Always do these things at the bluegrass jam. 

“It’s not about if I get to take a break, it’s about the song being good” Thank you for saying that! I pass up breaks for this exact reason, I would rather it sound better without me

Every bluegrass jam I’ve ever been to is exactly as described in this video. I could barely play 145 rhythm my first jam but after a couple years (and lots of practice), I’m singing and taking breaks and having so much fun.

"Everyone together!"... *Black and white... Check for injured and pray 🤣🤣🤣

I'd like to add two other suggestions. First, when the song is called, also call out the key it will be played in. Sometimes it is obvious and sometimes not. Second, go to the jam with five songs you can play. Your turn will come and you need to call a tune or pass the choice to the next person.

The fact that this video is so relevant to the reality of jams, makes me glad that folks are watching and paying attention.

Waylon, Merle and Buck songs, grassed-up, seem to go over well with MOST people, but can be a Jam-buster too!!LOL

As a sometimes bass player in jams, I always appreciate an indication of key and weird chords (not 1 4 5). Also a heads up of anything unusual like verse and chorus breaks. The bassist can really help you drive your song if he or she knows what is going on.

I love what you're saying at 10:26! 'cause it's all about serving the song! One of the things I love about bluegrass is that the roles of many instruments are sort of "set". You don't have to know the song, but if you know your instruments role, you can just follow what the leader is throwing out there. You might not be able to impress anyone with your solo (or have to wave it off), but you can still play a support role. And that's essential to serving the song.

I love this " Sound Advice" thanks Marcel!

"the important thing". Love this.

Marcel is such a kind and capable teacher. Great video!

Great way to put it Marcel, thank you! Love the way you explain things, Im subscribing to your channel right now.

This was so right on!!! Thanks.

So great! Thank you!

Guitars are just quiet and banjos are just loud... nah, man, you need to play your banjo softer during the guitar break. I can't word it like Marcel, but who can? SUBSCRIBED!

Good advice! Nice to hear someone talking about session etiquette.

We all love you Marcel. Basic as this one was, I learned a thing or two...as always. Cheers

Winner winner bluegrass dinner , Good stuff Marcel . Merry Christmas ,

Thank you for this info! I've been jamming for several years. Recently, someone told that my dobro breaks need to be louder! (Now I know it's not me ! LOL) Also, when our songs are coming to an end, the " leader" will lift a foot to signal everyone.

Don’t noodle around between songs.

Unreal pick'n in this video. Phenomenal!

I've been invited to a bluegrass jam and this video makes me a lot more comfortable going in.

This is an excellent video for those of us entering the world of jamming! You really nailed it and love your sense of humor! Thank you!!

Everything you said is so true.....

Very helpful post, Marcel ! While most of your points seem sort of obvious *while sitting at a computer with no instrument in hand, no pressure*, they aren't necessarily so obvious if you're an inexperienced jam participant trying to figure these points out on the fly without such a well-organized, well-presented advance tutorial as you've presented here.

Great video. I've learned all this by experience in jams but if I had seen this video years ago, it would have made everything easier. Thanks for sharing!

Cool video! I've never been to a jam but I hope to start going to them someday.

Good video for beginning and some long time jammers. Great advice from a guy that I think would be good to jam with.

Very good video on jam etiquette I know experienced jammers that still haven’t learned some of these

Mr Marcel, you crack me up! I would be beside myself if one day I have the great fortune of runnin into you somewhere, and some good ol pickin happens. TY for all your help/instruction--keep it up--godspeed to u and urs. peace.

excellent points. subscribed

Good suggestions! I've been to a few jams just to hang out and listen. Definitely haven't built up the courage to go play yet.

The quiet support role is a big deal. Rule #1. I preach that all the time.... Thank you for highlighting this!!🙂

Thanks!

well put

Hey Marcel, You are awesome. Thanks so much for putting this info out. Everything a newbie needs to know to join a jam. Can I add one more about calling songs. This is what I call the Bluegrass Proxy that is where if it were my turn but I don't have a song to sing I call a Bluegrass Proxy and ask a friend to sing a song that I like to play or sing with. Rockon

My first jam was north Carolina mountain dance clogging in Ashville 1964 Bascom Lamar's doins. Everyone went to the outside mall parking lot there were groups everywhere. You walked up to the group on the edge and tuned quietly your guitar then joined. My next time was at Bill Monroe s in bean blossom ind. .

Very good video Marcel. I remember Steve Kaufman (SK) handing out “The Ten Jamandments” at his weekend workshops to help us understand jam etiquette. Always fun to show it to jammers.

I think you missed telling people that when someone is singing or taking a break, everyone else plays backup, and not another lead or melody.

Thanks

Great video Marcel! Thank you for doing this. Really helpful, gonna share it with my students and guitar camp participants

Marcel, I am so glad I saw this video! So much I learned. I need more advice on similar topics lol!!!Cause a 15 y/o needs to know how to "be cool"😂. Mason Crone said that you checked his channel out. He knows how to play doesn't he!

Great tips, Marcel! Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to attend a jam 😁

He covers lots of great things, but MY biggest issue is RHTHM! It's easy for someone taking an instrumental lead to speed up, or break the rhythm and EVERYONE must quickly adjust. Sometimes, it's hard to regroup. If you do leads and notice folks loosing the beat, look at your own timing. I'm more of a singer than guitar player, so I try to help folks by bringing a lyric/chord sheet for most of the folks. Some are better at playing along, others like having the chords. EVERYONE likes keeping the page if they like the song, so it's like a gift. Keep jamming!!

lmao at 8:30...this is great man...cheers

Good information. Gotta love a good bluegrass jam! one note on this video presentation though- I am distracted by background music being too loud in the mix. And do I hear some sort of talking in there too? Us musician friends that are listening have sensitive ears and we want to be able to clearly hear your message ;)

After watching many, many jams mostly my favorite is in Florida. They jam in a parking lot. Anyway I noticed how they pick the breaks by nodding once while looking at another player. Most of the players are watching the singer, or whoever picked the song. They don't usually show them picking the one who is "boss", but you can easily tell once they start. Sometimes they will call out the name of who gets the break. Anyhow, I love bluegrass and listen everyday. Thanks for your info. God Bless. Oh by the way, my son got me a laptop in 2019 so I'm pretty new at this.

Let's play wagon wheel! Do you guys do any Grateful Dead?

Do you have a good list of tunes jams like to do ? (Some that have vocals and some really popular fiddle tunes that are done a lot…)??? Sort of like a good starting repertoire

So this may be a silly question, but how do you find bluegrass jams? I did a google search with no luck in Fort Worth, TX. Great video - I wondered how it worked.

What two songs can learn real quick To say take a seat in one

Why so giggly🌿💨

One thing I minorly disagree with in this video: "if you don't know a song, say so." If you're a beginner and you don't know a song, that's fine, it's to be expected. I don't think there's a need to even bring it up, unless someone is asking directly "do you know...?" I think being able to play along when you ~don't~ know the song is indispensable. If you're going to practice something to improve jam skills as a novice, practice listening to songs you don't know and finding the chords they're playing (and practice active listening in general). 90% of bluegrass isn't too complicated to pick up on the fly (and the 10% which is too twisty probably shouldn't be called at a jam anyway). Being able to understand the song and melody structure and anticipate chord changes is one of the fundamental skills of jamming, bluegrass or otherwise. When in doubt, sit across from a good guitar player so you can watch his or her fingers (being able to recognize guitar chords visually is another essential jam skill). That said, I liked the video, and I hope every beginning jammer from now on stops by here to watch it. I'm know I'm going to recommend it at the jam we host.

Bring a capo! Be cool to just learn the vibe the first time you meet a group. When you are lost, just drop out until you are with it again.

Bluegrass needs more kit kat jokes

I know several people just you're the samimpersonality. Awesome, and you make a lot of sense with the common nature. Infectious laugh sort of dignity dig into flannel. Nice jois chops chop

Here’s a great trick I use when the jam is huge and it’s hard to hear. Tune your instrument a half step sharp. You can definitely hear yourself then. It tends to slim down the circle as well. Just kidding. I don’t do that but I’ve thought about it.

In my beginning jam class/community, we used the term “all skate” to cue everyone to play together (remember going to the roller rink in middle school and they’d call out “all skate” to mean everyone could go back out to the rink?)... then I went off to my first jam outside class and confidently called out “ALL SKATE!” at the end of my song and we all immediately crashed and burned in confusion. Lesson learned, other jammers don’t say “all skate” and would rather not “all play” anyway. Noted!

Do you have any videos on how I should improve my bluegrass rhythm? I really feel like my strumming is quite weak, and I like the way you explain things. For example, building speed, hand positioning, how I should approach it in terms of holding the pick and so on. It's hard for me to see the intricacies when it's at full speed.

Hi Marcel, could you do a lesson on one(or both) of Mike Daves guitar breaks in 'My little girl from Tennessee' (Thiles and Daves, black and white video). Many thanks

Another quick point that may be good for people to understand is the concept of a ‘closed’ jam vs an ‘open’ jam. A closed jam is where a regular group of musicians play at a venue on a regular basis. Those jams do tend to get more creative because the people involved will often plan ahead and sometimes incorporate tunes and songs they they agree on beforehand. Those jams are not ‘open’ to everyone though (thus the ‘open’ jam) so it’s best to try to find out in advance what type of jam you will be going along to. As a side note, I was once at a Scottish jam and a guy who just happened to be there, walked over to the piano and as soon as the reels ended, he started loudly playing honky tonk music and called for all the fiddle players to join in 🥴 So yeah, also be aware of the genre of music too I guess 🤷🏼‍♂️

I'm wanting to go to a local jam. I would like some help from you or others out there with a maybe not list but some tunes I need in my arsenal. I heard you say My little Georgia Rose. I would like to be at least be familiar with the songs being called. There are so many traditional songs out there. Thanks and happy holidays.

I was playing at a jam once with Billy Strings and Little Country DJ who was an interesting little woman ran up and snatched the banjo out of Billy's hands and started making weird sounds. The look on Billy's face was priceless because being such a truly nice guy, he saw the humor in it.

Great advice Marcel great thank you for this sorry I haven't been able to be with you live My granddaughter I'm taking care of right now are actually will be taking care of the rest of my life but I miss you guys I love you guys say hello to jam bone gym and always Tony Rice with a hangover and the rest of my buddies everybody I appreciate you all miss all of you and hopefully I'll be there very soon

Do you have tips on reasonable keys to select to lead a song? There is a dude in the circle that sings an octave low or uses a low key with no energy... I get that the singer chooses....but how to advice?

Great video. I'd start with an obvious suggestion, Go to a jam and listen and observe first. And not all jams are created equal. Some can be super laid back, and others are really clique-ish and competitive. You'll learn as about human nature as you will music LOL.

Great list, lemme add a couple some noob musicians neglect, (and one disagreement); #1. Learn a sense of timing. Learn to swing to a metronome. Number one thing you need. I'd rather hear a wrong note on the beat, than the right ones, played late. #2. Play with others. Seriously, as often as possible. Find someone local. Only playing solo HURTS you. So many things to learn from a counterpoint, I can't even begin. #3. You already said it, kinda; but know how to tune! Not just following your tuner, but to another group of instruments, quickly, by hear, with background noise. This is a required skill for playing with others, particularly with folk, country, and bluegrass. They may have tuned up at one point, and have been playing, and adjusting all day and are all flat. All that matters are that you are tuned together. #4. If new, Stand back and learn the chords, focus on the rhythm instead of immediately imposing your own. Each group has, or quickly evolves their own rules and style. #5. Don't try to be invisible to avoid breaks. Not communicating hurts everyone. Even if you don't wanna ever talk, your face tells your fellow musician so much. Even if you are too passive, some people may still not expect you to miss the break. Either take a simple break, just playing the chords, and bang a rhythm you like, or just, don't break and after a measure everyone will be over it. They will likely seek some affirmation before throwin a break your way next time. #6. Read #1 again. It's THAT IMPORTANT. Just my 2c. I'm nobody special.

have you got a list of the best songs to learn first?

So we'll said. Every one, even super pickers, need to review this.

I was just about to say, Eve6, anyone? 😂

"Keep your instrument in tune" seems to contraindicate bringing my mandolin

Always do these things at a bluegrass jam. Put on your ball cap, turn it around to look like a fool.. Got it.

Keep the circle loose & open so newcomers feel welcome. There's nothing like walking up to a circle of pickers who act exclusive.

Very good video. But how do you just get into a jam that's going... especially if their all strangers. I've found that in large jams, you might notice, actually, two circles... the actual jam, then another circle around it, with people playing a bit more quietly, someone will probably invite you in, but be ready, the new guy usually picks the next song. Another way is to politely ask one of the jammers, "hey, can I get in on this?" Most of the time, they'll open the circle to make room, but be ready, they'll ask you for the next song.

My advice is record yourself & play it back see what it sounds like maybe you play better than you think, gain a little more confidence, you can do it.

Nice video! First time I’ve seen you. I think this video should be mandatory for bluegrassers. Most jams I’ve been to have had a least one person who was a “buzz kill” because they didn’t have common sense approaches, or followed the suggestions you just presented. For fun, let me add a few I’ve actually witnessed! Don’t switch to a new instrument, and on your first day playing it come to a jam! Don’t be a regular at the jam, but refuse to ever call a song, just because you don’t take leads! Don’t come to the jam to primarily talk to people - come to play music. Of course you talk to people, but know when to shut up, you get to play more that way. Don’t bring a train whistle and think it’s an acceptable bluegrass instrument! Please don’t dress like an old-fashioned railroad train conductor! As Marcel noted, please develop a reasonable boom-chuck strum ability and be able to do that in rhythm with most open chords BEFORE you attend a jam - and don’t let others convince you to come prior to putting in some basic work - there are slow jams, and then there are “torture” jams. A jam should not be “music kindergarten”. As Marcel has pointed out…there are things “to do” and “things not to do” …. Try to figure out those things..the whole thing is SO MUCH better if YOU do!

It sounds like someone is talking in the background. I don’t mind instrumentals behind the voice - very nice touch! Especially a slower jazzy jam, but the voices keep distracting me. I have stopped the video several times to see if there is another video playing concurrently or if it is something else in my house.

"Don't do anything weird."

the first thing you want to do is get in tune lol

What if I need to use the john? The closest bluegrass jam is 50 miles away from me.

Hey where's someone say'n -after 3 to 4 songs in key of G...change it! Also know where that Hillbilly crutch, i.e. capo, placement is (could be different fret for Guitar & Banjo), Oh the Bane of every noobie Mandy & fiddle player, have the ear or know Mr.Bassman's positions from afar.

Aren't you worried about giving away the cabal secrets

Rule 1) Mash the one

Hi from Liverpool UK ,love, love your stuff, even though I`m a banjo player, but hate that distracting background music--just completely unnecessary when trying to learn stuff (it`s not just you that does it). Regards, BOB.

Way to many people don't understand to play more quiet it is frustrating

I'm Mexican so I usually get kicked out of bluegrass jams. IDK. One of these days they'll accept me.

Shut up during guitar leads

Is it bad that I’m super antisocial but I wanna learn bluegrass?

Please don't suggest ten songs in G. If you can sing harmony, Please don't duet with someone unless invited. Topical songs have a short shelf life as do murder ballads. Don't take a solo on every song, let others shine and they will return the favor. Keep it fun.

Unfortunately most bluegrass jams I've participated were very uncomfortable. Mainly fueled by egos and what I call the bluegrass attitude to the point of feeling unwelcome if you're not within the niche. I've been playing guitar for over 50 years and bluegrass jams are by far the most uncomfortable

Ive been to jams where people are absolute assholes who have no patience at all

Dont do anything weird? copy everyone else? yeah no