Bluegrass Jam Along

Hi and welcome to Bluegrass Jamalong, a new podcast of fiddle tune and bluegrass backing tracks.
I play guitar and mandolin and love jamming along to backing tracks when I’m learning a fiddle tune. But, I struggle to find backing tracks I like.
First up, most backing tracks are too short. It generally takes me one or two runs through a tune to really settle into it – by that point most backing tracks are over.
Secondly, they only give you the backup. I want to work on rhythm, not just lead (and maybe even sometimes work up a harmony)! That means having just the tune to play to.
Finally, backing tracks don’t prepare you for a jam session. When you jam with people, you take it in turns to back each other up and play the tune or take breaks.
So...I started making my own backing tracks and now I’m releasing them as a podcast, one tune a week, so you can use them too!
They work with whatever instrument you play. Guitar, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, bass, banjo...even if you’re a bluegrass cellist (I have actually met one!)
Here’s how they work.
Every week I pick a fiddle tune and give you three brand new backing tracks:

1. I play backup and you play the tune
2. I play lead so you can work on rhythm
3. A 'jam along' track where we swap between the two.

Each track is four times through to give you time to really get stuck in.

I’m not a pro musician – I’m just a regular picker like you who has a day job but loves playing bluegrass. So these tracks aren’t note perfect, or state of the art recordings, but they hopefully feel like exactly what they are, jamming along with another picker who loves bluegrass.
Also, I’m not teaching you anything – we’re just jamming. There are so many amazing resources for learning fiddle tunes out there and so many better qualified people than me to teach them. I’m just your picking buddy and the great thing is this podcast lets you use any version of the tune you’ve learned, wherever you learned it (from a book, DVD, YouTube, your teacher, at a local jam...)
For more info, or details of how to connect on social media or get in touch, head to bluegrassjamalong.com
Thanks, and happy picking,
Matt

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- Sign up to get updates on new episodes
- Free fiddle tune chord sheets
- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews
- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates:

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This week we're playing another tune back to back at two different speeds - once at 75 bpm then again at 85. We're doing Saint Anne's Reel and we're in the key of D.
We're using the jam along format - that means I'm kicking off playing backup and you're on the tune, then we swap and go round 4 times. Then, after a quick pause, we do the whole thing again at 85 bpm.
Don't forget to grab a chord sheet if you need one from bluegrassjamalong.com
Happy picking!
Matt

===
- Sign up to get updates on new episodes
- Free fiddle tune chord sheets
- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews
- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates:

• Instagram
• Facebook

Review us on Apple Podcasts

My guest this week is Harry Clark, a recipient of the 2022 IBMA Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year award.
Harry plays mandolin with East Nash Grass as well as in Dan Tyminski's band, both of which have new records due out in 2023. He also played in the band for Bronwyn Keith-Hynes' fabulous record 'Fiddler's Pastime.' Both Dan and Bronwyn were full of praise for Harry's playing when I interviewed them (you'll find links to those interviews on the Bluegrass Jam Along website).
We chatted about how Harry got into mandolin, how East Nash Grass got together and how Harry got the gig with Dan Tyminski, as well as the time he ordered a new mandolin, only to have the US Mail lose it for three months!
For updates check out Harry's Instagram and the East Nash Grass website
Check out Dan Tyminski's website for updates on that record and Dan's live shows.
Happy picking!
Matt

===
- Sign up to get updates on new episodes
- Free fiddle tune chord sheets
- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews
- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates:

• Instagram
• Facebook

Review us on Apple Podcasts

I interviewed Tim Stafford for the podcast this week, which was an absolute treat. We talked about all sorts, from Blue Highway to Tony Rice, Billy Strings and Tim's songwriting.
Tim also talked about David Grier's take on what matters when it comes to guitars, strings and picks, which is great. Tim also does a killer David Grier impersonation, which is worth hearing in its own right!
Here's the Tim Stafford interview, in case you missed it.
And here's David Grier's website, for no reason other than David's brilliant.
Happy picking!
Matt

===
- Sign up to get updates on new episodes
- Free fiddle tune chord sheets
- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews
- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates:

• Instagram
• Facebook

Review us on Apple Podcasts

My guest this week is Tim Stafford.
Tim is a multi award winning guitarist, songwriter, singer, producer and author.
We covered a lot of ground, including the recent Blue Highway Fest, Tim's songwriting partnerships, how bluegrass has changed in the last 15 years, why he has no time for people moaning about Billy Strings and, of course, plenty of Tony Rice chat (including the wonderful biography of Tony Tim co-wrote and the CD box set he's currently working on!)
For news and updates go to Tim's website and Facebook page
Find out more about Tim's book on Tony Rice (and order your copy)
You should also check out Tim's recent collaboration with Thomm Jutz
Enjoy (and happy picking!)
Matt

===
- Sign up to get updates on new episodes
- Free fiddle tune chord sheets
- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews
- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates:

• Instagram
• Facebook

Review us on Apple Podcasts