Last year was my first Telluride and I stayed in Town Park. By far my favorite thing about it was seeing musicians banding together in their spare time and jamming till dawn.
I’m a guitar player and I’m pretty decent, but i have no history in Bluegrass and just don’t know where to get started. I want to jam with people so bad next year! Last year i had my guitar but i didn’t play with anyone because i just don’t know how to play bluegrass.
I could really use some guidance… would anyone oblige?
Well I started playing guitar about 3 years ago and actually learned at festivals and jams. I would sit outside the circle and try to follow the chord shapes. I bought books and began teaching myself the basic chord shapes and progressions. You want to learn to play in a flat pick style with alternating bass notes. It’s funny because flat pick is how I learned and now three years later I am trying to learn to strum and it is really, really hard.
Bluegrass songs are pretty simple. Typically 1-4-5 chord progessions. You’ll see a lot of folks using capos. Festivals are the best place to learn to play. At night just sit a little behind the circle and try and hang in there But during the day find one or two kind souls who will sit with you under a tree and teach you some things. When I first started playing my goal was to learn three songs really well so that when I got into a circle I could play and lead them. I quickly learned that everyone appreciates singing and so on the songs where I might not be able to play on the guitar I could harmonize. Singing is always welcome in a circle.
I have been to some festivals in Arizona where the circles are not very nice and unless you play fast, furiously and just like Bill Monroe you are not welcome. I never experienced that kind of exclusion in Telluride or Pagosa. People are more than willing to share what they know and help you out and encourage you.
Finally the last bit of advice is to listen to it. Get as many recordings as you can and listen. It helps a lot to have it all in your brain.
My name is Jess and if I make Telluride next year and you are there I can’t wait to pick with you! :wave :thumbsup
Hey, I am so glad you asked that question! It is my firm belief that a good campside jam is birth place of alot of local bands that hone their skills and move on to tourings, then Nashville. Case in point, Broke Mountain, and Hit and Run. Campside pickin inspired me to REALLY learn and work my way into the circle. But I have miles to go as a wannabe picker.
One can easily sit in the rear and flat pick a basic rhythm usually a 4:4 beat.
Like this: Boom chick chick chick: Boom chick chick chick . And so on. Learn to alternate bass strings and get smooth strokes. Cross picking is really advanced stuff, and thats where Rocky Grass Academy comes in the evolution of mastering bluegrass skills.
Learn the songs. And learn fiddle tunes. Then learn when to take leads…and when NOT to.
