The PineCone Bluegrass learning jam at Harry’s Guitar Shop on the third Wednesday of the month is specifically for those who are learning the basics of bluegrass music and playing with other musicians, and it is open to all ages. Jef Walter, a local musician who plays bass and guitar with Charles Pettee & the Iron Mountain Messengers and other groups, will once again facilitate this month’s jam to assist jam participants who want to learn basic jam etiquette before jumping into a traditional jam. This month, participants will continue talking about “chord numbers” and try “Devil’s Dream,” an instrumental in the key of A which uses the “minor two” (ii) chord.
And by popular demand, the second featured tune for the night will be “Wagon Wheel” in the key of A. “Wagon Wheel” isn’t really a bluegrass song, but it’s become a jam session favorite for many–learn how it’s different from most bluegrass jam tunes. “Wagon Wheel” is very easy to play, but it can be kind of hard to sing. At the jam, Jef will explain his theory about why this is the case. Part of Jef’s theory: “It’s impossible to sing Wagon Wheel correctly while reading the lyrics.” So, participants will begin singing it WITHOUT the lyrics; but if you’d like to try and prove him wrong, you can print out a copy of the lyrics for yourself and bring to the jam!
Other songs played at past learning jams include:
- 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
