Free  Learning  Jams!

• Ukulele Learning Jam & Advancing Players Jam  The longest-running of High Strung's learning jams, the Uke Jam happens on the first and third Mondays of each month. (This is the jam that was the launchpad for the Durham Ukulele Orchestra.) It's so popular that we've had to move it to a bigger venue!
  
  Beginners are welcome, especially during the first 30 minutes when basic chords and strums are taught and then incorporated into familiar tunes. After that, it gets faster and the music gets a little more complex but everyone is welcome to try their hand at the tunes and there are shared books of music to use so it's not completely by ear.
  
  But be prepared! There's a lot of singing at the Ukulele Jam so you'd better brush up on the lyrics to Maxwell's Silver Hammer, You Are My Sunshine and (yes!) Pinball Wizard.
  
  When: First & Third Mondays, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
  Where: High Strung Violins & Guitars, 1803 W. Markham Ave.  Enter through Markham Ave door.
  Who: all ukulele players, complete beginners to old pros.
  How much: how 'bout zero? Always free, always will be (except for occasional guest artist workshops).

• Jazz Jam   Using tunes mostly from The Real Book 6th Edition, Volume 1 and 2 (available in Retail at High Strung), this jam teaches the fundamentals of playing jazz together.  Open to all ages and all levels and led by the amazing Billie Feather,  this jam is open to acoustic and electric guitars, drummers (there is a drum kit to use if you don't want to bring your own), singers (vocal mic provided), bassists and pretty much any instrument you can name.
  Jam Format:
  1. Everyone plays the melody/head together, unless the tune is lead by a singer.  Then, the singer will take the lead.  Note to Singers, please bring your own lead sheets (at least 5) in the keys you feel comfortable singing in.
  2. Solos are passed around among players, and a player can "pass" if they don't want one.
  3.  Everyone plays the melody/head after solos are finished, unless the tune is lead by a singer.  Then, the singer will take the melody/head out
  4.  Tune ends, players switch positions with other Jam attendees. 

          When:  every 2nd and 4th Monday, 7:30-9:00 pm
          Where:  High Strung Retail.  Enter through the Markham Avenue door (not the corner).
          Who:  anyone comfortable on his/her instrument, who wants to learn to play jazz in a group
          Always free, but tips to the leader are welcome.

• Old Time Learning Jam  After eleven years, we said a fond farewell as this venerable "learning jam" graduated to full Jam Session status. They still meet on Tuesdays, at 6:30, at LocoPops.  2618 Hillsborough Road, in Durham. Please park in the Grey Stone Church lot or along Trent Drive.                                                                    

• Irish Learning Jam  Jigs, reels, hornpipes and slip jigs. Whatever your fancy, we probably play it. This Learning Jam is designed to build a common repertoire of tunes you'll hear in local Irish sessions; phrase by phrase, with a call and response technique and time set aside to explore bowing and ornamentation. Players are encouraged to record the sessions, and links to recordings of the tunes we work on are sent to anyone who joins the Irish Learning Jam email list.
  
  When: Thursday evenings, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
  Where: High Strung Violins & Guitars, 1803 W. Markham, Durham, enter through Markham Ave door.
  Who: all players who are comfortable enough with their instrument to play in G major, D major, A major and the occasional e minor. Fiddle, guitar, mandolin, flute, tinwhistle, concertina, tenor banjo and harp are the most common instruments you'll find at this jam.
  Never a fee, always a frolic! 

 

• Classic Country/Honky Tonk Jam Classic Country and Honky Tonk are loose descriptions. We cover everything from old blues, cowboy songs, mountain music, Grand Ole Opry, up to George Straight and Garth Brooks.  Nothing too modern... Mostly things from the Opry canon.  Chord charts and progressions provided and explained.

          When:  Thursday evenings, 8:30 - 10:00 p.m.
          Where:  High Strung Violins & Guitars, 1803 W. Markham, Durham, enter through Markham Ave door.
          Who:  all instruments (including just singers) are welcome; but primarily acoustic so we don't have                           a bunch of amps every where and people trying to "out-volume" each other.  Exceptions for pedal                        steel and piano, since they have to have amps.  All experience levels, all playing levels, all ages.
          The only requirement is a supportive, good attitude.
          No cover charge, cowboys and girls!