One of my goals for 2016 is to get out to a blues jam. I've been practicing playing along with some backing tracks and getting better. But was wondering what advice some more experienced players might have.
Don't overplay, don't play on the vocals or when the guitars are soloing. Don't try to fill every empty spot with harmonica. Listen, and try to fit in.
Make a good impression with the other jammers by playing less. Once you get more familiar with this particular jam and the regulars there, you can do more.
Pay attention to the other jammers and how the jam works. Every jam is different. Learn the rules.
Always ask for the key of the song. Once in a while you get a jerk that doesn't want to tell anyone the key. Ask the bass player.
If you continue to go to this same jam, you'll find the same songs being played regularly. Learn them and figure out a harp part for them.
Tip the host band. Thank the host. Buy a drink or two to support the venue. Don't get drunk.
Seven .. how long u been playing? Just curious. I'm about in the same boat.
Good advice Mcbride Thanks. ---------- "Trust Those Who Seek The Truth... Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Jan 06, 2016 8:40 PM
A whole lot longer than where my skill set should be. Probably 6 years. Really started focusing about 18 months ago when I started taking skype lessons.... I'll probably make it to a jam in December. Haha
#1 to me is, be assertive but polite! If there's a signup sheet sign up but have a conversation with whoever is running the jam as well. Many jams have guests sit in for 3 songs, more or less.
Have your instruments in good working order and easy to grab on stage. Don't be afraid to ask what key if you need to. asking is much preferable to playing in the wrong key! If possible listen for the tempo before the song kicks off, if not then adapt to what's being laid down. Some guys will call off, like "12 bar in G" or "Medium shuffle in A" or whatever.
Manners on stage as well. Play when cued and stop when appropriate. Band leader will let you know. Some people like a harp guy to do fills, many do not. To me it's very important to make a good impression as a responsible player right away.
Water with a bit of lemon to keep wet.
Do you practice with a mic/amp? You may be offered the house harp rig to play through, or you may be shown a vocal mic. Either way it may be different than what you're used to so be on your toes.
Be ready for a challenge! Chances are you will be on stage with some guys and gals who have experience. You may find opportunities to rise to the occasion. Playing with musicians better than me forced me to improve!
All that being said, I hope you have a great time!
Jams and open mics were where I got a lot of my education not only in playing with others but in stage etiquette. Frankly sometimes I sucked badly early on, and the guys who kind of adopted me kept me well in hand and taught me a lot. As I improved I got invitations to sit in with a band here and there for a few songs or a set, and from that I was hired in as a regular. Later I co-founded bands and duos. We recruited from the pool of people we met at jams and open mics.
And too, remember, if you are real nervous at first, just go ahead and do your best. Audiences and stage mates at jams are pretty forgiving in my experience. Take the lessons you learn about music and yourself and work on what you need to, then go back and do better next time. It will take on a natural feel after a while.
Music is a wonderful conversation. One talks, the others listen. Hopefully everybody gets a chance to say some little thing!
A lot of great advice here. A good tip was to not overplay. Don't play EVER during vocals or the solos of others (at least your first time up, until you get a feel for the scene). On the other hand, when it's your turn to solo, play confidently and play simply. The 4-5 shake is a great way to get through a solo if you lose track of the changes or you are uncomfortable with the groove... don't feel that you have to impress with your musicianship or your licks. People go nuts for that 4-5 shake, or for bluesy notes held for a long time. Remember that everyone was once in your shoes. Everyone had a first time onstage, even the great BRUCE WILLIS. ---------- Marc Graci YouTube Channel
If you know a singer/guitarist, invite him/her to practice with you a few times at home before you play out at Jams.
Playing with others is different than playing with tracks. It is a team activity and you need to learn the interaction with other musicians. If you have done it at home, you'll be much more at ease at the jam session. Even take your guitar friend to the session, and go up as a duo.
Last Edited by A440 on Jan 09, 2016 8:29 PM
Off topic i kno, but Speaking of bruce willis, he plays or atleast owns some dannacker harps. What's the story on them don't hear much about em anymore. Are they all they re cracked up to be.
And while I'm on the subject what's the deal with the yonberg harps i see on amazon. There like $150 and nobody seems to know what there about.
---------- "Trust Those Who Seek The Truth... Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Jan 09, 2016 8:33 PM
There's a lot of hate for Bruce Willis on this site. I think that it's because he's Bruce Willis. If people just listened to his music and forgot that it was Bruce Willis, they would see that his playing is competent. He's not cracking Adam's top 10, or his top 20, but he plays lines that are appropriate. He doesn't overplay, he knows his place in the band, and he can sing. If he showed up at your local jam with a disguise on, the audience would appreciate him.
Lot's of great advice here. Other than maybe being a few cents flat what A440 said, to practice a few times with someone before you play out, will REALLY help. There are so many things to negotiate to optimize the experience that it can, unfortunately, be difficult to get right. If you're sitting in with a full house band you can still sit in as a duo but you may have to be assertive for that to happen. I'd suggest telling the host you're new to the whole stage scene but you've worked out a couple of tunes -name them, and they should be blues standards (or at least reference a style/title that you can communicate to the band).
Last Edited by Littoral on Jan 10, 2016 5:37 AM
There's no amount of jamming to records or tracks that can prepare you for playing live at a jam- other than gaining the technical skills to play that is. I graduated from jamming to LPs to jamming with a friend who is a pro rock guitar player (he still thinks SRV is the end all of "the blues") to finally just showing up and playing at a jam. I knew enough when NOT to play and played well enough to be asked back.
A couple of years later I thought I was ready for a "pro" jam (I wasn't) and when I looked to my left and saw Junior Watson standing there with his Les Paul gold top I just about lost it. But I kept my head down and played very little and kept it simple and it all worked out. Smoking a cigar with Junior after the jam at the bar he said "you're all right, man- nothin to be ashamed of." What could be better than that?
So- keep it simple - don't play too fast- don't play during other solos or vocals- you'll be fine.
Best advice is what PropMan said in his story of playing at a pro jam "kept my head down and played very little and kept it simple and it all worked out".
I remember being asked to sit in with a duo once. The guitar player was a pro level blues cat, and the harp player was a great singer, but was a basic beginner/intermediate on harp. I played on one song and played what I thought was a really inspired solo and was very proud of myself. After the set the guitar player came over to my table and said he loved the backing chords I played and all about how it helped fill out the sound. I played this killer solo and he didn't care a bit. But I played simple octaves behind the 1-4-5 and he loved it.
The point is that you'll get a lot more mileage at a jam or sit-in by playing simple and supporting the band that by soloing like crazy.
Can I ask ..... How Long Were Yall Playin Before You Started Playing At Open Jams?
Ide like to take a poll. Lol. Maybe should make it a seperate thread, but o well.
BTW .... Why yall Hatin on bruce? He's good man. Like Micro said he aint Blowin nobody away or doin Nothin origional, but he sounds good. Don't Hate..... Let the man play. &^}> ---------- "Trust Those Who Seek The Truth... Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Jan 10, 2016 11:44 AM
@ Killa Hertz. Good question. I woodshedded intensively (I mean up to 7-8 hours a day, every day) for about 10 months before going to my first jam. I introduced myself to the host. He said "I'll get you up," and then I waited nervously for a couple of hours before I was called up to do 2-3 standard type songs. Don't remember what. I was pretty mediocre, but got through OK. No major mistakes.
At the end of the night the host said "you can play" which gave me confidence.
I started going regularly and met a guitarist who I busked with 2-3 times a week for six months. Learned a lot that way.
Yea I'm not thinking about trying to play yet. But i would like to find some jams to go check out near me.
I find that when playing with jams tracks I'm hit or miss. Sometimes i can light it up and it feels like im right in the pocket just playin everything right. Improvising and playing pretty complex stuff. Well complex for me. You kno.
And other times my brain gets in the way and im just stuck. And when i do try to put complex riffs in they just sound forced and not right.
I'm worried that I'll be in the latter frame of mind and look stuipid. Lol. I mean I'm sure i could BS my way through it by just playing bass lines n simple stuff. But ide like to be in the groove and playing somewhat complex stuff. You know? ---------- "Trust Those Who Seek The Truth... Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
Learn to count measures- listen to the drummer or bass man. Have rhythm
Dress like you didnt wander in off the beach. No shorts and white sneakers
Bring 4 harps A, C, D and low F-learn a few first position licks and those harps go a long way
Have a mic with a volume control and your own cord or so you can dial it down when other folks are playing
Dont play every lick you know on the first song. Comp a bit and play some horn type stabs.
Dont whine, talk shit about the other musicians and get off the stage after 3 songs- sing some harmony if you know the songs
Bruce gets hate because if he wasnt successful in another field he wouldnt be up there. He take long solos and detracts from the band. He is no Steve Martin Yippie Ky A and good luck
Last Edited by Goldbrick on Jan 10, 2016 3:26 PM
All the advice here is great, but a beginner who tries to keep it all in mind will be sunk before the bell rings. So I'd offer these few key advisories:
1. Bring at least an A, C, and D harp, and be prepared to play a shuffle in E, G, or A.
2. In order to be prepared to do that, play along with jam tracks or songs at home in the days before the jam session. If possible, spend at least a little time listening to where the vocals are and NOT playing over them.
3. On jam day, ask for the jammers list when you get to the club and sign up. Also, find the person in charge of the list, tell him it's your first time up, and tell him you're hoping to play a shuffle in A, G, or A--i.e., nothing too complex
4. Have a drink or two while you're waiting, to settle your nerves.
5. When you're called, get up there and have fun, no matter how wracked with nerves you are. Make sure that you let the musicians on stage know that you're hoping to play a shuffle, and what keys you can play in.
White sneakers are for 5 year olds. Or for actually playing a sport
If you are in a bar dress like a man ( or lady as the case may be). Boots are acceptable especially if its a ruff joint. Or a real leather shoe ever see Hooker or Muddy in tennis shoes ? Lemmy ? Jimi ? Black converse hi tops are ok if you still got ramone roots
If you can, try to learn a few licks from popular songs (spoonfull, hoochie man, and so on). If you know that signature lick from the song, and you play it on time, you have 50% of the battle right there, plus a simple solo: lots of -45 warbles and a few -2bb, and you are going to be the favorite player of the jam. ---------- Sorry for any misspell, english is not my first language.
"Bring at least an A, C, and D harp, and be prepared to play a shuffle in E, G, or A. [ ... ] Make sure that you let the musicians on stage know that you're hoping to play a shuffle, and what keys you can play in."
I don't think demanding a set of shuffles and limiting yourself to three keys is going to win you many fans or friends. I think any jammer needs to be prepared to play whatever blues standard the leaders call in whatever groove and key (major or minor) in which they like to sing.
Last Edited by timeistight on Jan 11, 2016 11:05 AM
go to the bank, get a fat stack of 2 dollar bills. bring a bright red sharpie, get there early order a drink pay for it with the 2 dollars bills. tip the waitress 2 dollars.
get there early, and be the first person to sign up. some jams they will go right dowm the list in order. use the red marker to sign up, thay will not "miss" your name guaranteed.
when the host band plays, tip them with a 2 dollar bill. have fun. ---------- if you appreciate what you have... it becomes more.
Have fun and don't be a dick. Drink as much as you want but don't be a dick. Take that one harp that has been in your pocket for 2 yrs and don't be a dick. Wear whatever you have that don't stink and don't be a dick. Do your best and if someone bithces, fuckum!..BN
As a matter of fact, yes I did see Jimi in white sneaks. James Cotton too. Every one of y'all dress code people probably have a closet full of Hawaiian shirts and funny hats. ---------- For every moment of triumph, every instance of beauty, many souls must be trampled. HST
As a matter of fact, yes I did see Jimi in white sneaks. James Cotton too. Every one of y'all dress code people probably have a closet full of Hawaiian shirts and funny hats. ---------- For every moment of triumph, every instance of beauty, many souls must be trampled. HST
