Subject: [Harp-L] Re: Jammin' heresy

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Dave Fertig writes:
 
"I'm a heretic for da blues, and especially jammin' the blues.

I  disregard the rules of musical propriety, the few that I know, at least 
in  blues jams.  Oh yes, maestro, there are reasoanble and necessary  
standards of musicality and technique for performing set pieces, I respect  
song-writer's intent, and when I play with a band I take  direction.

And sure, f you're in a jam at a tavern, hizzoner needs to  sell his ale, 
which won't happen if it's a maundering noodle with bleating  harps, no 
structure and inadequate numbers of star-turns.  Of course  the coordinator 
wants to assemble a good band, and make things sound good  for the audience, 
and him or herself.  Fine, and orthodox.   Economics and all that.

BUT what about simple, good ol' fashioned blues  jams, where a bunch of 
people sit down (e.g., under a tree in around a  coffee table) and just go 
for it for their own pleasure without regard for  any audience but themselves?

That's what I like to call a down-home blues  jam.  Not a show with backline 
and a list of pickup players, or a  series of torrid solos among a carousel 
of different players, or a grand  rehearsal amongst strangers - but a good 
ol' gut bucket blues jam.

A  place where even the unfortunate and disdained "fools" can dig being in a  
good jam, even though they don't know nuthin'.  Numbskulls who play too  
much or too little or too loud or too quiet or too "wrong", according to  
another's ears or expectations.    Aren't we also entitled to the  pleasure 
and magic of the jam?

That's why at Elmtree Blues Society  (where the only dues you pay are the 
blues you  play)
http://elmtreeblues.org/, we not only have plenty of fine and  experienced 
professionals -  but also "fools" like me and my buddy's  nephew or 
daughter, even his older cousin, or the other guy who has an old  harp and 
doesn't yet know how to play it nicely,  but wants to chug  along in the 
background to be part of the good energy.

Of course, if  you're bleating or too loud you should be given some gentle 
guidance, and  the good rules of listening and sharing and stepping back and 
leaving space  are all intact.

But the recent string about jams (esp re: harps not a  rhythm instument?! 
Yikes! ) got me wondering if this list was only for   those who knew it all 
and did it right, and I know that it ain't, but I just  wanted to say 
something for those of us who simply love the blues and the  spirit of 
jammin', and don't spend hours and hours every week to become  musicians but 
do try to bring others into the joy of blues jams.    Even if we are 
ADD-addled or too unedjicated or maybe just simply not as  smart as others .

Whew!  Thanks for the space, I love this list even  though it drivs me nuts 
sometimes!

-Dave  Fertig
http://elmtreeblues.org/ "
 
....Well Dave, if that describes a "heretic" for da Blues....then  count me 
in too! I'd pretty much given up on the idea of  being "good  enough" to ever 
participate in a jam.   LOVED this post.
 
Elizabeth