People who slam Jam Sessions

[Richard]

I wish one of the people that talked bad about Jam sessions would come here and make a post. I started my 'musical career' at a Jam Session in Humboldt County. I went to the Jam for about a year, then ended up hosting the Jam for 4 years. I will now match up my skills with anyone. I started at a Jam, and felt lucky getting my 3 songs, and the first few times I sucked. If it wasnt for the supportive people at the Jams, I probably would not have continued playing. Or at the least, I would not have played out in front of people.

I would like to get into a back and forth conversation with one of those people who thinks that Jams are lame, or are taking away from paid gigs. I think they are totally wrong. I dont know about you, but Im not awash in Wednesday night or Sunday night gigs.

[kenb]

I play a lot of open mics. It is a great place to meet other folks, and a lot of times new people in town start there. They may be great players/songwriters etc and it allows me the opportunity to meet them and hook up with them before they get tied into some other project. When I came to sac I met every body i eventually played in bands with either at the open mics or through others that played the open mics.

I still go, even though I have played 250 + shows the last 2 years, been touring the US 4 times in the last 2 years, and play virtually every night. It still is the best place to meet new musical faces.

And as far as the money? If clubs like Old I or Fox and Goose didn't have the open mics, and instead had shows, the band would still only get paid whatever they could generate at the door. The key is, play a show and get some folks to come see you, and sell your stuff. it is how business is done. If you can't generate a crowd then it really doesn't matter how good you are, does it? If it don't sell it has no monetary value. The only value then is from some airy artistic point of view, and that means you don't get paid, you just get to enjoy the art of whinning about how your art makes zilch. Don't worry though, you'll probably be famous after you are dead

[kennans]

For many years, Jam Sessions have been my paying gigs!

Hosting a jam is fun, but somebody is going to be pissed off, no matter what you do.

They're usually pissed off because;
A.) They suck. You can only give so much time and attention to somebody that's going to empty the room.

B.) The host isn't psychic. "I sat there all night and he never called me up." You did? Where?

But mostly, it's because they suck.

Face it; even if all the jams went away, the malcontents still won't have any gigs!



www.kennanshaw.com

[avalemert]

I'm a newbie here and coming back to my music after life, baby, etc...
So, that said, I think any venue that is trying to have live musicians is GREAT and should be encouraged. I have no disrespect to DJs but, being a vox/sax player, I think jamming sounds like fun and should be loose and fun, what the heck is music if it's not fun?
If you're really good, it probably goes well, if you're rusty or starting out, that can be very intimidating but I hate the idea of jam sessions not encouraging these types of players. After all, the more you play and perform, the better it gets (IMHO).
I love the idea of jam sessions, I just have a tough time getting out to do it with a family.
I hope I can join in on the fun soon...
Av.

[clark]

The ONLY way to get better (fast) is to jam it out loud and proud.
Anyone against that Idea isn't nearly as good as they think!! ???javascript:add(%22%20???%22)

[rand]

Well, it looks like the children are back on CL talking crap again about playing for free,etc. Most musicians that I know have day jobs and attending the jams is a time to get together with your friends and play music, network a bit, and have a good time. The people that talk smack about playing for free probably never thought about things that are provided for you, the musician, like free use of someone elses P.A. amps, and other gear, free use of a venue's stage,electricity and lights,free parking and an audience. I don't take all this for granted and I always thank the hosts and venue to ALLOW me to participate. The whinners either can't get paid gigs and /or have no idea about what a jam is all about. Try to book and pay for quality studio time and you'll appreciate free

[Audiomagic]

Yeah I noticed that on Craigslist alot slamming as well I dont get if you don't like em don't go. what a waste of fuckin time to post shit. I do understand the right to speak out but make a suggestion at least to maybe make it better I haven't gone to any here in town but been want to go an check them all out. I was a host for a open mike in Fairfax and booking and scheduled the bands an found you just can't make everybody happy all the time just. the open mics can be alot of fun and not everybody got a chance to play due to time and amount of people that wanted to play. but are in the first few to the next week if they are there on time of couse. vegas is where the beer dawgs use to play every thurs right ?

[jlev]

Nah, the Beer Dawgs played Thursdays at the Torch Club.

Right on rand!!! And back at ya (if y'all don't know randy is the jam meistrer at the Steve Foster Band jams. Does a wonderful job too.)

[rand]

Hey Joe - Thanks for the kudos and the continued inspiration you show. The example as a role model that guys such as you, Jimmy Bagshaw, Steve Foster and all of the real pros( you know who you are!) is what makes the jam sucessful and something I look forward to week after week. My pleasure being a part of something as positive as this!

[kingmarki]

Greetings everyone, It has been years since I have attended/played a jam night, but when I used to, there was always a house band and they often did have their favorites to jam with. But, they always allowed newbies to join in too. Of course we like to jam with those we know, but if you never jammed with someone new, how would you ever discover someone who deserved to be on stage and in the spotlight?

When I made the transition from bass player to guitar player, I again had to pay my dues in order to earn the respect of the other musicians. I believe it was only right too. I was always welcomed to grab the bass & hold down the bottom end, but when I first started making the rounds with a guitar in hand, there was some skepticism, and there should have been. I sucked pretty bad at the guitar for a few years while I learned to hone my skills. I never did get as good at the guitar as I was on the bass, and often I willingly took a back seat to those who were better than I.

I actually enjoyed being an observer as it was the best free guitar lessons, watching those who were better than I play their asses off. I found the most highly respected skill I possessed as a musician was humility. I gladly yielded my "given" time to someone who was clearly better than I. Not that I didn't try my best when given a shot. I also made a host of friends who respected me as a human being even when my skills were not the best. I'd say take your time, meet new people and enjoy the process. Music is supposed to be fun.

If you aren't having fun at a jam session, walk into the bathroom, look yourself in the eye and ask what can I do to be better at what I do. Then go watch the men and women on stage that kick ass and emulate what you like and learn to create your own style that real musicians will respect. Again, if you aren't having fun at a jam session, why the hell are you there?

Best of luck to you all. Keep on jamming, the world needs all the music it can get even if your particular music isn't the best or what others want to hear. Respect others and they will usually return the favor. Be kind to everyone you meet, even if they aren't so nice to you. We all have a bad day once in a while and life is to short to make more enemies.

Music is supposed to be about the joy it creates in the listeners ears & mind, not so much about who got how much time in the spotlight. Anyways, the spotlight always hurt my eyes.

[Dr. Blues]

I think the issue of people who slam jams gets confused with defending why jams are so good. On the former subject, what are reasons to slam jams?

1. The person has too much free time on their hands, and a grudge.
2. The person can't play and won't learn blues, and then wonders why people request to not play with them.
3. A bad experience with a jam master. All it takes is once for some people to get stuck on the issue.
4. The person isn't willing to practice and raise their level of play to match the other players.
5. A train wreck on stage... and someone pointed out that they were the reason.
6. Plays too loud, or is too pumped up on testosterone and grandiosity, and gets yanked or turned down.
7. Have been unsuccessful running jams themselves and are jealous and vengeful.
8. The usually loud, obnoxious player brings an adolescent's amp to the jam and then rants that he can't be heard. (Lucky us)

And did I mention, can't play blues?

Train wrecks happen. That's reality for every jammer. But just like writers write, jammers jam. You don't pays your money, ya takes your chances. If you need to slam jams for any of the above reasons, either practice and try again, or stay home and enjoy safer activities - watch YouTube videos, play Guitar Hero against yourself, or catch Scooby-Doo reruns - it will save on anger, embarrassment, and did I mention, you don't have to learn to play blues?!

[kenb]

I have tried a couple of blues jams, and both times came away feeling a bit...well un-liked, for lack of a better term. I realize I do play a non-traditional blues instrument, (mandolin) but I am fairly capable, and can improvise very well, (I also play pretty good slide on it). Both jams I went to I was never even offered a lead break for the twenty minutes I played. So i just unplugged and left.

I play a lot with many various bands of different genres, from rock n roll to bluegrass, and even rap. And I have done a few shows with a few of Sacs great blues guys, mostly unrehearsed. I know when and what to play and know when to back out, and I've got a good ear

I have contemplated going to a jam again, but its a waste of my time to go to chunck some freakin chords for 2 tunes and never get a break. If I fall on my face, its on me.

[jlev]

Ken, please come out to a Steve Foster jam, I guarentee you will get all the solos you want.

And ever hear of Johnny Young?

[kenb]

I'll get out there, thanks. I usually go through the sound board, should I bring an amp instead? Don't think I know of Johnny Young

[Richard]

I love hearing the mandolin at blues jams. Mandolin, flute, clarinet, anything off the path is a treat. At the Jam I hosted years ago, a guy would show up every now and then with a squeeze box, and it was always so much fun.

Just make sure you call out that you want your solos. I think a lot of jammers have never heard anyone solo on a Mandolin. I bet most of them think that you dont want to solo, because they dont realize that you could. Whenever someone would show up at one of my jams with a non-traditional instrument, I would always ask them if they wanted to solo or not. Less than half the time they wanted to solo, so thats probably where the jammers are coming from.

I cant remember the last time I heard a decent mandolin player, and I bet everyone at a jam would get a kick out of hearing one.