DoubleG - Posted - 08/02/2011:  09:21:36

I scoured the Forum as best I could but could not find any threads specifically talking about starting and organizing a Jam. Whether exclusively Old-Time centered or not, I am looking for some suggestions on how to get one started and how to make it fun for everyone while increasing skill levels and repertoire. If anyone has experience is this area or links to other threads specific to this request hook us up! Thanks.

5stringpicker2 - Posted - 08/02/2011:  09:54:22

Same here but so far no luck in getting one started. I have plenty of folks interested but no body ever shows up and I got a 4,000 sq' Air Cooled building, Kitchen facilities, Lot-O-Parking , Great Location And plenty of no shows  I wish you luck. If you find the magic solution please let me know.

( I  )====='----<::)

MountainBanjo - Posted - 08/02/2011:  09:55:10

There are at least several threads in the archives-use Google's advanced search and you should find some. One of the first things to decide is whether you want it to be oldtime or more general because if you don't decide, others will decide for you and they will decide for it to be an anything goes jam. By then will be too late to do anything about it.

BDCA - Posted - 08/02/2011:  10:25:17

A few things that are important, first is easy access for both the public and musicians. It's a jam but it's also entertainment and many musicians enjoy playing for an audience, and many audience enjoy free music. A patio at a local restaurant or bar, a pizza place, pedestrian area (with permission), someplace where folks will be exposed to the music.

Have a couple of top players to "lead the session" and they need to be committed to be there almost every session, whether it's once a month or once a week. Other musicians will come if they know a couple of the local "greats" will be playing. No one wants to sit in with a bunch of beginners playing Cripple Creek at 16 1/8th speed.

Promote the jam with posters, local newspapers, radio stations and local business.

Be inclusive without pissing off the better players. Establish a few session rules like 1 spoon player at a time or go around the circle, etc. Again, you want to encourage the better players to join the jam and the others will follow.

Get a local sponsor and supply snacks or beer or soft drinks to the musios.

Hold a raffle amongst all the musicians and audience for a t-shirt or similar.

Encourage people to bring crafts or food for sale if appropriate

Hope that helps!

Bob.

twothphry - Posted - 08/02/2011:  11:05:10

quote:

---

Originally posted by BDCA

A few things that are important, first is easy access for both the public and musicians. It's a jam but it's also entertainment and many musicians enjoy playing for an audience, and many audience enjoy free music. A patio at a local restaurant or bar, a pizza place, pedestrian area (with permission), someplace where folks will be exposed to the music.

Have a couple of top players to "lead the session" and they need to be committed to be there almost every session, whether it's once a month or once a week. Other musicians will come if they know a couple of the local "greats" will be playing. No one wants to sit in with a bunch of beginners playing Cripple Creek at 16 1/8th speed.

Promote the jam with posters, local newspapers, radio stations and local business.

Be inclusive without pissing off the better players. Establish a few session rules like 1 spoon player at a time or go around the circle, etc. Again, you want to encourage the better players to join the jam and the others will follow.

Get a local sponsor and supply snacks or beer or soft drinks to the musios.

Hold a raffle amongst all the musicians and audience for a t-shirt or similar.

Encourage people to bring crafts or food for sale if appropriate

Hope that helps!

Bob.

---

 I started a local jam session about four years ago and we are still going at it. Amen to everything Bob said. I would just like to add a few things. We try to have a theme for each jam. We encourage players to bring one or two songs that relate to the theme. We ask that players bring enough copies of the song for all the players in the jam. We've add many songs to our play list through this method.

I also periodically send out copies of Dr. Banjo's  Jam Etiquette and other lists of jam rules and behavior so that we have a method of doing our jams. Everybody is on the same page that way.

 I can't not over stress the virtues of E-Mail. We have a mailing list of our jammers. We send out alerts on jams and events in the area as well as monthly newsletters and reminders of meetings. Takes a few minutes and is almost costless.

DoubleG - Posted - 08/02/2011:  11:25:30

Thanks Bob, good ideas. Thanks Rick -- I found a link to the Jam Etiquette Flyer you mentioned as well as a page with a few other ideas.

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 08/02/2011:  11:52:23

At least one OT jam in our area started in the back room of a coffee shop (not a folk club - coffeehouse but a Starbucky place, that was not part of a chain) they allowed people to sign up that back room for any activity (like meetings etc) and we were signed up for the first Thursday of every month. When the organizer couldn't make it she got someone to sub for her (us usually).

Old Time jams do not draw audiences so it that's your goal be prepared to only have a couple people listening and probably not for more than a couple tunes. I think OT jams are best NOT being out in public spaces where there is an audience. You need vocals to interest an audience and that limits the jam to a few musicians willing to play back up for a singer. It is more performance than jam.

Bluegrass is better in public jams because you have soloists and singers and all the stuff to keep an audience happy. OT is to entertain the musicians.

erikforgod - Posted - 08/02/2011:  11:56:52

Thats exactly it in my opinion...OldWoodChuck I think you hit the nail on the head! In my opinion old-time musicians need to sing more ( I know there are quite a few that do already )  :) This is my goal exactly.. to be able to sing and play as many songs as I can, and then also be able to play the fiddle tunes and the instrumentals with virtuosity like you guys do!

Edited by - erikforgod on 08/02/2011 11:57:57

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 08/02/2011:  12:00:09

I was always the singer in the group but now I'm old and don't feel like burnin' out my vocal chords anymore - so I only go to the instrumental  jams.

DoubleG - Posted - 08/02/2011:  12:05:39

I plan on learning some song vocally soon myself Eric. I think "Shady Grove" would be a good place to start. Thanks OWC for your insight.

erikforgod - Posted - 08/02/2011:  12:09:47

DoubleG - Sounds great...not to take away from the great music chops that alot of old time musicans have for the fiddle tunes and what not, but yah know alot of these old songs tell some great stories and have such history behind em...even some of the fiddle tunes have some pretty zaney lyrics and are alot of fun, but with the banjo being primarily a lead instrument.
I hope to eventually be able to sing and play here in Argentina...it will be a way for me to kinda share a little piece of americana with them ( even though I believe alot of this music has its roots in England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland

erikforgod - Posted - 08/02/2011:  12:10:55

quote:

---

Originally posted by DoubleG

I plan on learning some song vocally soon myself Eric. I think "Shady Grove" would be a good place to start. Thanks OWC for your insight.

---

Shady Grove is a beautiful song....its one of my favs!

FretlessinTexas - Posted - 08/02/2011:  12:24:01

I have started old-time music jams in Fort Wayne, Indiana and now here in Dallas. One thing you always have to keep in mind is that there are differing and often fuzzy conceptions about what old-time music is. So you have to take steps to spell it out to protect the future integrity of the jam (you want it to last) and to avoid creating hurt feelings. By spelling out what you are trying to do, you accomplish both points.



The jam in Fort Wayne continues. If I were to leave Dallas tomorrow, I am confident that the jam will continue. Your goal is to set up a sort of corporate culture that will sustain itself. I don't have to be the enforcer (I don't even have to lead) because the jam participants know why they are there and the type of music to be played.



So it is important to set the tone from the outset and then empower the group (especially your fiddle players) to carry on. Here's the language I use in regular emails that go out to musicians in Dallas-Fort Worth area. Some are regular attendees; Some have never come. That doesn't matter. What does matter is that we have the talent and now the will to make this thing work. Feel free to use or not use this should you see fit.



"Well, folks, it's about that time again. Time to make some good old-time

music. We're gathering Saturday inside the print shop at Dallas

Heritage Village from 2 to 4:30 pm.



As you may already know, we meet at on the first and third Saturdays of

the month. After our 4th of July jam, our next scheduled jam will be

Saturday, Aug. 6.



As always, your entrance ticket to the Village is your musical instrument.

Friends and family accompanying a musician pay a discounted rate of $5. For

directions, see website at dallasheritagevillage.org/



####



Bear with me with what follows. I include this in all notices because it is

important to understand what we are trying to accomplish, which is to play

old-time music. With all due respect to other genres, we won't be playing

bluegrass, Irish, or old country and western. Wonderful music, but not our

focus.



Old-time music is the precursor or the parent music to bluegrass and is

typically rooted in fiddle tunes from the 19th and early 20th century. It is

ensemble music in that everyone plays together, sorta like in an orchestra.

No solos, no pressure. It's also dance oriented as many of these fiddle

tunes were featured at square dances. The bulk of the tunes we will play

come from southern Appalachia and the Ozarks.



And as we are playing fiddle tunes, let us allow our experienced fiddle

players to lead. Better results typically follow. Note: We always need

fiddle players.



We have no expectations on anyone's level of playing. All comers are

welcome. If you don't know what old-time music is, no problem, come and

learn.



For further information on old-time music, you may want to read the late

Mike Seeger's explanation by following this link:

mikeseeger.info/music.html



David Lynch tackles a definition of old-time music on his website,

appropriately named, The Old-Time Music Home Page:

oldtimemusic.com/otdef.html



And here is what all knowing Wikipedia (that's a joke) says about old-time

music: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old-time_music



A note on jam etiquette. Because of the tuning requirements of clawhammer

banjo, we play sets of tunes in a certain key, whether it be A, D, or G.

(There are a lot of good C tunes which we haven't yet tackled.) But the

point it that we change keys only when the group has their fill and agrees

to move to a new key.



I am blind copying everyone to reduce the chances of spam. If you do not

want to be on this email list, please let me know. Also, we have a Dallas

Old-Time Music Jam group formed on Facebook, which I would suggest that you

join in order to see the valuable postings of group members.



Just remember that old-time music is better than it sounds. Stay cool. --

Dean Barber (my phone number goes here.)















 

Edited by - FretlessinTexas on 08/02/2011 12:31:25

cb56 - Posted - 08/02/2011:  14:53:14

Great posts FretlessinTexas. Not only because we are trying to start an old time banjo get together here in Illinois but I also needed those links so I can be educated as to what Old Time music is. thanks

DoubleG - Posted - 08/02/2011:  15:06:12

Yes, the links were just what I needed to get more info so I can educate myself on what Old-Time tunes might be. Still mulling over exactly how I want to approach this but I am enjoying the discussion. By the way, how do you tactfully handle the strays that want to play something other than Old-Time?

FretlessinTexas - Posted - 08/02/2011:  15:12:13

Chris,

Personally, and this is not a criticism directed at you, I would never attend an "an old-time banjo get together." A roomful of banjos is just not my idea of fun.

I would encourage to broaden your perspective and consider partnering with a fiddle player or players in forming an old-time music jam. I've attended many old-time music jams in many states. Getting to know who the old-time fiddle players are (if there are any) is really imperative. The reason: We're playing mostly fiddle tunes and the fiddle leads in playing the tunes. But be careful, you don't want bluegrass fiddle players to dominate if your intention is old-time.

Good luck and again consider making partnerships with veteran players before taking the leap.

FretlessinTexas - Posted - 08/02/2011:  15:24:26

DoubleG, if somebody starts playing a song or a tune that is not old-time, by all means let them finish. Then compliment them (even if they sucked.) And then say something like this: "Hey, Fred, that was really good, but that's not what we are trying to do here with this jam. We formed this jam to play old-time music."



And then it is incumbent on you (or an ally) to explain in as friendly as possible terms what old-time music is and why the jam should be limited as such.



A quick story on the demise of jam in Birmingham, Ala. It was started by old-time musicians, playing exclusively old-time music. Then a group of guitar players began attending who didn't know what old-time music was and it was never explained to them.



The Horse-With-No-Name Crowd were playing Neil Young and such and came to dominate, all because the organizers did not nip it in the bud ... nicely.

After awhile, the old-time players quit coming and eventually the jam died. In short, it died for the lack of focus.

Now the Horse-With-No-Name Crowd was not malicious. They did not intend to kill the jam or even dominate. They wanted to play music and have fun. But they were never told the peramters of the jam.



The point is that you can put your foot down and be nice at the same time. Let the fellow finish his version of whatever he is singing or playing, compliment him, and then let the hammer fall.

Finally, it's really important that you get the best and most experienced fiddle players on board with your efforts. They are the natural leaders to this music. You might be the initial organizer (I have been in two cities now), but it is the fiddle players who lead. An old-time music jam cannot sustain itself without them. It's just that simple in my opinion. Good luck.

 

Edited by - FretlessinTexas on 08/02/2011 15:30:50

DoubleG - Posted - 08/02/2011:  15:33:08

The "Velvet" hammer. Thanks Dean.

cb56 - Posted - 08/02/2011:  18:42:32

Good advice. thanks Dean

J-Walk - Posted - 08/02/2011:  18:43:42

quote:

---

Originally posted by FretlessinTexas



 A roomful of banjos is just not my idea of fun.

---

Now that's a quotable quote. And very true.

Two banjos can play nicely together. But more than that, and it's easily too much.

whyteman - Posted - 08/03/2011:  03:27:51

Just wondering, can the number of participants in the jam become too large and unwieldy? I feel that it can, although I have no mathematical formula. The best times that I've had at jams was when they were held in buildings large enough to host more than one jam circle.

Don

BDCA - Posted - 08/03/2011:  06:02:48

Head up to Floyd VA on a Friday night. The whole downdown is a jam. Sessions going in many of the stores. Almost like a mini festival every Friday. One in Tucson that hosts maybe 20 - 30 musicians and dozens of listeners.. Our jam in Salem MA has 5 - 10 and it's on a small stage in a restaurant, 20 would probably be unmanageable... It all depends on the space and organizers.

Cya!

Bob

minstrelmike - Posted - 08/03/2011:  06:35:41

If you want a successful JAM, play music with whoever shows up.

If you want a successful OLD-TIME SESSION or BLUEGRASS JAM, then you need a core of folks who actually can play that sort of music.

The people who show up at a jam can only play 2 things because there are only 2 skills for jamming with others.

1. You can lead all the songs you know how to play all by yourself as if no one else were around

2. You can play whatever sort of stuff you can follow if other folks lead the song.

There _are_ no other possibilities for jamming.

And that hasn't changed in thousands of years.

I'm an accumulator, not a preservationist, so I think playing with anyone who shows up is actually the most traditional form of jamming.  Two musicians from different areas of the country who meet up, whether it was yesterday or 200 years ago or 2000 years, either already know songs in common or have to learn each others songs (probably some of both).

In my opinion, if you play Horse with No Name with banjo and fiddles, most listeners will say it sounds like bluegrass regardless.

If you're only going to play songs you already know, then I'd suggest using another word besides JAM.

If you're trying to start a jam or music session all by yourself, you'll probably have to be ready to play anything with anybody and then teach them how to back you up on your songs in the style you wish to be accompanied by. This isn't as hard as many shy jammers think it is. It requires

1) knowing the chords to your songs and

2) TALKING to the people. It ain't hard but it is outside of the comfort zone of many aspiring jammers. (Most folks won't even tell you what they want to hear from you even if you're in their band).

banjoak - Posted - 08/03/2011:  17:29:23

quote:

---

Originally posted by minstrelmike

If you're only going to play songs you already know, then I'd suggest using another word besides JAM.

---

So if a bunch of us get together and play tunes it turns out we all already know, like Soldier's Joy, that does not qualify as a JAM? What other word could we use?

FretlessinTexas used the term parameters - it's a good way of thinking about it. Parameters are about values.

There are stylistic parameters. You could have very wide parameters of all music, but most constrain it in. Many do this by attaching a label to it like OT, Bluegrass, Irish... Problems sometime come up because those are a bit ambiguous. Bluegrass for example, for some it might be like mike stated, if it has a banjo and fiddle it qualifies as BG. Others have narrower parameters. Some all the way to classic Bill Monroe and Stanley Brothers, and it's not just repertoire, but the stylistic sound. OT for some means a pretty wide style including midwest, Northern, Texas, almost any American style; others mean more of "festival style" idea; others are thinking in tighter terms, say Round Peak. One noticeable difference with OT, besides geographic, I see folks, esp. fiddlers, butt heads, some really like the harmonic space; pretty and interesting melodies, nice chords and harmonies, at a graceful moderate pace. Others think of OT as more rhythmic and full of high octane energy (they tend to simpler harmonic space). Again it's not just repertoire.

There are musical skill parameters involved. It can be tough to balance out different skill levels, and near impossible to give them equal weight. By musical skills, it's not necessarily hot picking, high technique, or playing fast. Listening skills, adabtability, cohesiveness, expressiveness, feel, are but some other skills.

There are other values to consider as well, including community, social, education.

IMO it is not possible to really be everything to everyone. Humans show up at jams, and they have different ideas of what should happen. So you have to decide what the purpose is, who you are trying most to attract. As stated earlier "if you don't decide, others will". Decide what you need to do to attract and keep those players, how to instill the values you want. This is where leadership is a really good thing. You are things you can do to keep it directed toward that goal. Sometimes requires asserting leadership to make sure one person, or group isn't shifting the goal too much, dominating, hijacking. Let them know that there's might not be anything wrong with what they play, but that's not exactly what the goal of the jam is.

My hats off to anyone who leads a jam, it can be quite difficult to balance.

A successful jam is one where everyone who shows up is there for most of the same reasons, wanting very similar things. When others show up for other ideas, not that their ideas are bad, it's just not a good fit.

MountainBanjo - Posted - 08/03/2011:  18:54:54

As you can see, this is all too complex and much work. Its easier just to stay home and play whatever you want by yourself or with family or with whoever happens to drop by.

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 08/04/2011:  23:20:17

I'd recommend getting together with a core group of like minded musicians at your home before you "go public". You need to achieve "critical mass" so as to anchor the session and make sure it stays Old-Time.

As one of your stated purposes is to increase skill and repertoire you'll have to attract some accomplished players otherwise your session will be a perpetual beginner's jam.

I suppose since you are contemplating starting a jam there must be none in your area?
You're often far better off going to an "advanced" jam and listening or unobtrusively playing along... you'll learn more that way and stretch yourself to meet a higher level of musicianship.

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 08/04/2011:  23:45:41

Around here it does not take much to get a jam started. A friend of ours recently started 4 different jams (one for every Sunday of the month in a good venue - The 1st and any 5th Sunday are Old Time. There are also Bluegrass, Blues, and "Alternate" Jams. I'm assuming Alternate is a form of rock done on acoustic instruments. At least that is the impression I get from the songs he mentioned.

I don't go to it because I can't really sit on a straight chair for 3 hours anymore, but it was fun the time I went and people say that an audience is developing (I know the night I went the OT music's crowd appeal was greatly aided by the presence of a couple Hula Hoop Dancers). Some musicians show up for all of the jams but stay within the bounds of the night's rules. So people are breaking out of their specialized boxes.

Paul R - Posted - 08/05/2011:  05:56:27

Getting back to the OP, would you prefer a "circle" jam or an open mic/audience format? The latter requires a bit more effort than the former if a PA system is involved, at least in setting up/taking down the system.

Our jam (not OT) requires setting out chairs and bringing in and setting up the PA system every Friday (hey, that's tonight!). Then there's the sound check and other tech stuff. Being an open mic, it also involves some shuffling of musicians around the mics for vocals and backup. Since you're planning to start up, we might assume that you won't want to go this route (or maybe you're ambitious and you do).

There was a BG jam (gone or moved now) at a Legion here that had circles in different rooms. You could "feel" the different atmosphere in each room. One was kind of stiff and demanding, one was loose and more friendly.

I organized a few jams (again, not OT) with my cycling club and realized that ground rules (jam etiquette) had to be established or it could become a free-for-all. Other players chimed in with suggestions and, when we throw a few more this winter, we may have a songbook to work from. We got a corner in a local tavern - it's good to have an accommodating patron.

Our Friday jam has coffee and snacks (toss some coins in to help defray expenses) and a half-and-half draw. It's a social evening out for the old folks. A few even get up to dance. It's held in a community centre/firehall/library in a small village north of here. A few dedicated stalwarts keep it going. It's good to see people pitch in to move chairs and tables, set up the equipment, and stack everything away (and even sweep the floor) at the end of the night. Those are things you have to consider, too, unless you want to be the only one setting up and cleaning up.

The posts on this topic have been very informative, especially about keeping things on track. As for OT, around here you'd be lucky if you could count the players on the fingers of one hand.

DoubleG - Posted - 08/24/2011:  18:15:30

Great suggestions and I thank you all. That's why I posted here because I knew it would elicit constructive advice. It seems like a lot to undertake but remains a long-term goal. After evaluating everything said long-term is now how I see it. I will continue my foray into the jam world, meeting folks, and getting better myself. Ultimately I think putting together a core group of dedicated, like-minded players with talent and let the jam flow outwards from that is how I see it happening - safety in numbers. I really want to keep it Old-Time with maybe a once-in-a-while rogue night of anything goes. Banjo Beatles, some Fripp, or any song someone wants to lead. Etiquette, providing tabs, and a simple web newsletter with maybe a Facebook presence are not beyond my ability to manage so I think those will be components. My wish list for the core would be one or two fiddlers, standup or washtub bass, one or two guitars, another banjo, a mandolin, and bones. Keep chiming in as it is all helpful!  Thanks again everyone!

Edited by - DoubleG on 08/24/2011 18:15:59

banjoak - Posted - 08/24/2011:  19:56:35

Bones??? you are a brave soul. In the wrong hands - ouch, can be nearly as bad as the tambourine as a melody instrument folks.

Songs are good, plenty of OT songs! We venture into the rogue experimental territory every once in a while, usually at the end of the night. Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall" on CH banjo is not for everybody.

DoubleG - Posted - 08/24/2011:  20:56:10

No tambourines; No vibra-slaps; No tin whistles unless cleared to land. The "bones" dude would have to be vetted for sure and would be a core member before it opened up but I really like the sound of them played well. Only reason I make these exceptions is that is it seems the most successful Jams have a core of folks familiar with each other and of some proficiency so as not to break the momentum of the tunes. Then when new ones enter in, they have a solid foundation to play over. One thing that stands out to me in the Jams I've listened to or played in so far is that there can be a woeful lack of a sense of time in some players. (Time to break out the metronome to get your timing steady boys and girls.) Also, some players are to timid on their instruments and thereby the whole group sound lacks a sense of strength and momentum. So, someone with a good sense of rhythm and confidence on the banjo or guitar is essential in the core. I think keeping it mostly Old-Time gives you way more songs than anyone will ever learn in a lifetime and the addition of the "wild hare" night will keep things interesting and salve the souls of the weary rockers. I like Pop music to some degree and many a song can be slowed down or the syncopation changed to suit the banjos' strengths (think Weird Al - ha!). I am working up a version of "Norwegian Wood" on the banjo for just such a night. "Another Brick in the Wall" on the banjo, sounds like a lumbering sort of shot-n-a-beer with a cello banjo sort of moment. Banjoak, you should record that and post it man! We are all ears.

Edited by - DoubleG on 08/24/2011 20:59:02

banjoak - Posted - 08/25/2011:  03:57:56

I think you are going down the right track with how you are setting up your jam. I have started a few jams, (besides attending other folks jams as a more intermediate) and a few things i agree with is having some solid core. Having solid rhythm players (the best guitar player you can rope) proves to be way more important than about anything else. A mediocre fiddler with a strong guitar is way better than a good fiddler struggling with a poor guitar.

As far as recording Another Brick, it was sort of a shot-n-a-beer moment, which of course makes any recording device work improperly to be useable for playback listening. I recall it was quite brilliant at the time, so had to be a malfunction of the recording was affected by the alcohol. It's a well known scientific phenomenon, but the mechanics of which are still being researched. Though playback of the recording seems to operate better in a correlation as a greater quantity of shots-n-beers is involved, never quite accurately reproduces the brilliance of the live moment.

leastbest - Posted - 09/21/2011:  03:17:43

Around here (Just west of Cleveland Ohio) there are lots of jams. Usually in an old school or church. Each room has a different style of music playing and a stage where people can go up and play. If I ever get good enough I'll actually play instead of standing around taking pictures.

DoubleG - Posted - 09/21/2011:  07:38:39

quote:

---

Originally posted by leastbest

Around here (Just west of Cleveland Ohio) there are lots of jams. Usually in an old school or church. Each room has a different style of music playing and a stage where people can go up and play. If I ever get good enough I'll actually play instead of standing around taking pictures.

---

Where just West of Cleveland are these jams "leastbest" and are they a regular thing? Thanks.

leastbest - Posted - 09/21/2011:  08:09:17

There is one in LaGrange, OH at the Izaak Walton League I believe every other Friday, there is one in Homerville every other Saturday and one in Lafayette. I live in LaGrange. I'll get the exact info and post here as soon as I get it.

leastbest - Posted - 09/21/2011:  14:48:50

Here is the flyer for Izaak Walton League Jam Session. Sorry for the quality. I'll find the rest of the info soon.

Jam Session

LEUllman - Posted - 09/21/2011:  20:03:41

You really only need two things to have a successful old-time jam -- at least one "alpha" fiddler and plenty of beer. (Actually, the beer is optional. The fiddler is not.)

Deaf Lester Crawdad - Posted - 09/22/2011:  00:36:57

quote:

---

Originally posted by DoubleG

I scoured the Forum as best I could but could not find any threads specifically talking about starting and organizing a Jam. Whether exclusively Old-Time centered or not, I am looking for some suggestions on how to get one started and how to make it fun for everyone while increasing skill levels and repertoire. If anyone has experience is this area or links to other threads specific to this request hook us up! Thanks.

---

 Everyone else here seems to think it's impossible -or at least undesirable- but the best regular jam we have around here (inland southern California) makes no effort at all to keep the jam "pure" in the sense that only one type of music is permitted; and it works just fine! (And it's been working that way for over eight years now.)

They do try to keep the tunes pretty simple early in the evening so that a beginning to intermediate player can follow the chord progressions without too much difficulty, but Old-time, Bluegrass, and Country can all be heard in one trip around the circle, and nobody seems to mind a bit: possibly because there are several very good Old-Time, Bluegrass, and Country players who attend this jam regularly and they're a lot of fun to listen to (and play with); no matter what sort of music they happen to be playing.

As the evening progresses -and the newbies get pooped out- the difficulty level of the tunes tends to increase, and by the time there's nobody left but the pros you can expect to hear all sorts of music being played.

Tonight the last hour contained two Jimmy Rodgers tunes, one Everly Brothers duet, several Beatles numbers, a rather nice frailed version of "Rainbow Connection",  an Elvis song, a vocal version of "Soldier's Joy", and two Bluegrass gospel songs.

Despite the wide spectrum of music being played, a good time was had by all.

~Pete

GSCarson - Posted - 09/22/2011:  05:25:25

Good thread.  I've been seriously considering starting an open OT jam this coming year.  I say "open" because we have at least four monthly Sunday OT jams which are all great but they are all in homes, not generally known to the public if you were new or searching for a jam in the area. You have to know someone.  I'd like to have a place where younger or new budding musicians could come and experience the music, the other jams are full of grey haired folks (like me). The existing jams are also all full steam ahead and generally do not have a lot of singing.  

I also play fiddle and could lead and our OT band is interested so I have a good core group plus a few others right off the bat.  So, I have a couple questions for those of you who have done this and would value your opinions: 

I agree with Dean and others who had good guidelines for keeping it OT centered and intend to do that.  I also want to advertise this in a number of ways to get the word out as much as we can.

I thought about setting up this jam with the first 45 minutes for beginners with basic traditional tunes at a slow pace, I know the full steam pace of the other jams keeps newer players away.  I love it but I also don't see new or younger players at any of them.

Then I'd like to transition into full steam mode for the remainder of the session.  I would allow and encourage singing as we have some really good traditional singers who don't get much of a chance to sing. 

Finding a good venue has been a little bit of a challenge so far (although I haven't had time to really dig into it yet), I'd like room for general seating if possible. 

I've attended jams with the mics and haven't enjoyed them a whole lot, I'm planning on keeping this acoustic if at all possible.  The experience with the mic situation was that they rotated it or people moved and it generally seem to slow the pace down significantly, so I guess my real dilemma or question is how to lead the jam to keep the energy and pace up while still being inclusive or what has worked for others.  I suppose I would just try to remember to ask every other tune or so, or say lets have a song this time.  The fiddlers lead all of the other jams around here which is fine, but I do want to be a little more open in that regard to other players and instruments without sucking the energy out of it.....

Thanks for any additional thoughts

Glenn C