The Ten Jammandments

I. THOU SHALT TUNE THY INSTRUMENT.
Electronic tuners make this easy.

II. THOU SHALT KEEP STEADY RHYTHM.
Count beats if necessary.

III. THOU SHALT TAKE TURNS CHOOSING SONGS.
Announce the key. Vocalists always choose their key.

IV. THOU SHALT NOT SPEED.
Start songs at a reasonable tempo.
Speed up according to abilities.

V. THOU SHALT SIGNAL WHO HAS THE SOLO.
Follow a pattern when taking solo leads.

VI. THOU SHALT LISTEN TO OTHERS.
If you can't hear the lead, consider yourself too loud.

VII. THOU SHALT WELCOME OTHERS.
Include everyone in your jam.
Help everyone sound as good as they can.

VIII. THOU SHALT NOT STEAL OTHER MUSICIANS
FROM AN ACTIVE JAM.
With time, players move around anyway.

IX. THOU SHALT TRY NEW MATERIAL.
Original & different tunes are OK occasionally.

X. THOU SHALT BE CONSIDERATE OF PICKERS.
Explain when you're rehearsing, not jamming.
Help beginners.

Credit for these rules go to:
Robert Rosenberg for coming up with the rules and making them advailable for the world.
Charlie Hall for the inspiration because of his lack of picking etiquette and the name Jammandments.

Comments or questions about my web page mail cdonaghe@cableone.net