Bluegrass
I do have eclectic tastes in music (and most other things) so found myself at a Bluegrass show last night listening to the Dry Branch Fire Squad from Kentucky. To see and hear four musicians (yup!!) sharing one microphone and 2 small speakers was an eye opener to say the least. No problem hearing each of the instruments and vocals in the great venue - an old traditional style church. Made me think about how much fun it would be to be in an acoustic jam without all the crazy volumes competing with each other.
We seem to spend a lot of time (and $$) on amps, mics, pedals, etc. I love gear - totally buy into the old saying "he who dies with the most toys, wins" - but it seemed so simple and effective. Are there many acoustic jams out there or back porch type of get togethers??
I know at the Masterclass weekends and at SPAH (the only other harp thing I've gone to) there have been jam circles that are acoustic. I thoroughly enjoyed these but it's the only time I've seen / participated in this type of jam. Just curious more than anything.
I didn't realize how many of these acoustic jams there were until a friend of mine got into Bluegrass. He hooked up with a guy with an upright bass, another with a ukulele, and he brings a guitar. They practiced together first in the bassman's garage. Somehow or other, they found about thirty other guys and girls that do the same thing in the area. Now they meet at the local Hibernian lodge every other weekend for huge jam sessions.
Among all of those musicians, they have one amp and two mics. Each player rotates to the mic for their solo. I've seen one harp player among them - a seasoned gentleman of about 85 who brings his equally seasoned wife who plays guitar. Since I discovered these local folks, I've found out that most of the surrounding towns have something similar going on as well.
The whole thing seems a lot of fun, and even though I'm not into Bluegrass and folk, I've been tempted to go up and play with them. I need a few more lessons under my belt before I jump in, though.
here in chattanooga there are several bluegrass clubs one in particular that meets every wed night at a different location among the group its great fun lots of food and great music as well nothing like a good fox chase to have them in amazement
Anything similar happening with Blues anywhere?? - like without the grass? ;-)
Here in Redding CA I have found the Shasta Blues Society and they play pretty much nothing but the blues with some rock and roll and they have a few pretty good harmonica players. It last 3-4 hours every Thursday night and if you want to play on a regular basis it is only $20 per year to join. Most everybody plays as a pickup type arrangement (i.e. if you play drums you may be playing with a guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, vocalist, and etc. that you have never played with before). If you have a band, then all the better, but if someone can't make it or gets sick, you have plenty to choose from. The first time you play "the board members" determine what your level is and that dictates who you play with and your time slot (usually you're allowed to play two songs/instrumentals). If you are a rookie, then you go first for the night before a lot a folks show up. About an hour after it starts (around 8 p.m.) a lot of folks show up to dance, so only the more advanced/seasoned performers play from then on. It is held at a restaurant that has a big meeting room area, so there is lots of exposure.
Just like the rest of you, I just started keeping my ears and eyes open and I was surprised to find there are quite a few similar venues. This is a reasonably small city of about 90,000 so I am sure things like this are in small towns all over.
By the way - just like some of you I initially was very intimidated by the idea of performing in front of strangers, but when I heard how badly the novice players played I realized I could fit right in.
Acoustic music tends to have acoustic sessions (jams). Irish, Scottish, Scandinavian, old-timey, bluegrass, and so on. With stringed instruments harmonica can more than hold its own for volume, so all you need to bring are your harps.