Bass The upright bass is a very valuable instrument to the bluegrass ensemble but it can be a somewhat misunderstood at times. While the electric bass guitar has been used in some bluegrass groups, the upright - or double bass is what's typical of the genre. Like other orchestral stringed instruments, basses come in fractional sizes. Unlike the violin counter parts, in the United States a "full-sized" bass is actually a 3/4 size bass. It is extremely rare to encounter even a 7/8 bass. In bluegrass music, the bass is traditionally played without a bow - by plucking the strings with bare fingers. It is well worth investing a little bit of money into having it set up by a professional as many of the more affordable options are shipped in less that ideal playing condition. Palatino VB-004 3/4 Size Upright Bass - This bass is made out of spruce and maple plywoods with ebony fittings. This is a great option for jam sessions where an instrument of this size is bound to take some bumps. The outline of this bass is gamba shape, rather than a violin shape. Again, the lack of delicate corners is helpful in crowded company.

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Jam Etiquette While every jam is slightly different, there tend to be some common threads that run through them. Following a few basic guidelines can help you seamlessly join the next jam that you visit. Be observant! There are a lot of unspoken customs that include: How songs are selected​ Types of songs selected Who leads each selection How instrumental "breaks" are determined It's okay to ask if you're not picking it up. Be in tune! Tune to a standard A=440. Being in tune with the group is extremely important. Re-check often - especially when using a capo. Investing in an electronic, clip-on tuner is a life-saver. (They've become very affordable) Click here for a page on tuners! ​ Be prepared to pick a song - or two!​ If you don't feel comfortable singing it or leading it, you can always ask if someone else can.​ Pick another in case your first choice gets selected by someone else. It's always okay to pass, but people want to play what you know so do try to think of one. Avoid "Jam Busters" These are songs that don't fit the genre, are very complex, or aren't prepared to be performed at a typical tempo.​ Choose a song that follows a predictable structure. Few chord changes are best. Common keys like G, C, A, and D If it's an instrumental piece, a simple version - played at a more typical tempo - is a much better choice than a "fancy" version that needs to be slowed down too much. It's not an Open Mic People gather at jams to play together. That's what makes them so special. ​ Play so others can hear themselves. This is especially true:​​ During instrumental breaks​ While a vocalist is singing Have fun and don't worry about perfection. You are your harshest critic!

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Capo: What is it and how does it work? Comes from the Italian word for "head". When used on fretted instruments, it changes the "head" of the string from the nut to whatever fret it is placed behind. This enables you to play in various keys while using chords you're accustomed to using when playing a particular song. In practice: a song may say "Key of A" and "Capo 2". This means you'll place the capo behind the 2nd fret and play the chords that are listed. In this case, they would likely be G, C, and D. Although your fingers are playing in the key of G, the use of the capo makes it sound like the key of A. Things to consider when purchasing a capo: Adjustable tension - You only want as much pressure as is needed to make all of your strings ring clearly. ​Too much can pull your strings out of tune. Matched fretboard radius - Depending on the instrument, your frets might be completely flat, or may have a significant curve to them. You want a capo that matches the radius of your frets. Storage - Where do you keep it when you're not using it? Some can stay on the instrument while others will need to be completely removed. Cost - They range from a few dollars to many, many dollars. ​ ​ Guitar Capos Banjo Capos Dobro/Resonator Capos

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