The PineCone Beginners Bluegrass Jam is open to all musicians, not only beginners! It is a learning jam, though, to help those who are still learning the basics of bluegrass music and playing with other musicians. It is open to participants of all ages and abilities. This is a great opportunity for participants to learn basic jam etiquette before jumping into a traditional jam. As always, jammers have the option of breaking off into smaller groups to practice what you’ve been learning.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, this month’s jam is the FOURTH Wednesday of the month; we’ll be back to the third Wednesday of the month in December.
For the new November tune, Jef will introduce the familiar instrumental “Turkey in the Straw” (in the key of G), and for December, participants will get to try playing “Jingle Bells” (key of A) and “Auld Lang Syne” (key of G) as bluegrass jam songs. Download chord sheets for “Turkey in the Straw,” “Jingle Bells,” and “Auld Lang Syne,” PLUS past chord sheets from July-October jams
Have a new song to suggest, or looking for copies of past handouts? Contact Jef! Participants are also welcome to bring a song or two that you might be able to lead or share with the group, but this is not required.
Songs played at past learning jams include:
- Banks of the Ohio
- How Mountain Girls Can Love
- Gold Rush
- Love of the Mountains
- Shady Grove
- All the Good Times are Past and Gone
- Letter from My Darling
- The Clinch Mountain Backstep
- Little Cabin Home on the Hill
- Little Maggie
- Love Please Come Home
- The Old Home Place
- Tennessee Waltz
- Devil’s Dream
- Wagon Wheel
- Old Joe Clark
- Nine Pound Hammer
- My Home’s Across the Blue Ridge Mountains
- In the Pines
- Amazing Grace
- Whiskey Before Breakfast
- Ashokan Farewell
- Salt Creek
- Will the Circle Be Unbroken
- Soldier’s Joy
- Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms
- I’ll Fly Away
- Angeline the Baker
- Blue Moon of Kentucky
- Big Sandy River
- Down the Road
- St. Anne’s Reel
- Auld Lang Syne
- Jingle Bells
Facilitator Jef Walter is a local musician who plays with Hank Smith & the Beer & Banjos All-Stars (every Tuesday at The Raleigh Times Bar) and other groups; he also mentors The Carolina PineCones youth bluegrass band.
