The Art of Jamming - for the new or experienced picker

Are you tired of not getting asked to jam? 

Do you want to play in a bluegrass band but aren't getting picked up? 

Even though you may be a good player and even have a knack for picking tunes up, there may be a few things you have overlooked that could solve all your problems!

Sorry, couldn't help it. ;)

Hi there! It's me again! 

Today I felt like bringing up a topic which tends to get overlooked or forgotten by many a musician. 

Back-up is the name of the game! 

And I'm not just talking about mandolin and guitar players. Though back-up can be a bit different on each instrument, they all play it (yes, even the fiddles). ;)  

The name 'back-up' sounds just like what it is. You are not playing the melody but instead are being a support to it. 

Musicians who play back-up at any given moment should act as a compliment to, not a distraction from the song or breaks (solos) within it.  

I could just get into the intricacies of bluegrass band arrangements and how to use a good sense for back-up as a tool of total awesomeness but I think that it is more important to talk about the Jam.

I say 'more important' because the jam is pretty much the sunday school and missionary field of great bluegrass picking and bowing. (I know, weird analogies but go with me on this.) ;)

The Jam. 

It's a place of learning, leading, following, and observing. It's a place to be creative and take risks but most of all it's a great place to listen.

   

If you want to be a good, and especially a great picker you not only need to learn to play but also how to listen, and I don't mean just listening to yourself.

The best bands out there know this and are tuned into the sound of the band as a whole. They understand each instrument's unique voicing and know how to best compliment and play off each other. It's a constant game of balance, juggle, and lock-in throughout a single tune. You could say that it is this ever changing and adapting of the musicians and their instruments that give a song it's breath or life pulse. And you can only do that with good listening ears.

Now, you could say there are these unwritten rules for jamming, and though these may be more heavily suggested at one jam then another it is always safe to go by it. ;)

Note: This can also be a good review for the non-beginner, as well! 

May I present...

The Patterson rules of the jam! 

(Well, they're more like guide lines..) ;)

1. Typically, whomever picks the song is in charge of starting, giving direction when needed, and ending it the song.  

(To signal a tune's end just simply lift a foot for everyone to see...or bust a jig! Your choice.)

2. Typically, a whole melody is played through once by the person kicking it off and then is passed down one person at a time around the circle, clock-wise or counter, what ever you like. If your turn is coming up and you don't want to take a break just signal to the person in line after you. They will either take it or pass as well and it will just keep moving down the line.

3. Everyone will have a chance to choose a song as it moves down the line so don't worry, you'll be up soon. And again if you don't have a tune you want to play just pass. 

4. One should pick a tune to play that most the people in the group know. If you pick a song that may be a little too obscure it may end up being a 'Jam Buster'. (Meaning, you might be the only one who knows the song well enough to play it or for it to be fun. No one wants a jam buster.) ;)

5. Always, when one person is taking a break everyone else playing back-up should adjust their volume to accommodate the instrument taking the break. For example, the banjo and fiddle are typically louder when taking a break than the mandolin or guitar are, therefore the back-up should adjust to this change in volume.

And here lie possibly the two most common and aggravating 'Jam Busters'. The 'I-would-love-to-hear-your-break-but-I-enjoy-the-sound-of-my-own-chords/back-up-far-too-much-to-tune-it-down-a-little' syndrome which can then be followed by the 'No-one-can-really-hear-this-guy's-break-so-I'll-just-play-the-melody-with-him' counter by another. These are two risky moves that may luckily result only in a death glare. ;) 

And us mandolinists are not always completely innocent, mind you. Mandolinist love their 'chop' chords and think it sounds cool to play the melody on top of the fiddle sometimes. ;) 

There you have the basics for making a good jam and being a great band mate. Hope this helps! 

And if the jams you go to tend to sound more like this...

...then it might be a good time to share some of these tips with your friends. :)

Happy Jammin'! 

-E :)