by Charlie Hall and Robert Rosenburg, as printed in the January/February 2002 Folknik newsletter of the San Francisco Folk Music Club

THOU SHALT TUNE THY INSTRUMENT. There are too many good, cheap tuners around not to do this.

THOU SHALT LISTEN. If you can't hear the lead instrument or vocalist, then consider yourself too loud.

THOU SHALT PASS. When handing off an instrumental solo, try to follow a pattern either clockwise or counter clockwise. If you want to skip the next solo or pass it on to the next picker, be sure that the next person is aware of the handoff. No one wants to start his or her solo in the middle of the song.

1. Come prepared to lead at least 2 songs or instrumentals, more if you want to play all night.
2. To “lead” means that you must know the words and/or chord progression by heart. Written music and handouts are not acceptable! If you have to read, it’s not a jam - it’s a practice session! Solos are fine, especially for the singers who want to show off a bit. In general, though, you should find pieces that bring in at least one or two of the other musicians before the whole gang jumps in.
3. Songs and instrumentals should be “standards” that many people will know or recognize (Amazing Grace, She’ll Be Comin ‘Round the Mountain) or have relatively straightforward chord progressions that can be picked up quickly. If you are jamming with a specific group, such as frequent band-mates, fellow bluegrassers, 70’s rock-n-rollers, or similar theme, more complex tunes may be thrown into the mix, since you already share a history of playing them.