Re: [Harp-L] Re: [HarpTalk] Playing at Jam Sessions

[Richard Hammersley <rhhammersley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In the old days say in Kansas City, Chicago or New York amongst  
jazzers they were called "Cutting sessions". The aim was to outdo the  
other players. This challenging tradition produced some amazing  
musicians. I say revive it. Play over the singer (if it is a jam), go  
to the edge, enrage the drummer, change key without telling anyone  
(Like the young Stevie Wonder, can't remember the track but he is  
getting all excited and you can hear one of the band saying "What key,  
what key?" to the others, blow the loud guitarists off the stage...  
etc etc.
On 19 Sep 2008, at 16:35, Derwood Blues wrote:

> Here was the best quotes so far:
>
> "Otherwise, it will sound like a blues jam..."  "Rick Davis" <
> bluesharpamps@xxxxxxxxx>
>
> and the second:
>
> "Jam Sessions? - Forget it. Unless a group of seasoned players hit the
> stage, it's every man for himself. YEEHAAW"  IcemanLE@xxxxxxx
>
> Is not the point of a Jam session to Jam, Try something, See if it  
> works,
> Impress you friends, Impress that girl at the bar, Pretend you are  
> good,
> play your instrument ...
>
> Now sitting in or playing to back someone up at an open mic is  
> different. If
> you are good enough to be self-righteous about players at a jam get  
> yourself
> a band and don't go to jams.
>
> Derwood
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Richard Hammersley
Grantshouse, Scottish Borders
http://www.last.fm/music/Richard+Hammersley
http://www.myspace.com/rhammersley
http://www.myspace.com/magpiesittingdown