Haw" when I was a kid.) What they play is a mix of religious, country (Johnny Cash) and, since I joined, some old time.

There is a wide range of abilities and there are a couple of very good guitar, mandolin and fiddle players and then, there are the rest of us. The acoustics where we meet are poor (especially for those of us who wear hearing aids) and there are generally 8-12 people. Lots of singing out of tune and time on occasion (I don't sing) , and, when you're new and hard of hearing, it gets pretty confusing. I did take picture of my guitar playing friend's hand when making different chords so I could learn them and strum along, but I can't always see her. I'm lucky that a great fiddle player always calls for a tune that she knows that I know when it's her turn. When I have no idea what's going on, I just clutch my banjo and watch everyone play which is enjoyable (and I don't mess things up by playing when I have no idea what's happening.)

I don't really feel I'm learning much but appreciate that I was invited and am always treated like a long lost friend when I show up, so I go.

I'd much prefer to play old time (and have a few banjo players in attendance) but, it is what it is.

Bob