Welcome to the Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old Time Music Society’s Jam Page

 

SASKATOON JAMS

The following bluegrass jam sessions in Saskatoon will be held from 1:30 pm – 3:30pm at The Bassment (202 4th Ave N)

Please note – the doors to the venue will be locked starting at 2 PM. If you show up late and want to gain access, you will need to message the jam coordinator in this order:

Tim Sample: 306-370-2193
Emily Hopkins: 306-370-3973
 
-2025-

January 19th

 

February 2nd

February 16th

 

March 2nd
March 16th

March 30th

 

April 13th

April 27th

 

May 11th
May 25th
 
June 22nd

Saskatoon jams sponsored by:

city of saskatoon

REGINA JAMS

The following bluegrass jam sessions in Regina will be held from 1:00 pm – 3:00pm at The Eastview Community Centre and The Artesian.

-2025-
January 12th at The Artesian
January 26th at Eastview CC

February 9th at The Artesian
February 23rd at Eastview CC

March 16th at The Artesian
March 30th at Eastview CC

April 13th at The Artesian
April 27th at Eastview CC

May 11th at The Artesian

June 22nd at The Artesian

July 13th at The Artesian

Regina jams sponsored by:

PRINCE ALBERT JAMS

The following bluegrass jam sessions in Prince Albert will be held on Saturdays from 12:30 pm – 2:30pm at The Spice Trail

-2025-

January 4th

January 18th

 

February 1st

February 15th

 

March 1st

March 15th

March 29th

 

April 12th

April 26th

 

May 10th

May 24th

 

June 7th

June 21st

How It Works

Most of us play by ear, and we encourage new players to learn how to play, and to learn new tunes, that way.

  • If you do need music that’s OK but please put your stand where it won’t be in the way.
  • Recognize that (a) you may not always hear the tune name before it starts, and (b) the group won’t be waiting for you to find the page.

Choosing and Starting Tunes: Each person takes a turn naming a tune to be played, in deference to banjo players who need to retune, it is preferably in the current key  .The tune list will have a guide as to the key.

-Whoever chooses the tune will start it off (setting the tempo, which we’re then supposed to maintain) — or may ask someone else to start it.

-It’s also helpful to set the tempo by starting with a couple of measures of “potatoes” (shuffle bowing on fiddle) or strumming to lead into the tune.

Stopping: Whoever chose the tune should always indicate when to stop.

-This is usually done by raising a foot as we approach the end of the tune (preferably part-way through the last part of the tune, a few measures before we are to stop).

-Calling out “one more time” or “last time” at the start of the last time can help too, especially if you can’t raise your foot, or it can’t easily be seen by the group. 

Here is Some Old Tyme History

Old-time is a genre of North American folk music. It developed along with various North American folk dances such as square dancing, clogging and buck dancing. It is played on acoustic instruments, generally centering on a combination of fiddle and plucked string instruments (most often the guitar and banjo) as well as the mandolin.

Learn more about North American folk music HERE.
Learn more about North American folk dances HERE.

Appalachian old-time music is itself made up of regional traditions. Some of the most prominent traditions include those of:

This music is also found all over the US and Canada with each region having their own styles. Loads of modern composition is being added to the repertoire.