What is Jam Etiquette & What are the Key Elements of Jam Etiquette
From:
"What Makes a Good Jam
and Where Do Jam Busters (and Jam Etiquette) Fit In"
by Tony Anthonisen, April 2025
The following is the opening part of this document.
To see the complete version, download the file below.
"What Makes a Good Jam
and Where Do Jam Busters (and Jam Etiquette) Fit In"
by Tony Anthonisen, April 2025
The following is the opening part of this document.
To see the complete version, download the file below.
Most weeks, I participate in or lead five jams, or about 250 a year. Add in 25 years of the local, regional and national music stores, camps and events I have taught at and and at which I have led jams. This works out to a whole bunch of both fun and not so fun jams. I have learned that Jam Etiquette is a big deal. There are some common elements of Jam Etiquette listed in the Matt Bruno article referenced below. If I pick out the primary element that makes or breaks a fun jam, it is something called a “jam buster.”
First, What About Jam Etiquette?
Matt Bruno Music (https://tinyurl.com/mattbrunojametiquette) says the following about Jam Etiquette. While this article specifically describes bluegrass jam etiquette, it is one of the best I have seen about virtually any blues, bluegrass, country, folk, rockabilly, roots jam — any jam!
“Jam etiquette [guidelines] are not strict rules but rather a they are a helpful guide on how to keep the jam fun and welcoming for everyone. . . . A good jam session feels like a conversation—everyone listens, contributes, and makes space for each other.”
(continued in downloadable and printable file below)
First, What About Jam Etiquette?
Matt Bruno Music (https://tinyurl.com/mattbrunojametiquette) says the following about Jam Etiquette. While this article specifically describes bluegrass jam etiquette, it is one of the best I have seen about virtually any blues, bluegrass, country, folk, rockabilly, roots jam — any jam!
“Jam etiquette [guidelines] are not strict rules but rather a they are a helpful guide on how to keep the jam fun and welcoming for everyone. . . . A good jam session feels like a conversation—everyone listens, contributes, and makes space for each other.”
(continued in downloadable and printable file below)
Click on this link for a downloadable and printable pdf version.
| What Makes a Good Jam & Jam Busters |
