Homespun

Anyone, with any instrument, can get into this bluegrass jam session, even if you've never tried it before. All you need to know are four basic chords (G, C, D and A) to be able to play along with the band!

This video will give you the practice and the confidence you'll need to join a real jam session. Pete Wernick makes it easy, providing encouragement, instruction and important advice on how to hold your own when you jam with others. By playing along with these top bluegrass musicians, you'll get a feel for the songs, where the chords change, how to enter a group, and even how to take a simple solo when the time is right.

Each song is played at a slow, easy tempo so you won't have any problem keeping up. All 17 are standards that should be part of every bluegrass picker's repertoire: Bile Them Cabbage Down, My Home's Across the Blue Ridge Mountains, John Henry, Pretty Fair Maid, Little Birdie, Shady Grove, Darling Corey, Roll in my Sweet Baby's Arms/ Saints Go Marching In/Coming Round the Mountain (Medley), You Are My Sunshine, I'll Fly Away, Nine Pound Hammer, This Land is Your Land, Amazing Grace, Wabash Cannonball, Will the Circle be Unbroken.

Pete Wernick's best-selling instructional books have sold over a quarter million copies, and his "How to Jam" classes and banjo camps have inspired players worldwide. The all-star cast of musicians he has assembled for the band on this DVD include members of Hot Rize (Pete, Nick Forster), Yonder Mountain String Band (Ben Kaufmann), Leftover Salmon (Drew Emmitt) and Grammy winner Sally Van Meter.

Student Review:

"I just got my "Bluegrass Slow Jam for the Total Beginner" DVD. What a confidence builder! I am jamming with some really great musicians and keeping up with them! Even got some applause from my wife! And Dr. Banjo adds suggestions and lessons along the way. This is a must for beginners!" -- Peter R. (on the Homespun Forum)

Magazine Review:

"Just what the doctor ordered.... You are coached in every facet of jam etiquette and the mechanics of playing in a jam. The pace is slow enough so even a real novice can keep up.... If you are looking for a way to get into bluegrass playing but are too shy, too new at playing your own music, or just want to keep on being a closet player, this DVD will help you to the next step in your journey." -- Bluegrass Unlimited