[Harp-L] Jam Format

[David Fertig <drfertig@xxxxxxxxx>]

Iceman makes some very good points, as usual.  As a very experienced jammer and jam host I'd like to ofer a few points, too.

Sign ups are important, but not all controlling.  But indeed DON't let stars come in and take over, it discourages newbies and unknowns.   Getting a sense of skill levels helps, too, in case you'd otherwise put up a passel of tyros.  While I hew to the list, still one needs to make sure a couple higher level players are on stage to hold things together, usually from the crowd but if need be from the host band.  And always include a newbie or two!

I always try to get tyros on stage playing with good players.  It may mean less quality music, but better quality sharing and learning.  A jam ain't a showcase, it should be a chance for newbies to play with good 'uns, and you want to encourage new players and listeners, it helps the music scene.  

L:et the songs evolve, sometimes it takes a while (12 bars, +/-) for the players to integrate, get a good groove going, and don't sweat the inevitable train wrecks, just move on quickly, more magic can happen but only if playing is underway - and the host is encouraging people to relax and have fun.

Finally, I will brag that yesterday we had an Elmtree Blues Jam  (see my outdated but still germane elmtreeblues.org), about 20 players rotating, and at times  with THREE keyboards, TWO drumsets and as many as five guitarists - all playing at once.  Really!  (I was the only harp player, lucky me, but I couldn't get the bassists to double up!) 

And it worked only because it was an invitational jam with only the cream of the crop (except me!), all listening, generous, sharing, blues lovers.  

-Dave "do as I say not as I do" Fertig

--- On Sun, 3/28/10, harp-l-request@xxxxxxxxxx <harp-l-request@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
 Re: [Harp-L] Jam Format
        	Sunday, March 
28, 2010 5:33 AM
        	
            
            
            From: 
            icemanle@xxxxxxx
            	
            	
            	
        	To: 
        	poidog@xxxxxxxxx, harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
                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