What is your policy on “non-bluegrass” instruments (ukulele, dulcimer, autoharp, harmonica, etc)?

We are glad to accept people who play acoustic string instruments that are not normally thought of as bluegrass instruments. But we feel it’s important to make clear why the instrument is not normally thought of as “belonging” in bluegrass.

In general, the reason is the instrument is too quiet or low-definition in sound to stand out among a group of bluegrass instruments. The player can participate by playing along, but their playing may not be heard by the other musicians, so it’s not the usual type of participation, where interactions are part of the artistry and the fun.

Ukulele or mountain dulcimer, for instance, would be hard to hear over guitars, banjo, bass, etc… unless amplified. Amplification could work, but that would open another challenge, since many jams take place outdoors, and the absence of an outlet could be a problem… Then again, there are good battery-operated, rechargeable amps, which would solve the problem. Or, as with electric basses that need amps, we could make sure that that person was able to jam within reach of an outlet.

Hammered dulcimers can usually solo loud enough to be heard in a bluegrass jam, but there’s no designated role for them as a rhythm/chording instrument. Because only two notes can be played at once, it would have less role to play in backup than a typical chording instrument.

Autoharp is not necessarily quiet, but its sound as a rhythm instrument would likely be lost amidst the strumming of guitars and mandolins. Soloing on an autoharp could be audible if done well.

Clawhammer banjo – see this information.

Harmonica has been a bit controversial in bluegrass (as a non-stringed instrument that doesn’t typically fit well in faster songs), but we are happy to accept harmonica players who understand the limitations of the instrument. Like hammered dulcimer it’s not able to make full chords, limiting its use for backup. But harmonica, like fiddle, can play good melody lines and background fills with expression, and a skilled player can make a good contribution to a bluegrass jam. It’s a rare harmonica player that can keep up with fast bluegrass, and the results are not always likeable, but it can be done and done well.

Percussion has long been the most controversial aspect of bluegrass instrumentation… with even some of the founding bluegrass fathers taking different stands on the issue — sometimes at different points in their own career (!). Even Monroe had a bit of percussion on a few cuts, and brushes on a snare drum was a regular component of Jimmy Martin records and at times, his and others’ stage shows. In a bluegrass jam, percussion most likely would show up as spoons, bones, or washboard. Some songs and situations can take percussion more readily than others, and if the player knows that and tastefully lays out when appropriate, he or she will likely get general appreciation. Bones and spoons can work easily as a brief novelty, and then can wear out everyone if they are heard even a little too often (like three songs in a row). The typical protocol in bluegrass jams for washboard is “they’re not welcome”. A tasteful player who doesn’t just barge in may get acceptance but there’ll definitely be some frowns.

One last thing worth mentioning: If a person wants to play bluegrass, it makes most sense to learn to play one of the instruments normally associated with bluegrass: guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo (played Scruggs style), bass, or dobro guitar. Many people play more than one instrument, and play different styles of music. Usually, the second instrument or the second style is learned faster than the first, and being versatile is an advantage in that it allows a person to participate in more situations. This is worth considering!