The California Bluegrass Association is dedicated to spreading the word about bluegrass, gospel, old time and american acoustic music. And based upon the young folks I’ve seen at our events, we’re doing a good job. Bluegrass is such a community-based music at heart – it’s obvious why folks would want to join in on the fun.
However, I have seen some tendencies on the part of the bluegrass community that could have a chilling effect on newcomers.
Imagine you’re a newbie to the bluegrass scene. You’ve learned a few songs and you want to join a jam. You spot a circle of jammers and get into the circle. When the chance to pick a song comes to you, you pick a song you feel you know well. Unfortunately, it’s “Wagon Wheel”. Howls of protests and looks of scorn erupt. “God, I hate that song!”, someone mutters. “That isn’t even real bluegrass!”, someone else says. How’s this newcomer going to feel?
I started a regular open bluegrass jam recently, and when I announced it, I received several messages about how I need to make sure folks don’t “do the wrong thing” – bring “unapproved” instruments, or try to call “non bluegrass” songs. Geez, what are the actual risks to our happiness and way of life?
There are other, subtle but exclusionary tactics. I have seen jams where the players simply won’t acknowledge anyone that’s not already in the circle. Or jams where everyone tunes up a few cents so any newcomers can’t get in tune.
Any newcomer should be schooled, albeit gently, into the norms of jam etiquette. I know there are lots of primers on this, but not everyone knows about them. Shunning is not an effective form of education.
Life is short, but not so short you can’t tolerate some time jamming with the occasional interloper with limited skills, odd song choices or even a not-quite-bluegrass instrument.
The bluegrass community is self-aware. It knows of these snobby tendencies, and sometimes makes fun of them (the yearly list of “Songs That Should be Retired”, is a good example), and the vast collection of Jam Etiquette rules is an earnest effort to help welcome people into the fold. But these are institutional efforts – and players’ first impressions come from live interactions with other players within the bluegrass community.
I’ve said it many times – arguing about what is, and what isn’t “bluegrass” is the 2nd favorite pastime of bluegrass fans, but let’s not get newcomers embroiled in that debate too soon!
