Folk-Friendly Gatherings

People appreciate music and instruments when they get a chance to sing and play along with other like-minded folks.

Though there are many music festivals for spectators, this page will focus on events where you can "learn by doing."

And especially on FUN!

At the moment there aren't many resources listed, but I am contacting folks whose festivals and mini-festivals include events that get folks playing and singing along. There are a few examples below. I'll probably figure out better ways to sort them once I get more on the list.

Note for Festival Hosts - If you want to get on this list please use This Page.

Note for Attendees: Because I won't likely have time to change all the dates every year this page is up, I am providing only the general timeframe for each festival. Please scan the list early and contact the hosting sites to be sure you don't miss a good one.

Also, request a clinic schedule before you send any money. It will be provisional, of course, but some festivals offer different clinics every year, and you should have reasonable assurance that there will be something there for you.

So stay tuned!

Other Resources

Instrument-Specific - If you are interested in a specific, relatively uncommon instrument, such as tenor guitar, autoharp, Appalachian dulcimer, or accordian, do an online search for clubs or gatherings in your area. As an example, many cities have dulcimer societies that are beginner-friendly, but - unfortunately - their contact information changes so fast, I can't keep track. There are also online lists of dulcimer clubs, but they are seldom up-to date. (Note: If you're going to join a dulcimer club, look for dulcimers that have the 6 1/2 and 13 1/2 frets in case they like to play in tunings and keys that a classic dulcimer doesn't support - most clubs do.)

Many instrument-specific clubs have monthly, or even weekly meetings, where you may or may not get help as a beginner. But quite a few offer a once-a-year event with clinics specifically targeted to beginners. Again, ask for a clinic schedule before you register.

Folk Jams, Hootenannies, etc. - "Hootenanny" is a term from the Folk Revival era, in which people showed up with whatever instrument they could play, took turns leading a song, and joined in where they could on other folks' song choices.

Once again, weekly or monthly events may leave total beginners "in the dust," but some of the organizations who sponsor these also sponsor annual get-togethers or mini-festivals that include events for beginners.

Sister Sites

Other sites we started to keep this site from getting too big to be useful include:

• CreekDontRise.com is a repository of articles about Folk music and the instruments on which it has been traditionally played.

  The "Acoustic" page includes a long list of articles including maintenance and playing tips on all sorts of traditional acoustic instruments.

• RiverboatMusic.com is a buyers' guide for acoustic and traditional instrument from a musician's point of view, focusing on the uses, reliability, and practicality of various instruments, and not just the marketing hype about the shape of the fret markers or whatever.

  For instruments like dulcimers that have mostly small manufacturers or cheap imports, we try to tell you what to look for, irrespective of brand.

• Momma Don't 'Low includes a free e-mail newsletter that discusses all of those topics above and more. We plan to include other features as time permits.

  Note - If you wish to sign up for our newsletter and ask a question at the same time, please click on the Momma Don't 'Low newsletter button to learn more and to get a link to our signup form.

• PaulRaceMusic.com is the "landing page" for Paul's own musical endeavors, plus many memoirs and blogs about music and the music business.

• ClassicTrainSongs.com describes railroad songs that every train lover should know. Or at least know about.

• SchoolOfTheRock.com has articles about Christian music, Christian music careers and performance, Christian living in general, and vintage saxophones, another of Paul's interests. This site has separate newsletters, etc., by the way - there isn't a lot of overlap with the Momma Don't 'Low(tm) newsletters.

For information about other music collections and projects, check the links at the bottom of this page.

Whatever else you get out of our pages, I hope you come away with some great ideas for "sharing the joy."

And please stay in touch!

    - Paul Race

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