Looking For Jam Oportunities In SC

[mandonewbie]

Greetings....I'm a relatively new guitar player (8 mos), and an extremely new mandolin owner (notice I said owner and not player)...Just not new myself anymore(46)...anyway, been taking some guitar lessons, and teaching myself mandolin....just don't have anyone to play with on a regular basis...I think that's the only way to move on to a new level....So,I'm looking for Jam opportunities in the upstate SC (Greenville) area....Can anyone point me in the right direction.

Thanks for the help.

[craigtoo]

Hrumph.... I'm too late... I moved from Anderson to Germany a few years ago....otherwise we could pick...

if you're into Irish, there's a session in greenville... right near the new Greenville Tech campus... at the Irish Pub...geeesh I forgot all the street names. #not to mention the name of the pub.

I think its the intersection of Laurens road and the street that Greenville tech is on...Pleasantburg Dr.. #Not far from the Ducati dealer and the huge Bike shop Great Escape? #....

nice folks...really open and nice....slow session and easy going people... you'll be part of the family before you know it.

If you go... Say hi from Craig. # Fiddle player...

[mandonewbie]

Hey Craig and Thanks....I think the name is Dougal McGuires...anyway I know exactly where it's at...what night do they get together?..You sure a beginner could sit in??

[craigtoo]

YES #that's it... Yeah.. no prob with beginner... If you bring a guitar, just be sensitve. #Watch what the other guitar players are doing and listen listen listen... too many guitars at once won't work with Irish. #(many say 1 guitar or 1 backup Zouk at any one time)

Learn a tune on the mando... a simple one and then play it at this session. #Trust me... you'll fit in. #Super nice folks playing slow tunes. #And alot of Old Timey tunes too! #Usually there is a pipe player a few fiddles a box or two and a guitar or two.

It's a great place to start out because the people are so positive and you'll really get a good vibe and won't be intimidated.

They're favorite tune is "The Silver Spear" #a nice reel. #a little bit tough for a first tune...
Try Learning a Jig... called #"Out In the Ocean". #They know it well and play it slow...

Pick it like this # DUD DUD DUD DUD

When I was going, the session was on Thursdays... at 830pm #1 free drink per musician.

good luck! #(I'm jealous....)

craig
(Clemson Grad...Go Tigers!!!!!!)

[mandonewbie]

Oh man...lived in the Clemson / Seneca area for 15 years....Blood runs orange ! Haven't been able to find the music to Siver Spear....Could it have more to it's name?

[SamnSC]

mandonewbie, check out the Pumpkintown Community Center, Friday nights. On SC 135 near intersection w SC 8. (between Pickens and Table Rock). Lots of folk show up, variety of tastes and skill. Multiple jams to join in on.

[mandonewbie]

Thanks Sam, I'll have to check that one out....does it go on all year long..or just the summer months.

[Chip Booth]

Hi mandonewbie, I too moved from SC not too long ago. In Columbia (West columbia actually) there is a place called Bill's Picking Parlor that hosts bluegrass jams, they're on Fridays I believe. I think they are a bit advanced as a rule, but it could be fun to go see what's going on there. If you see a hippy named Jim playing mando there tell him Chip from Spoonful said Hi.

I also noticed a post recently asking the same question, I think it mentioned some spots in Charleston and maybe Spartanburg jam, you could search for it.

Oh, and sorry, I went to Carolina, so I guess we could never sit down and have a civilized jam session http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[mandonewbie]

Oh..I think we could forget the Clemson / Carolina thing if we were playing music...I like to see both schools do good....just pull for Clemson .... I've heard of Bill's picking parlor...but looking for something close to home and little more laid back...wouldn't mind just finding a couple of picking partners to get together with on a regular basis....Thanks for the heads up though...

[Brian Baker]

I live in Simpsonville...here's the scoop on upstate SC jams...

The Handlebar, downtown Greenville, Tuesday nights. Not really a jam, but a few guys "on stage" who would welcome you to join them. Not really for beginners, but free and fun to listen to. Smoky "bar" setting not for everyone...

Fountain Inn Activity Center, Saturday nights 6-10pm. This is a good one for beginners. Lots of guitars, some mando, some b*njos. Bass player tends to be uneven, which throws things off. Mostly slow bluegrass and old country. Not a high level of playing, but easy to follow and super nice folks. Recommended.

Oolenoy schoolhouse in Pumpkintown, Friday nights. Good jam, probably one of best in upstate. Lots of folks, two rooms (jams), better musicians than Fountain Inn but still very accepting of beginners. Recommended.

The Pickin Parlor, Anderson/Williamston, on 29 near the Jockey Lot, Tuesday night? This one has a bunch of people on stage with mikes but a circle of pickers picking along at the same time. Not bad, but dark room makes it difficult to see your fingers, so might be tough on a beginner.

If you want directions to any of these, or just want mandolin info, email me through MandolinCafe and I'll set you up!

Brian B.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[mandonewbie]

Thanks a lot Brian...That gives me something to go on...I know where each one of these are located...I happen to be in Simpsonville too..

[mandonewbie]

BTW...Brian.....Do you know any good Mandolin instructors in the Simpsonville area??