Old Time music session at the Tree Group

Next date: Wednesday, 09 September 2026 | 05:30 PM to 07:30 PM

The Old Time music session is an informal jam for string players who enjoy the Old Time style. Each session takes place on the second Wednesday of each month.

We are an inclusive queer-friendly and neurodivergent-friendly group, meeting on the second Wednesday of the month at the Tree Group (Woodland Centre) 80 Mann St, Armidale. Our next dates are 9th September and 14th October.

Be aware that this session is not a concert or a performance! It's more of a hanging-out with instruments and voices.

Old Time is an always-evolving folk genre associated with Appalachia but with roots in Africa and Europe. Pre-dating bluegrass, it typically accompanied dances, led by fiddles, with an alternating A part and B part. 'Old Time' does not strictly refer to a historical period but a style. New tunes in this style continue to be composed today.

If you've never played Old Time before, have a listen to a playlist of some of our regular tunes: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6XU5slIAXyKD0VMaNwEyM2?si=Z1Yspt0NT9m50KNnlqgwwQ

For strumming instruments—like guitars, ukuleles, mandolins and banjos—it's easy enough to learn the basic chords. Most of the tunes we play are in G or D or A modal (sawmill tuning) and we can write out chords for you to follow along or practice later.

Supervised kids and learners are welcome! Feel free to just listen or join in.