Members Mr.Mow Posted February 26, 2009 Members Share Posted February 26, 2009 I've been asked by some guys to come down for an informal 'jam'.. err, I've not 'jammed' with anyone before.. Any tips.. what does one expect at a 'jam'.. What should one do? I'm such a noob.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Chaos5522 Posted February 26, 2009 Members Share Posted February 26, 2009 Figure out the key and chord changes and just sort of dance around em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Emprov Posted February 26, 2009 Members Share Posted February 26, 2009 Stay basic. Focus on the kick drum and stay with it, don't get too fancy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members WashburnGuy Posted February 26, 2009 Members Share Posted February 26, 2009 Relax....most of the "jams" are I IV V stuff.....if not, it's usually a standard that everybody knows! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T. Alan Smith Posted February 26, 2009 Members Share Posted February 26, 2009 Yeah, sadly, most are blues based. Depending on who your with, you may end up touching on a bunch of classic rock. Like all things music related, employ the KISS method- Keep It Simple Stoopid I'll add- the most important thing is to listen listen listen...and NOT to yourself, rather to the other players. It takes experience to stay ahead of the curve at these things, and although I'm more of a jam-type player(improv exclusively-NOT blues ), if I don't jam regularly, I find myself not being able to stay ahead of the curve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Chlo_treacher Posted February 26, 2009 Members Share Posted February 26, 2009 i agree. simplicity is the key. after all, when all is said and done, thats what the bass is really there for. just try and relax and be interesting but nothing too fancy. if it grows into something more than just 'jamming' there will be plenty of time to go fancier then! good luck mate, let us know how it all goes.. chlo x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rpsands Posted February 26, 2009 Members Share Posted February 26, 2009 Pretty much every jam I've ever been to had a posted requirement of 200bpm 32nd note arpeggios played by ear. If you can't handle that you might as well not bother, sissy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members catphish Posted February 26, 2009 Members Share Posted February 26, 2009 If this is really a "jam session" in the sense of jazz exploration #5, or whatever, then you just need to relax and play by ear. Sometimes you'll need to be the base of the sound, sometimes you can step out and move to the forefront. Check out Phil Lesh. I'm not a fan of the Dead, but he is the master of counter melodic jam style improvisation. When in doubt play less, and play simple. And the number one rule. LISTEN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T. Alan Smith Posted February 26, 2009 Members Share Posted February 26, 2009 My favorite jams are when all instruments simply weave their parts together to create a sort of exotic quilt...where the bass isn't seen as something to hold the bottom down, the drums aren't seen as something to tap out beats on and the guitar is more than a riffing or soloing instrument. I need to see all instruments focused on developing a transcending kind of atmosphere to get lost in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitargod0dmw Posted February 26, 2009 Members Share Posted February 26, 2009 Relax....most of the "jams" are I IV V stuff.....if not, it's usually a standard that everybody knows! That entirely depends on who you're jamming with... Jamming to us simply meant playing together...without a structure or knowing where to go next. Somebody would start playing a riff, then everybody would join in and go from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Emprov Posted February 26, 2009 Members Share Posted February 26, 2009 My favorite jams are when all instruments simply weave their parts together to create a sort of exotic quilt...where the bass isn't seen as something to hold the bottom down, the drums aren't seen as something to tap out beats on and the guitar is more than a riffing or soloing instrument. I need to see all instruments focused on developing a transcending kind of atmosphere to get lost in. Man, it's been years since I've been in a jam like that. I miss those days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members s4001 Posted February 26, 2009 Members Share Posted February 26, 2009 Put a note on every kick. The rest will work itself out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T. Alan Smith Posted February 26, 2009 Members Share Posted February 26, 2009 Man, it's been years since I've been in a jam like that. I miss those days. It's THE reason I play...PERIOD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members groutt Posted February 26, 2009 Members Share Posted February 26, 2009 My favorite jams are when all instruments simply weave their parts together to create a sort of exotic quilt...where the bass isn't seen as something to hold the bottom down, the drums aren't seen as something to tap out beats on and the guitar is more than a riffing or soloing instrument. I need to see all instruments focused on developing a transcending kind of atmosphere to get lost in. That sounds just about perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members catphish Posted February 26, 2009 Members Share Posted February 26, 2009 It's THE reason I play...PERIOD I hear ya, but I don't think I could give up writing songs. It's a completely different form of art than improv, or playing in general, but one I enjoy equally. This is why I like the group I'm in now. It let's me do both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T. Alan Smith Posted February 26, 2009 Members Share Posted February 26, 2009 That sounds just about perfect. I can get pretty chaotic if your not playing with tasteful/mature people, but hopefully out of the chaos comes something beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T. Alan Smith Posted February 26, 2009 Members Share Posted February 26, 2009 I hear ya, but I don't think I could give up writing songs. It's a completely different form of art than improv, or playing in general, but one I enjoy equally. This is why I like the group I'm in now. It let's me do both. I've tried to write songs over the years, but alone, I flat out suck. I think I'm a good songwriting partner tho. I do miss composition, which I haven't done in a fudgin' decade. Most of my writing is Chill music, which isn't very far from what I do with improv. I need to push myself back into the craft of composition soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zachoff Posted February 26, 2009 Members Share Posted February 26, 2009 Only one man would dare give me the raspberry.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Hearafter Posted February 26, 2009 Members Share Posted February 26, 2009 Only one man would dare give me the raspberry.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members In Absentia Posted February 27, 2009 Members Share Posted February 27, 2009 I hear ya, but I don't think I could give up writing songs. It's a completely different form of art than improv, or playing in general, but one I enjoy equally. This is why I like the group I'm in now. It let's me do both. Listen to this guy. ^^^ catphish knows how to jam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mr.Mow Posted February 27, 2009 Author Members Share Posted February 27, 2009 Thanks dudes, lots of good info in there! Let you know how it goes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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