Friday, October 28, 2011

Jam Session Etiquitte; The Obvious

I've been going to jam sessions off and on for easily 20 years or more. (Yeah, I'm older than you might think. I actually got carded the other night going into a venue. Instead of taking out my Driver's License, I removed my hat. "OK, sir" said the guy at the door.) I believe the jam session to be a important part of a musician's development. I'm sure that many of us have been to great jams, and then the not-so good or worse. Some of it has to do with where the session is located, who is running the session, the level of the players, local cultural attitudes, how much the musicians have had to drink, etc......

There are already some posted lists of Jam Session Etiquitte on the web. However, here is mine, however redundant or obvious it might seem:

OMG, what if I forget the changes?
1. Don't be afraid. It's a jam session, not Carnegie Hall. If you are afraid to play in an informal setting(which most jam sessions are), then how can you expect to play when the pressure is on? Most of the time, musicians at jam sessions are just trying to have a good time. (There's always a Blues played at some point that anyone should be able to play on!) If you come to the session with good intentions, others will sense that. Try to gravitate towards encouraging musicians. Yes, some people will vibe you, possibly, but that says more about them than it does you. So don't let fear keep you from trying. Save the fear for when you see a Grizzly Bear running towards you, or if you are shipped off to fight the Taliban in Afghanistan from some reason....

These folks look like a BAND!
2. Make music! Don't just get up and show off! (Although some degree of showing off can be appropriate if it's done tastefully!) Most musicians will be more impressed if you listen and play with everyone as opposed to only listening to yourself and only caring about whether you are featured or not. Listen and interact musically with the musicians you are sharing the stage with. This is part of becoming a mature artist. You don't want to be like the guy at the party who goes on and on about himself and doesn't let anyone else have a chance to talk!

3. Have a tune, or several tunes in mind. Unless you are very experienced and know a boatload of tunes and never get stumped, you should think of a tune you know very well and ask the leader of the session if that could be the tune that you play on. Hopefully, this is a tune that you have practiced at home, and you really know it, not sorta know it if there is a chart handy. Furthermore, if a tune is called that you don't know, write down the name of the tune and learn it for the next time. And if you need to look at the fakebook, I don't discourage that. However, the next time you come to the session, you should try to be familiar with the tune.

4. Be sociable and respectful. It's ok to want to "sit in" and it's ok to network at the session. But don't be the person who shows up, demands to play on the first tune, plays his or her solo, then gives the band leader his or her card and runs out the door! Maybe listen to other people's solos? Maybe take off your coat and stay awhile? Again, the more respectful you are of others, the more people will want to play with you.

5. Don't wear out your welcome. Again, be respectful: while you might think that you have thirty-five great choruses within your grasp, you probably only have two.... three, tops. Unless your name is Kenny Garrett, or Herbie Hancock, or Sonny Rollins, you should not over do it. "Say what you got to say, and get out!" is the advice that's usually given. Build it up and leave them wanting more. Again, people will dig you for it.

If anybody has suggestions to add to this list, I'm open. Hopefully, my PSU students will read this before the jam tomorrow(Friday 3-5 in LH 47....)


14 comments:

  1. These are great. Definitely embrace "the hang." If you don't play the melody or know it, then don't take a solo (unless the melody has been arranged). To me that just screams selfish.

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  2. Great blog, George. I've got a couple addtions:

    Show respect for the session leader: Often cats that want to sit in will time their arrival immediately after the house band finishes their opening set. When possible check out the players hosting the gig. And when you can't, at least talk to the band leader before taking the stage.

    It's a jam session: I see so many people try to turn the session into their own show case. Meet the players and the situation where they are and make the most out of it.

    Finish the song: Don't start the tune and then leave after your solo. Bad form.

    You're not too hip to play that tune: Stop rolling your eyes and vetoing "Blue Bossa" and "What is This Thing." There's a reason those tunes are over-played and you should sound great on them.

    Give the drummer some! I don't know how many New York sessions I've been to where 14 saxophonists solo and then take the head out before the bassist or the drummer solo. These cats have been sweating away making you sound good for the last 45 minutes - give them their due!

    If you're gonna stretch - don't play first! If you can't follow George's advice above to keep it to two or three choruses max - don't play first! Other horn players will take it as invitation to do the same.

    Listen to the other players - pay a compliment: horn players are especially guilty of talking through everyone's solos. Jam sessions are a great place to socialize, but don't forget about the music part and words of encouragement go a long way to younger/less experienced participants.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great post!

    I would add a somewhat subtle point which is not to have a super obvious agenda/too high of expectations. Going to one jam session doesn't mean that the guys in the band are going to love you forever and call you for every single gig. I think a lot of younger musicians approach jam sessions with too high of expectations for themselves and for everyone else, and as a result come across as awkward, nervous, and heavy handed. I guess the more general point would be, relax.

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  4. How about, Don't bring a fake book.

    Make sure you have whatever tune you want to play memorized, even if it is something simple.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Try to gravitate towards encouraging musicians. Yes, some people will vibe you, possibly, but that says more about them than it does you. So don't let fear keep you from trying.
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  7. Ask the band leader and other more experienced players what they liked about your playing and more importantly what they didn't like about your playing. Most people will probably say "Oh you sounded great", but occasionally you will get some very insightful words of wisdom that can lead to some fruitful practicing and musical growth.

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  9. How about, "If you're going to call an obscure tune in an obscure key, GREAT! But bring charts for the rhythm section, and by this I mean charts that actually show the tune as you want it played." I've played sessions where a soloist brings charts but wants a different key and a different form and different changes and a few unindicated random bars repeated. A few minor differences are OK, but every little change like that increases the chances of a train wreck of some kind. Maximize your chances of success!

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  10. Try to gravitate towards encouraging musicians. Yes, some people will vibe you, possibly, but that says more about them than it does you. So don't let fear keep you from trying.
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