Blues Jam Procedures

[Chris H]

Jim,

Your suggestion of a list of "must know" blues songs is a great suggestion. Having played blues joints all over the country, the same songs keep coming up fairly consistently.

Based on that, here's my suggestion of "must know" blues songs. Each have been covered by numerous artists over the years, so I'm attempting to list either the most common version, or the defining version.

The Thrill is Gone-BB King
Help Me-Sonny Boy ll
Messin' With The Kid- Jr. Wells
Got my Mojo Working- Muddy Waters
Stormy Monday- The version of this one should called out before hand. It's either T-Bone Walker who wrote it, or the Allman Bro's. 2 Different songs.
Sweet Home Chicago-Magic Sam
Key to The Highway-Big Bill Broonzy
Mustang Sally-Wilson Pickett
Hideaway-Freddie King
Side Tracked-Freddie King

[Dr. Blues]

Jam-meister? Now there's a position that should receive tips as well as kudos. Rand's job sucks. He is in the unenviable position of trying to make everyone happy, EVERY time he works. Fortunately he, Jimmy P, and Aaron K have become a masters of the craft. It's not as simple as putting the right musicians together. Get one night when 143 guitarists, 2 bass players and the house drummer plus three rock drummers who have never played blues, show up - try to make "everyone happy". Most jams are not blessed with quality people assembling sets at a jam, whether because they only run a jam once every 4 weeks, or because they allow loud volume and eventually the loudest powerhouse guitarists run off those with craft, tone and ability who don't want to just play loud bluz-rock. A blues jam is no different than a great dinner. The ingredients are key, but it takes a master chef to craft a fine Louie Salad, and an experienced maître d' to create atmosphere and ambiance by soft Torch light.

[rand]

Dr Blues- The jam- meister job is not an easy one sometimes but I don't think it sucks because I've learned a lot about music, the people and life,etc: since Steve Foster had enough confidence and forsight in my ability to do the job. Plus I really like a GREAT SALAD !

[Dr. Blues]

rand,

Great Salads = the freshest produce and continuing to make the best Louie's Dressing. Keep it up!

[hipchip]

Been awhile since I was able to attend a jam, but last times I did, it was always a I-IV-V type of thing and if you didn't really know the chords then you could play along doing the Blues scale.
Seems like lately that the Blues scene is not as easy going as it was several years ago. It's supposed to be friendly and allow people of all skill levels to get up on stage and experience what that's like. The Craig's list rants seem to want to drive away everybody instead of bringing new folks in.

[kennans]

Feb 5, 2009 11:50:50 GMT -8 hipchip said:

Seems like lately that the Blues scene is not as easy going as it was several years ago. It's supposed to be friendly and allow people of all skill levels to get up on stage and experience what that's like. The Craig's list rants seem to want to drive away everybody instead of bringing new folks in.

I wonder. Craig's list aside, it seems to me that the Jam Scene is infinitely more friendly that it was 'in the olden days'. I can remember scenes of jammers being left out to dry by a few veterans, and filing it under "lessons learned'. Johnny Nitro once told me "Why do you think it's called taking a solo?"
I think there are different levels of attitude at different jams, but the overall atmosphere is pretty...um...nurturing, these days.

[Richard]

Feb 5, 2009 11:50:50 GMT -8 hipchip said:

The Craig's list rants seem to want to drive away everybody instead of bringing new folks in.

I think this is purely a Craiglist issue. Im here to tell you that they are very supportive at the Jams. Twice I went to 2 different Jams where I did not know anyone. Both times, I was put up with decent musicians, and we worked out what to play together. We all just picked easy songs, and it worked out fine. As long as you have some skill, you will do fine. Just make sure to say ' I can't play that song ', rather than saying ' I can probably fake it '. I dont know how it used to be around here, but its supportive now

[Chris H]

Feb 5, 2009 13:19:59 GMT -8 kennans said:

Feb 5, 2009 11:50:50 GMT -8 hipchip said:

......overall atmosphere is pretty...um...nurturing

Keenan,

I agree overall it's a very friendly and nuturing environment.

HipChip,

The Craig's list rants seem to want to drive away everybody instead of bringing new folks in.

I disagree with your assement about driving people away. I have met new Jammers that have told me they went to a particular jam just becuase people were talking crap about it on CL. I'm glad that drove them in to play, as they are competent in their craft and fun to listen to.

There's an old show biz saying "any publicity is good publicity", has certainly applied in several instances that I'm aware of.

[Dr. Blues]

"Seems like lately that the Blues scene is not as easy going as it was several years ago."

I understand the responses you've received. Back in the 60's and 70's, we used to go headhunting - you went to jams to cut head, to prove you were better than your rivals, not necessarily to enjoy the camaraderie or music of other players. So, that has changed for many players.

However, I also think you have a valid point. I started jamming in the area 6 months ago and the scene has gotten tougher. During that time I've seen a marked improvement in a lot of the players. Admittedly, some players show up and drop their same, tired solo in to any song they play. It's just a matter of playing it slow, medium or fast - but the same progression of notes they always use. Yes, yes, yes! Or, the song they do is repeated every time they play, for months. Maybe they only know one or two songs.

Other players, however, hone one song 'til it's sharp, and move on to another; or develop different solos based on the particular song. They practice and improve. A jazz guitarist turns his knowledge of music theory and chordal progressions in to great blues solos; an experienced Tele player suddenly starts channeling Albert Collins; a rhythm player gets so solid playing Chicago Blues riffs behind a harp player that someone in the audience comes up and says, "Man, you get the old sound like....I knew him!" Because of their improvement, their striving to constantly improve, because of the quality music they're producing, they ask to play with better players. Selfish? No, it's the desire to be with others who share the commitment to the craft, to improve their playing, to create synergy.

On the other end of the scale, the musically illiterate. It's not unique to any particular instrument - drummers who can't play shuffles or do blues turn-arounds; bass players who only know one bass progression (and play it badly); guitarists who think "10" is the minimum volume, or announce a song they don't know how to play, e.g., announcing Stormy Monday but trying to sing Stormy Monday while attempting to play Red House; or harp players who don't know any songs, never practice, and just blow noise - it's fine to work your stuff out at jams, but players shouldn't go there as an illiterate in search of an on-stage education at the expense of others. It ruins jams for good players, mediocre players and listeners.

I think most jammers I see are gracious, often humble, and usually willing to help fellow musicians at jams. But those same students of the blues are "...not as easy going..." when the functionally illiterate litter the stage and turn the brief, 3 song jam (that they waited all week to participate in), into an instant train wreck. There's room on stage for "all skill levels", the operative word being "skill". People need to develop some before they put their name on a jam list.

[hipchip]

Well, I'm glad to hear all the bitchers on CL are not totally correct. Sounds like it's just certain jams or certain nights. Hopefully, I'll be able to get out and jam some thins year, just hope I find nice folks out there.
:}

[jlev]

Actually, Hipchip, I think it's the Craigsliters problem, the jams are pretty consistently positive, at least the ones I see. Best thing is to come see for yourself.

[sparkygirl]

Gentlemen,

Do you get many keys players at the jams? Usually they are lacking and I get to cycle in more often. I'm not a frilly player but I play great rhythm and can shake pretty well with the boys.

Thanks!

[jlev]

We get a few keyboardists, but not enough. Love it when they do come.

[Dr. Blues]

sparkygirl,

Get out to jam! If you "...can shake pretty well with the boys" you'll be fine. Weigh out your options.

Sure you can find some hole in the ground in Old Town Sac that's a safe environment, but there may be little satisfaction in playing - just you, the house band, two other jammers and two people at the bar (one is the bartender). Or you could find some pub in Folsom - safe environment because the guitarists are so loud, off key and over-Powering you won't be heard. There are other options.

If you're just dipping your toe in the water, try Louie's on Sunday afternoon - many of the Louie's Wed. night & Po Boyz Sun. night musicians, but a less intimidating environment and almost no keyboard players. Tue night at the San Juan Club - safe, friendly crowd, but too new to know what to expect (who will show up?). Po Boyz, Sunday night, does seem to get some keyboard players who are good. Want to dive in with both feet? Torch Club - great jams, not a lot of keyboard competition, but an often intimidating lineup of jammers - you're running with the big dogs - not for the faint of heart or for dipping toes.

Knock 'em dead!

[mattm]

Good discussion here. I thought I'd post a tip I'm surprised to not have seen yet, plus then I won't be a one trick pony. But having recently seen someone taken to task for it...

Don't ever put your drink (or anything else, your foot, your butt, etc.) on anyone's amp, keyborad etc. Probably not even your own. The owner will be likely to hand it to you. I'm a drummer and I knew that! Oh, and don't stumble towards the drums, I've only got two pointy sticks to catch you with!