A Mandolin Player's Guide to Jamming

Carl Yaffey

Dec 2010 · Mel Bay Publications

About this eBook

Joining a jam session can be intimidating. Presented here is everything a beginning or intermediate mandolin player needs to know to participate in a jam session. There are sections that describe how jam sessions work, and jam session etiquette. The book also describes the typical chords and keys for jamming, and describes right hand usage. A section is included on the role each instrument plays in bluegrass rhythm. A play-along audio is included with 9 typical bluegrass jam tunes. The tunes are played twice: once with the tune played on the left channel and a verbal description on the right channel, and once in stereo. Includes access to online audio.

About the author

Carl Yaffey, a multi-instrumentalist (banjo, guitar, bass, mandolin, Dobro), has been playing music on and off since 1962 (the "folkie" days). Way back then in Norfolk, VA, he played banjo and guitar in several Kingston Trio "clone" groups. After moving to Columbus, OH in 1966 to accept a job as a programmer with Bell Laboratories, he played bass in a country band and several Rock and Roll "oldies" bands. In between, Carl has played old-time and bluegrass banjo and bass with several different groups. Carl now teaches music, plays with Grassahol, and the Timbre Wolves, and he jams whenever he can.