[Harp-L] Re: Jammin' heresy

["Dave R. Fertig" <drfertig@xxxxxxxxx>]

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/