Bluegrass Jam

Summary

 

• Hosted on EVERY Tuesday of every month

  • (except the random 5th Tuesday which is Open Mic Night)

• 3 different Bluegrass circles

  • Beginner (uses JAM Songbook, see below)​

  • Intermediate (uses RMJ Bluegrass Songbook)

  • Open (uses RMJ Bluegrass Songbook​)

• Acoustic instruments only with the exception of electric bass. 

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Beginner Bluegrass Jam / Slow Jam

• Mostly in Key of G but some A, C & D

• Wernick Method JAM Songbook

  • Available for $12 at Jam​

  • PDF for sale at JAM Songbook at DrBanjo.com

  • JAM Songbook Playlist

    • Spotify

    • YouTube

• If you use StrumMachine, we created a playlist you can practice with​​

• If new to group playing, review Etiquette Rules of the Road

• We play 3 instrumental/fiddle tunes every time we meet. So look through the following.

  • Angeline the Baker - Key of D

    • Guitar (No Capo)

    • Banjo (Capo 2 for D)

    • Mandolin 

  • ​Cripple Creek - Key of A

    • ​​Guitar (Capo 2 for A)

    • Banjo (Capo 2 for A: Last 4 videos of the playlist)

    • Mandolin

  • Amazing Grace - G​

    • Guitar

    • Banjo

    • Mandolin

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Intermediate Bluegrass Jam​​​

• Uses our RMJ Bluegrass Songbook

• Feel free to use your JAM Song book

• Familiar with Bluegrass Jams

• Try to bring at least 1 song to lead​

  • It can be super easy!

• Comfortable changing keys​

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Open Bluegrass Jam

• Standard/Traditional Bluegrass Jam. 

• Open to All Levels! 

• Bring a song or three.

• If you are familiar with with Bluegrass Jams this is your place. 

• Most bluegrass jams don't use song books with the exception of the singer for lyrics.  We are not that strict. We encourage you to use your ears, but feel free to use our RMJ Bluegrass Songbook if you are more comfortable.

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Spotify Playlist

Through the suggestions of our members, we have amassed a very nice Spotify Playlist. If you are new to Bluegrass take a listen:

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Roswell Music Jam - Bluegrass Spotify Playlist​

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PICKING AFTER DARK​

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We have two informal groups that sometimes meet immediately after the Bluegrass Jams end (at 9pm) for about 30-40 minutes. One focused on Swing / Jazz and one focused on Fiddle Tunes.  List of songs is below.  If you are unfamiliar with these styles, this is a great way to learn something new. 

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Fiddle Tunes Group

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This group is working together to learn some Fiddle Tunes. They meet in the back room from from 9-9:45.  HUGE thank you to Nate for offering to start and lead this group! 

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All tabs can be found here. 

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If just starting out, focus on Red Haired Boy and Salt Creek.  Start VERY VERY VERY SLOW.  Accuracy and Tone is WAY more important than speed.  You must play slow first before you play fast. We have a PDF you can print to help you track your tempo improvements. 30 min each day makes a huge difference. 

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Finally, take a look at Strum Machine. Nate has put together a playlist in Strum Machine of the songs we are working on. You can add the list to your Strum Machine library, and as he adds more tunes, your list will update as well! It does have a monthly cost, but well worth! 

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Swing/Jazz/Gypsy Group

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This group is learning some Swing/Jazz/Gypsy songs.  They meet next to the piano (of course :D) from 9-9:45. Huge thank you to Eyal, Katie and Jasen for forming this group. 

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Swing/Jazz/Gypsy Song Book

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We are using PDF that was first published on MandolinCafe.com by the incredible Don Julin.  I modified it slightly by adding SummerTime​ in a few different keys. 

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For those joining focus on:

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• Summertime in Am

• Minor Swing in Am

• Dark Eyes in Dm

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