Blues Jam Procedures

[jlev]

A member suggested that we post some guidlines for participatin in a blues jam.

The usual format is the house bamd plays a warm up set. In the mean time jammers put their names and instrument on a list. After the first set the jam host looks at the list and assembles line ups. Each line gets on stage and does 2-4 songs or so with solos for all the lead instruments. The music usually is standard 12 bar type blues, but not always. Every jam has its own culture for sure, but the format usually stays the same.

I think best thing is to go check out a few before you sign up, so you know qhat is expected, what to expect and the skill level needed. Just like playing poker, you gotta know what game you belong in.

I think a good rule of thumb is to go with the flow, just try to be there to make everyones experience positive. Understand that you can't always get everything you want and some days are gonna be better than others. You need to be familiar with several varieties of blues songs and the more blues standards you know corretly the better you will do. One size does not fit all, a lot of songs have definite parts, and if youy know the right part,its just gonna work better.

A place where newbies fall down is in interperting the instructions given or the tune call. The guy singing might say "shuffle in G from the 5...... 1,2,3,4," just that fast. Or he might say "Stormy Monday changes in A", "Funk in D" etc.

There is a great blues jam scene here in Sacramento, you can find one or more pretty much 7 nights a week.

Go out and check out 2 or 3, then take the leap and put your name on the list.....

[jimc]

Good stuff Joe.

Howabout we compile a list of 'must know' songs?

After last nights experience might I suggest 'Messin with the Kid' as one?

[kennans]

Jan 26, 2009 19:51:48 GMT -8 jimc said:

Good stuff Joe.

Howabout we compile a list of 'must know' songs?

After last nights experience might I suggest 'Messin with the Kid' as one?

At least know the lick.

[jimc]

Another thing that bugs me.

Don't get up on stage and say 'This one's called Rabid Crotch-sniffing Hound Dog Blues' and look at me like I should know it. And then when I look confused say (condescendingly) 'It's by Blind Lemon Wee Willie Wankie'

Just because you know some obscure blues tune don't expect everybody else to know it and no, it doesn't impress me that you know it either.

Learn how to describe the feel and style of the song. Better yet stick to songs that there's half a chance we know. And yes, we should know 'messin' with the kid'.

[jlev]

Good point, Jim. You need to take stock of who is up there with you, and choose your songs appropriately, and make sure everyone is on the same page. The object is to make the best of the hand you're dealt, not prove your blues authority.

Havng said that, the more blues STANDARDS you know the better. We should come up with a list of them.

[bone]

What, y'all don't know Wee Willie Winkie? Everything Blind Melon Collard Greens ever did was stolen verbatim from Wee Willie, man. You gots to get hip ....

[jlev]

And I thought it was Blind Lemon Pie Crust all these years.

Hey Bone, thanks for signing up!!

[kennans]

Really, telling me the name of the song, and who recorded it in 1963 on the Okeh Label is secondary information.

Go ahead, tell me the name, then tell me A.) what key, B.) what feel - i.e. "shuffle", "funky", or whatever, and then C.) let me know any 'incidentals', like "quick 4", or "2-5 turnaround".

"The Blues" implies a certain common language and brings with it a loose set of guidelines. That's why on any given night there are thousands of Blues Jams all over the world, and you could walk in and play with people you've never met.

I love "Born Under a Bad Sign", but it's not a 12 bar I-IV-V, and unless everyone knows it, and everyone is listening to each other, it's a train wreck more often than not.

[jlev]

Exactly! The name is important, don't just say "shuffle in C" if you are gonna play Tore Down. While I'm not a historian like some of the guys, I just might know the right part. But you got to make sure everyone has all the information they need.

Bad Sign is one I have heard butchered too many times, so is One Way Out. You got to be realistic. So don't pull out Georgia on My Mind when you are up there with a bunch of guys in Stevie Ray hats.

[Richard]

Also, if you are out there Jamming, there is no pride lost in telling someone you dont know the song. When you are up there with fellow jammers, make sure you are playing a song you are familiar with, or at least know the structure. You are there to show your stuff, not to fall on your face.

Hey jimc, I am going to call out 'This one's called Rabid Crotch-sniffing Hound Dog Blues' at my very next jam. I hope you are there to hear it, 'cause its a doozie.

[jimc]

Jan 27, 2009 15:06:47 GMT -8 Richard said:

Hey jimc, I am going to call out 'This one's called Rabid Crotch-sniffing Hound Dog Blues' at my very next jam. I hope you are there to hear it, 'cause its a doozie.

Just don't do the Clapton version, everybody does that.

[Richard]

Jan 27, 2009 16:54:05 GMT -8 jimc said:

Just don't do the Clapton version, everybody does that.

Nah, I hate that version. My version is an original. If you happen to be playing with me on stage, you will know the song by the time we finish. Its a little 1/6/2/4/5 thing with a little 6/8 thrown in during the bridge. Catchy

[rand]

Hey Joe- Always look forward to our blues party at Louies and playin and hearing all the talented musicians. Thank God not much drama or trainwrecks anymore

[jlev]

For those tat don't know rand is the Jam Meister on the Steve Foster jams. He is in charge of the list and the lineups. Major props for him doing the thankless job of keeping everyone happy.

Right on, my brother. (PS If you have a problem with Randy you got a problem with me. He's got the total backing of Steve, Jimmy and I)

[Tim]

Right on joe!!!!