Hi all This will be stone obvious to most of you I guess, but I am discovering the benefits of the jam. In Madrid there are few opportunities for playing with other like minded folks - but now the Americana Music Jam has started and after the second time I am discovering that this is really the way to learn to play. There is a semi stable core of guitar, double bass, dobro, frailed banjo and cajón, and last night a harmonica, irish fiddler, singer songwriter, autoharp and a couple more guitars. The week before there were three Scruggs style banjos, dobro, clawhammer banjo, no bass, spanish guitar...
We play whatever comes to mind: the guitarist bass and dobro are able to play anything it seems and do stuff like Old Sciota, and things with lots of scary looking chords. I suggest Monroe tunes and songs, there are excursions into plain blues, original songs, folk tunes.. whatever. Some we sing, some we don't. We have a Facebook page where people can suggest material for next week. Anyway, just diving into a new song with only the chord structure for guidance is just great practice: it was nervewracking at first, but as my confidence built, I began launching into solos on unknown material - sometimes with lamentable results, other times with actual coherence. This is adding a new dimension to my playing and above all, learning to play rhythm tastefully and according to each combination of instruments. Also, listening to better players work their way through solos on unknown material is great learning. I must admit I could do this all day and all night! Best Robin -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Taterbugmando" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/taterbugmando?hl=en.
