Beginner asking questions

[Chris Travers]

Hey,

I was wondering, if I were to go to a bluegrass jam, what songs do I absolutely NEED to know? What is typically played at a jam? Please list some ideas.

Thanks in advance!

crazylotrfan

[bienkow1]

There are tons of songs in the bluegrass genre that are considered "standards,"and are known by many. I would buy a beginner's mandolin book with 10 or so fiddle tunes in it and start there.

Generally, Cripple Creek is one the first tunes a banjo player will learn. Some other real common tunes (in my eyes) Red Haired Boy, Fire on the Mountain, Old Joe clark, Whiskey before Breakfast, Salt, Creek, Blueberry blossom, etc.

[Chris Travers]

Thanks, I know some of those songs already. Red Haired Boy is one of my favorites. I have bought a book or two as well, and when I say beginner, I mean I've only had lessons for 2 months. I've had my mando for 2 years now. Thanks for the suggestions! Keep 'em coming!

crazylotrfan

[medley]

Bile that Cabbage Down, John Henry, Banjo in the Hollow, Jed Clampett, Duelling Banjos, Tom Dooley, Eighth of January

Dr. Banjo has a website that has a heavily populated list, also so great jamming materials.

[woodwizard]

Bill Cheatum, Grey Eagle, Lost Indian/Cherokee Shuffle, ... this could work into a very long list http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[gnelson651]

It varies from region to region and bluegrass association to bluegrass association. Around here, few fiddle tunes are played except maybe "Old Joe Clark" and "Cripple Creek." I belong to a fiddle association so we play nothing but fiddle tunes. But the BGers around here don't get along with the Fiddlers so few fiddle tunes are played or liked. I've been to AZ jams and they will play fiddle tunes but seldom play most of the same BG standards as the Vegas group.

Songs around here are "Banks of the Ohio", "Will the Circle be Unbroken", "Dim Light, Thick Smoke", "Katy Daley", "Rocky Road Blues", "Handsome Molly", "My Walking Shoes Don't Fit Me Anymore"...the list is long.

A good idea would be to go to a local jam and take notes on what songs are played and in what key. If you ask #and the jammers are in agreement, you can record them jamming.

What is best to know are chord changes and playing by ear. Typically the BG standard for chording is the I, IV and V of a key (i.e in G that would be G, C, & D). Learning to play pentatonic scales, double stops and out of the closed chord combined with ear training will allow you to improvise a break. #Listen to CDs that have the most popular songs in your area and learn from them. We have a local BG band that has a CD I use to learn what is usually played at our local jams. It has been a great help.

Good Luck

[Chris Travers]

Thanks y'all! I know at least one song from every list so far, but please keep submitting ideas.

crazylotrfan

[Tim2723]

Hi Crazy!

Asking for a list of tunes will net you enough music that you'll be practicing for the rest of your days instead of joining the fun! More important is to listen to some of the expert jammers to get a good idea of what to expect at a jam and, even more important, how to participate in a jam. Get your feet wet by going to jams, but don't be too quick to join in on every tune. Listen, listen, listen.

[Chris Travers]

Thanks for the advice Destroyer of Mandolins. Wow!!! That's an intimidating name! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

crazylotrfan (lotr means lord of the rings)

And there is no way I am going to lend you my mandolin! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[birdman98]

Steve Kaufman has some great learning tools on the market, through Homespun Tapes I believe. I am living in rural Japan for two years, so I am on my own in terms of pickin'.

I grabbed his 4-hour bluegrass workout before I left, and it has been a great help. Lots of "the standards", many of which have been listed on the above posts. He plays em through and then gives rythym tracks for you to practice over. You can stick with the tabbed-out versions or use the chord progressions to practice your improvisation/variations.

I've had some fun with it and it's been a good way to learn some of the jam standards.

[Denny Gies]

If you sing and play, learn any of the Flatt and Scruggs or Stanley Brothers stuff; it always is accepted at jams. If you just play, learn some simple stuff in the key of A like Old Joe Clark, Bill Cheatham or in the key of D like Ragtime Annie, Soldier's Joy or Liberty.

[gnelson651]

If you feel a bit imtimidated by jamming with live people, look at Peter Wernick's "Bluegrass Jamming" (http://www.amazon.com/Bluegrass-Jamming-Nick-Forster/dp/B00007EMTA/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1203390295&sr=8-1) DVD series. He has three out, "Slow Jamming", "Bluegrass Jamming" and "Intermediate Bluegrass Jamming" DVD's. These DVDs pretty much use the standard BG tunes found in most jam sessions.

Dr. Banjo (Wernick) gives pointers throughout the video on jam etiquette (http://www.s-w-b-a.com/pickerscorner_docs/etiquette.htm) and included is a songbook with chords and lyrics to the songs they sang (there are a few instrumentals,too). The band will kick off and play through the song once, then the guitar player will play the melody, next its your turn for a break while the band plays rythmn and backup. It's all playing by ear, there is no notation or tab.

Its not the exact same as a live jam session but it will give you an opportunity to try your hand at breaks before doing "live".

[Chris Travers]

I have the Matt Flinner "All Star Bluegrass Jam Along" book and it's helped a lot. I also have a Steve Kaufman book that's very helpful. Thanks for the other suggestions though, I'll keep them in mind next time I go shopping.

crazylotrfan

[blewgras]

Here are some great songs I learned.
\
old joe clark
sally goodem
bill cheatum
soldiers joy
8th of may
jenny lynn