Re: [Harp-L] Jam Format

[icemanle@xxxxxxx]

I'm not really a "people person", so my slant is more control oriented.


Trying to please everyone never works. Take a firm hand and be proactive w/the jammers and the sets. Usually the opening 20 minutes are done by the jam host w/a decent experienced back up band. This begins the night on a controlled and professional note and sets the scene for what is to follow.


Sign up sheet works as long as you commit to it verbatim. Allowing low level "star" musicians to waltz in and bypass the sign in sheet creates hard feelings. Keep it democratic. 


Jam sets should be 20 minutes long (usually equal to three songs). Try to keep the momentum moving with minimum (what do you wanna do? dunno, what do you wanna do? can you sing?) stuff.


Keep a FIRM HAND on VOLUME, even if it means cutting off an insane guitar player at the knees. Sometimes the jam host has to get tough.


Have back ground music ready to punch in as soon as the live music stops - this keeps a good atmosphere without that dead air effect. Keep down time to 5 - 10 minutes between jam sets. Sometimes you can announce the next set of jammers and then call out the following "on deck" musicians to be ready so you don't have to chase them down in the parking lot when their time comes.


It also doesn't hurt to have one of your steady house band musicians peppered into each jam set, to keep that free form out of control music from developing with a full stage of inexperienced jammers fumbling with each other.


and remember, lots of musicians may be very self involved as the night progresses, so try to stick to basic rules of etiquette and don't be afraid to enforce them.


the jam can really develop into something special if ground rules are established and boundaries are in place.





-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Cole <poidog@xxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sat, Mar 27, 2010 10:27 pm
Subject: [Harp-L] Jam Format


Hey Gang
A good friend of mine has started a blues jam at a very cool retro club into 
Portland.
A great room that has a capacity of 125 and a
very supportive proprietor. Who takes good care of the paying customers and 
treat the musicians with respect. 

I am not much of a jam person as we play 3 nights a week and I do not have the 
time or energy. He is new at this and would like to know if any of you cats have 
a format that would help him be organized. On the one time I did attend my 
criticism was the volume that reached intolerable levels and of course it was 
the  guitar animals that were the offenders. 

Anyway after 6 wed nights he is attracting some of the upper level musicians in 
Portland OR. (musicians are moving here  in droves thinking there's a gig on 
every corner-not). Last week the attendance reached almost capacity as far as 
the audience. 

If any of you good folks have any suggestions please contact me off list.
I can't wait because I know there are going to be some gooduns.  My friend is 
new at this and has asked for guidance. Who better to ask then harp players who 
have fought the guitar volume wars and all of the other issues in the jam scene.
Contact me off list amigos.

Thanks in advance
Bobby Cole


RRC