Intermediate Guitarists can Play Guitar in a Group with Others

Trust me, if you think you are an intermediate guitarist, visit a group of guitarist/musicians and play new songs with sheet music together. It’s a humbling experience.

Old Town School of Folk Music “Americana Jam” is Incredible

I am lucky that I live in Chicago, IL USA where I can attend/visit the Old Town School of Folk Music. It’s a special place for learning guitar and other instruments.

My 6.19.2024 visit to the Americana Jam was incredibly educational, and a bit challenging.

Musicians in my “Americana Jam” Session

I was in a group with other musicians, all better than me. There was about 15 people altogether.

There were acoustic guitarists, electric guitarists, a fiddle player, one or two banjo players, a flautist, a pianist, and a mighty fine double bass player. And two good harmonica players like my friend Tom G.

Wow, Old Town School of Folk Music Jam Sessions are Free

I am a lucky guitarist. I live in Chicago where guitar jams are free to visitors at the Old Town School of Folk Music.

That’s amazing.

How Does it Feel to be the Weakest Guitarist in a Jam Session?

Well, it doesn’t feel great. Sitting with 15 musicians I thought I was the weakest player. But maybe there were 2 or 3 people at my advanced beginner guitarist level; weak compared to the intermediate musicians in the group.

Sitting in the Americana Jam I thought I was perhaps I was the weakest guitarist.

I did smile to myself 🙂

Because I knew that over time, my discipline and guitar practice habits would raise up my guitar skill level. In 8 1/2 months of I have progressed from absolute beginner to advanced beginner.

As the great Dave Simpson once said on his YouTube channel:

“If you want to be good at guitar, put in the years.”
Dave Simpson on “YouTube and “How Important is Practice – with Queenie”

Humility is a good thing. I was humbled sitting with over a dozen good musicians in the jam session. But that inspired me to become one of them: an intermediate guitarist or musician.

Intermediate Guitarists can Jam on New Songs with Sheet Music

You might disagree with me, but that’s my belief. One day I will attend an Old Town School of Folk Music jam session and know that I finally am an intermediate guitarist.

Try to play guitar with other musicians in whatever way you can.

In person Jam – Socialize, challenge your guitar skills, join local guitar players in Jamming.
Remote – Jamming remotely is better than not Jamming at all.

Thanks for Visiting Shoshin Guitarist Today

Again, Shoshin is Japanese for “beginner’s mind”.

Approach guitar with a “beginner’s mind”. Learn something new every day.