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How The Beginner Jam Works: Song and Key Selection For the first phase of the new beginner jam, we shall, for the first half of the night, play only songs on the 'Main List' and only in the keys specified for each song on that list (see the attachments). In this phase of the new beginner jam, I'll lead the singing on all songs called during the first half of the evening. For the second half of the night, people are welcome to call and lead the singing on any beginner-friendly bluegrass or quasi-bluegrass songs that they would like to play at the jam, and with most of the key restrictions removed, including for songs that are on the main list. For the person leading the singing on a song ought to choose a key for that song that suits his or her voice for bluegrass-style singing. 
The Beginner Jam Handouts To help give a clearer idea of what kinds of songs will tend to work well at the beginner jam in its initial phase, I have attached here, in addition to the Main List, another list of songs titled 'Additional Songs'. On this list, there are a number of songs that are more associated with genres of music other than bluegrass, but which lend themselves well to being played as bluegrass songs, and most of these are well-known both inside and outside of bluegrass circles. I have also included some songs on the additional songs list that are virtually unknown outside bluegrass circles for those who might prefer to take the approach of finding specifically bluegrass songs appropriate to introduce into the new beginner jam rather than songs already familiar from other genres. But most of the songs on the list fall somewhere between these two ends of the spectrum. Also included in the attachments are two other handouts for the new beginner jam: a chart of 'Basic Chord Progressions' that the song lists are keyed to, and a handout titled 'Nashville Number System Charts' in which the number names of the chords are translated into letter names for each of the keys that songs will be played in at the jam. There is an additional attachment which consists of an explanation of the handouts.
3 Comments
Nick Richter
12/16/2021 05:57:47 pm
I briefly jammed 12-14-21 with my harmonica at the Powderhaus in Boise. I came in late, and *apologize* for that, unfortunately I had to leave early as well. I would like to bring my mandolin next time and learn to jam with it. Is there a jam Christmas week?? Please let me know what the schedule is. Thank you..... Nick R
Ron Anderson
5/4/2022 09:51:12 am
Do you allow electric bass or is it strictly acoustic??
Sam
2/11/2024 06:34:01 am
Jason, Leave a Reply. |
Jason's Beginner
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