rkdjones - Posted - 02/06/2026:  12:46:59

I have jamming aspirations. I found a slow bluegrass jam with a bass player. Now I am trying to spin up to learn when and what chords are being played. I found apps that would drill me on notes, and intervals, but was hoping to find software that could drill me on chord changes. For example, play a series of chord changes and ask me to identify which chords are being played in what order. I'd be satisfied to learn 3 chords in a couple different keys or instruments. I figure the I-V transition on a guitar might sound different in the key of G and D. Any suggestions? Robert

jdeluke137 - Posted - 02/06/2026:  14:14:01

You might try Strum Machine. You could run it o. A phone or computer over speakers without looking at the chord changes to see if you could pick them up. If not, you could watch them happen while playing along.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 02/06/2026:  14:14:33

If you can afford it, Band in a Box is a great software. You input chords and can play at any speed in any major key. You might have good luck learning chords by looking at the chords as they go by and as you vamp or roll along with them.

Tabledit software might also help, as you can input chords and play them back the same way as above and it's not as expensive as BIAB.

Of course, the best way is to go to jams, listen and watch the rhythm guitar picker. When he/she changes chords, you do, too. Eventually, you'll begin to "feel" a chord change coming although you may not be sure what it is. Later on, you'll know one is coming up and get it right most of the time.

I'd start off with easy, 3 chord bluegrass songs and get the feel and sound of chords when they change. If you're in a group situation, listen for run up or run downs to chord changes, that helps, too.

cottontop - Posted - 02/06/2026:  20:06:49

quote:

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Originally posted by Texasbanjo

If you can afford it, Band in a Box is a great software. You input chords and can play at any speed in any major key. You might have good luck learning chords by looking at the chords as they go by and as you vamp or roll along with them.



Tabledit software might also help, as you can input chords and play them back the same way as above and it's not as expensive as BIAB.



Of course, the best way is to go to jams, listen and watch the rhythm guitar picker. When he/she changes chords, you do, too. Eventually, you'll begin to "feel" a chord change coming although you may not be sure what it is. Later on, you'll know one is coming up and get it right most of the time.



I'd start off with easy, 3 chord bluegrass songs and get the feel and sound of chords when they change. If you're in a group situation, listen for run up or run downs to chord changes, that helps, too.

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Going off topic a little here, but I have been attending jams for a long time and I have yet to see a decent rhythm guitar player. They all seem to want to suddenly slide their left hand up the neck and start playing little riffs and things to impress everyone with their knowledge and ability. The reality is that they are adding nothing to the song and suddenly there is no rhythm to hold everybody together. No one can follow them and the new players are confused as to what chords they are playing. A good rhythm guitar player can be a real asset to a jam.

Joe

chuckv97 - Posted - 02/06/2026:  20:16:15

A freebie
fbbts.com/

Texasbanjo - Posted - 02/07/2026:  04:05:36

quote:

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Originally posted by cottontop

quote:

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Originally posted by Texasbanjo

If you can afford it, Band in a Box is a great software. You input chords and can play at any speed in any major key. You might have good luck learning chords by looking at the chords as they go by and as you vamp or roll along with them.



Tabledit software might also help, as you can input chords and play them back the same way as above and it's not as expensive as BIAB.



Of course, the best way is to go to jams, listen and watch the rhythm guitar picker. When he/she changes chords, you do, too. Eventually, you'll begin to "feel" a chord change coming although you may not be sure what it is. Later on, you'll know one is coming up and get it right most of the time.



I'd start off with easy, 3 chord bluegrass songs and get the feel and sound of chords when they change. If you're in a group situation, listen for run up or run downs to chord changes, that helps, too.

---

Going off topic a little here, but I have been attending jams for a long time and I have yet to see a decent rhythm guitar player. They all seem to want to suddenly slide their left hand up the neck and start playing little riffs and things to impress everyone with their knowledge and ability. The reality is that they are adding nothing to the song and suddenly there is no rhythm to hold everybody together. No one can follow them and the new players are confused as to what chords they are playing. A good rhythm guitar player can be a real asset to a jam.

Joe

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Most of the jams I go to (went to) had a good rhythm guitar player.  They did runs at the end of a musical phrase and would run up and down to a new chord, but basically just played a good, solid rhythm.  When I decided to learn guitar, that's what I wanted: to be a good rhythm player.  Sure, I learned the normal up and down runs but the rhythm was most important.

Sorry your jams weren't like the ones I attended.

rkdjones - Posted - 02/07/2026:  12:48:59

Thanks for the suggestions.

While we are off topic anyway, I want to ask about tenor guitars. Is a tenor guitar a welcome addition to a bluegrass jam. There are different ways folks tune them, but if tuned to the top four strings of the guitar they would occupy the register of the banjo. Have you had tenor guitars in your jams played with the basic rhythm strum that guitarist use.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 02/07/2026:  14:04:52

quote:

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Originally posted by rkdjones

Thanks for the suggestions.



While we are off topic anyway, I want to ask about tenor guitars. Is a tenor guitar a welcome addition to a bluegrass jam. There are different ways folks tune them, but if tuned to the top four strings of the guitar they would occupy the register of the banjo. Have you had tenor guitars in your jams played with the basic rhythm strum that guitarist use.

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I have not normally seen tenor guitars at a bluegrass jam, but it does happen occasionally and sometimes they will just to a strum and other times will do the regular bluegrass guitar type rhythm.   We always welcomed any acoustic type instrument into our jams.

Nopix - Posted - 02/07/2026:  14:35:36

quote:

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Originally posted by rkdjones

Thanks for the suggestions.



While we are off topic anyway, I want to ask about tenor guitars. Is a tenor guitar a welcome addition to a bluegrass jam. There are different ways folks tune them, but if tuned to the top four strings of the guitar they would occupy the register of the banjo. Have you had tenor guitars in your jams played with the basic rhythm strum that guitarist use.

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I take a typical guitar and tune the high E down to D. This makes the 4 highest/ finest strings tuned like a banjer in open G. 

I know Strum Machine is popular. I use a looper pedal to create my own backing tracks. It's an added skill you won't have to learn with Strum Machine or band- in-a-box.