Some folks had been playing music since
noon, but my long drive from New Hampshire meant that I showed
up after dark on a Friday afternoon, May 24. I drove up a long
dirt driveway onto a grassy field and located the registration
table. There was a Bruce Molsky concert going on in a barn and
a small jam session happening in the registration tent. After
paying my $25 all weekend fee I explored the area. I found a good
camping spot not too far from the restrooms and shower, and close
to the barn. I set up camp, listening to the sounds of the concert
escaping from the nearby open barn door.
I finished my camp site at about the same time the concert ended,
and soon there were several jam sessions going on in the camping
area. I rosined my bow, tuned my banjo, and joined in. I managed
to get many many hours of playing in over the weekend, and met
some nice folks. Some of the playing was so spectacular that I
sometimes relaxed on the lawn listening with eyes closed.
This gathering is total immersion in "old timey" music.
That is, most everyone plays southern US fiddle tunes in old timey
style, in which single tunes are generally played over and over
up to 15 or more times. For those unfamiliar with old timey music
I should note that there are many advantages of such repetition:
Its possible to learn a tune by ear in a single sitting; One can
learn tune variations from other players; its very social music,
as everyone is contributing to the mix with various dynamics;
experienced players have plenty of time to try out new bowings
and melody variations; tunes have time to evolve over a few minutes,
and then settle into a fine rhythmic groove.
This event provided the best possible setting for jam sessions:
A very high level of playing from the best players, yet many opportunities
for players of all skill levels to join in; Being out in an open
quiet rural area, there was plenty of space to spread out and
play music in many areas simultaneously. There were workshops
in banjo, guitar, and fiddle on Saturday in the barn, and opportunities
to learn tunes from other players patient enough to sit and teach
tunes.
The organizers took care to make sure that everyone was made welcome.
Soup, coffee, and snacks were available in the barn at all hours.
I really enjoyed my weekend and ended up playing till just before
sunrise on monday morning with a small group of serious musicians.
It was hard to leave the music for home, but the long drive home
beckoned. If you like to play old time music, or just listen to
it, this reunion is highly recommended for players of all levels.