If you’re leading the song and someone is taking the break and really killing it, near the end you can say “ Again!” and let them take another round!

Avoid plucking around! Show that you’re a jam pro by not loudly noodling between songs!

Be sensitive to the jam level you're playing in. For example, you might not want to introduce a song with 13 chords to a beginner jam. 

If you hear or see a jam you want to join, how do you do that? Observe and listen! What kind of jam is it? What kind of instruments are appropriate? What is the skill level, compared to yours? You might play along very quietly from a distance! Take your time and you may be asked to join! Or it may be an open jam where newcomers can sit in just by asking to join! Get ready to have fun!

Tuners are like breath mints! If someone offers you one, take it!

Using the circle of fifths for common chord progressions. You can get by start with the root of the key (C for example) and go 2 places clockwise (to the D) then back up to the root. (C-D-G-G). In bluegrass circles people may say “Go to the 2 chord” to get you to the D. Then you can go 3 places clockwise around the circle and weave back to the root for the progression C-A-D-G. Then go 4 places clockwise around the circle and weave back. In the key of C, this is C-E-A-D-G and is called a circle of fifths. For an even longer circle of , go 5 places clockwise and weave back.

If you want to lead a song in a jam, practice ahead of time! How do you want to start it? End it? If there are instrumentalists in your group, when do you want to call breaks? And it's nice to give a very brief summary ahead of time in a jam with beginners. "Let's play Folsom Prison Blues. It will be in C, and the chords will be  C, F, and G. I'll start by vamping on the C."

When it's your turn to lead a song in a jam, be ready! If you can't find the music you need to lead the song right away, it's ok to pass and try again later, rather than wasting everyone's time plowing through a mountain of sheet music

Train wrecks are a term for when a jam song goes wrong! If the Train Wreck is that the rhythm is off, play softly or drop out and  let the leader take charge!

Blend in with song leader’s style! If the leader is leading a slow, sultry blues song, match the mood! Don’t race the pace like it’s a polka!

Many More Tips to Come!