We have a wonderful resource for the beginning/inexperienced picker here in west Michigan called the Pass It On Jam session, and it’s well worth a visit to see what it’s all about. This monthly jam session caters to pickers who are at the beginning stages of learning their instrument, and also to pickers who don’t have a lot of experience jamming with other people. Of course, all skill levels are welcomed and encouraged to attend. People with more ability and skill often sit and help coach the group. Pickers are welcome to suggest and play any material that they are comfortable with, but also asked to learn the basic bluegrass songs that are suggested each month so that the group can stick to the bluegrass theme that draws them all together.
Karen Siereveld
The Pass It On Jam session is the brainchild of Karen Siereveld from the Newaygo/Hardy Dam area. Karen is a very familiar face from the west Michigan music community, and she’s been attending jam sessions for many years. I always marvel at her thirst for knowledge about her chosen instument, the mandolin, and I’ve watched her seek out the good pickers around her for tips and pointers on how to play better at many a jam session over the years. She is definitely a fun person to jam with and her love of picking definitely shows through. Karen came to realize some time ago that people who are new to the art form or who have been closet pickers and too shy to really try stepping into an intimidating jam session, seemed to really enjoy getting a chance to jam nonetheless. For some it gives them a chance to hone their skills a little more, for others it gives them the chance to just pick with other live bodies that they haven’t had before. Let’s face it, when you are inexperienced or just starting out on your instrument, it can be quite intimidating to try and sit in with a group of pickers who appear to know what they are doing and who can sing and pick for several hours. Once Karen became aware of the sheer numbers of “closet pickers” in the area who might truly enjoy getting together in a non-intimidating, low-pressure way, she figured it would be worthwhile to try to put together an organized, monthly event. Pass It On was born!
The Pass It On Jam Session takes place at the Comstock Park Public Library in (you guessed it) Comstock Park, Mi. The library has graciously furnished the group with a big conference room to hold the event in, and they meet from 5pm until 8pm on the last Monday of the month each month. This jam session draws a very large number of pickers most months, further testament to the fact that there are people who want and need this sort of thing. Due to the lack of smaller rooms to break up into groups with (which would be better suited for a bluegrass jam session) not to mention the large number of people who show up, Karen came up with the idea to form the group into two circles, an inner and outer circle. If you want to just play rhythm and hang back without picking leads or doing any singing, then the outer circle is for you. Those who can and will take lead breaks sit in the inner circle and help lead the songs.
The group jamming
Karen does a great job of leading this group, keeping it fresh and fun. She always has some great insights and teaching points to pass along to the attendees, and her love of leading this group really shows through. If you are an experienced picker, she could definitely use you in a support role and to help lead things, and if you are more inexperienced or maybe a beginner, you definitely should consider attending this jam session. You can learn a lot and your skills can grow. If you provide Karen with your email address, she’ll keep in monthly contact with you and send you song suggestions and updates as to any scheduling conflicts during any particular month.
Make plans to attend soon! You’ll be glad you did.
Pass It On Jam Session
Held at: Comstock Park Public Library (click for location info and directions)
The last Monday of each month
Contact: Karen Siereveld (karenej11438@aol.com)