Go, and before you start take the instrument out of the case, just observe. What are the interpersonal interactions like? Does everyone seem to know all the songs, or are there folks there who are in your shoes? Does everyone there seem to know everyone else? Are they playing more or less within your comfort zone (choice of songs, tempos, etc.)?

After being away from banjo and bluegrass for 26+ years , 11 years ago I thought I’d investigate the local jam. I didn’t bring an instrument, I just went to listen and observe,, 1 week later I brought my banjo and sat in.
Being an early student of the banjo I suggest you go listen first to size up the landscape and visualize yourself sitting in with everyone and vamping chords or doing some quiet rolling backup.

When I first went to jams, I had no idea what was going on. I didn't understand chord structure and couldn't hear chord changes. In other words, I was completely lost. I was sort of a silent, quiet type and didn't want to embarrass myself by trying to join in.

I was lucky. One of the members took me under his wing and explained what they were doing and why. He even quietly called out chords so I'd know what they were. Eventually, I began to sense a chord change coming up and about half the time I was right. Later on I could anticipate changes and usually get them right. Eventually, I had the nerve to actually take a break. Of course, I messed up, but plowed on through it. I got compliments afterwards, because I didn't quit, but kept going.

So, don't think you're the first one to start out jammin' and be intimidated, scared or whatever, you aren't. We all had to start at one time or another and we all had to make our mistakes so we would learn by them.

Go, listen and if someone is kind enough to help, take that help and enjoy it. It does get better.

First piece of advice: learn a few basic guitar chords (GCDAE) , specifically learn how they look when a guitarist plays them. Stand across from the guitarist. Use his hand shapes to help know when the changes are coming.

Second piece of advice: don't worry about it. Open public jams are mostly full of people that can't play all that well. Your primary goal should be to make friends. 

My local jams are typically organized by an individual who has an email list, or Facebook group put together. This way they can communicate if the location or time of the jam has changed for that particular week. But it also means that you might be able to send a message to whoever organizes the jam and ask questions before you go. If you can get ahold of the person who organizes the jam, here is my suggestion:

Request a list of tunes that are commonly played at that jam. This gives you the chance to hear those tunes in advance and prepare so you're not in the dark.

I guess there's one sure-fire way to find out.   

Fwiw, jams aren't plentiful in beautiful west-central Maneetoebah, but I go to those I can ... and now, with six-ish years of experience (?)  I'm pretty sure I'm getting worse [i.e. the "messing up, or not being able to play anything" is becoming more frequent].  

Thanks for all the great advice! Y'all may or may not know how much, but it really does help my confidence. I have been to this jam before, a couple years ago, but it was just to listen and enjoy. I will definitely shoot to make it out Friday night and just see how things go. Obviously the biggest part of it is just mustering up the courage to step out of my comfort zone. Thanks KCJones for the guitar advice, I will try and brush up on that before going so I can watch for the changes.

It's good that you're a bit familiar with the jam. The question I'd ask is, based on your recollection was it a less-experienced players slow jam, a close-to-performance tempo intermediate-to-advanced players jam that didn't slow down for the beginners, or an all-levels jam that seemed welcoming and respectful to players of different abilities? Was the music strictly bluegrass or did people call songs from different genres that could be played with bluegrass instrumentation? There jams such as these, and more. Some are clearly better for beginning jammers than others.

All-levels jams can vary from session-to-session depending on who shows up. Or even vary throughout a session, depending on when players arrive and leave.

I think you should definitely bring your banjo the next time you go. Whether you take your banjo out of the case first thing or watch and observe a while is up to you. Whether it's a literal circle or a cluster, join in as early as you're comfortable, playing backup and either taking a solo when it comes to you or passing. I've been to jams where some players take no solos all night and they still have a great time. You might also pass on calling a tune the first time it's your turn, if the jam's "rules" allow. Or if you're comfortable and confident and understand what this jam requires of the player who calls and leads a song, then go for it.

Good luck.

One of the challenges in a jam is the timing. They may play songs faster than you’re used to. Or slower. And they may speed up or slow down as the song progresses. That’s what it means to play in a group. Just go with the flow.

quote:

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Originally posted by KCJones

First piece of advice: learn a few basic guitar chords (GCDAE) , specifically learn how they look when a guitarist plays them. Stand across from the guitarist. Use his hand shapes to help know when the changes are coming.

Second piece of advice: don't worry about it. Open public jams are mostly full of people that can't play all that well. Your primary goal should be to make friends. 

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I would add, pick a guitarist with good drive and watch his Right hand. It will help you with your timing and keep you withit if you need that.  Play to his/her hand.

Not all jams are the same.
If you don't like the first one you go to,try again.It depends on who is there.
Some jams turn into showcases for certain bands.Others treat everyone equally.

Another thought, go, introduce yourself and inform everyone it’s your first jam, or second or third. Almost every jam I’ve been to people will help you out.
Often they’ll play a few slower tunes or even ask you to call a tune at your speed/level.
Make sure you write down some of the tunes they play and keys. Practice like heck and come back to play those tunes.
I’ve been attending jams, hosting jams, open mics etc for years and I’m always a little anxious in new situations.

Go to youtube.com/channel/UCB9CEXR7c...wP8gDQ2lw and have your own jam, and see how you do. I’ve been using this site a lot, while getting it back together with my old bandmates, and possible future jams

The country/bluegrass jams that I've participated in, it is quite easy to hang out in the background and play until you are comfortable. If someone gives you the nod, just shake your head no and pass on it. No one expects you to get out of your comfort zone. You do it enough, you'll get there.

Also, find someone playing banjo who looks like they know what they're doing and watch their hands. Learning to read hands is a good skill to acquire. Having been a guitar player, I read guitar player's hands pretty well, which is a handy skill to have.

Lots of good advice here. When i was learning banjo i had the HUGE advantage of already being a bluegrass rhythm guitar player and singer, so i already had chord progressions and the feel for the songs in my head. (plus i had familiarity with many of the pickers)
In my early banjo days i would mainly vamp the chords just to get used to that part of playing banjo. If i wanted to do rolls i would get within earshot of the jam and maybe use a mute and try playing along. The last thing i wanted to do was to screw up a jam. Much better to be asked to participate than to force yourself on to a jam.

I attend up to 3 jams/week.They are all within 12 miles of home.Tonight's is the Thursday jam from 4-7 at the Guilford Butler elementary school.This one is year 'round as is the Sunday jam at the Sail Power and Steam Museum.All playing styles and experience are welcomed with open arms and patience.
Everyone is treated equally with no demands or expectations.
If someone doesn't want to take a break they simply nod to the next person.

Around 20 of us this evening at the Schoolhouse Jam.
Never know what's coming next.
Good BG guitar/singer.Did Jimmy Brown,Slewfoot,FMB,Black Diamond and a bunch of fiddletunes,Beatles,Stones,Faithless Love and a few things I've never heard before.

I love surprises.

AFTER a song is finished it's OK to ask, "what was the weird chord?" Not just for wanting to find out but it'll also a great test tell you what kind of jam it is.
If they tell you, awesome > you're welcome there. If they're not in the mood to do so then that's an obvious sign that this is not a newcomer-friendly place.

By all means, go. And take your banjo out of the case. But don't try to solo or lead a song. Not for quite a while. Your first job is to dip one toe into the water. Get aclimated. Your sole focus initially should be (1) determining the song's chord projection, and (2) vamping the chords. That's all. And that's plenty.

Hopefully, you know your chords -- and know something about chords: the principal (I-IV-V) chords in various keys; the most common chord progressions; and thus will have a little feel for what the next chord is likely to be. Or, as advised, you can spot what chords the guitar players are holding. (And if you encounter a song with a chord progression that's too complicated or indecipherable, it's no sin to sit that one out.)

Jamming is a gradual process. Take a baby step and stay at that level until you're 100% comfortable there. Then take the next step -- e.g., using a little more intricate vamp, or playing a roll over the chords -- and stay there until that is comfortable. Etc., etc.

The biggest mistake people make is learning the complete arrangement of a few songs, and going to a jam thinking that that's what you'll play. Invariably, if that song gets called, it'll be played faster than you play it or in a different key. Instead of sticking a toe in the water, you will have jumped into the deep end. It will be a completely deflating experience and you won't want to go back.

Don't worry that you're not good enough. Embrace the fact that you can't do much. That way, there's no ego to deflate. Take baby steps, take them slowly, and you'll do just fine.

We each state the chords initially and signal changes if we know there are one or more beginners present.

Oh, one more thing: If it's one of those jams where the leaders never announce the song or the key, but start right in, speak up. Ask. No one should be expected to discern the key by ear or chord analysis. You can do it, but it can take up the first half of the song. Get them in the habit of telling you before they start. 

Someone usually calls out for the key and chords if nobody offers.

One of the last Wiley's Corner Grange Jams tonight.Can't justify warming up that big ol' beautiful 1800s building all winter long for a once-a-week jam.
6:30 - 9
Electric piano (Bonnie seems to know every song ever written),fiddles,bunch of guitars,had trumpets and saxes sit in occasionally.
A dulcimer with a pick-up and vocal/instrument mic on a rolling base.

I love how the music sounds in this big,old piece of Maine.Old wood and a large open room rule!

I've been to several jams and never saw any problems with beginners being there. Only encouragement from all players. The main thing to keep in mind is that every player there has been where you are, so they truly understand. And musicians are the most helpful people regarding beginners. Very encouraging.

Don't try to take a break or even pick a song. Just play simple chords that you know. The key will always be stated so that should give you at least 3 chords that you can work with. Even if you don't play guitar, watch one of the guitar player and see when they're changing chords. It won't take too long to learn the simple guitar chord shapes. Don't play too loud, just enough that you can hear yourself. You're gonna hit the wrong chords quite often. But.... you won't be the only one. Seasoned player hit wrong chords and make mistakes on timing every so often as well.

Remember, it's not a performance. It's a jam session. It's a place for musicians of all caliber to get together and play a little. Truth is, it's more of a social event than playing music. And if your jam session isn't, you need to find another one. I went to one jam session that had some folks that thought they were better than the rest. The majority of folks won't tolerate that. That jam session dissolved in few weeks.

Jam sessions will help you more than you can imagine. And, it give you some really good friends!