Blues jams run on short phrases, quick looks, borrowed grooves and half-said instructions. The Blues Jam Handbook explains what those references usually mean on the bandstand.

A train beat is a rolling rhythm that gives the band forward motion without turning everything into a race. Useful, exciting and very easy to overcook.

Blues jam hand signals are not universal law. They are practical bandstand shortcuts for stops, endings, dynamics, solos and chord movement.

Chicago blues at a jam usually means amplified band blues: guitar, harp, piano or second guitar, bass and drums working as one tough little machine.

"Let's make this one Texas." Four words you'll hear at blues jams all over the world. They're not asking for a song. They're describing a feel.

Blues jams run on short phrases, quick looks, borrowed grooves and half-said instructions. The Blues Jam Handbook explains what those references usually mean on the bandstand.

If you hang around blues jams long enough, someone is going to call Got My Mojo Working by Muddy Waters.

And when they do, you’d better be ready.

This song is a Chicago blues classic and one of the most played jam session tunes of all time. It’s loud, it swings, it’s repetitive in the best way, and it gives everyone space to shine.

Here’s everything you need to jam it with confidence.

Have you ever heard musicians on stage say a bunch of numbers, like they’re talking in code?

“Okay it’s a standard two five one, watch the dominant six on the turnaround…”

Welcome to the Nashville numbering system.

Learn how to choose the right songs for a jam night. Discover 60 jammable blues, soul, and rock classics, modern grooves, and essential etiquette tips to make every jam flow, fun, and stress-free — even if you’re new.

First jam night coming up? Here’s a practical gear guide so you bring what you need, leave what you don’t, and walk on stage ready to play.

New to jam nights? They can feel intimidating, but they’re one of the best ways to grow as a musician. From Ashfield to Hornsby, Crows Nest to Berowra, Sydney jam nights are thriving. Here’s a survival guide for your first jam—covering everything from gear etiquette and solos to protecting your ears and supporting the local scene.

After more than a decade away from performing, I’ve rediscovered what makes music so powerful: it’s not about the solo path, but about connection — especially when shared with family.

Now this sounds pretty straightforward, but I get asked quite often

“how do you join/start a band”?

Can you be ‘qualified‘ to make music?” asks guitar tutor John Wilmshurst.

While most people studying an instrument are happy just to learn for fun, some of you will be thinking about taking music exams.

To start this review, I strung up two very different types of guitars—one is a Fender Stratocaster (Mexican Deluxe, 1997), and the other is a Custom Silverburst Gibson Les Paul (2008).

These guitars were chosen for their distinct tonal qualities and difference in feel to play, which made them ideal for evaluating the performance of Rotosound British Steel Guitar Strings.

I know this sounds weird, but it’s true -

“if you practice at half-speed, you’ll learn twice as quickly”

Now of course, no-one’s measuring precisely but surely you would think that practising at a slower pace would take up more of your precious time and in an effort to get it all in you will have to cut corners…

I receive a lot of enquiries every month from people who are interested in having guitar lessons and they call me up in the process of checking out the local guitar tutor(s).

One of the questions I frequently get asked is “how many guitar lessons do you think I will I need”?

I receive a lot of enquiries every month from people who are interested in having guitar lessons and they email me whilst in the process of checking out the local guitar tutor(s).

I know it's early yet, but with Christmas on the way, you might be donning your battle gear ready to hit the streets in search of that perfect gift for your friends, family, other half or little rascals.  Others though, like me, are hiding under the stairs, chewing their nails and breaking into a cold sweat at the thought of the inevitable last minute Xmas eve shopping-spree handing out wads of cash to anyone, ANYBODY who can sell them something that looks remotely thoughtful.