I've been running 'Slow Pitch'jams for the Pacific Bluegrass and Heritage Society in Vancouver BC for about 10 years; ditto for the BC Bluegrass Workshop, a week-long camp in the summer. I have developed a very structured system of teaching (it really functions as a workshop) that seems to work very well.

This arose out of frustration from beginner bluegrass players, who just couldn't keep up with the lightning speed of most bluegrass, but are dying to jam.

I practice pretty much all the elements mentioned in previous messages, with a couple of important additions.

1. We have people arranged in groups according to instruments; then all the instruments take breaks together during the song. Since bluegrass is very focussed on instrumental solos, everyone wants to develop that skill, but that takes a long time. So beginners are able to 'solo' as a group. Those who are only able to play chords do that, and those that are starting to play melodies or improvise can do that too. It works amazingly well. It does require a lot of direction from me, but is well worth it. We have an average of 50 people in our monthly Slow Pitch jams; usually 50% guitarists. We often have 2 or 3 stand-up basses, usually about 6 mandolins, banjos and fiddles and a couple of dobros.

2. I teach the Nashville Number System right from the beginning. It makes life very easy. I provide handouts of the songs we're working on each time, with only the numbers I, IV, V etc. I usually have two assistants who use hand signals for the numbers, as well as demonstrating things like instrumental intros, turnarounds, fills and backup. As we go along, we play in lots of different keys, and those who are regulars can now transpose on the fly and join in jams more easily.

3. I have produced two books with SLOW play-along CDs. Most of my students have them and they provide a good basic bluegrass repertoire of standard songs with easy changes.

Lots more info on this topic plus how to order the books at: www.rhythmroundup.com/slowpitch.

I will be doing 4 workshops at Wintergrass (Feb. 23 weekend) in Tacoma WA. Room 1200 in the Sheraton will be designated Slow Pitch Jam room for the whole weekend. This will be my 4th year at Wintergrass, and organizers have told lme that the Slow Pitch Jam is a permanent fixture now; so many people appreciate the opportunity to get started with jamming.

cheers,
Sue