Stumbled upon an old time music circle last night!

[lowrider]

I have access to three of these on Long Island and one in Pine Hill, upstate.

Here is the one that I put on at the Plainview-Old Bethpage library;

https://www.facebook.com/groups/445679899345171/

We are just getting started but so far we're getting around 10 players each time. Our next jam is this Tuesday. If you are around and looking for a friendly place to play with others. Come on over!

[dhodgeh]

Originally Posted by Bill Ashton

For the life of me, I cannot ID that fiddle tune they are playing...like I have it on the tip of my tongue but don't quite have it

I believe it's Flowers of Edinburgh.

D

[beatcomber]

I was perusing Craig's List last week, and saw a listing inviting people to an "acoustic jam" at a small brewpub in the city on Sunday afternoon... so I went and played at my first music circle yesterday!

There were maybe 7 or 8 folks there, both men and women, and it was set up in a backroom where the brewing tanks are. There were a couple of guitar players, a couple of banjos, a couple of mandolins, a guy with a lap steel, and a guy thumping a stand-up bass. The repertoire was mostly simple 3-chord folk, bluegrass and country, with a few blues and rock tunes thrown in (but done country-style).

I've only ever played in rock bands, so playing folksy stuff on acoustic instruments was a refreshing change, and I had a blast.

I plan to go back again next Sunday and do it again!

[Kyle76]

I’d love to find one of these nearby. We don’t even have any open mics that I’m aware of.

[beatcomber]

Originally Posted by Kyle76

I’d love to find one of these nearby. We don’t even have any open mics that I’m aware of.

I would expect that kind of thing to be fairly common in the South. Of course, the Boston area has its own folk music heritage, particularly Cambridge.

[Ben M.]

That video was way too short but I'll take what I can get. I think there are a lot more people out there playing this kind of music than most folks realize. The folk tradition of passing down old songs is still alive and well.

[beatcomber]

Originally Posted by Ben M.

That video was way too short but I'll take what I can get. I think there are a lot more people out there playing this kind of music than most folks realize. The folk tradition of passing down old songs is still alive and well.

I do believe you're right. I guess folk musc isn't "cool," so it's mostly done in more intimate settings.

[62&climbing]

Used to do this 4 years ago in the town I moved from. Every Tuesday at the Red Rooster coffee shop from 2-5. I could kinda chord and kinda keep up. Often I was playing the wrong chords because I couldnt see the chord shapes on some of the guys fingers. I tried to play quietly and keep up and they welcomed me and tolerated me. Then... I gradually got better. Then one of the guys explained the I, IV, V thing to me. Then I actually brought some songs and led them when the circle came round to me. I’m still getting better and got a long way to go. I was able to sit in a jam with three other guys at the local fall bluegrass festival a week or so ago. Really enjoyed that. I’m ok as long as I can see thier chord shapes and learned to develop a strumming pattern that may not be the one they are doing, but still contributes. Or can just play some of the base sounds of a chord to help contribute.

What I really enjoy is when I play one of my “originals”. I can only chord, but some can guys jump in and add picking to my chords and the song/music really rounds outs and sounds so much better. I really appreciate the skills of those that can do that.

Good times!

[Shepard man]

Would love something like this in the North Houston area.

[lowrider]

Check out my post here about the biggest jam group ever;

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...15#post6221715

[srick]

The Berkshires are a magical place! Great story!

[beatcomber]

Originally Posted by 62&climbing

Used to do this 4 years ago in the town I moved from. Every Tuesday at the Red Rooster coffee shop from 2-5. I could kinda chord and kinda keep up. Often I was playing the wrong chords because I couldnt see the chord shapes on some of the guys fingers. I tried to play quietly and keep up and they welcomed me and tolerated me. Then... I gradually got better. Then one of the guys explained the I, IV, V thing to me. Then I actually brought some songs and led them when the circle came round to me. I’m still getting better and got a long way to go. I was able to sit in a jam with three other guys at the local fall bluegrass festival a week or so ago. Really enjoyed that. I’m ok as long as I can see thier chord shapes and learned to develop a strumming pattern that may not be the one they are doing, but still contributes. Or can just play some of the base sounds of a chord to help contribute.

What I really enjoy is when I play one of my “originals”. I can only chord, but some can guys jump in and add picking to my chords and the song/music really rounds outs and sounds so much better. I really appreciate the skills of those that can do that.

Good times!

Great post.

The best way for a developing musician to grow is through playing with other musicians.

At the circle I attended, I could evaluate each musician's relative skill level, and some struggled at times to find their place, but there was an overall atmosphere of mutual encouragement rather than competition. It was a positive, inclusive environment.

Originally Posted by srick

The Berkshires are a magical place! Great story!

Indeed they are.

[MikeBmusic]

The Hearing Room in Lowell has 'acoustic jams' and bluegrass circles on a regular basis. https://www.hearingroom.net/

Tapley Hall in Danvers has a song circle the 3rd Wednesday of the month.

[beatcomber]

Originally Posted by MikeBmusic

The Hearing Room in Lowell has 'acoustic jams' and bluegrass circles on a regular basis. https://www.hearingroom.net/

Tapley Hall in Danvers has a song circle the 3rd Wednesday of the month.

Great info! And Lowell is closer than JP.