MindTheGap
291 posts
Feb 25, 2014
12:34 AM
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I went to my first blues jam at the weekend, so I thought I'd write a bit about it.
I went with the aim of understanding how it operated, seeing what the atmosphere was like, and also simply to enjoy listening. But I brought some harps in case I wanted to get up if the setting was right. As it turned out oxharp was there and helped me onto the stage to have a go, and adjusted the unfamiliar amp and mic, for which I'm grateful. What a helpful guy, and I tell you he can make that Bassman sing. I took the much-read advice about playing simply and sparsely and not treading on toes, and it was - well - OK.
This jam didn't have a sign-up list or someone scheduling who is on, they just asked who wanted to have a go from the stage. But that looked like that worked ok. The style tended towards upbeat blues rock, not really my natural thing, and I've would have to work out how to play in that style to fit in. Listening carefully to the other harp players I think I understood out the kind of playing that would sound good there. The general standard of individual ability I thought was high, and I didn't see any other beginners.
It was great to hear the others jamming. I had Mrs MTG and a Junior MTG (the drummer) with me, they enjoyed it too. When we left the venue, the bass player made a point of shaking my hand and saying well done for getting up, which I took as a good sign - not about my playing, I mean about the atmosphere.
All in all a good experience. There's clearly something special in the jam format, and plenty to experience and learn from. But you know the best thing was seeing a bunch of people making and enjoying the music.
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MTG
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jpmcbride
27 posts
Feb 25, 2014
11:44 AM
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Great that you had a good first blues jam experience. I've been to lots of them and had both good and bad experiences. Just shake off the bad ones and enjoy the good ones. It can be a lot of fun.
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Jim McBride
www.bottleoblues.com
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Mirco
118 posts
Feb 25, 2014
3:12 PM
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Good to hear that you had a good first experience.
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BC
22 posts
Feb 25, 2014
5:53 PM
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I just did my third jam last night at the same spot. Definitely keep on going to build the experience. I am fortunate to get to play about 2 hrs because I kind of have the diatonic harp spot to myself mostly. Another harp player sometimes shows up, but likes to use the chromatic. The jam leader is a harp player among other instruments, but is kind enough to allow me to fill the harp slot on all the songs at the jam. It is a challenging and humble experience when you don't know about 90% of the songs and have to improvise and pick up by ear on the spot. Especially for a newbie like me who is used to playing rehearsed numbers. Great also for learning how to play with a band and musically communicate with others on stage.
Keep it up.
BC
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Harp Study
14 posts
Feb 27, 2014
10:54 AM
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MindTheGap:
Glad to hear your first open jam experience went well. I too am looking to attend (and participate) in my first open jam soon. I've gone before but just sat back, watched and listened; partially because I was afraid and partially just to see how it operates.
My biggest issue (besides the nerves) is just knowing how to prepare really. I don't sing well at all, so I will not be calling out any songs. So that basically leaves you playing whatever gets called out whether you know it or not. I can swing some songs with just improvising, but there are some where that just won't cut it; if there is a hook or particular part that people expect to hear.
I've seen a few "must know song list" for jams on this forum before, but they are typically like 40+ songs deep and to be honest by the time I learn all those songs I for sure would be ready to go to an open jam. I'm not sure I want to wait that long.
Any way I found your post inspiring to see someone else pulling the trigger. I guess I am gonna have to do this eventually if I want the experience and I do.
Thanks.
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MindTheGap
305 posts
Feb 27, 2014
1:23 PM
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Harp Study - that's good. I'm in a similar position, I expect to have to fit in with what's being played and that's a good skill to have in itself.
I have to add that the Jam was not a perfect fit - BC's setup would be better for instance - but I want to do it, so am prepared to put up with a lot in order to participate.
Please let us know if/when you get up there, and what happens.
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MTG
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Mirco
121 posts
Feb 27, 2014
4:14 PM
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I agree that things are limited if you don't sing. You're stuck to comping. But, even if you don't know the particulars of the song, you can still work the notes of the I, IV, and V chords and still be interesting.
If you don't sing, you could always learn just 1-3 good instrumentals. That way, you could lead the band as an instrumentalist.
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slackwater
4 posts
Feb 27, 2014
9:40 PM
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Good on ya MTG. There's no doubt about it, there's nothing like playing music with other people. It's primordial, it's good for you soul.
I know there's been lots of discussion here and there about what a jam really is but a wise old jazz cat told me a long time ago that when your performing for an audience, your performing for the audience- don't jam! Jam'n is just for the players enjoyment. Yeah yeah, I know there's often audiences at Jam Sessions these days but your jam'n right? So jam, and enjoy yourself without gett'n too hung up on what you play. As Issac Hayes (et al) sang: Whatever you do, you've gotta do your thing.
That's what I reckon about jam'n, and I've done it lots and been to many Jam Sessions and, I've played for audiences too, but I still enjoy jam'n.
P.S. I'm not saying that you can't enjoy playing for an audience too.
Last Edited by slackwater on Feb 28, 2014 1:05 AM
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MindTheGap
306 posts
Feb 27, 2014
11:52 PM
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Slackwater - thanks, good comment. It is indeed a Jam after all.
There were other harp players there, some who sang and some who didn't. But they were all supporting the songs and just having the harp in the mix really makes it, to my ears. I simply like the sound of the comping harp, and I like playing it. At my current level, I can comp a lot more convincingly than solo.
Mirco - re instrumentals. Certainly a good idea although I think a person would have to be at a certain level to carry that off. I could imagine Iceman's scenario - you woodshed an instrumental, then take it to the jam and then oops it doesn't go quite to plan.
Comping, for me, for the time being! And simple no-frills solos. And I'm busy practising those long. long notes with expression - that's what sounded so good :-)
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MTG
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Mirco
122 posts
Feb 28, 2014
12:48 AM
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Actually, David Barrett teaches only instrumentals through his website. From day one. The beginner level instrumentals are quite easy to play.
Sorry to keep harpin' on about David Barrett's site, but it's helped me a lot. At your current level, Mind the Gap, I'm sure you could sign up for month and learn the first couple beginner's level instrumentals in no time.
Learned another benefit of the long notes tonight: they help mask your confusion when you lose the chord changes during your solo. Play a long 2 draw (because that's the key of the song) and just hold it until you figure out where the band is.
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BC
23 posts
Feb 28, 2014
4:52 AM
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I'll second that on the David Barrett site. I am a student of his online levels of achievement program and can vouch for its benefits.
The 2 draw is good to start with until you get your footing. You can draw on it in beat through the first 12 bars and then get a feel for the song, the chord changes, and have time to formulate some licks. This basically follows the simple "A"(x12) chorus form. David's site has instruction on the various 12 bar chorus forms and root chords to help with improvising.
BC
Last Edited by BC on Feb 28, 2014 5:03 AM
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Harp Study
16 posts
Feb 28, 2014
8:37 PM
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Micro
I tried the David Barrett site for awhile and found some good info there, but ultimately felt like if I was going to spend my time learning a song why not learn a classic rather than a simple song that David made up to simplify a technique? But that was just my opinion. I found Davids web page good but maybe too structured for my laid back learning style.
Dont get me wrong David's material is likely the best out there. I personally have found his building harmonica technique book the single best resource I have come across and I own a lot of harp resources. I just didn't dig learning an unknown harp solo.
My thought is that when going to a jam it might be construed as rude if you ask ( especially on your first round) to play a harmonica instrumental. Unfortunately alot of jammers have a negative vibe about harp players and feel they solo too much as is; so I am a little nervous to ask for a harp instrumental on my first go.
I do appreciate the advice though and don't mean to sound negative ; just wanted to explain myself.
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MindTheGap
308 posts
Mar 01, 2014
12:10 AM
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Mirco - you are a great advocate for DB and I agree. Keep spreading the word! I have some of his books and love them. I must try out his course - late new year's resolution... :-)
Harp Study - I feel the same as you re instrumentals. Whether it's true or not, I feel that harp players probably come with some baggage and spending some time just showing you are going to play supportively seems like a good investment. I've largely formed this opinion from reading stories on MBH btw!
That said, in the blues group that I run, I have some players - yes even guitarists, imagine that - who are reluctant to take a solo as they think they've got to save it up for when they can do something really special, whereas something simple and competent would be just fine.
So I could be wrong, but that's I feel about it. If there had been other beginners there I might think differently.
Myself I've never viewed music as a competition, but I know other people do and there's fun to be had in that too.
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MTG
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Mar 01, 2014 12:13 AM
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jbone
1513 posts
Mar 01, 2014
1:18 PM
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You guys just wait- someone someplace you go is going to want two or three harp guys on stage at once for a real roundabout jam!! This happened to me fairly early on and was I ever nervous! But it was ibn the spirit of everyone having a shot to shine for a few moments and it turned out very well.
When I host a jam, everyone on stage who is able and willing gets some spotlight. Usually the drummer and bassist don't care about that but most other players enjoy a bit of getting off the usual leash.
A jam night to me is where you bring what you've recently learned and see how to apply it in the real world out live. It has also been where I've learned things and met people who later became band mates.
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Mirco
129 posts
Mar 01, 2014
11:42 PM
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Hmmm....good point about the instrumentals and some people being averse to it. I never thought of it that way, but I have been to a jam where the host kind of laughed at me when I asked and told me that they weren't doing harmonica instrumentals when they had no shortage of vocalists. People don't want to listen to the instrumentals, he said.
My focus recently has been on learning to comp in an interesting way. Not saying that I can do it. But that's what I want to learn. I'm going to try out some ideas at a jam tomorrow.
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