OLD TIME TRADITIONAL MUSIC JAMS
We have been gathering around the Valley sharing tunes and songs for over 20 years. We play a mix of traditional fiddle tunes, Appalachian Mountain music, Canadian, Irish & Scottish tunes (jigs, polkas, reels, waltzes, hornpipes) and more.
Click here to see some of these tunes.
All are welcome
Please join us for our open Old-Time Jam Sessions. Players of all ages and ability come together in the time-honored tradition of gathering and playing music.
We encourage acoustical instruments to share in these traditional tunes. Fiddles, dulcimers, banjos, guitars, harps, accordions, mandolins, dobros, zithers, upright bass, Irish whistles, flutes, bodhrans, rhythm bones, spoons, and more.
Pictures from
THE GLENDALE FOLK & HERITAGE FESTIVAL JAM
Saturday, March 1st
Another great turn-out of musicians (and spectators) at the Glendale Folk & Heritage Festival.
Thank you to Ellen O'Hare for sharing these pictures.
<Click on Slide Show to enlarge>
FEATURED HIGHLIGHT | Phoenix Conservatory of Music jam return engagement
January 25, 2025
Twenty-one of our musicians were joined by students and staff of the Conservatory for our second old time jam on their campus.
For many of them, this was their first exposure to old-time music. They were excited to learn about these traditional instruments and tunes.
More importantly, they wanted to play! It was a lot of fun and it was amazing to see how good these students are.
About Phoenix Conservatory of Music (PCM):
PCM is is a 501c3 organization that offers formal music education programs for all grade levels; from pre-school through high school. PCM also offers a unique college prep program backed by the Berklee College of Music 'PULSE' curriculum.
To learn more about this wonderful organization and/or to support them, check out their website: www.PCMRocks.org
UPCOMING JAMS
JUN
7
Glendale
Foothills
Library
May
3
Glendale
Foothills
Library
MAY
10
North
Mountain
Visitors
Center
Note: No Jam on May 17th
First and Third Saturday of Each Month:
Glendale Foothills Library
19055 N. 57th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85308
10:30am - 12:30pm
(Pre-jam set-up and tuning from 10-10:30am)
Second Saturday of Each Month:
North Mountain Visitors Center
12950 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85022
(7th Street, just south of Thunderbird
10:00am - 12:
(Pre-jam set-up and tuning from 9:30-10 am)
CHECK OUT THE 2ND ANNUAL BARN JAM VIDEOS
OLD TIME VS BLUEGRASS | ARE THEY DIFFERENT?
Musicians in an Old-Time Jam Session play together from start to finish, without any solos. In a typical Bluegrass Jam Session, each musician performs a solo during the tune, also referred to as "taking a break". Additionally, Bluegrass music is played much faster.
Our sessions are played at a moderate tempo, allowing for each musician to practice and improve their skills. Each player has an opportunity to choose (and/or lead) a song, ideally from our tune book so that everyone can participate.
JUN
14
North
Mountain
Visitors
Center
WHAT IS THAT INSTRUMENT?
The Mountain Dulcimer, also known as the Appalachian Dulcimer, first appeared among Scots-Irish immigrants that settled in the Appalachian Mountains. According to history, it was an invention of musical necessity and a solution to the challenges of crafting more complex instruments. It is considered a uniquely American instrument.
This beautiful instrument belongs to member Marcia Larson.
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