Become a SongFarmer

We usually see the 10 Rules of Jamming. This write-up can be considered a Sub-section of that. Its the GUIDELINES for Selecting a Song at a Jam. I think its required reading (If I were the teacher) for ALL Jams.​

Jam-A-Long

Bring Music to the Classroom as a SongFarmer

SongFarmers Music Chapters
TURN YOUR FRONT PORCH INTO A COMMUNITY STAGE
​FACT: Folk, roots and bluegrass music is real people playing real instruments as a community. Think of it … the best music at folk and bluegrass festivals doesn’t happen onstage, it’s in the campgrounds and parking lots.  “SongFarmers Music Chapters” are for WFPA members to host in their communities. From Vermont to the Virgin Islands, SongFarmer chapters are springing up as we gather the global front porch community of artists and music lovers.
READ the latest Newsletter: click here
HOW IT WORKS
​It’s fun. It’s easy! No tickets, no money, no sound system needed. Just invite a few friends over to your front porch, back yard, living room, local community center to pick, sing and play. Have them invite a few of their friends. That’s it. Small gatherings are good. If you want to start one in your hometown, CLICK HERE for our instruction sheet … please let us know and we will post your SongFarmers Chapter here so others can find you.
The smaller you keep it the easier it will be. 
Simply invite friends over for a music jam, song circle, “open mic” or sing along. Everyone plays for free and for the sense of community. The more local and “living room” you keep it the better. It will also last longer.
A THAWT I THUNK from mj
“Love is the greatest transaction of the Arts …”
It’s not just a slogan, but an important way to view our music, our audiences and, most important, each other. Especially for our SongFarmers Chapter leaders, kindness and patience, mentoring and teaching goes a long way. At times, those attending might be slow to catch on or easily frustrated. Or the venue you are using is run by disorganized folks who aren’t paying much attention to you.
The best way to handle this is with love. Be forgiving and kind, patient to a fault. You will be amazed how powerful “love” can be to harmonizing the feelings of a community group. It is the glue that holds volunteers together. Remember, the “payment” volunteers have for helping out is the way they “feel” when they are done. Make them feel valuable, over look mistakes and help them find joy in being part of the SongFarmers world. It also leaves a good impression on onlookers: you are not just representing yourself or your chapter, but the reputation of our entire SongFarmers community nationwide.
Leaving behind seeds of kindness also helps keeping your group organized and our efforts easy. Rik Palieri, our SongFarmer Chapter leader in Vermont, had a hard time renting a venue for his August SongFarmers Harvest Festival because the community group that used it last time was short tempered and hard to deal with. The State Park almost didn’t want to rent it because of that. Rik overcame the objections with patience and calmness and now all is fine.
Lessons learned: You are now leaders of a whole regional community, love will gain you tremendous respect and admiration.
mj
SongFarmers.org