Monthly Jams
Hoover School First Sunday Month Jam
- 1:30 – 2:30 Slow Jam
- 1:00 – 5:00 uptempo jamming
Jam Location:
Herbert Hoover Middle School Cafeteria & Playground
Parking:
Herbert Hoover Gym
1474 Naglee Ave
San Jose, CA
Admission: by donation
Suggested donation: $5.00 more or less as you are able
Current COVID-19 precautions:
- Masks are strongly recommended when indoors, but not required . Our community has many vulnerable members
- Anyone who develops COVID-19 within 1 week after attending should notify me (president@fiddlers.org)
- Do Not Attend This Gathering If You Feel Sick.
The 10 Jamandments
As a public service, below are the “unofficial” rules of a bluegrass jam.
By Larry Carlin
- Thou Shalt Tune Thy Instrument.
~ Electronic tuners make this easy.
- Thou Shalt Keep Steady Rhythm.
~ Count beats if necessary. - Thou Shalt Take Turns Choosing Songs.
~Announce the key. Vocalists always choose their key.
~ Choose a song you can complete. - Thou Shalt Not Speed.
~ Start songs at a reasonable tempo. Speed up according to abilities. - Thou Shalt Signal Who Has The Solo.
~ Follow a pattern when taking solo leads. - Thou Shalt Listen To Others.
If you can’t hear the lead, consider yourself too loud. - Thou Shalt Welcome Others.
~ Include everyone in your jam. Help everyone sound as good as they can. - Thou Shalt Not Steal Other Musicians From An Active Jam.
~With time, players move around anyway. - Thou Shalt Try New Material.
~ Original & different tunes are OK occasionally. - Thou Shalt Be Considerate Of Pickers (and Others).
~ Explain when you’re rehearsing, not jamming. Help beginners.
NEW!
3rd Sunday of the Month Jam
People want to play music and have requested that we offer more than one jam a month. So, here we go!
Every 3rd Sunday we’ll be hosting a free jam at a local park (unless it’s raining, which cancels…)
This is a roving jam and will be held at different local parks throughout the year. So, sign up for our mailing list—or better yet, join the SCVFA for early notices and to suggest your favorite park for an upcoming jam!
Receive Monthly Jam Announcements
Members of SCVFA automatically receive monthly jam announcements and details.
If you’re not a member, we are happy to add you to our email list:
EMAIL:
SUBJECT: Join Mailing List
MESSAGE: Tell us what instrument you play!
(if you enjoy the jam, we encourage you to become a member!)
Just starting out with traditional music, or haven’t played in a while? The Slow Jam is a good place to begin. When you are comfortable with these few basics; tuning your instrument, playing basic chords or simple melodies slowly, you are ready to join the slow jam.
Leaders of the Slow Jam keep the tempo at 60 to 90 bpm (beats per minute).
A mix of old-time and bluegrass styles are played. Old-time style is when everyone plays together. Bluegrass style allows each musician a turn playing a “break” (solo). One or more may sing while the others play chordal or rhythmic backup.
Besides offering a place to play more slowly, we help players become more comfortable
• playing by ear (music notation is commonly used),
• jamming with others,
• building confidence and repertoire.
Tunes played for the Slow Jam can be found on our Tunes Page. Practice at home with the slow jam sheet music or compile in a binder to bring to the jam.
Bring your favorite old time or bluegrass instrumentals and songs!
Geared for advanced beginners to advanced players, you can expect to hear tunes played at a faster pace.
A mix of old-time and bluegrass styles are played. Old-time style is when everyone plays together. Bluegrass style allows each musician a turn playing a “break” (solo). One or more may sing while the others play chordal or rhythmic backup.
(Everyone is invited to the Slow Jam — also a good place for advanced players to warm-up and to help the new players — just remember to slow down!)
