A weekly check-in on the Banjo versus TV project — J.R.'s resolution to spend more time in 2008 on his banjo than on TV.
The big news this week was my sister's jam party.
She told me she'd invited a bunch of musicians with a variety of skill levels. Translation: Several good musicians and me. But her trick worked. I had a blast at my first jam party!
The band played...
...the singers sang...
...I kept up on my banjo when I could...
...and when I couldn't...
...I hammered away on the pots and pans.
The crowd had a good time and gave me more compliments than I deserved (and almost as many as I could want).
I was very nervous about the jam. The Chordie.com set list was available in advance, so I brought it to my weekly banjo lesson and asked Mike for advice. After giving the list a once-over (Initial assessment: "You're screwed.") he helped me pick out some songs that are within reach of my current skill level.
Here are the songs on her set list that were doable:
- Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morisson (G)
- Calypso by John Denver (capo to A)
- Horse With No Name by America (play only Em and D)
- Jambalaya by Hank Williams (capo to A)
- Last Dance With Mary Jane by Tom Petty (G)
- Paradise by John Prine (G)
- Slip Slidin' Away by Paul Simon (G)
- Squeeze Box by Who (G)
- Stand By Me by Misc. Soul, Rhythm and Blues (G)
- When You Say Nothing At All by Alison Krauss & Union Station (capo to D)
- Wish You Were Here by by Pink Floyd (G)
- Your Cheatin' Heart by Hank Williams (G)
And here are the songs that were beyond my reach for now:
- Ain't Too Proud to Beg by The Temptations
- Bad Moon Risin' by Creedence Clearwater Revival
- Behind Blue Eyes by The Who
- Broken Hearted Saviour by Big Head Todd and Monsters
- Burning Love by Elvis Presley
- Daniel by Elton John
- Don't Let Me be Misunderstood by The Animals
- End Of The Line by Traveling Wilburys
- Feelin' Alright by Grand Funk Railroad
- Fire and Rain by James Taylor
- Friday I'm In Love by The Cure
- Gimme Three Steps by Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Handle With Care by Travelling Wilburys
- Heartache Tonight by Eagles
- Hit Me With Your Best Shot by Pat Benatar
- I Only Want To Be With You by Dusty Springfield
- I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
- I'm A Believer by The Monkees
- I'm on Fire by Bruce Springsteen
- Its All Been Done by Barenaked Ladies
- Midnight Radio by Big Head Todd and Monsters
- Peaceful Easy Feeling by Eagles
- Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac
- Sloop John B by Traditional
- Summer in the City by Lovin' Spoonful
- Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond
- Taking Care Of Business by Bachman Turner Overdrive
- Temptation Eyes by Grass Roots
- That'll be the Day by Buddy Holly
- Tiny Dancer Acoustic by Elton John
- You May Be Right by Billy Joel
- You've Lost that Loving Feeling by Righteous Brothers
The band was very kind to me and moved several of the songs to G so I wouldn't have to capo. Thanks, everyone, for making me sound good!
Also in the last week:
- As I was practicing over lunch at the park, Jared Voss came up and introduced himself. Jared's a guitarist with Mattithias and the Stereo Expanders who likes the idea of lunch-time practice in the park. We exchanged contact info; maybe we can set something up.
- Yay, pawn shop bluegrass! I got these used CDs on the cheap at our local pawn shop:
- Flatt & Scruggs at Carnegie Hall
- Don Reno: Founding Father of the Bluegrass Banjo
- Dead Grass featuring Vassar Clements
- The Three Pickers (Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson and Ricky Skaggs)
- The Grass is Blue by Dolly Parton
- All-Time Southern Gospel Hits Collection (OK, it's gospel and not bluegrass. Sue me.)
- Bill Monroe from the Country Music Hall of Fame Series
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