Beginner pickers/slow-jams in northern NJ?

[alanz]

I'm getting to the point where playing (and I use the term in the kindest sense) with others is probably a good idea.

I'm in northern NJ and I'm looking for either some slow jams or other beginner players who want to embarass themselves along with me.

Does anyone know of such gatherings, public or private?

Thanks!

[EdHanrahan]

Alan -

Hey, it was your question that prodded me to finally register as a user here!

Several topics below yours, there's one about jams on Long Island. The dozen or so responses contain lots of info that applies to NJ plus other areas as well, such as the FolkJam site. Do check that out, but I will add:

Menzel Violins (a/k/a MoFiddles) at Livingston Town Center often has a slow jam for beginners, and us new to bluegrass, on the third Thursday of the month. An easy intro to group jamming. They also have (usually) professionally-hosted fast jams on the first Thursday of the month (all free, w/ donation basket), plus other one-off events. But even the fast jams are easy enough to chord along with most of the songs. If you stop in, Mo will give you a list of the songs that are often covered, and can be found on YouTube. The only problem is getting a schedule well in advance. Mo will tell you what's in the works, but won't advertise until the plans are absolutely firm and probably coming up soon, so take notes and sign up for the e-mail list.
http://www.mofiddles.com/index.html

Some there also recommend the Stony Brook Friends of Old Time Music, at Mainon's Pub in Sommerville on the first & third Tuesdays. (A bit far for me; I work in NYC). I'm told that they're more beginner-friendly than Mo's fast jams. Their site lists chords & structure for most of the songs that they've done, plus several other jams around the state.
http://www.diamondcut.com/oldtime/index.htm

There are other jams (maybe Denville on Wednesdays?), so Google freely.

It helped me to be clued in on bluegrass etiquette, such as within the SBFOTM site, or here:
http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/bl...book/bgjam.htm

Hope this helps, and hope to see ya! - Ed

[ApK]

Hey Ed,
Was it yo that I spoke to on fiddleforum about being at the Patrick Ourceau workshop with me?
If so, we need to get together to jam!

ApK

[EdHanrahan]

Yes, we DO need to jam! THANKS!! But it wasn't the fiddle workshop... I'm the guy with the newly-minted titanium humerus, whose massive scar tissue prodded (forced!) me to retreat from guitar and get serious on mando. I joined your Jersey Jam group in October, but have been tied up with both rehab and my mom's health & house issues on L.I. Had the follow-up shoulder surgery a month ago and it's coming along well, even if I foolishly expected rehab to be easier than the first time - HA!!

Hopefully, by late Jan or Feb all will settle down and I'll get to actually meet you folks. That string of JJ36 e-mails has me drooling!

So yes: "Light the Menorah, Ring in that Christmas cheer!" Have a Happy!

- Ed

[ApK]

Oh, yeah! THAT Ed Hanrahan!

And Alan, my jam is another you might want to try. I've mentioned it to you in another thread. It might be too far south, or not mando-centric enough for your taste.

ApK

[walt33]

ApK, where is your jam?

Walt

[ApK]

ApK, where is your jam?

Walt

At the crossroads, of course...where the Parkway crosses the Turnpike, that is.

http://www.folkjam.org/group/us/new-...rds/jersey-jam

ApK

[MikeEdgerton]

It's more south central NJ but there is a slow jam at the Bluegrass and Oldtime Music Assn of NJ every third Sunday (except December). Click the link for the BOTMA website.

[alanz]

Ed,

Thanks for reminding me about Mo's schedule. My wife and I got to meet her last spring when we stopped in briefly at her place while we were shopping elsewhere in that same complex.

[alanz]

Apk,

Thanks for the offer... I might need some reallllll sllllllooooow jam stuff first <s>

[rjs]

I host a monthly Jam at my house (Exit 43 on I78) that is normally
on the 2nd Wed. of every month (Next one is Dec. 10).

It is designed to be a "Contra Dance Slow Jam" We play tunes out
of The Portland Collection. We go around the circle picking tunes and
that person kicks it off (setting the speed). Speed ranges from slow
up to dance tempo.

Another place to look is http://www.folkproject.org
They put on a concerts and dances in the Morristown/Chatham area
and have a monthly music party at members homes. The party
tends to be more singer/songwriter focussed, but everyone is
welcome to play along. Depending on who shows up, a separate
instrumental jam sometimes happens.

If you want to see mando: Peter Ostroushko will be playing at
in Morristown on Friday Jan. 16 (see website for details)

--bob

[JM1010]

I take part in a Contra Dance Slow Jam in Easton, PA, held on the 1st and 3rd Sundays from 1-3pm. Very similar to Bob's jam in NP, we use music from the Portland Collection and the Waltz Book, and we take turns picking tunes. New musicians are always welcome. Best to check before coming, however, especially in summer as the jam can become sporadic then. for more info please email rothm@lafayette.edu

There are also regular Irish jams at Manion's (Somerville), Mitchell's (Lambertville), River Blue (Frenchtown) and Porter's Pub (Easton, PA) - beginners are welcome at all of these but sheet music is typically not used.

I host a monthly Jam at my house (Exit 43 on I78) that is normally
on the 2nd Wed. of every month (Next one is Dec. 10).

It is designed to be a "Contra Dance Slow Jam" We play tunes out
of The Portland Collection. We go around the circle picking tunes and
that person kicks it off (setting the speed). Speed ranges from slow
up to dance tempo.

Another place to look is http://www.folkproject.org
They put on a concerts and dances in the Morristown/Chatham area
and have a monthly music party at members homes. The party
tends to be more singer/songwriter focussed, but everyone is
welcome to play along. Depending on who shows up, a separate
instrumental jam sometimes happens.

If you want to see mando: Peter Ostroushko will be playing at
in Morristown on Friday Jan. 16 (see website for details)

--bob

[rjs]

Since this thread is now active again, I'm going to put out a reminder that the Slow Jam in New Providence is still happening.
Details are the same as two posts up.

I am hosting a second jam this month (several people didn't come last week due to the snow) this Wednesday, Feb 14 starting just after 7PM.

Message me for details.

--bob

[JM1010]

Please note: as of September 16, the Easton, PA, Contra Dance Slow Jam time has moved: it's now held:
1st and 3rd Sundays from 7-9pm
We usually play music from the Portland Collection and the Waltz Book, and we take turns picking tunes. New musicians are always welcome. Best to check before coming, however, especially in summer, as the jam can become sporadic then. For more info please email rothm@lafayette.edu

I take part in a Contra Dance Slow Jam in Easton, PA, held on the 1st and 3rd Sundays from 1-3pm. Very similar to Bob's jam in NP, we use music from the Portland Collection and the Waltz Book, and we take turns picking tunes. New musicians are always welcome. Best to check before coming, however, especially in summer as the jam can become sporadic then. for more info please email rothm@lafayette.edu

There are also regular Irish jams at Manion's (Somerville), Mitchell's (Lambertville), River Blue (Frenchtown) and Porter's Pub (Easton, PA) - beginners are welcome at all of these but sheet music is typically not used.