Hi all-

We have been running a new folk/acoustic music society and hold monthly jams/open mics. The open mics do quite well. We are always surprised at the new talent that keeps showing up (we've been at this for nine months).

Our problem is the jam sessions. We end up with 25 people in a circle playing only bluegrass tunes (because of the simple chord structure-nothing against bluegrass) and it's very hard to hear lead breaks (if there are any). Singers are shy.

Any ideas on how to run a more effective jam? The "Rise-up Singing" book that I read about in another post seems like a good idea. Any other ideas for sources of music?

Thanks!

Acoustically,

Steve