Open mic jams seem to be a good place to meet other musicians. Has anyone found that jams are more interesting than structured open mics, where you get 2-4 songs and then move on to the next signups?
Last Edited by on Jan 07, 2012 11:29 PM
I was at an open mic jam a few weeks ago and was recorded. Lots of good harpin', and I met some good musicians to boot.
Last Edited by on Jan 07, 2012 11:32 PM
I frequent two blues jams and they couldn't be more different. One is a very disciplined and structured affair run by an MC who keeps a very tight rein on things. He puts together the "bands" and everyone usually has a 3 song set. The othet jam is totally opposite...just get up and play when you want. On paper this sounds like a recipe for disaster but it works really well...most of the time!
Both have advantages and disadvantages but the second one I find better because you can try out new things without fear of pissing off you're fellow jam members. Songs that start out as straight blues can end up as jazz funk marathons. The more disciplined jam is great also as I've learnt a lot of stage skills here and you have to restrain yourself so you don't fuck up a good song.
Personally I like to attend both as much as possible. The one thing that both have in common is that they are both run very well by very good musicains and although I have come across the odd asshole at both, the vast majority of the musicians I have played with were great, supportive guys and I picked up so much from them.
I thoroughly recommend any new (maybe not brand new but once you've got the basics) harp player to attend blues jams as you will learn more there than reading books or watching Youtube videos.
I have to say I have never attended an open mic night so I can't really comment on them. ---------- Oisin
open mics are ok for a while and in their place. i think the structured jam setup is better if you plan to work with bands in public, on stages, book jobs, and be a part of a whole in a focused way. either way you can meet peers and potential band mates, but the structured way gives you a look at how certain people interact and how you interact as well. having run a jam one season i can tell you it's much different from the manager end than the player end. if i had a nickel for every player who walked in and insisted that he get up right now when i had 15 people on a list ahead of him.....and no forewarning so i could plan.....and he's the brother-in-law of the owner.....and he's so stoned he's cruising 2 feet off the floor.....but it was a worthwhile experience over all. jam nights is where i met a lot of my future band mates and we had a chance to work on stage as a unit. i still like the open mic format since i can walk in and sit down when i want to, get up when i want to, and true synergy can happen with less boundaries set by a manager. ---------- http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
Jbone I hear what you say about people trying to jump to the front. Even in a loosely set up situation. I once overheard the line. "Let us play first cause later we will be too drunk." right. I also prefer a more open format. However I realize that anyone attending a new open mic must expect to sit , watch , and get to know the players there before expecting to play often and without invitation. Paying dues in a way. Oisin. The person running any open mic gets my ultimate respect. It is not easy to be in charge and make everyone happy, while making sure things run smoothly. I personally love open mics. I have been in band situations and not. The drama involved in bands is something I can live without, but the camaraderie is there, both with jams and bands. I currently am doing a bit of both, which I guess is having my cake and eating it too. I will add that my current band/trio mates,I have met through open mic.
Last Edited by on Jan 08, 2012 9:12 AM
I think it depends on the both you and the situation.
I just got on stage for my first time ever this past week. I’ve been to several jams and open mic’s around town. Some were too structured, some were too loose and…well it was about finding one that was right for my level.
I got lucky and found one that was just the right mix…structured enough that I wasn’t all on my own but, loose enough that I could feel comfortable nodding out and passing off a turn if I got overwhelmed.
A few more times like this and I’ll feel more comfortable with the expectations of a more formal jam or open mic.
Really, I just got lucky. The regular jam I’d been attending to learn the ropes and build up confidence had just gotten canceled. I found out about new one starting at the last minute and though I’d check it out. I showed up and luckily knew one of the attendees…there were only a few jammers due to the first night. All the jammers were veterans of the local scene, I was the only newbe.
No other harp players so my friend convinced me to get up. It actually was more like a private lesson in jamming for me…20 year plus veterans on a well laid out stage, all having played together many times over the years…and me 6 months into this stuff never having played to something other than a jam track.
I was guided (slapped on the back of the head when it was my turn), challenged (ok guys, lets do a slow shuffle in A minor…harp player lead us in…yep my first time ever jamming and end up doing a third position intro on a G harp) and supported (we’re putting a mic on your amp, so you can’t hide). It made for a great first experience.
smwoermer, It you experience sounds great. It is always great to find a friendly venue to express yourself. It sounds like when the door of your initial open mic closed, the next one opened for you. It is always satisfying to be challenged and survive as in the 3rd position song you mention.
