Going to a Jam

Let me preface, I'm nowhere near performing anywhere. C Major is kicking my butt currently. I'm so new that I smell like baby powder.

At my best, I want to eventually be good enough to play and sing with the family. Maybe attend a local jam session.

But, that doesn't stop me from obsessing over what's involved so I can understand better.

Suppose in 2028 I go to a bluegrass jam session. I sit in a chair, take out my tuned guitar, and get ready.  Someone starts "Blue Moon of Kentucky." Then what? Do I need to know how to play the song solo to join in? And how do I know what key? And I guess I'll need to know the progressions (I've not got that far in training, but I know a bit about progressions).

The general answer to your question is you need to know the chord progression of any given song and be able to play those chords in time.

Usually at jam sessions people will call out the key signature, "Sweet Home Chicago in A!".  If it's a relaxed enough situation & there's enough time they might tell you the basic chord progression & form, "It's a I-IV-V 12 bar blues in A".  Some people carry a digital tablet or phone & can look up the lyrics & chord progression of a tune in the moment.  It used to be leadsheets or songbooks with the chords & lyrics.  :)  

You picked an interesting example ("Blue Moon of Kentucky") because there are quite a few different arrangements in various key signatures.  Everyone would have to know which one before you started.

For now just focus on building your skills.  Learn all the basic major & minor chords.  Practice strumming & switching between them in time.  In the Fundamentals courses you will learn a basic understanding of key centers, chord progressions.  Eventually you start to learn some tunes and commit the chord progressions to memory.

It's a long process.  Take your time & enjoy it.  Hope that helps!

That’s a cool thread about tone control and sound clarity. While taking a short break from practice, I tried the Book of Ra demo which is relaxing and rhythmic in its own way. Always enjoy hearing how others improve their technique!

Thank you. That's a great explanation. 

You're welcome.  Glad it helped.