I saw Ukuleles mentioned, let's talk Ukes.

[T1 Terry]

Ukes bring visions of Tiny Tim strumming and singing away, those were the days eh

[Lance]

Tripping through tulips is not my thing and that song is not, and never will be on our 'play list'
Every man and his dog asks us about it and no, it aint gonna happen.....

[Dot]

We do a lot of that Lance:) Digress I mean

[native pepper]

Nothing melodic about ukuleles and a very limiting annoying instrument. Banjo is a better 4 string instrument and even that can grate on ones mind, but lots of people love them for some reason.

[pet-els]

Yes Lance I think they teach, also there is a stall selling them too.

PeterH

[BernieQ2]

I also have a Banjo Mandolin 8 strings .
Bernie .

[Keith Morris]

Ukes bring visions of Tiny Tim strumming and singing away, those were the days eh

"tanks" here---Memories of George Formby, but that may not be in your timeline. I do remember Tiny Tim--he was a pain.
Keith.

[T1 Terry]

Now there's a mix, get Tanks to join in with a dance routine and we could have Ukulele Morris dancing, just the thing for the next get together

[mikeg]

Suzy and I both play ukes and have done so for a number of years and have attended quite a number of uke festivals and really enjoy them especially the jam sessions that usually pop up around the camp fires. We also attended the Canberra rally this year as first timers and when we found out there that a uke get-to-gether had been organised we went along to have some fun but were sadly disappointed although this was no fault of the Rally Committee.

Before I continue I should explain to new ukers that there is such a thing as session etiquette when joining in a jam session.
For many beginning and Intermediate Jammers, lessons can be hard won, as no one has ever told them how to jam or that there is an etiquette which lends itself to playing well with others. Before I tell you what makes a jam successful let me first mention a couple of common pitfalls that can really sidetrack the best laid intentions.

1) one strong leader who doesn't know how to share the load. While many people appreciate his/her willingness to lead the group, he/she should be empowering others to step up and lead a song or two in order to keep things moving along.

2) Sometimes a small circle of talented musicians will hijack the direction of the jam and often they'll start playing tunes that are too complicated for the majority of the participants. These are folks who aren't thinking about what’s good for the group as a whole. I see this happen a lot with Uke players who like to play standards. Sure, everyone knows Five Foot Two and All of Me, but you'll lose em right quick with Stardust and Dream A Little Dream. The goal should be to find tunes or songs that everyone knows well or songs that are fun and easy to pick up which are 2, 3, 4, and occasionally 5 chord tunes, with the vast majority being 3 chord songs.

Many jammers need to learn how to play by ear and transpose among other things that might otherwise make it hard for them to jump right in on a song without sheet music in front of them.

Most are comfortable with the keys of: F, C, G, D and A.

3) Cutting others off or publicly criticizing others delivery. Hard to believe I know; but egos know no bounds when it comes to jams and many beginners walk on egg-shells, they are fragile, and already insecure about the notion of whether they are good enough, it doesn't take much to discourage them. So, it's our job to see to it that a positive jam stays uplifting and doesn't regress into anarchy.

Here's how you'll know you are at a good jam:

1) People take turns leading songs.
2) Those leading songs will call out the titles, keys and chords before starting a tune.
3) The group will sit in a circle where everyone can see each other and eye contact is obvious among players.
4) Jam speed is compatible with the skill level of the given group, above all dont't gallop and see who finishes first.
5) Those who have instrumental skills are encouraged to take solos but no one is put on the spot too often or asked to play something outside their skill level.
6) When a song is started, the leader will count it off so everyone can come in at the same time. Likewise, when a song is coming to an end the leader indicates in some verbal or non-verbal manner that the song is coming to an end. The Bottom line is, if you are watching the song leader, generally, you'll know when the song is going to end.
7) When someone takes a solo, the group as a whole shall quiet down so that the solo can be heard.
8) Talking amongst non-jammers shall be a whisper or unheard. A jam is a place where we come forth to sing, listen, play along with others and generally practice learning how to be a good musician. If non-jammers are talking loudly during a song kindly ask them to quiet down or move along.
9) While jams are often the place that beg for time tested favorites, new songs are welcome if they are presented in the right way.

A) Give the key, style, title, chords.
B) Tell folks something about the tune that might interest them.
C) If the song has a singable chorus or bridge, start by teaching that first so everyone has a vested interest.
D) keep it simple.
E) humorous songs are always welcome.

Alright! Go forth and jam!

[T1 Terry]

Hi Mike & Suzy, were you at Taggerty a few yrs back? That was a great sing-a-long session while the men's cook off was under way and again later in the evening.
Now if we can get Wayno to organise an Easter get together and the musicians bring their instruments along we could get a campfire sing along to happen that never eventuated at the Findley get to get earlier this yr.