Mirco
154 posts
Apr 15, 2014
7:44 AM
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I realize that, with professionals, there are no right/wrong answers to the questions below and that experienced musicians just feel things out. But, as a beginner, I need some guidelines to get started:
1) When leading the band at a jam, should I give everyone a solo? In general, is it one of the "rules"?
2) I am trying to figure out the appropriate time to hand off a solo. I am studying through David Barrett's website. His instrumental study songs have a pretty clear chorus (or two) that serve as the climax of the song. Should I allow other people to solo just before that chorus? I don't want to climax too soon. Any other bluesharmonica.com members out there who can weigh in?
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CarlA
484 posts
Apr 15, 2014
8:20 AM
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Mirco
154 posts
Apr 15, 2014
7:44 AM
"I don't want to climax too soon"
That's definitely something you want to avoid ;)
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Joe_L
2460 posts
Apr 15, 2014
8:20 AM
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1. If you're leading a band at a jam, it's customary to give each player a solo. The only time that I skip a person is if, the song has gone one too long, the song sucks (i.e. the band isn't getting it), there is one guy on the bandstand who has played more than a set. I will also skip a person, if they don't want a solo.
2. You give others a chance to solo after you get the groove of the song established and after you've finished what you had to say. At jams, I would recommend keeping things short and sweet. Others will take their lead from the leader. If you take extended solos, everyone else will think its okay to take extended solos, too.
While you should always play your best, at a jam, the goal should be to play something listenable and not suck. That isn't always possible with band members of varying skills or musical backgrounds.
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snowman
59 posts
Apr 15, 2014
9:03 AM
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when its straight ahead 12 bar blues--point to the next guy/gal coming up b4 the end of 12 bar ---so she/he ready --its much sweeter to start at the begining of the measure rathur than after that--be definate so everyone knows--ii agree with everything joe L wrote-- a jam is suppose to be fun for everyone-- sometimes a weaker player gets past up-- I don't like that--plus he may have 50 friends he brouht in--if your singing and its close to end of vere or chorus, don't wait till end to point ---DO IT AHEAD OF TIME--be specific about what key--not 'I don't care' time wasted on stage --plus opens a can of worms---horn players like different keys cuz its easier for them to play-BE YOURSELF HAVE FUN
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J_Bark
3 posts
Apr 15, 2014
9:59 AM
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Joe_L
2460 posts
Apr 15, 2014
8:20 AM
"...the goal should be to . . . not suck."
Love it!
I'll keep that in mind the first time I go to a jam.
Jerry
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Mirco
155 posts
Apr 15, 2014
6:44 PM
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Everyone gets a chance to solo. This idea does not extend to drums, though. Is anyone else generally excluded from soloing? How about the bass?
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Joe_L
2461 posts
Apr 15, 2014
7:00 PM
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Dude - No bass solos and no drum solos.
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jbone
1586 posts
Apr 15, 2014
8:56 PM
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When I lead a song- I usually sing when I hit a jam, or my wife will sing and I back her- the other guests get a shot. Even the new guys will get one turnaround. Sometimes I will play along and swap stuff with a new harp guy to give him a chance to converse. I keep it loose and easy usually unless we do something other than a I-IV-V.
About a year ago I got to jam with RJ Mischo, and also another harp guy, all 3 of us at the same time. RJ was cuing us and we'd each do one solo and pass it off, and it went around like 12 times. We all got to shoot our harps off and it was a really fine time.
I will also always defer to whoever is leading the stage when I'm up as a guest and not leading.
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