Old Time Jam

Old time is the ancestor of bluegrass — American fiddle music rooted in Irish, African, Indigenous, Scandinavian and other folk traditions. Instrumentation is varied - typically heavy fiddle, banjo and guitar, but mandolins, upright bass, piano, as well as percussion like rib bones, spoons, washboard, and clogging

Think of it like a bluegrass jam played as a drum circle. Everyone plays the melody together (or supports it) — there are no solos. The tune is the thing. It's hypnotic and communal.

No. This jam is anchored off the provided list of tunes with sheet music and a Spotify playlist available ahead of time. If you don't know a tune, play quietly, listen, and find your way in. That's how everyone learns. Note: not all jams provide sheet music - its worth it to work on learning tunes by ear/playing quietly. It helps immensely when you go to a jam that doesnt provide sheet music.

Yes — calling tunes is encouraged. If you call it, be ready to lead it. Bring chord charts or sheet music to share with the group if you can. If you want to add tunes to the list ahead of time, reach out to Peter. Also, if you dont know what a jam buster is - look it up

Percussion and non standard instruments are welcome — this jam is open to it. Volume awareness is key. Listen first, then find your place in the mix. The idea is for everyone to communally uplift the melody of the current tune. Note: some jams are more purist, others are more loose. Check out a jam your interested in joining and talk to players there to see what they do.

Yes, and some provide sheet music, others do not and play 'by ear' instead. There are a lot of Irish sessions in Milwaukee which is the same 'play in unison' format as old time. There are some sessions that play old time music. There are also bluegrass jams around the area. Reach out to Peter if you want some direction on a good jam for your preference

Heck yeah, this is meant to be a communal thing shared with everyone in the room. Its all encouraged. If interested in digging into the traditional dancing check out flat-footing/clogging/buck dancing. Sean Nos dancing is basically the Irish equivalent and you can take lessons at Irish Fest in Milwaukee