Bluegrass Jam Etiquette

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1. Song choice goes in a circle.

The jam host will usually start the jam or ask someone else to lead a tune.  From there, the song choice will go in a circle (usually to the left for some reason). You are allowed to pass but if you’re going to the jam you should try calling at least 1 tune. Don’t call a song or tune unless it’s your turn.

2. If you choose the song, you are the leader.

This means you need to call out the key, sing loud enough for everyone to hear, make sure that breaks stay on time and over the right part (i.e. soloing over verse or chorus etc) and etc. If you’re calling an instrumental fiddle tune, you need to know the melody (and ideally be able to play it at a normal speed). If it’s a complicated song (that’s not a jam buster) or has some odd changes – play easy to follow chords (aka “cowboy chords”) and make sure other jammers can see you.

3. Count in your songs

Everyone needs to be in time or it will sound really bad. If you just start playing / singing a song without any indication of the tempo, it’s going to cause tempo problems. Instead, either vamp on the root or first chord of the song in time until everyone is ready, play a 1 5 1 introduction on the chords, or play potatoes as the intro. Anything that helps set the time is going to be way better than just jumping into a song.

4. No jam busters.

Generally a jam buster is any song that has too many chords or odd chord changes for someone to learn on the fly. If you’re not sure if your tune is a jam buster, just ask (though if you have to ask, it probably is).

5. Originals are likely okay – but jams are NOT open mic nights.

If original songs are allowed at the jam (always ask the host) it should follow the jam type (i.e. be bluegrassy in a bluegrass jam, bluesy in blues jams etc) and of course cannot be a jam buster. Ask the jam host if you’re not sure.  Also, if originals are allowed, keep them to a minimum (one or two per jam).

6. Call out chords if the group is unfamiliar with a tune.

If you are calling an uncommon tune, call out the chords and play “cowboy chords” (simple open chords) so others can follow your changes. If it’s too hard to do this, the song is probably a jam buster. That said, calling out the chords for every song is overkill. Try using “this song is a 1 4 5” or similar to avoid long delays between songs.

7. If you don’t like a song, smile and play along or keep your mouth shut and walk away.

Jams are a place for everyone to share songs they like – and sometimes what one person loves, another hates (did someone say wagon wheel??). If you don’t like the song, just smile and play along because that’s the nice thing to do. If you just can’t play nice, just walk away and get a beer or something. That said, the jam host may veto a song for any reason.

8. Solos generally go in the same direction as the song choice.

When it’s time for breaks, unless the song leader says otherwise, the solos will pass the same direction as the song choice starting from the song leader. The song leader may take the first break or they may pass it to the person to the left or right (depending on the circle’s direction). Keep your eye on the singer for the next soloist and keep in mind, even if you’re “next” in the circle, there can be reasons the singer / song leader decides to shift solos out of order – for example, if there are 3 guitarists in a row, the singer may want to break up that block with a different instrument. If you get skipped, don’t fret (pun!), they will come back to you.

9. Solos should only be one verse or verse / chorus

Unless the leader says otherwise, keep your solo to a single break over the verse or verse chorus (depending on the tune). Generally solos should only go around the circle once. This is especially true for big jams.

10. If you do not plan to solo on a particular song, make sure the next person in the circle knows in advance.

This should probably be rule #1. DO NOT wait until it’s your turn to solo to pass. Doing so will likely just mess up the next person and potentially cause a train wreck. Best bet, just lean over and tell your neighbor you plan to pass immediately when the song starts. On the flip side, if you have passed solos on other songs, it’s not a bad idea to tell the person next to you if you plan on taking a solo. Over communication is better than no communication.

11. Play solid rhythms when you’re not soloing.

You should be playing a solid rhythm when you are not taking a solo break. That includes when others are soloing or singing. If you’re playing a “non-rhythm” instrument (like fiddle if you don’t know how to “chop” the rhythm), you may need to stop playing when you’re not soloing. This is especially true in smaller jams. Playing over other people’s breaks is rude to both the person soloing and other jammers and can screw up other players. Don’t be that person.

12. Keep noodling to a minimum (or just don’t do it).

When a song is being chosen, listen to the song leader for the song name, key, and any oddities in the tune (like “this goes to the 4 at the end” or “watch the change in the chorus” etc). No one likes to repeat themselves because someone was noodling while they explained the tune. Just don’t noodle. If you do – you better be good enough to not have to ask any details.

13. If you can’t hear the singer or soloist, play quieter.

Listening to others is the entire reason the jam exists. Enjoy your friends playing. On the flip side, when you are singing or soloing – make sure you’re doing it loud enough to be heard!

14. Respect the hosting venue.

That means buying drinks / food there instead of bringing your own. Being respectful and nice to wait staff and bartenders. Promoting the jam on your social media pages. Taking pictures / videos and tagging the venue. Inviting friends (both pickers and grinners!) and etc. The better the venue does during the jam, the more often we can jam at that venue. 

15. Respect the host.

Hosting a jam is not always easy (especially in mixed skill jams) and often is just a labor of love without pay. Respect the hosts rules/policies and don’t push it. If the jam is a bluegrass jam, don’t call a Grateful Dead song. It’s really frustrating as a host when you have to defend the jam rules you laid out as a host publicly. If you have a suggestion or request, talk the with host before or after the jam – not during. If you can’t do that – then start your own jam. Also most often jam hosts aren’t paid – leaving a tip, buying them a beer and/or just saying “thank you” is a nice thing to do when you can.

16. When in doubt, ask

If you have questions on what is or is not allowed at a particular jam, just ask the host. If there’s no host, ask the regulars.

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