My First Jam Session

“Went to the Jackson Center, PA Grange building last night, an old one-room structure with a stage, set in the middle of the countryside (ie. nowhere near civilization) to participate in a bluegrass jam session my Dad read about in the paper. Turns out I was the next to the youngest person there, and well less than half the age of most onstage and in the crowd.

It is a gospel/bluegrass/anysong event. One woman just came from the crowd and sang. The musicians who know about these events (which occur at different locations the first and last Sat night of every month) come from all around the area, show up and sign a paper dictating an "order", then they all get up onstage and sing/play a song(s) while the other musicians play along (or in my case, try to keep up). When they complete the order they start all over again. I'm fortunate I know some guitar, because I had my eyes glued to a few guitar player's hands so I could see what chords they were playing, so I too could learn the songs and play along.

When shooting pool at bars, I learned quickly to never underestimate the ability of an older person because more than not...they were very good (alot of practice through the years I assume). Well there were some awesome musicians, a few couples that play together, and even a little boy that played the violin/fiddle with his Dad on guitar. It was one man's birthday...a whopping 90 years old. A man they called "Bones", who just so happened to play the bones was/is 93yo.

I met alot of *really nice* folks and plan to make that a regular event every month (hopefully bi-monthly). Just about all the musicians came up to talk to me, and most asked what songs I'd sing. Unfortunately, the only songs I've learned on my banjo are ones that I can't sing to. But I promised them all that next time, I'll have and sing a few songs for everyone.

btw - I sliced the tip of my pointer finger of my left hand (chord hand) pretty good this last Wed, and it was wrapped in a bandage. So it better be healed for the next show so I can at least play half decent.

The next session will be this Fri on on the grass in front of the County's courthouse, which'll most likely draw a bigger crowd than last night. Can't wait!”

“that sounds most cool!”

“I'd love to check that out, buddur. I was really impressed w/ your banjo playing and would love to see how you've improved in the past months.

Sounds like you had some fun!!”

“That sounds way cool!

I remember my first gig it was way crazy!

8D”

“That is great Buddur! If I lived near there I would love to come hear you play your banjo and sing.”

“way ta go dood! jammins what it's alllll about! to me, one good jam session is worth 3 or 4 good practices alone. the intensity makes you learn faster....er sumpthin, lol. they have a "blues jam" here every 2 weeks atta well known bar here. i went last week and 3 bands asked me to play lead for them! i only played 2 songs, but it was a blast.



keep on hackin man!”

“I'm working on "Hot Corn Cold Corn", "Amazing Grace" and "There Ain't No Bugs On Me". If I don't think I'm ready to sing and play them well enough, I'm just going to play some other non-singing songs I know.”

“Very cool! :-)”

“My favorite is the 'Orange Blossom Special'”

“dude, I was hoping this was your post! All the practice is paying off, and it sounds like the banjo was a sweet investment.

Rock on, and maybe one day we'll see ya in Nashville.”

“Whiskey in the Morning is my favorite..the song..not the drink..”

“Thats a good song!

And so is Whiskey!

8)”

“Someone said "when an old person dies it is like a library burning down" and it is so true with the old-time musicians and their songs. Pay lots of attention and learn all you can. This is an opportunity of a lifetime.”

“oh yeah - have fun, too!!”

“so do
reuben and cherise
sittin on a hillside
oh i don't want to get into this. anything on the banjo pretty much kicks ass. i think im a hick at heart born in the city.”

“Cool. I like bluegrass. 5-string banjos rock.”

“Sounds pretty cool Buddur. Best wishes with your musical aspirations.”

“That kicks all forms of ass (Mike didn't say it, so I thought I take my opportunity)! Also, you play a banjo? I think the banjo is soo cool. I saw this guy and kid (the kid was my age actually)play early this spring. The guy played the guitar or a banjo and the kid played the electric violin. Awesome.”

“foggy mountain breakdown!”

“Buddur!
You shock me. I thought you were a Metal head like me!?!?

I've been playing and recording alot lately. My lead playing is still a bit weak dew to the finger imparement. I'm crunching along though. I love my 4-track. It's nice to be able to lay down a drum & bass track and jam along with it.

I sometimes jam with a former band mate. He was the keyboard player/Singer. Now he's playing guitar a lot more. I talked to an old friend of mine. Turns out he's going to get another drum kit again. Who knows, we might try to get real jam session going again.

Good luck with your future jam sessions Buddur!!!

ROCK ON!!!”

“I'm a man of many musical vices...no blinders anymore, I've seen the light of many other styles!

I've was thinking at work today of trying to learn some hardcore tunes on the banjo, specifically old Misfits like "40 Eyes" or "I Turned Into A Martian". I'd like to learn some Sabbath, but I don't think the crowd would dig the lyrics. I do have the Hayseed Dixie CD, maybe I could learn "Highway To Heaven". lol”

“Yeah, that Stormtroopers of Death CD you sent me had so Hayseed Dixie on it at the tail end. They were on John Boy & Billy one morning on the radio.

Have you atempted any Stormtroopers of Death on the banjo yet?”

“I got a new riff going on now that I'm building on. It kinda sounds like a Back Sabbath type tune.
No name yet. no lyrics yet either but it will deffinatly need some evil sounding words.
I found a drum beat I'd already composed and sped it up a bit. Tossed down some guitar ideas and started on a bass line for it. Should be a pretty wicked song.
I hate it when I get going good right at bed time. DANG!”

“Uh-Oh . . . metal head talk! Skeery!”

“Sabbath on banjo?
Why not.

I once saw Alice Donut do a cover of War pigs and instead of singing the lyrics one of the guys busts out a trombone (a superbone to be exact) and plays the notes on it.

It was very cool stuff.

Ummm "20 eyes" dude.
Maybe you might like the Misfits songbook”

“I like preserves better than jams. Black cherry is my favorite.”

“I just bought another guitar. I'd been eyeing this B.C.Rich at a local music store and finally got him down far enough in $$. Only $100! He did want $175. It's got some body damage but it's O.K. I did have to take it to another Guitar repair shop to have the electronics overhauled. Should be a sweet ax pretty soon!”

“walkindude, send it to us when yer done with the new tune! man, i need to start doin that.”

“Some of us need to get together and just have a 2 or 3 day jam session!

I got the Rich today! It is awesome! The problem with the electronics was that someone had took it apart and wired it back wrong. I also had the action lowered. The intonation was still fine.”