Mark, I must say that singing has become my favorite part of the jams. Lead, and harmony singing is a big part of bluegrass, and being willing to sing adds value to the jam. Play back up, sing, know some songs to lead when it's your turn, take a break, (solo), and know some fiddle tunes. Lots of other things will insert themselves along the way; kick offs, tags, fills, harmonies...but the fun just keeps comin'! Mike can help with all this stuff, a little at a time. Hope to meet you guys soon. Jim
You have such a growth mindset that will serve you well. I went to my first jam w/ other folks about 3 months ago and it has skyrocketed my playing ability. Like you it was nerve wracking and I came back with a laundry list of technique to work on. Good job!
It's awesome that you went! I've only into this about 3 months, It was suggested to me to go to a Banjo camp. it seems scary but i signed up for the Suwannee banjo camp in March! I'm scared! ;) Backup; try Eli's 30 days of banjo day 21 simple backup
Failing is part of the process. I’ve been playing the mandolin for four months and I’ve attended two or three jams and they started horribly, but continue to get Better keep it up!!
A super valuable thing for jams like this is to be able to watch the guitar player for changes. If you can look at the guitar players left hand and recognize what chord hes playing, you can pick up changes to songs you dont know pretty fast
Thankfully, there's another banjo player. I sat right across from him. Funny thing is I am not used to looking at chord positions from that angle, so I find myself not recognizing the chord shapes readily and by the time I figure it out we are on to the next chord.
@garykaufman8128 super fair, but so, so many classic bluegrass songs are three chords. So if you just learn what G, C and D look like on guitar, and just capo wherever the guitarist capoes, if they're playing out of G shapes, it'd be a huge advantage for a whole lot of songs and isn't particularly difficult. I think it's more than worth the effort
@@2000HoursofBanjo totally. Another issue is that the banjo player may be doing crazy up the neck backup where the chords arent super clear, and playing inversions you're not familiar with. But the guitarist will generally be playing easily recognizable shapes consistently unless they're playing a break
@@jacobalexander7192 One day I will be that banjo player playing crazy up the neck stuff. And you are right. Last night at my second jam there was another banjo player. I couldn't follow what he was doing, but the banjo player that was doing simple vamping was easy (well, relatively easier) to follow.
I’m a new mandolinist (playing about a month), and I went to my first jam this weekend. The jam I did was a Wernick Method class, and I couldn’t recommend it enough. I have a classical background and am very confident reading music off a page, so improvisation is really new to me/uncomfortable. The teacher forced (in a good way) us to be all off book, and I think it was a great exercise. They went through all the terminology that you mentioned (which was very alien to me, as well), and gave us some simple strategies for improvising solos (holding chord shapes and just picking out chord tones, walking up and down the scales, etc.) They also forced us to sing which was a big fear of mine going into it, even moreso when I saw we were going to be jamming on stage at a brewery downtown that was pretty packed. Definitely see if you have Wernick classes in your area, though. They’re great resources for beginners, and even though I made a lot of mistakes and was painfully uncomfortable in the beginning, I was able to make some pretty good music.
Agree. I have attended 3 WM classes, with a fourth coming up in 2 months. I couldn't imagine going to a jam without knowing the stuff from I learned in class. I now attend jams regularly. So much fun, I can barely stand it.
I started going to jams when I had been playing for only about 6 months, I was in a very similar boat as you were. I knew nothing except the alternating roll, slides and the lead to cripple creek haha. I have now been going every week for a year and a half now and have seen insane improvement. Keep going it will greatly accelerate your learning! I improvised my first solo on a fiddle tune in a jam today when we played Cherokee Shuffle. This is something I never thought I could do. Practice with the strum machine app if you can, its worth the subscription. It has a backing track to play along with for basically every bluegrass song.
hey! so firstly you absolute contributed by just being there, people attending regardless of skill preserves the community. second, if i could suggest, every time you go to a new jam session for the first time as a beginner/intermediate, start with a low effort rhythm instrument like shakers or something similar. it gets you in the zone rhythmically, it gets you involved, and it makes you have fun. from there, bring the instrument you want to play on in. and again, have fun!
Playing with good musicians can be very intimidating, but it is the fastest way to improve! Next time, ask someone about terminology you dont understand during the jam. Great for bonding with the other musicians, and everyone loves sharing knowledge! What you said about coordination when playing and singing at the same time was very relatable. I play pedal steel, so singing and playing in tune at the same time is rough. Was fun hearing your story. We definitely need an update after your second jam session.
Hahaha, man, I had a very similar experience in my first jam. I used to play the Baritone and trumpet back in middle/high school well over a decade ago and was in a metal band in high school, but that doesn't compare to how it feels being in a jam. The nerves that I felt when it was my turn to pick a song to play and to sing was intense and made the songs that I practiced and sang by myself sound not as good as it normally was. I learned so much in that session and it definitely humbled me as an aspiring musician. I have so much respect for the people who are able to play breaks in those jams. It was demoralizing yet inspiring. I've yet to return to the jam, but I will be back when I feel like I am ready. I feel like having at least a couple songs with breaks down is my goal. I'm glad you came back from this jam with motivation to keep practicing. A compliment with staying on time is a great one. When someone is playing nervously, rushing is almost inevitable. Keep it up! I look forward to keep up with your banjo journey! You just earned a sub.
@@bungh0LeO It’s nice to know I’m not the only one whose been tossed into the deep end and promptly sank. Lol. Thanks for subscribing. I wonder how many at he jam session will be surprised that I show up tomorrow after last week’s pitiful performance ;)
Amazing! Very brave of you, thanks for sharing your experience. I try to convince some colleagues of mine to try and jam together, but they are much better musicians than I am, and it's terrifying.
@@Archie3D “Terrifying” is a good word. I’m trying to consider it a “right of passage”. My instructor calls it a “new chapter” in my journey. Regardless of what you call it, it sure is scary.
Hey man! Don't let it get you down. The first jam session always sucks! 😂 There's a great book by Janet Davis called "backup banjo" which might help. It has everything you need to know about backup in it. Rolling over chords and vamping are the two skills you'll need to master first. Good luck!
You're doing great and are on the right track. Keep going to the jam sessions and be willing to make mistakes. However, instead of worrying about that giant list of things to work on, just pick one thing to work on at a time. Also, you could put a mute on your banjo at the jam so you can play softly and not worry about messing up the beat.
Definitely keep going once you have some basic back up playing skills. You start learning the common patters - it sounds like your playing bluegrass based on the other instruments at your jam and there are along to common patters your start hearing. Also work on learning breaks over vocal tunes - they tend to have simpler melodies and it can be a helpful way to start learning how to improvise stuff
Hahaha, jeez! I was playing banjo for just a couple of months when I ventured into my first jam session. How conceited of me! I was ao embarassed and got so depressed afterwards, I didn't touch my banjo for four days. Just left it in the case. 😅 Yeah, I guess it's a hard lesson everybody has to go through. Anyway, I haven't gone to a another jam in months. It might be time again for another wake up call. But the good thing about jam sessions is that you can just sit there pinching chords and learning how to play on time with others. Nothing goes wasted. Best of luck for your second time! BTW, just rolling chords and smiling is a very legitimate way of taking part in a jam. 😅
You know, I called ahead to ask if it was okay that I’m a beginner. The guy I talked to assured me the jam was beginner friendly. I think there’s a big difference in how we define the word “beginner”. Lol.
I can only imagine what it would be like to go to one of those. I haven't done it and would it would be nice to find a buddy first to jam with (i have never played with anyone, just along to recordings.) I don't anyone who is "into" it. I am alone in my little bluegrass world of make believe. If I did go to one, I would have to drive farther than I care to. I bought a book a few years ago named Bluegrass Fakebook (Ben Casey) that has all the chords, melody, and lyrics to a ton of songs. I would definitely want that near me if I would attend one of those. There are a bunch of books like that I have seen that you could keep handy and put on your music stand as a cheat sheet.
I hope this doesn't come off badly, but are you listening to enough of this music that you want to play? You need to listen, listen, listen. I'm not saying that will teach you how to play, but it will teach you something like, "what I am trying to do is supposed to sound like this ... what I am doing does not sound like that. What can I do to make it sound like it's supposed to? "
@@tomokra You are absolutely right. The first thing I did after the jam was buy the songs on iTunes and started listening to the songs on my commute to work.
I just started playing banjo. I have troubles at times with picking the wrong string with the picks or me picking string where it screeches. Is this normal until I get more practice? I’m keeping up with my hours. I have 4.75 hours so far. Lol
Congratulations on picking up the banjo! Picking the wrong strings happened to me all the time (it still happens, but less frequently). I will also catch a pick on a string occasionally. What helped me was slowing way down to the point where you don’t pick the wrong string. At the beginning you really can’t practice slow enough. I heard someone once say that if you are practicing fast enough to recognize the song, you are practicing too fast. As far as screeching the strings, it may mean you are picking at too much of an angle. Your picks should be hitting the strings head on, not at a slant. So you may need to adjust your hand position or the angle that you hold the banjo
@ I will try that out. I’m taken the course from banjo Ben. When I bought my banjo the package came with 3 month free with the gold pick course. First lesson is the forward roll starting with index finger;middle finger, and thumb. It’s part of the boil dem cabbage down. It’s pretty fun. Trying to debate rather or not take am in person lesson here where I live. It’s 30 minutes lesson each week. $140/month. Hard to decide. Think what I would like with in person lesson is the teacher can see my posture and can see me play and help me with how I’m picking and etc. Been enjoying your videos. Lets me know what to expect as a beginner.
@ I recommend an in person instructor for the exact reasons you pointed out. You don’t want to develop bad habits that you will have to try to break years down the road.
Enjoy your videos, I feel your pain! I’m also not a musician. Can’t hear chord changes. Have learned some guitar positions to be able to follow while doing rolls or vamping. Also had carpole surgery so didn’t play for a very long time. I’ve just about forgotten all the tunes I once knew. But on the brighter side one will come out of the cob webs now and then. Pick picking! Group playing will come with time as you know your songs better. I like to play, I do not expect to ever be really a musician. Just enjoy the learning!
@@cG-es8mb In person lessons are very valuable. I floundered for a couple years with self teaching and I don't recommend it. In six months I have improved greatly with a live lesson. I, too, missed strings. Practice, practice, practice. But practice, how? or what? The forward roll is Thumb, index, middle(TMI) not middle index, thumb as you wrote. I set a metronome for 80, you can do more slowly, of course. My metronome has a timer so I set the timer for 2 minutes. Banjo is ALL about the picking hand. TMI is 3 notes. We want 8 notes per measure. The strings are 54321 or gDGBD. top to bottom. Go T5, I3, M1, T5, I3, M1 T3, M1. That gives you 8 notes and it follows the rule of not hitting the same string or using the same digit twice in a row. Do that for two minutes. Then do a forward backward roll. T3, M2, I1, T5, I1, M2, T3, I1. do that for 2 minutes. That's four minutes of a practice session, as a warm up. The fretting hand is not doing anything. Practice, practice, practice. Go slowly, it's quality over quantity. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast. Speed will come in time.
Hi I AM NOT TRYING TO BE MEANNNN but, do you think your practice is efficient? Sounds like a long time to be practicing to be dealing with the stuff you were describing though to be fair it sounds like you have an actual life outside of music lol so that might be why. P.S Singing is the ultimate secret to learning any instrument (you dont need to be on camera, but also ask yourself "if im embarrassed to sing what does that say about how i view myself and my music").
@@DnosKCNot at all. Criticism is healthy, and you make a great point. I think my practice has been efficient, but not for surviving a jam session. I’ve spent most of my practice learning to play songs by wrote memory. I haven’t spent much time learning backup, learning music theory, or playing with others or in public. These are all things I am recognizing I need to start incorporating into my practice. Singing (or at least reciting lyrics) is also on the agenda. I’m looking forward to seeing how much I progress over the next year including these new things.
Mark, I must say that singing has become my favorite part of the jams. Lead, and harmony singing is a big part of bluegrass, and being willing to sing adds value to the jam. Play back up, sing, know some songs to lead when it's your turn, take a break, (solo), and know some fiddle tunes. Lots of other things will insert themselves along the way; kick offs, tags, fills, harmonies...but the fun just keeps comin'! Mike can help with all this stuff, a little at a time. Hope to meet you guys soon. Jim
You have such a growth mindset that will serve you well. I went to my first jam w/ other folks about 3 months ago and it has skyrocketed my playing ability.
Like you it was nerve wracking and I came back with a laundry list of technique to work on. Good job!
@@Corwynn This is good to hear. I’m looking forward to improving over time.
It's awesome that you went! I've only into this about 3 months, It was suggested to me to go to a Banjo camp. it seems scary but i signed up for the Suwannee banjo camp in March! I'm scared! ;)
Backup; try Eli's 30 days of banjo day 21 simple backup
Failing is part of the process. I’ve been playing the mandolin for four months and I’ve attended two or three jams and they started horribly, but continue to get Better keep it up!!
A super valuable thing for jams like this is to be able to watch the guitar player for changes. If you can look at the guitar players left hand and recognize what chord hes playing, you can pick up changes to songs you dont know pretty fast
Thankfully, there's another banjo player. I sat right across from him. Funny thing is I am not used to looking at chord positions from that angle, so I find myself not recognizing the chord shapes readily and by the time I figure it out we are on to the next chord.
I've heard that before, but, I DON'T WANT to know guitar fingering...I want to educate myself on banjo.
@garykaufman8128 super fair, but so, so many classic bluegrass songs are three chords. So if you just learn what G, C and D look like on guitar, and just capo wherever the guitarist capoes, if they're playing out of G shapes, it'd be a huge advantage for a whole lot of songs and isn't particularly difficult. I think it's more than worth the effort
@@2000HoursofBanjo totally. Another issue is that the banjo player may be doing crazy up the neck backup where the chords arent super clear, and playing inversions you're not familiar with. But the guitarist will generally be playing easily recognizable shapes consistently unless they're playing a break
@@jacobalexander7192 One day I will be that banjo player playing crazy up the neck stuff. And you are right. Last night at my second jam there was another banjo player. I couldn't follow what he was doing, but the banjo player that was doing simple vamping was easy (well, relatively easier) to follow.
Man, you are not alone! I know EXACTLY what you were feeling. It's a strange experience.
I'm glad it's not just me!
I’m a new mandolinist (playing about a month), and I went to my first jam this weekend. The jam I did was a Wernick Method class, and I couldn’t recommend it enough. I have a classical background and am very confident reading music off a page, so improvisation is really new to me/uncomfortable.
The teacher forced (in a good way) us to be all off book, and I think it was a great exercise. They went through all the terminology that you mentioned (which was very alien to me, as well), and gave us some simple strategies for improvising solos (holding chord shapes and just picking out chord tones, walking up and down the scales, etc.) They also forced us to sing which was a big fear of mine going into it, even moreso when I saw we were going to be jamming on stage at a brewery downtown that was pretty packed.
Definitely see if you have Wernick classes in your area, though. They’re great resources for beginners, and even though I made a lot of mistakes and was painfully uncomfortable in the beginning, I was able to make some pretty good music.
Agree. I have attended 3 WM classes, with a fourth coming up in 2 months. I couldn't imagine going to a jam without knowing the stuff from I learned in class. I now attend jams regularly. So much fun, I can barely stand it.
I am not familiar with WM classes. I will have to look into this. Thanks.
@@2000HoursofBanjo It is different from instruction for your instrument, you'ld still want lessons. It is about how to function in a bluegrass jam.
I started going to jams when I had been playing for only about 6 months, I was in a very similar boat as you were. I knew nothing except the alternating roll, slides and the lead to cripple creek haha. I have now been going every week for a year and a half now and have seen insane improvement. Keep going it will greatly accelerate your learning! I improvised my first solo on a fiddle tune in a jam today when we played Cherokee Shuffle. This is something I never thought I could do. Practice with the strum machine app if you can, its worth the subscription. It has a backing track to play along with for basically every bluegrass song.
This is very motivating. Thanks. I do have Strum Machine...I will be utilizing much more moving forward.
hey! so firstly you absolute contributed by just being there, people attending regardless of skill preserves the community. second, if i could suggest, every time you go to a new jam session for the first time as a beginner/intermediate, start with a low effort rhythm instrument like shakers or something similar. it gets you in the zone rhythmically, it gets you involved, and it makes you have fun. from there, bring the instrument you want to play on in. and again, have fun!
You are more right than you know. I'm 50. I'm by far the youngest in the jam by about 20 years. Thanks for the advice.
Playing with good musicians can be very intimidating, but it is the fastest way to improve! Next time, ask someone about terminology you dont understand during the jam. Great for bonding with the other musicians, and everyone loves sharing knowledge! What you said about coordination when playing and singing at the same time was very relatable. I play pedal steel, so singing and playing in tune at the same time is rough. Was fun hearing your story. We definitely need an update after your second jam session.
@@aronkristensen2051 Thanks for the advice. Jam session #2 is tonight. I will attempt Cripple Creek.
@@2000HoursofBanjo Awesome! Good luck and have fun!
Hahaha, man, I had a very similar experience in my first jam. I used to play the Baritone and trumpet back in middle/high school well over a decade ago and was in a metal band in high school, but that doesn't compare to how it feels being in a jam. The nerves that I felt when it was my turn to pick a song to play and to sing was intense and made the songs that I practiced and sang by myself sound not as good as it normally was. I learned so much in that session and it definitely humbled me as an aspiring musician. I have so much respect for the people who are able to play breaks in those jams.
It was demoralizing yet inspiring. I've yet to return to the jam, but I will be back when I feel like I am ready. I feel like having at least a couple songs with breaks down is my goal.
I'm glad you came back from this jam with motivation to keep practicing. A compliment with staying on time is a great one. When someone is playing nervously, rushing is almost inevitable.
Keep it up! I look forward to keep up with your banjo journey! You just earned a sub.
@@bungh0LeO It’s nice to know I’m not the only one whose been tossed into the deep end and promptly sank. Lol. Thanks for subscribing. I wonder how many at he jam session will be surprised that I show up tomorrow after last week’s pitiful performance ;)
@ each time you go, you’ll come home a better musician
Amazing! Very brave of you, thanks for sharing your experience. I try to convince some colleagues of mine to try and jam together, but they are much better musicians than I am, and it's terrifying.
@@Archie3D “Terrifying” is a good word. I’m trying to consider it a “right of passage”. My instructor calls it a “new chapter” in my journey. Regardless of what you call it, it sure is scary.
Hey man! Don't let it get you down. The first jam session always sucks! 😂
There's a great book by Janet Davis called "backup banjo" which might help. It has everything you need to know about backup in it. Rolling over chords and vamping are the two skills you'll need to master first. Good luck!
@@mackplaysbanjo Thanks for the tip! Book ordered!
You're doing great and are on the right track.
Keep going to the jam sessions and be willing to make mistakes. However, instead of worrying about that giant list of things to work on, just pick one thing to work on at a time.
Also, you could put a mute on your banjo at the jam so you can play softly and not worry about messing up the beat.
@@fnloud Great advice. Will do!
Definitely keep going once you have some basic back up playing skills. You start learning the common patters - it sounds like your playing bluegrass based on the other instruments at your jam and there are along to common patters your start hearing.
Also work on learning breaks over vocal tunes - they tend to have simpler melodies and it can be a helpful way to start learning how to improvise stuff
Thanks for the tips. I will keep this in mind.
Hahaha, jeez! I was playing banjo for just a couple of months when I ventured into my first jam session. How conceited of me! I was ao embarassed and got so depressed afterwards, I didn't touch my banjo for four days. Just left it in the case. 😅 Yeah, I guess it's a hard lesson everybody has to go through. Anyway, I haven't gone to a another jam in months. It might be time again for another wake up call. But the good thing about jam sessions is that you can just sit there pinching chords and learning how to play on time with others. Nothing goes wasted. Best of luck for your second time! BTW, just rolling chords and smiling is a very legitimate way of taking part in a jam. 😅
@@dsclaud I’ll keep that last part in mind. Lol. Thanks, Claudio.
You know, I called ahead to ask if it was okay that I’m a beginner. The guy I talked to assured me the jam was beginner friendly. I think there’s a big difference in how we define the word “beginner”. Lol.
@@2000HoursofBanjo 😂😂I wonder how many years after beginning I can qualify as a beginner
I can only imagine what it would be like to go to one of those. I haven't done it and would it would be nice to find a buddy first to jam with (i have never played with anyone, just along to recordings.) I don't anyone who is "into" it. I am alone in my little bluegrass world of make believe. If I did go to one, I would have to drive farther than I care to. I bought a book a few years ago named Bluegrass Fakebook (Ben Casey) that has all the chords, melody, and lyrics to a ton of songs. I would definitely want that near me if I would attend one of those. There are a bunch of books like that I have seen that you could keep handy and put on your music stand as a cheat sheet.
@@stvnnmnn Thanks, Steven. I’ll have to check out that book. Good to hear from you.
I hope this doesn't come off badly, but are you listening to enough of this music that you want to play? You need to listen, listen, listen. I'm not saying that will teach you how to play, but it will teach you something like, "what I am trying to do is supposed to sound like this ... what I am doing does not sound like that. What can I do to make it sound like it's supposed to? "
@@tomokra You are absolutely right. The first thing I did after the jam was buy the songs on iTunes and started listening to the songs on my commute to work.
I just started playing banjo. I have troubles at times with picking the wrong string with the picks or me picking string where it screeches. Is this normal until I get more practice? I’m keeping up with my hours. I have 4.75 hours so far. Lol
Congratulations on picking up the banjo! Picking the wrong strings happened to me all the time (it still happens, but less frequently). I will also catch a pick on a string occasionally. What helped me was slowing way down to the point where you don’t pick the wrong string. At the beginning you really can’t practice slow enough. I heard someone once say that if you are practicing fast enough to recognize the song, you are practicing too fast. As far as screeching the strings, it may mean you are picking at too much of an angle. Your picks should be hitting the strings head on, not at a slant. So you may need to adjust your hand position or the angle that you hold the banjo
@ I will try that out. I’m taken the course from banjo Ben. When I bought my banjo the package came with 3 month free with the gold pick course. First lesson is the forward roll starting with index finger;middle finger, and thumb. It’s part of the boil dem cabbage down. It’s pretty fun. Trying to debate rather or not take am in person lesson here where I live. It’s 30 minutes lesson each week. $140/month. Hard to decide. Think what I would like with in person lesson is the teacher can see my posture and can see me play and help me with how I’m picking and etc. Been enjoying your videos. Lets me know what to expect as a beginner.
@ I recommend an in person instructor for the exact reasons you pointed out. You don’t want to develop bad habits that you will have to try to break years down the road.
Enjoy your videos, I feel your pain! I’m also not a musician. Can’t hear chord changes. Have learned some guitar positions to be able to follow while doing rolls or vamping. Also had carpole surgery so didn’t play for a very long time. I’ve just about forgotten all the tunes I once knew. But on the brighter side one will come out of the cob webs now and then. Pick picking!
Group playing will come with time as you know your songs better. I like to play, I do not expect to ever be really a musician. Just enjoy the learning!
@@cG-es8mb In person lessons are very valuable. I floundered for a couple years with self teaching and I don't recommend it. In six months I have improved greatly with a live lesson. I, too, missed strings. Practice, practice, practice. But practice, how? or what? The forward roll is Thumb, index, middle(TMI) not middle index, thumb as you wrote. I set a metronome for 80, you can do more slowly, of course. My metronome has a timer so I set the timer for 2 minutes. Banjo is ALL about the picking hand. TMI is 3 notes. We want 8 notes per measure. The strings are 54321 or gDGBD. top to bottom. Go T5, I3, M1, T5, I3, M1 T3, M1. That gives you 8 notes and it follows the rule of not hitting the same string or using the same digit twice in a row. Do that for two minutes. Then do a forward backward roll. T3, M2, I1, T5, I1, M2, T3, I1. do that for 2 minutes. That's four minutes of a practice session, as a warm up. The fretting hand is not doing anything. Practice, practice, practice. Go slowly, it's quality over quantity. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast. Speed will come in time.
Hi I AM NOT TRYING TO BE MEANNNN but, do you think your practice is efficient? Sounds like a long time to be practicing to be dealing with the stuff you were describing though to be fair it sounds like you have an actual life outside of music lol so that might be why. P.S Singing is the ultimate secret to learning any instrument (you dont need to be on camera, but also ask yourself "if im embarrassed to sing what does that say about how i view myself and my music").
actually just ignore me im hating for no reason
@@DnosKCNot at all. Criticism is healthy, and you make a great point. I think my practice has been efficient, but not for surviving a jam session. I’ve spent most of my practice learning to play songs by wrote memory. I haven’t spent much time learning backup, learning music theory, or playing with others or in public. These are all things I am recognizing I need to start incorporating into my practice. Singing (or at least reciting lyrics) is also on the agenda. I’m looking forward to seeing how much I progress over the next year including these new things.