Bethesda Maryland?

[dough-re-mi]

I am a beginner, and I need to play with others probably more than I need to do any other single thing. I'm pretty shy about even playing near others, much less with them...

Anybody near Bethesda interested in getting together?

[Jerry Byers]

Where abouts near Bethesda? I'm near Alexandria.

[dough-re-mi]

Bethesda proper, by the Bethesda stop on the Red Line.

[mrkrgr]

Here's a listing for all the Jams in the area. It's a good place to look for players who are not on the forum. The Jam Wednesday nights in Laurel has a fantastic mandolin player leading it. This link is actually good for all the happenings in the area.

http://dcbu.org/

[ab4usa]

I'm in Columbia. No expert but not too far from you. Got a local Jam every Thursday in Severn but otherwise I'm available.

[Steve K]

The Jam Wednesday nights in Laurel has a fantastic mandolin player leading it. #
Yes...lots of jams in the DC area.

Out of curiosity, do you know the name of the mandolin player who leads the Laurel MD jam?

thanks,
Steve K
Huntingtown, MD

[Mando Gil]

What style of music are you interested in? What level player are you? I am farely new to the mandolin and am playing(trying to play) old-time music. I have been trying to get something going in that genre. I live in Silver Spring, so anything I got going would be close to you.

[wayfaringstranger]

Lots of mando players around here. I used to live in Bethesda, live in Takoma Park now. It's all close.

[dough-re-mi]

I have a lot going on through the weekend, but after that I would really like to get together with somebody. I am a beginner and have not yet played with people. I know maybe 3 songs, but not perfectly.

I like a lot of different kinds of music; I would like to do a version of the Rolling Stone's Satisfaction similar to Devo's version (seriously); I really like simple "spirituals" (Amazing Grace, Michael Row the Boat Ashore, Swing Low), and I am also hoping I can learn Bluegrass Stomp real soon. I have Bill Monroe's version and David Grisman's version, and I can't even tell if it is a hard song or not. The rhythm makes me draw a breath.

I'd like to play chord melody eventually, but I'm pretty far from that now. I am working on Old Joe Clark.

[ab4usa]

Let us locals know when and where and we'll see if we can help each other out.

[mrkrgr]

Wednesdays night mandolin player is Bob Bowman. I used to live in Columbia and played in a band with Bob.

[dough-re-mi]

My weekend finally passed, and I am now able to step out to find a playing partner. It looks like I can go to the Laurel jam on Wednesday.

wayfaringstranger and Mando Gill:
Would either you have any interest in meeting with me at a convenient time and place, since you are in Silver Spring/Takoma Park and I am in Bethesda? I really feel that the "playing-with-people" part for me is the most in need of attention, and all the instructional materials I collect won't change that. Besides, it wouldn't hurt to meet some nice neighbors.

John

[ab4usa]

John,

If you get a group together let all of us in the area know.

[Mando Gil]

Drop me a line at rjgilpin@yahoo.com. Hopefully we can work something out. I'll give you my # and we can figure something out. Rob

[DryBones]

count me in, I'll bring my mando to work with me and meet up with you guys.

Alan, if we both showed at the same time we might get a lefty majority...HA http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[ab4usa]

Jason,

I know at least two more lefty mando players locally. Maybe we should start an orchestra

[pickinpox]

Walking distance from Bethesda Metro. Give me a call.
301-652-0549

www.eckersclocks.com

[dough-re-mi]

pikinpox:
I called but just got a message. I know right where your clock repair shop is, it's across the street from a barber I used to go to. I live about 4 blocks from your shop.

My home number is 301-656-2147, work number is 301-594-2897; any Bethesda area mandolinists of any handedness are invited to get together at my tiny apartment sometime, if no other venue is better.

[ab4usa]

How about one of the parks in the area.

[dough-re-mi]

Sounds good to me; there are quite few parks to choose from.

There is one off Battery Lane just west of Woodmont with a little tennis court and some trees and picnic tables, offering semi-almost privacy, across the street from a nursing home type place.

I live on the other side of Wisconsin ave, but I can't describe the location of the parks there so easily. There are some little hideaway places that aren't parks, but have a table and chairs as well.

John

[DryBones]

Jason,

I know at least two more lefty mando players locally. #Maybe we should start an orchestra
only if we can just play scales..any more than that might be over my head, ok, probably over my head. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[dough-re-mi]

How does thursday at a park in Bethesda sound? I am working on solidifying Old Joe Clark and Soldiers Joy enough to play with others. Apparently when I play in the presence of another person my brain and fingers turn to jello made with gravel, but don't let that deter you http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[ab4usa]

Well its the only evening I'm committed (regular Jam Session) but don't stop for me.

[Mando Gil]

Count me in. Let me know which day.

[dough-re-mi]

I was realy thinking specifically of the day after tomorrow, not necessarily _every_ thursday.

Once people come together, and feel they want to do it again, then we can decide on a reasonable day. Can you make it tomorrow?

John

[Mando Gil]

Tomorrow would be hard for me. Don't let that stop you if anyone wants to meet up. There is an Old-Time jam in Arlington, Sunday 2-4 I think (consider it a field trip if nothing else). Anyone interested - http://www.caboma.org/

[dough-re-mi]

This thursday looks like it might not work out then. Since it seems there are a few of us nearby that play mandolin, I hope we can get together somehow.

I would like to to the Arlington jam on Sunday; I've not been to an organized group jam before.

Is there a day to meet in Bethesda that might work out for others in the next week or so? Tuesday evening and Saturday morning won't work for me at this time, but otherwise I am pretty free.

John

[mrkrgr]

Go Wednesday if at all possible. This is the meekest Jam that there is. Bob is a good freind and former bandmate. The first hour is usually (or at least it used to be) a slow jam for beginners and the unjammed (is that a word?). If a few others show up there are some really good mando players, fiddle players, banjo and guitarists. If you do go tell them Mark Rager sent you. and he'll get a good laugh out of that now that I live in Georgia.

[ab4usa]

John,

Any day but Thursday works for me.

[BradB]

I just found this thread. I live in Columbia, MD, and I've been looking for good picking jams in the area. I used to do the Laurel jams on Wednesdays, but it was mostly people singing country songs, so I quit going. I have found this to be true at most of the jams in the area. The Monday jam at the VFW in Takoma Park was pretty fun, but the smoke was unbearable. It sounds like the Laurel jam may be different now, so I guess I should give it another try.

My wife and I have discussed starting our own jam at our house, but have not managed to organize it yet. We are more interested in old time music than bluegrass, but I like bluegrass too. I also like celtic music, but don't know very much of it. One problem is that my wife and I are at different levels. She is at the beginner-intermediate slow jam level (on fiddle), and I am more at the strong intermediate to advanced level (mandolin and guitar). I can't improvise, but I am a decent picker if I know the tune.

If anyone knows of any good old time jams in the area, please let me know.
Also let me know how we can accomodate different playing abilities at a jam.
And if you might be interested in an occasional small jam in Columbia, let me know.

[ab4usa]

Brad,

I'm in Columbia as well. Got a regular jam on Thursdays but am generally available otherwise. Bluegrass, gospel, fiddle tunes, etc.. Probably a step or so below your level.

[mrkrgr]

The Laurel Jam you're refering too, was it at the Seven Day adventist church or in Laurel at the Phelps center. If, in addition to Bob Bowman, Shige or Alan Orlesky show up you will enjoy it. I do agree that the Jam in Burtonsville was a bunch of Country players and a kind of closed Jam for certain bluegrassers. The important thing that I was trying to get accross was that by going to these jams you get to meet other players, especially other instruments and make new friends. When I lived in the area I met all my band mates at Jams and went from there.

[BradB]

I went to the Burtonsville jam a few times. They had a separate group for country and one for bluegrass, but the bluegrass jam still had mostly singing songs rather than flatpicking fiddle tunes.
The Laurel one I went to was at the Phelps center. It seemed pretty similar to the one in Burtonsville.
The one at the VFW in Takoma Park was pretty fun. Good players doing some nice picking. There were songs too, but a good mix. The problem for me was that the smoke in there was awful and people stand rather than sit. I have some back issues that make that tough for me.
I also did a jam at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. It also was mostly songs.

We need to organize a Columbia jam at some point.

[dough-re-mi]

Or a Bethesda jam. Or Columbia AND Bethesda.

[ab4usa]

Bunp! Any plans to do a meet in the park in Bethesda anytime soon?

[dough-re-mi]

We would likely need to do it relatively soon, as it is getting dark earlier. Thursday or Friday or Saturday could work for me; the commitment I have for Thursday is to play mando with someone (Hi Dan!), and I presume he'd be open to doing it outside. I would miss hearing his wife sing though, which would be unfortunate.

Saturday I will be going to Niles for a lesson, but I should be back by 4 PM or so, depending on traffic.

I would like to meet you local mando-types in person, so there could be a face and an experience to go with a name.

John

[ab4usa]

After work on Friday? Anybody else make it?

[dough-re-mi]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[DryBones]

Friday may be tough for me but tell me where and when and I will give it a try....just don't ask me to play anything...LOL http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[dough-re-mi]

There are a lot of little parks in Bethesda. Does anybody have a preference? Once we meet once, I think it will be a lot easier to meet subsequently.

I know of one park immediately south of the NIH campus, with a picnic table, and a little set away (on Battery lane about 2 block west of Wisconsin). It is accross the streeet from a nursing home like place. There is street parking, but there may be a park with better parking also.

Don't worry DryBones; if you think you can't play that's just because you haven't heard me. I've got everything nailed except for timing and notes.

John

[ab4usa]

I'm comming from Annapolis so I really don't care.

[paulinefiddle]

Hi, folks. I'm new here. I'm an experienced fiddler. I've been playing and jamming all kinds of music for years. I'm always happy to find new people to jam with. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif My problem is that I don't have a car. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif I can get to the park near Battery Lane by Metro. (So can other people, if you don't feel like driving through rush hour traffic in Bethesda. The park is a few blocks from the Medical Center Metro station.) I can offer my home in Rockville as a place to jam indoors some other time. (The sun sets earlier and earlier now.)

I'd love to go to some of the other jams in the area some time, but I'd need a ride. I'll pay for gas, your beer, etc. if you can give me a ride. Do people really smoke at that jam in Takoma Park? Ugh!

[dough-re-mi]

So I am thinking of being in the park with my mando a few minutes after six on Friday. If anybody wants to join me, I'll be at a picnic table over by the tennis and basketball courts a little way into the park. I hope to meet some new picking friends!

John

[DryBones]

can we get a head count for Friday? My hand is up but depends on workload after being off today.

[dough-re-mi]

I'll be there.

[ab4usa]

I plan to be there Jason. I know its a drrag but you can test drive another lefty!

[DryBones]

sorry kids but I will not be able to make it tonight. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Alan, Sorry but no swapping lefties this time around,hopefully soon though.

[dough-re-mi]

FYI, I am working on getting a regular space for jamming in Bethesda. So far, I can arrange Mondays for sure in my apartment, as my wife will have a class on Mondays. I am trying to arrange for the large "community room" in our apartment complex, but they have to rewrite the bylaws or something first. Finally, the Montgomery County Library in Bethesda is a possibility too, I just have to follow up and fill out some forms with the county.

So to summarize, mondays can work starting pretty much anytime, and hopefully I'll get a larger space arranged so we can select a day of the week that will work for the most people. It would be good to get a guitarist (or a bassist) to round out the sound. paulinefiddle would be very welcome as well; I live closer to the Medical Center Metro than even the park we are playing in tonight.

John

[DryBones]

well? how did it go? I'm bummin' that I missed it http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[pickinpox]

I was jamming up at the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival yesterday. Sorry I missed you.

[dough-re-mi]

Alan and I were there; I enjoyed myself, and I think he did too. We got to know each other a little, which was as useful (and enjoyable) to me as playing.

To quote Firesign Theater, we're all bozos on this bus.

[Mando Gil]

What ever happened to this post? I really thought that something was going to come of this.

Let's Go Mountaineers!!

[dough-re-mi]

We need a location, we need a time, we need players.

[DryBones]

I missed the last one but would definitely be in for another try

[Jerry Byers]

What is the experience level? Did you guys have a playlist?

[pickinpox]

I'm around most evenings. Battery Park good for everybody?

[dough-re-mi]

It's good for me, except I am out of town the week of the 11th (i.e. this Mon-Fri).

[ab4usa]

I can get there. Just let us know when. Whoever is going to head this up should start an email list. I am aburrows@4alohapos.com.

[DryBones]

Here is mine.
jbwicklund@hughes.net

[Jerry Byers]

If I can make it, I'll try.
jerrybyers@yahoo.com

[fatt-dad]

Silver Spring close enough? I'll be there on Saturday for a little while. . . .

f-d

[dough-re-mi]

Please include me in the email list: jkilbour@pol.net

[pickinpox]

Can't help but to notice how much activity this thread has. Bethesda is also John Duffey's old stomping grounds. I found a brochure of the bus route in Bethesda and saw a picture of a band playing on the street which included a mandolin!