I am somewhat new to the Forum. I have been a long time solo fingerstyle player. My guitar has been tuned to DADGAD for months at a time. I have always had a love for Bluegrass music, but the thought of holding a pick was pretty intimidating. I have finally decided to take the plunge and have been deligently practicing my flat picking. I am adequate to poor at this point, but have a burning desire to play with some other people, something I also have never done. There is a local begining Bluegrass group that meets once a week near where I live. I am trying to garner the nerve to show up, but have no idea what to expect. Will I be totally over my head? At what point does a player need to be get involved with such a group? What should I be working on before I go? Any suggestions or help to get my nerve up would be appreciated. Thanks.

G.A.S.man ,,Burning desire to pick bluegrass?? You are about to go boom. At least in fun with your guitar playing. Tune that d2 up regular, learn what 1,4 ,5 chord structure means{G,C,D.} do a few classics in key of G or kpo in A.{circle be unbroken, Rollin in my sweet babys arms,Ect.}perhaps pick up a six pack of cheep beer,depending on the jamsters.And get out there. Bluegrassers go to great affort to get together and pick and everyone of em has been where you are.You and your guitar will make a bunch of new pals as soon as you open the case.If you wind up playing the Grand OL Opry, I want a back stage pass. Look forward to pickin with you. Fred

Check out this site: http://www.jacktuttle.com/
Very informative. I say, learn the basic repertoire, play some rhythm, listen hard, you'll be fine.

Homespun tapes has some introductory bluegrass jam CD/DVD's that have a lot of the classics on them, and go from slow to whoa. I'm in a bluegrass band myself, and I'm really not a purist. Neither was Clarence White, not that I'm worthy to be mentioned in the same paragraph. Keeping good time is critical. Play a lot. Push that metronome speed. Get caffeinated.

Thanks for the Website Info. Also the tapes/CD/DVD's are a great idea I had not thought of. Thanks.

The Steve Kaufman DVD's by Homespun are excellent sources.

The best thing would be to find someone like Fred, aka bluegrasd2ha, to pick with regularly. He is a modern day troubadour in the truest sense. I learned more from him in two days at the forum gathering last year than I've ever learned from cd/dvd/tab. I wish I could live with him for about 6 months. I'd be a flatpicking, harmony singing monster at the end of that 6 months!

I would also recommend going on your local craigslist and placing an ad for like minded individuals to get together and jam. Host a jam at your place to get it all started. Most of all have fun with it. You've certainly got more than adequate tools for the job. Just get out there and do it.

Listen to Bluegrass. Listen to it a lot. Hear how and when the chords change, and most of all, hear the drive. The progessions in bluegrass are usually easy, it's the feeling that most folks can't capture. Sounds like you have enough musical knowledge that the technical piece won't be a problem. Learn to feel and then mimic the drive. Then bring some common sense with you that beginners jam and you'll be light years ahead of the group.

G-runs forever!

--David