We are happy to host BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE Learning Bluegrass Jams held the FIRST and THIRD Tuesday evenings of each month, from 7:00 - 10:00.
These jams are specifically bluegrass teaching/learning jams , and, as such are largely sponsored and supported by local teachers. The intention is to provide a non-competitive environment in which beginners and true amateurs can learn to play with other folks, assisted by one another other and/or any attending teachers. While the sessions are, of course, open to anyone at all who wishes to play with others at a beginner-intermediate level, these jams are not intended for public listening or to be a showcase for the musically accomplished; neither are they intended to be group lessons--at some point there may be no teachers attending--the assumption is that you can play somewhat and now wish to begin sharing your music with others who play at a similar level.
Just to help you determine if these jams are for you, here's a sound clip from one This clip is 1:48 long, but recorded at low quality (32 Kbps, 24000 Hz, so it shouldn't take too long to load!(Thanks to John Fried for the recording).
We really do want this to be a rewarding experience for everyone concerned. To that end, we wish to provide you with a fun, clean environment in which to meet other beginners or intermediate players.
Please contribute freely and often to these topics so that we can all work to make these the best possible learning experience.
Guidelines and Expectations
Pickers only, please. I'm sure someone wants to have his personal fan club along for support, but the other pickers are not coming here to play before an audience. There is a nice coffee shop across the street, and there are some restaurants in town where your family or guests can wait and entertain themselves.
Tune it or Die: Please, if you have trouble tuning, just ask someone for help. If the person next to you is out of tune, please help!
No "Professional" Pickers. If you've been playing in a band, you're too advanced for this group, so please don't bother coming. Similarly, if you've been playing long enough to think that you're actually pretty good, please don't come here on Tuesdays. These pickers are here to learn, not to be intimidated. The time for you to come is Thursday night.
Teachers are welcome, but only for support (Jeff Aebi, standing, and Al Batten were instrumental--ho, ho--in keeping our first jam flowing). I.e., if you wish to come with your student(s) to give moral support or advice, you are most welcome. You may be pressed into service to play bass or guitar, if needed, but please do not come to try to show just how well you can play.
Things I'm sure I don't have to say, but shall, anyway:
These are bluegrass jams. This means:
No electric instruments
The following acoustic instruments are welcome: banjo, bass, dobro, fiddle, guitar, mandolin.
Please, no spoons, washboards, etc. This just isn't the place.
Chairs are provided. If you choose to get and use one, please put it away when you're done.
Please remember that this is for beginners and intermediates; if you are the latter, please be tolerant of--and helpful to--the former.
This is a "family" atmosphere, so please behave accordingly.
With the exception of the upright bass, the store instruments are not for jamming; you must bring your own instrument(s).
Please understand that the store personnel wish to pretend they have lives, so be prepared to pack up and leave at 10:00 (jamming may continue outside when the weather permits).
As these jams develop, I shall use this page to post photos, tune lists, any other information that needs to be shared.
Above all, please understand that we want these jams to be fun and helpful. To that end, please share your comments and suggestions with us! We can be reached at the number above or via email to info@zeppmusic.com
Thanks; come and have fun!
Back whence you came...
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bluegrass teaching/learning jams 
, and, as such are largely sponsored and supported by local teachers. The intention is to provide a non-competitive environment in which beginners and true amateurs can learn to play with other folks, assisted by one another other and/or any attending teachers. While the sessions are, of course, open to anyone at all who wishes to play with others at a beginner-intermediate level, these jams are not intended for public listening or to be a showcase for the musically accomplished; neither are they intended to be group lessons--at some point there may be no teachers attending--the assumption is that you can play somewhat and now wish to begin sharing your music with others who play at a similar level.
here's a sound clip from one This clip is 1:48 long, but recorded at low quality (32 Kbps, 24000 Hz, so it shouldn't take too long to load!(Thanks to John Fried for the recording). 