Bluegrass Jam

I've been aware of a monthly bluegrass jam at Chaplin's in Spring City for a number of months now. I was wondering if I was good enough on the mandolin to follow along - and whether it was beginner-friendly (i.e., whether you get the stink eye if you can't rip off a blistering solo whenever you get the nod.)

I went in December just to watch - and in hindsight I should have taken my mando. It was a friendly group with all levels of players, and very beginner friendly. The host, Ted the Fiddler, knew me, as he also hosts the Sunday night open mics, and I've played there with Rosewood twice - and he told me point blank that I should have brought my mando. Oh well, who knew?

So I've been looking forward to going back and actually playing. Only there were snowstorms on the first Thursday of the month in Jan. and Feb., and a very important theatrical event in March. So last Thursday was my first opportunity.

I'm in the orange cap on the left

There was a nice mix of instruments: maybe 5 guitar players, a banjo, a dobro, two mandolins, electric bass, fiddle, harp. Everyone was competent, and some were really good players. We went around the circle picking songs, mostly bluegrass standards.

I'm familiar with most of these, and they're all fairly simple chord progressions in major keys, so I had no trouble following along. But I don't know the repertoire well enough to pick a song myself, so I passed when it was my turn.

I took a couple of leads when it was my turn, and disappointed myself - because I know I can do better. And I will be better next month - I'll be working in simple improvisation over basic chord progressions. I know the theory and know how to do it - so now it's just a matter of getting more comfortable and doing it.

Everyone was very friendly and the music was quite good. I hope I'll be able to make next month's jam.