Re: [Harp-L] Jam session etiquette question

["steve@xxxxxxxxxxxx" <swebb@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

A few years back, when I was trying to find any place at all to play with real musicians, I stopped to check out a local "jam." It was hosted by a couple of brothers who were very good. On break, they came over and asked me to get up with a local guitarist/singer. (One of them had seen me play somewhere before and knew I played a little harp.) 
I wasn't really there to play that night, but I had a C harp in my pocket. I asked the guitar player if he could do something in G and I would just try to play something. Sure, he said.  Then we got onstage and he took off in a different key, with a different song. So, OK, I just waited there looking like a dummy. He then kicked off another song, stilll not in G. I tried a couple of notes to see if I could find something, couldn't, and walked off. 
I sat and watched him try to be a star, finished my drink and never went back.  Jam sessions are just not often predictable.  
Steve Webb in Minnesota

---- sam Blancato <samblancato@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: 
> Patience is the word when you start attending jams.
>  
> The politeness and fairness of any given jam depends entirely on the people
> attending that jam and the people hosting it.  
>  
> I've attended many jams that were not very well organized beyond a sign-up
> sheet, which was not always followed at all.  I've also attended jams that
> were done really well.  It all depends on the people.  
>  
>