GUIDELINES FOR A SUCCESSFUL JAM (not only for Bluegrass):

1. ATTITUDE:
a) Everybody is self responsible for how much he/she is welcome and respected (what goes around comes around). Keep eyes and ears open and don't be so busy with yourself that you loose contact to the group.Jamming is a group thing and works only if you listen to the others.
b) Above All : Remember to be kind, considerate, and encouraging to your fellow musicians. Don't take the music so seriously that it looses it's joy and spontaneity.
c) Every one, regardless of musical ability, should be invited and encouraged to join the jam circle.

2. PREPARATION:
Please have your instrument tuned with a tuning aid. Only very few people with "absolute hearing" don't need a tuning aid. When you are out of tune during a song stop playing (your neighbor might get irritated) and leave the circle for tuning.

3. BETWEEN SONGS / NOODLING:
Between songs, many pickers are continuosly loud noodling which can be very annoying. We all do this and I don't want to condemn it but we should keep it in moderation and stop immediately when somebody makes an anouncement or wants to start a song.
- If your noodling is your attempt to practice something, please move away from the main group and practice in a corner.
- If your noodling is an attempt to show everyone how good you are, rest assured it is unnecessary. A few well chosen fill-in licks will make point equally well. 
- If noodling is your way of covertly suggesting the next tune, you are better off taking the direct approach and overtly suggesting the tune.
- If your noodling is just a nervous habit, please cut it out!
No one has ever garnered any ill will by playing too softly or too little.  The worst that will happen in such a case is that the others in the group will encourage you to play more/louder.  That will make you feel good. But if the group members have to tell you to back off, you're likely to be insulted. This is unfortunate because it reduces the likelihood that you will return to that jam.  But if that does happen, just say "oops, sorry."  i.e., Repent and sin no more.

4. PICKING A TUNE AND TEMPO:
Remember playing as a group means playing as one unit. Try not to start playing a song so fast that you can't keep good time or so slow that everyone falls asleep. Do not try to pick tunes for someone else or express displeasure at their choice.

5. HOW IT WORKS:
a) The circle moves typically clockwise : On your turn to pick, state the song and the any unusual chords,  and any other pertinent information, like whether you'll play an intro or ending. Find out how many people will be taking a break (soloing). The solos will move clockwise unless a better musical arrangement is agreed upon.

b) The person who starts a song or tune ends it : Most of the time a song will go around the circle once. If there is plenty of time or if you are in a support type jam where the emphasis is on learning, a song may go many times around. In such a case the person who chose the song will put his or her foot up at the last playing to indicate to all that the tune is ending. As an alternative you may clearly state "last time" for all to hear.

c) When someone is playing a solo or lead you play backup: chords and rhythm help support a solo, if you can't play the chords don't play, only one person at a time should be playing the solo. (sometimes everyone will play the melody together but this will be indicated at the beginning of the song). Remember to play as a unit, backup should be in the back don't try to overpower the soloist. If you can't hear the solo you are too loud. Help the solo along don't bury it. Help to make music prettier, not louder.

6. DURING THE SONG:
a) Players may skip their turn at a break at their discretion - not at the discretion of others. Signal your pass by taking a step back or shake your head.
b) Passing your turn means passing your turn for this break only - a new turn comes up with each rotation around the circle.
c) If a player falters during a break: he/she is allowed the opportunity to recover before the next player in the circle takes over. Other players keep the song going while the breaker tries to recover - a "miss" is never a strike-out. Once recovered, the break reverts back to the original player.
d) Players should clearly signal the next player in the circle if they want him/her to take over.

7. AT FESTIVALS:
If you see people playing together at a festival don't just assume anyone is welcome to join in. Hang back and try to establish their level of expertise. There will be different levels of musicianship around any festival. Look for a group that you can comfortably fit in with. Also it is proper etiquette to wait until you are invited to join a group. Sometimes the people you are listening to may be rehearsing to go on stage or they may just want to play among their selected friends.

ADDITIONAL HINTS
a) The circle - stagger the players so there's balance and variety: don't have two of the same instruments standing next to each other.

b) Keep your eye out - make room for new players so they can enter the circle at any time and feel welcome to do so.

Last update: 10-08-2005
Joining as many jams as my time allows I do enjoy meeting new people, new talents and all the great musicians regardles how advanced they are. I try not to compare skills since this is just something where we are, and giving it enough time we'll progress as long as we keep playing and having fun. Although I do compare people's attitudes. Some are easy to play with and some are quite a nuissance. This is not because I don't like them but some people need to learn how to fit in into a group and what jamming is about. I don't mean to hurt anybody's feelings, rather hope that following guidelines help everybody to have more fun and jam in harmony.
In a nutshell: Listen to what others play, the loudest is not neccessarly the best!