Sitting In On An Open Jam (Page 1 of 2)

I’ve never done it but I know people who have and I’ve attended lots of open jams. I think the key is getting there ahead of time and introducing yourself to the musicians if you don’t already know them. Just ask them how it works and wait for them to call you up. Feel the love and have a blast!

+1 on showing up early and then discussing possible songs with the band.

Then you don't end up jamming "blues in E" - but are doing a real song (and hopefully you'll get "dibs" on a song you know then).

While you're there, pay attention to see what songs they play with nobody joining them - then run home and learn those songs for next time you drop by!

kestrou

YES!

I used to host open jams, and still participate in them. They can be really fun if the house band is good.

Here's the Top 10 open mic rules I go by:
1. Don't go first, but if you're new to it, try to play early in the night. Ask the host if there's a list, and that you're interested in playing a few. When you get up on stage, announce "it's your first jam," the crowd will be warm and receptive. LOL It's blues jam virginity they get to witness a right of passage.

2. If the house band sits in on your little set, choose tunes or at least keys that everyone knows. You may be expected to sing if you pick the songs. The house band will expect you to pick the songs when you sit in.

3. If you're singing and picking the songs, you're the band leader. Everyone will look to you for changes, stops, and who's turn it is to solo. Communicate visually with body language. They will follow... take mental notes how others do it before you go on. If someone is having a hard time following your song, make sure they can see your guitar neck so they can see the notes/chords you're playing.

4. Don't take all the solos. Take a couple measures, then "nod" to the other guitar player when it's his turn to solo. Give the keyboard player 'some, and even the bass player if he sounds like he'd take one. Everyone appreciates what I like to call "traffic control." This is a major part of navigating through an open jam.

5. If you want to go back and forth with the other guitar player (lick for lick) in the middle or at the end of the song (cutting heads) talk to the other guitar player about it before hand so you can plan a little how it's going to go so it's entertaining for the crowd and so the band doesn't continue to play through it.

6. Be humble and happy to be there. If the place is "clicky" you'll have to show them you're cool enough to hang and not bad enough to scare everyone out of the bar. Sometimes they allow their friends to go first even though you arrived before them. Let it slide... if you like it - one day you might be one of those friends who just seems to have a spot reserved. lol

7. don't go into jazz odyssey. Most people in attendance will be other musicians and perhaps their friends. They won't be judging you, or scrutinizing your playing. Open mics are fun only, not a contest.

8. Be able to "stay in the pocket" meaning don't solo every change you get, and don't overpower the keyboards or the other guitar players. Make sure the sound is balanced and that it's not "all about you."

9. it's usually a cool idea to walk around after you're done and ask how it sounded. It's a great one-liner to spark conversations if you don't know anyone. And you could get a few pointers. If you show up, play, then leave, it might not be a good first impression. Open mics are great for musician networking, and most people put on their best face to build relationships.

10. Bring an amp, and the least amount of pedals possible. they want to get you on and off as quick as possible. Lots of times, the list gets full and everyone doesn't get to play. In fact, leave your amp and pedals in the car and just bring in your guitar. Make sure the amp is out of plain sight. The house band might want you to plug into their rig. Don't mess up their EQ, you might want to ask the person who owns the amp either if it's ok to adjust his settings, or if he wants to tweak them while you're playing. If it sounds like cats having sex, then at least you'll have a good excuse

I realize these could have been listed in a better order. apologies!
have fun!

Nic

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping.

Cool!

Most places if it's not busy say 3 songs or 15 minutes, whatever comes first. A packed setlist usually allows 2 songs so everyone can get up and play.

Let us know what tunes you did!

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping.

Hope it goes well !!! Report back :-) !!

Well I'm back and I wish I could say it went well but it was pretty brutal.  They asked me what I wanted to and I just gave a simple "I'm an Eric Clapton fan all the way" kind of response.  So the first group finished which should have been the group I should have played in.  Then they told me I was up.  So I plugged into a blues jr they had there which sounded like mine pretty much and I waited for the next drummer to come up and the bassist.  I didn't want to sing because I'm singing tomorrow night at a paying gig and have a sore throat.  So they paired me up with this guy that had a G&L ASAT.  The first song he wanted to do was Kenny Chessney it had 3 chords and was pretty easy but he passed me up for a solo and took the whole time.  The next song he wanted to do was a song called Red Corvette which sounded country to me but I never heard it.  It had multiple guitar parts all of which he was happy to do and sing at the same time.  I refer to this guy as the Eddie Van Halen of country for the rest of the night.  He gives me a solo which I thought was in the key of G but at this point I was barely hanging on and as it turns out if I had played the relative minor to G would have been correct.  But I didn't figure this out until it was too late.  So I went back to playing rhythm.  At this point this guy starts breaking out the old Jimi Hendrix rule book and starts playing lead with his tongue, at this point I'm shaking my head and throwing my hands in the air.  I had fun and smiled the whole time, but I only got 2 songs and it wasn't what I was expecting to do.  The rest of the night was blues, in fact they did Voodoo Chill right after I got off the stage.  I didn't mingle, I didn't talk, I just got down and my buddy who was there pointed out that that guy was pretty good up there.  "Did you see the tongue?" "How could I miss it? I got the spit all over me."  Everything but that was what I was expecting.  I could have hung in with anybody else in there from what I saw, they were doing the stuff I wanted to do.  I know next time if I'm not willing to sing I should stay home.  I was schooled.  I had a ball while it was all going on but this guy was definitely not your weekend warrior and clearly was not a blues fan.

That stuff happens, jams always keep you on your toes (and ears).  If nothing else, next time remember to ask "G major or G minor?"  You said they did a lot more blues later on, so maybe try again next month and you can kill it!

I used to go to a blues jam every week where it seemed like half the people that played were pros.  It was a bit humbling, but I learned a lot.

I had a lot of fun.  But like I was told last night "We have 2 drummers, and one bass player here tonight, and a 1,001 guitar players" I had fun and I'm glad I can say I did it, and I also understand I'm my worst critic but it was a lot of hurry up and wait if you know what I mean.  It was humbling and showed me clearly I'm in a comfortable position in my playing right now and not on my toes.  I think that happens though when your playing nothing but your own bands set lists and hammering those, you forget to keep your ears open.  Might go back next month but I'm going to sing if I do.