The following comment was made on Facebook group called “Dedicated to Old Time Music”…
How to play backup guitar for old time, traditional bluegrass, Celtic , contra dance, Cajun and progressive bluegrass…
For traditional Bluegrass, simply play the chords you naturally want to play.
For old time, don’t change chords unless absolute necessary.
For contra dance, play all the possible chords.
For Celtic, play all the possible chords plus impossible ones.
For progressive Bluegrass, you can’t play along without the chord sheet.
For Cajun, the chord changes to the chord you think it’s going to, but wait a measure, then change chord.
While this comment was made mostly in jest, I’ve read lots of other strong opinions online about participating in different sessions. The topics range from the exclusivity of certain sessions to the types of instruments appropriate for the genre. Since I’ve started this venture I’ve played in LOTS of different sessions and I think I’ve gained enough experience to form my own opinions about the various genres and their quirks. Each session has its own characteristic but there are some commonalities. I decided to break it down in the following chart…
| Old Time | Celtic | Bluegrass | Picking Circle | |
| Instruments | Fiddles lead. Other instruments include clawhammer banjos, mandolins, guitars, upright bass | Fiddles, tin whistles, flutes, Uilleann pipes, mandolins, mandolos, bouzoukis, harp, Irish banjo, bodhran, guitars | Banjos (Scruggs style), guitars, fiddles, upright bass, mandolins | Guitars lead, banjos, fiddles, bass, mandolins, other instruments |
| Arrangement | Musicians sit in a circle. Depending on the number there can be an inner circle and outer circles. | Musicians sit in a circle. Depending on the number there can be an inner circle and outer circles. | Musicians stand in a semicircle, usually facing an audience. | Musicians sit in a circle. Depending on the number there can be an inner circle and outer circles. |
| Structure | With the exception of bass, all musicians play the same tune. Melody is preferred, but guitars and sometimes mandolins and banjos can play rhythm. | With the exception of bass, all musicians play the same tune. Melody is preferred, but guitars can play rhythm. | One instrument may take initial lead, but all instruments play rhythm until time for solo breaks. Any instrument can take a solo break. | All instruments play back-up or rhythm until time for solo breaks. |
| Repertoire | Singing is rare. Mostly instrumental. Repertoire tends to be restricted to traditional tunes within the genre. | Singing is rare. Mostly instrumental. Repertoire tends to be restricted to traditional tunes within the genre. | Lots of singing mixed with lots of solo instrumental breaks. Repertoire can cross genres to include Gospel and popular tunes done in Bluegrass style. | Lots of singing with some instrumental breaks. Repertoire crosses genres and can include Bluegrass, Gospel, and traditional Country and Western. |
| Tune Format | Tunes usually have sections, such as A-B. Each section is usually repeated once before moving on to the next section. The entire tune is usually repeated multiple times. Tunes are rarely played as a set. | Tunes are played in sets, with as many as three or four tunes strung together. Tunes usually have sections, such as A-B. Each section is usually repeated once before moving on to the next section. The entire tune is usually repeated twice, then the group moves on to the next tune in the set and follows the same pattern. | One song is played at a time. The melody repeats as many times as necessary to allow for verses and solo breaks. | One song is played at a time. The melody repeats as many times as necessary to allow for verses and solo breaks. |
| Keys | Group plays tunes in a single key for awhile, then may switch to another key for a set of tunes. Minor key tunes are rare but modal tunes are common. | Key changes can occur within sets. | Keys change from song to song, with the key announced to the group before playing. The key depends on the song, with some minor keys mixed in. | Keys change from song to song, with the key announced to the group before playing. The key depends on the song, with some minor keys mixed in. |
| Harmony | Simple chord structures with usually two or three chords. Harmonic improvisation is not encouraged. | Harmonies can alternate between major and minor keys depending on the tune. Some chordal harmonic improvisation is permitted. | Chord structure is kept fairly simple. | Chord structure is kept fairly simple. |
| Printed Music | Sheet music and music stands are discouraged. These may be allowed for learning sessions, but not in general. | Sheet music and music stands are discouraged. These may be allowed for learning sessions, but not in general. | Sheet music and music stands are discouraged. These may be allowed in some sessions, but not in general. | Sheet music and stands depends on the session. Most allow it. |
When I first made this chart I hadn’t planned on this, but I realized that from left to right there is a continuum. Those on the left tend to be a bit more prickly about what does and does not constitute a proper interpretation of their genre. Those toward the right are a bit more loosey-goosey.
All of these styles came from the vernacular. They originated in informal gatherings. That’s why I’m puzzled why some folks get so uptight about these sessions. Oh well. As I’ve said before, if it’s no longer fun, then it’s not for me.