By Dave Nance

Hi everybody !  I’m writing to remind you: The 3rd Tuesday Beginner’s Bluegrass Jam, sponsored by SWBMAI (Southern Wisconsin Bluegrass Music Association), and hosted by yours truly, Dave Nance, will be held this Tuesday evening, January 19, 2010, at the Up North Bar at 514 E. Wilson St.

I’ll be there by 7:30 P.M., and  we’ll start the jam by 8:00 P.M.

What’s on tap this month:  “Chiming in on the Chorus.”  What’s that all about?  Bluegrass is not just about pickin’, it’s also about singin’.  But many people find it difficult to play their instrument AND sing at the same time, so the singing sometimes gets passed over. Which is too bad, because there’s really only one way to get better at playing and singing at the same time, and that’s doing it.  So let’s do it!

This week I’ve come up with some ideas for songs that all have repeating choruses that are great for singing along on.  Choruses are ideal for practicing your singing, for a number of reasons (including the repetition).  They’re also great for folks who are a little shy about their singing, because with everybody singing, everybody gets the anonymity of the herd! (Did you know that that’s why zebras, which live in dull brown grasslands, have that ridiculous black-and-white stripe thing going on?  Sure, it’s lousy camouflage if you’re trying to hide by yourself out on the grassland, but it’s great if you’re trying to hide in a herd of zebras!).  So, that’s why it’s gonna be important for EVERYBODY to sing!

Anyway, here are some “chorus” songs I’ll be ready to lead you in:

Angel Band
Banks Of The Ohio
Bury Me Beneath The Willow
Columbus Stockade Blues
I’ll Fly Away
Keep On The Sunny Side
Long Journey Home (aka Two Dollar Bill)
On And On
On My Mind
On My Mind
Our Last Goodbye

NOTE: I will bring along lyrics sheets that have the choruses of these (and other) songs.  I also really encourage you to bring your own ideas for songs with repeating choruses.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!