Musicians helping Musicians, any questions?

[kingmarki]

Greetings, as a working member of the music community here in Sacramento, I am open to fielding questions that anyone may have about most anything musical. I have been at the music game for nearly 35 years and working as a music instructor for over 2 decades. I know a lot about many things, musically speaking, and am willing to answer question as I can. I am even more willing to admit when I do not know something. However, when I don't know something, I can usually find someone who does know the answer.

So . . . fire away. No question is dumb or at least that's the way I think. OK, there are dumb questions, but if you really need help with something, feel free to ask. You have nothing to lose and we both might learn something. I'm pretty sure that most everyone who belongs to this site will answer questions as they can too. Sorry if I am volunteering anyone without their consent.

Hope to hear from you soon!

[cardsharkj]

Hi Kingmarki,

Where can a beginning/intermediate guitar player like myself find other musicians who would like to play, practice, jam? Not necessarily to form a band, but just for fun.

I have taken classes at sac city college and cosumnes river college, but most of those folks are just there to take the class as a credit. No real interest in playing music.

[jlev]

You can check bulletin boards at music stores, put ads up on em.

And of course there is Craigslist.

I think musician ads in the Sac News and review are free, not sure about that.

Also Skips Music has a program called "Weekend Warriors" for adult musicians. Several of my studets have done that and had a blast, and continued on with their bands after the program eneded.

[kingmarki]

Hey cardsharkj,

What I do is utilize craigslist. There are plenty of ads in the musicians section where people are just looking for other people to jam with. Just write and ad and post it there. Be as descriptive as you can as to what style of music, etc. to attract people who are like minded.

Good luck!

[cardsharkj]

Thanks jlve and kingmarki for your suggestions. I'll see what I can do using Craigslist and also check out the Weekend Warriors at Skip's. Appreciate you guys taking the time to respond=)

[Cris]

Hello all, newbie poster here, but I can attest to the great enjoyment Skip's Weekend Warrior program can give. My question is this...I am a vocalist who doesn't read music. I picked up an harmonica to try to learn something to make me more useful in a band situation with little results as of yet. I'd love to participate in jams but don't know the language. How would I go about getting up to speed on how to converse with musicians I'd potentially be jamming with?

[jlev]

A good first step would be come out to a couple jams and observe. Most of the players are quite aproachable, you can ask them questions.

[stainlessbrown]

Hello all-

I can give a thumbs up to the Weekend Warrior program- a good way to meet folks, gear is pretty much provided , someone to "coach you", as well as a place to rehears 4 times, and then a live show in an area venue. I did it twice years ago and found a few people to put together a core and found the others thru free classifieds and words fo mouth, becoming a band that ahd a pretty good run and played a of of gigs before going in various directions (including retirement for some)

Craig's List is also a good source, though there is a certain amount of frustration with people who respond, but then don't get back, or don't don't show, and then those who somewhat misrepresent themselves (ability, genre experience, etc).

as to reading music, I'd think it a fair statememnt to say a great many (possibly a majority) of musicians do not read sheet music- most do just fine with charts/lyric sheets

jams can also be a great way to meet folks, many of whom are looking for a more permanent situation

good luck!

[wormdrive66]

Hello, I have a question about alternate tuning. I normally play using standard tuning(eadgbe) and just started experimenting with Drop D (dadgbe) a few years ago. Anyone have any experience with alternate tuning? looking for a something new to try.

Thanks,

Wormdive66

[guidophelledmann]

Reply to cardsharkj. Sounds like to me that you may get more fun with hanging out at the jams. The players are all nice people and you would progress in my opinion at a much faster and welcomeing way. Garage bands are fine but you sound as if you want to be arround players that work on stage. What better way than to go jam with them and listen as well. As I said they realy are the best people to learn from and supportive, Guido.

[kingmarki]

In response to wormdrive66's question about alternate tunings; Check out the following web site: www.guitarchordsmagic.com/guitar-chord-finder.html

It is intended as a chord finder, but if you look at the chord finder, where it says "display" it shows standard tuning EADGBE. You can click on that and a menu will come up with about a dozen more alternate tunings that you can experiment with! Good luck & I hope you have fun with it!

marki

[kenb]

I haven't seen any one do this, but I occasionally will tune my guitar in fifths. Its pretty weird, but has a really cool sound. From top to bottom:
C,G,D,A,E(down an ovtave),B(down an octave)

The "E" and "B" have to be tuned down an octave which gives the instrument a weird sound. And everything is in tune with the next string down on the 7th fret. Makes a long stretch, but that is how a violin is tuned, as well as a cello, and cello scale is about the same as a guitar.

Try it and you will understand the depths of my dementia, caused by playing all things 5ths

[jerryjenningsband]

I will attest to the value of the jam nights. That's how I got into the music business in 1980. I just started attending every jam I could find, until eventually I got hired in a band.

Steve Foster hosts a great one at Louies on (wed?). If nobody else there educates you about the stage, he will. He is passionate about it and will tell you exactly what you have to do to to progress as a player and jammer.

[jlev]

I met Jerry back then at a jam at the old Rustic Lounge. My band played there 5 nights a week and Sunday was jam day.

[jtm]

Wow! The old Rustic lounge. That place paid my rent and put food on the table. Good on you jlev. I remember Jerry Jennings. A great player and a fine person. I would like to find out where jerry is playing, and support live music. these are trying times for all players and this web site is a beautiful place to commiserate. With respect to all, jtm