I am running around Australia at the moment, about to go see the Steep Canyon Rangers at the Melbourne Arena, and trying to figure out exactly what time I need to post this column so that it’s Friday in California. Friday is nearly over here, but Thursday’s still going on back home. And, I want to give a shout out and immense gratitude to Nicky Sanders, Steep Canyon’s fiddler, for putting me on the guest list for tonight’s show. It’s my last night in Melbourne, and it’s so exciting to be able to see them here (with Steve Martin and Martin Short). I’m looking forward to seeing how the Australian audience responds.
All that aside…
Warning: bluegrass opinions ahead.
Every once in a while, “New Camptown Races” is called at a jam. I pass when the break comes to me. I’ve never put the time into the tune that it needs, and it feels like Frank Wakefield wrote a very specific tune that needs to be honored in the way it is played, especially on the fiddle. I can’t, so I don’t. (Maybe someday.)
There seems to be two different opinions on passing. The first was expressed by someone at a jam a while back: they insisted I should have given it a shot, that it didn’t matter if I got it right, that I’d never learn if I didn’t try.
I appreciate that “can do” attitude, but the other camp is more the one I belong to—if I’m in a jam with a bunch of players and I can’t do justice to a tune, I just pass. There’s no shame in it. Not everyone can play every tune. The time for me to learn a tune is before, not during a jam.
Your mileage may vary. Of course, if you decide to join in, it doesn’t mean that you need to replicate Bill Monroe’s break on “Jerusalem Ridge” note for note, or that you know the Kenny Baker version of “Lonesome Moonlight Waltz” perfectly. But, a few chord notes in the right places do not a break make on most tunes (and I do mean tunes, not songs).
If you’re new to the pass, here are some times when you might want to take me up on it—when you don’t know the tune, when it’s too fast, or you’re just not feeling up to it for whatever reason. But for Pete’s sake, tell the person next to you in advance that you are going to pass. It sets up a tune for utter failure when you don’t start when it is your turn, and you say “pass” too late for the next person to prepare for their break.
So, if you’re in a small group of friends, and everyone is on board with people trying out breaks for tunes they are shaky on–fair enough. But, if it’s a large jam, you know the tune is going to go slowly anyway—don’t make it go even more slowly by struggling through something you can’t play.
Your turn will come to call your choice of tunes, so no worries if you pass your turn now. Though this brings about my next opinion. When it is your turn to call a tune or a song, please call something you know how to play and/or sing!
Rant over. Have fun, above all.
Late night update: Steep Canyon Rangers did not disappoint. They played to a hugely crowded house (8,000 or so). My only complaint—some guys named Steve Martin and Martin Short tried to steal the show.
