Trad Music Jam

Fogartyville jams are all about sharing music, making new friends, and enjoying a relaxing afternoon listening to and playing acoustic music. Hosted by inspiring jam leaders, each gathering will introduce music, tips and skills to uplift the listening and playing enjoyment of all. The events will begin with a Slow Jam, followed by more advanced playing. All acoustic instruments are welcome.

Trad-Roots Music refers to tunes and songs descended through an oral history of being passed along through the socio-cultural interactions of communities around the globe. In contrast to commercial, pop and original music, these would be melodies that have a simple chord structure of 2 or 3 chords, and a melody that falls well on a melody instrument, but may have a variety of harmonies and rhythms either traditionally connected to the culture or that have evolved through folk traditions or creative improvisation and arrangements of skilled musicians.

The focus for jammers is to share a common goal of playing as one united sound and establish a cohesive groove. Tunes and tempos will be intended for folks who have at least an upper beginner level of ability on their instrument of choice, but beginners are welcome too, and advanced players are highly encouraged to come early to support the Slow Jam, or to come later for the Up-to-Speed jam. Only acoustic instruments will be permitted. There will be one electronic keyboard available.

Ideally, players will be playing without the use of written music to encourage deeper group listening and learning from each other at the Slow Jam. Chord charts for the selected tunes will be provided, so please default to these chords when playing together.

By registering here, you will be able to receive a list of tunes and songs with chord charts that you can expect to be shared and that most players will be familiar with. For those writing original material, please check our Singer-Songwriter series beginning in January where your original work is welcomed to be performed!