At the March 2017 youth jam, Jef Walter will be joined by fiddle player Matt Hooper for a more in-depth look at “In the Pines” in the key of G.
This jam session favorite uses the I (one), IV (four) and V (five) chords; in the key of G, those chords are G, C, and D. If you’re not sure what these “chord numbers” mean exactly, no problem–that’s one thing the facilitators will review at the jam.
Participants have played “In the Pines” before at the Marbles youth jam, and at other PineCone jams, so past participants are probably already a little familiar with it. At this month’s jam, once we’ve reviewed the chords and lyrics to “In the Pines,” Mr. Hooper will go over some approaches to taking a fiddle solo on a vocal song like this. Using your instrument to accompany a singer is a big part of bluegrass jamming!
Of course, there will still be plenty of time for jamming together on a variety of other songs, too (sample song list below). Facilitator Jef Walter typically leads a few songs to get the jam started, then goes around the circle to give particpants a chance to choose a song they’d like to play. Participants are also encouraged to bring a prepared song to sing and/or play with the group, but this is not required for participation.
For those who don’t play an instrument yet, Marbles will have a build your own instrument station set up in Curiosity Square.
Sign up for e-mail updates about programs and opportunities for youth musicians; or call 919-664-8333 x103.
Directions and parking information for Marbles Kids Museum
Downtown Raleigh parking information
About the youth jam facilitators:
Jef Walter performs regularly on bass and guitar with a “who’s who” of North Carolina acoustic musicians, including Charles Pettee and the Iron Mountain Messengers. He is also the band mentor for The Carolina PineCones, a youth bluegrass band based in Raleigh. Walter will facilitate this year’s youth jams with a rotating group of special guest co-facilitators.
March’s guest facilitator will be fiddle player Matt Hooper, who taught last year’s beginner and intermediate bluegrass fiddle camps as part of PineCone’s Bluegrass Camps for Youth. After having performed as a violinist in the classical music field during his youth, Hooper expanded his interest into the wide world of fiddling and hasn’t looked back. He spent years refining his style with Raleigh-based Kickin Grass and later hit the road with Don Rigsby and the Midnight Call, while still willingly contributing his talents to other groups as needed. He also performs with Diamond Creek. When he’s not performing, his focus is fiddle and mandolin instruction and expanding his knowledge of home studio recording.
Songs played at past youth jams have included:
Instrumentals:
- Angeline the Baker (D)
- Arkansas Traveler (D)
- Soldiers Joy (D)
- Whiskey Before Breakfast (D)
- Liberty (D)
- Old Joe Clark (A)
- Cripple Creek (A)
- Salt Creek (A)
- Cherokee Shuffle (A)
- Blackberry Blossom (G)
- Billy in the Lowground (C)
Songs with Lyrics:
- Bury Me Beneath the Willow
- Nine Pound Hammer
- Long Journey Home
- I’ll Fly Away
- My Home’s Across the Blue Ridge Mountains
- In the Pines
Newer songs the group has worked:
- Clinch Mountain Backstep (featured song in Feburary 2017) – Key of A
- Nine Pound Hammer (featured song in January 2017) – Key of A, Key of C
- Hot Corn, Cold Corn (featured song in December 2016) – Key of G
- Down the Road (featured song in November 2016) – Key of A
- Meet Me By the Moonlight (featured song in March 2016) – Key of G, Key of E
- (A) Worried Man Blues (featured song in February 2016)
- (D) Swallowtail Jig
- (G) June Apple
- (G) Long Journey Home ($2 Bill)
- (G) Red Clay Halo
