NEDERLAND — There are many bluegrass jams in Boulder and Gilpin counties. With more coming on board, I thought I would review some of the “unwritten bluegrass jam rules”— things I always remember until I start drinking.

This is called "pick etiquette." You don't have to be a great musician, but when everybody follows these simple rules, it makes the experience fun for everybody.

That's the first rule: Have fun!

Tune in

As the famous Pete Warnick once said, “Always tune up your instrument when you get to the jam.”

I might add here that if you keep your tuner on, and check regularly, you will be everyone's friend. Before electronic tuners were invented, this was a serious challenge for some people. Now, everyone can be in tune.

If you don't have a tuner, and you don't have perfect pitch (trust me, you don't), get one and use it. Or Pete will not talk to you again.

Respect the circle

The core idea with a jam is to make every attempt to be a cohesive unit with everyone, supporting the current soloist or singer. Make it a fun, inclusive experience for everyone. You can best do this by listening, sharing, and respecting the circle. 

At most bluegrass jams, everyone stands in a circle. Unless you have been chosen leader of the jam, you will wait for the leader of the jam to start a song.

Generally, the leader will indicate the direction for the song sequence to go, clockwise or counterclockwise. The person next to the jam leader will go next, and so on.  Pay attention to this. It is not random, and you do not just jump in with a song if it is not your turn.

Play supportive rhythm (like chopping or simple bass lines) rather than interfering. Play softly when others solo, take turns on breaks (passing politely if needed), avoid playing melody over singers/leads, keep volume down.

When it is your turn to lead a song, you may lead one, or pass. There is no problem with passing.

You should have a song or two ready when it is your turn. There are a lot of really good bluegrass songs out there, and some are standards. Learn some of them, even if you just know the chords.

Choose a tempo you are comfortable with, but keep others in mind, too. If  you play it too fast, and not everyone wants to keep up with you, then you are "busting" a jam. 

Jam busters

To keep the jam going, we try to avoid "jam busters."

Do not put a capo on and lead a song in C#. Everybody with a capo can do that, but for those with no capo, they are “busted." You can sing it in C.

Next, do a grass-oriented song. There are many good ones: Keep it simple. Let everyone know what the song involves. Pay attention to the folks who led before you so you know what is expected from you. 

Know your words. When you lead, make eye contact with the people who will play a lead for your song. When you are going to sing a verse or chorus, let them know. Make eye contact with those who do not want to take a lead before it comes to them, and go in order.

You can break the order if you want, but make it clear for everybody what you are doing.

Another jam buster is to take a song that the group knows and mess up the way it is "traditionally" played. There are traditional rules that govern this, and watching how others are using these rules will help you.

Some jammers play non-traditional songs, and "grass" them up. We love this, but it's hard if the tune and chords are not simple. This is OK if you have a clear arrangement, but adding an extra measure or beat is maybe a bit of a problem for beginner or intermediate players. 

Don’t noodle

One of the biggest problems for open jams is "noodling" between songs. If you came here to play, play.

We don't need you to introduce the way you learned the song, your mom's name, your history of the song, who played it for you the first time. Just say clearly the name of the song, the key you are playing it in, what your intro might be, state and explain if the chorus is different and count it in carefully and loudly so everyone can hear you.

Pay attention to the next player, and look for his cues. If you are having a discussion with the person next to you, and it's your turn to play, in 30 seconds the leader can assume you have "passed." 

The right instrument

As I said in my previous, award-winning post on this subject, certain instruments are less welcome than others at a bluegrass jam. If you have a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, upright bass, resonator guitar (Dobro), or autoharp—you’re golden.

Those are traditional bluegrass instruments. Other instruments are welcome as well, but they need to follow the golden rules: Stay in tune and stay in time.

A sax solo works; trumpet, not so much. If you have an instrument that does not need to be tuned, and plays one note, you might need to join a drum circle.

Didgeridoo is not acceptable unless you brought the keg and the pick is located in your daddy’s heated swimming pool area. Even then, maybe not.

The end

The leader gives an indication of the ending by raising a foot or making eye contact with the other musicians. If you are not making eye contact, you are not doing your part of “the pick etiquette.”

Pay attention to the person who is leading. If you are leading, make eye contact with the others at the pick. When somebody else is singing or taking a lead break, you need to hear whoever is being featured at any given moment.

If you can’t hear them, soften your playing until you can. This won’t do the trick if there are other inconsiderate jammers in the group, but it’s up to everyone to do their part.

Remind the others who play too loudly to listen more carefully, but do not “smack them upside the head” or tell them to “shut up.” That is not good “pick etiquette.”  

The last 'rule'

Most jams happen at tap rooms or bars, and we have to remember that the hosts have a business to run. Please be kind and tip well, be courteous to everyone, and clean up your empties. When you go to get a drink, your place in line is not held for you.

And bring me another one.