Rich Weill - Posted - 03/20/2009:  17:59:49

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Speaking of simplification, last night I was invited to play some songs with a guy nearby who plays the guitar. At first, it was very frustrating. He was playing pretty fast and I wasn't keeping up. Then two things happened: he slowed down a bit, and I stripped most of the ornamentation off what I was playing. From then on, I just played simple rolls over the chord progression with some melody notes inserted and very little more. After all, he was playing simple guitar arrangements; why did I need a lot of fancy stuff? I'm not saying that the night was a huge success, but it went a lot easier after I simplified what I was playing.

Fortunately, I've learned to play songs by starting simple and adding on layers. So I was able to strip the additional layers off. If I had learned only the complete arrangement -- from tab or by coping someone else -- I wouldn't have been able to do that.

gshank - Posted - 03/20/2009:  19:46:12

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For any folks who are easily intimidated and are making a laundry list of everything they need to become proficient at before they can go jam . . .

I've only been playing banjo for 4 years, but I've played guitar and bass for over 40 years and the biggest recommendation I can make is go jam. Don't wait until you think you're ready. All the things mentioned are great things to work on and you should -- in addition, though, there's nothing like putting them into practice. One of the most important things you'll ever learn is how to integrate those great things you learn on your own with all the great things the other folks are doing and how to slip in and out gracefully.

If you're unsure of yourself on any or all songs, find something quiet to pick or chunk that doesn't detract or distract. You can let folks know up front if you'd like to be passed over come solo time.

Take a pencil and pad and write down the songs you heard that you want to work on or things you talked with folks about. You think you'll remember that stuff, but it often gets washed away by the excitement.

Ask people to show you things they did that you like. It's really a compliment. Most musicians I've met, enjoy showing you what they know.

There's nothing quite like picking with other folks for both camaraderie and learning.

-Greg

Brian T - Posted - 03/20/2009:  21:54:13

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Greg:
There's been a dozen or more threads in the BHO over the past 6-8 months about what I call "sour jams". BHO members recount how they went, not to step into the limelight, and were spurned. I realize that eveybody's skin isn't the same thickness. This comes up much too often to be oddball. Other BHO poster suggest that we go back, again and again. I feel relief when I stop butting a brick wall. Let's suppose, for the sake of discussion that there is just one sour jam within an hour of where you live. Can you suggest any other strategy to be able to do a "jam-thing?"

We do not know where we are going.
Nor do most of us care.
For us, it is enough that we are on our way.
Le Matelot

steve davis - Posted - 03/21/2009:  06:48:56

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My earliest musical experiences were with playing with my parents and their friends.
As soon as I had learned the chords for the keys of G and C I was encouraged to accompany
Dad's pedal steel and Ma's piano while singing.
That was invaluable to me later when I wanted to jam with other people.
I believe it's good to learn to jam first.

Pool

gshank - Posted - 03/21/2009:  07:42:18

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Hi Brian,

Sadly enough, it will happen. I won't say I haven't had my feelings hurt ever, but it's been rare.

Family jamming (mentioned above) is a great thing. If that's not available -- we have our own sometimes. We light up the grill and have people bring something to cook and something to share and come to play or sing or watch. We usually have a good mix (of course we can somewhat control it) of folks who are experts, folks who are learning and some folks who are really shy. People who come to our house know what's happening and tend to be very encouraging and sometimes have to be a bit tolerant. It's a great way for folks to get together and enjoy each others' company and get to know each other a bit -- not to mention wipe out generational differences especially if folks can be tolerant of song selection and go along with a variety.

Super pickers need to have a time and a place to really let go and share their talent with other super pickers. Sometimes it's good to recognize when you're a bit out of your league and sit back and be entertained OR like I mentioned, learn how to pick out something that's not distracting. Some of my greatest moments have come playing with some outstanding players who have taken the time to show me something I could add when they noticed I was barely hanging on.

rstieg - Posted - 03/23/2009:  03:54:34

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quote:

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Originally posted by Brian T

Greg:
Let's suppose, for the sake of discussion that there is just one sour jam within an hour of where you live. Can you suggest any other strategy to be able to do a "jam-thing?"
.
Le Matelot

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Yes, I think there's a lot you can do to prepare, such as getting a couple of good jam DVD's and practicing with them. I used Pete Wernick's, but there are also several others out there now. They simulate a jam situation pretty well and teach you good jam etiquette and a lot of useful "tricks". You also need to be able to play at least basic backup, and be sure you're not playing too loudly when it's not your turn to solo. You can also play along with CD's, TEF files (where you can change the tempo) on your computer, or Band In A Box, all good practice for jamming. Work on learning to hear chord changes in particular. You won't make many friends if you play loudly with the wrong chords!

I think it's also important to realize that people at different playing levels often have different goals when they go to a jam. The better players often just want to play some good music and if they're not very patient or generous souls they may scowl or even make a rude comment when beginners try to play something really slowly. Personally, I consider that to be THEIR problem, not mine. And usually there's just one or maybe two people with that kind of attitude. So unless it's really a "closed" jam or one heavily dominated by better players, I'd tell you to just be persistent, keep going, work on thickening your skin a bit and ignoring any rude people, and try to get to know some of the more helpful folks. If there aren't any, then you may have little choice but to find another jam.

RICH
Pleasanton, CA

The truth is a moving target... perception is more important than reality... everything is relative...

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Edited by - rstieg on 03/23/2009 04:01:10

Brian T - Posted - 03/31/2009:  13:17:20

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Thanks for the advice on how to "prepare" for a jam/music get-together. I just spent lunch time discussing this with a (weak by his own admission) piano player. We think that the two of us can make a start by swapping several tunes and trying to work them up.

I have Ross Nickerson's Jamalong DVD (autographed, no less). I first watched it long ago and the speed of everything scared me off. Time to do it again.

Dinosaurs stomped the earth for many millions of years. Possibly that's how some long-established jams went sour?

We do not know where we are going.
Nor do most of us care.
For us, it is enough that we are on our way.
Le Matelot