you may want to find out who to talk to there, see if they'll give you a shot. it may be more an invitational jam, but you may get a shot if you get to know the guys who host it. if there is not solid leadership, a jam can turn into anarchy in a hurry. some hosts are going to let people up that they know will do a decent job, while others will let even a novice up. i've been in on both extremes. i learned from most every jam i've been at, from my chair or from the stage. sometimes i had to accept some not-so-polite guidance, but looking back, i needed it! i hope you keep checking out that scene, it may be a great classroom. it also may be a good place to make friends with your peers and at some point you will find yourself showing the "new guy" some compassion, and even some tricks of the craft.
I have been to a couple of jams but never played only watched. It seemed to run pretty smooth. Like these guys had it planned out. I wasn't sure how they made it all fit together. They never seemed to call any body up to play. People just kept switching off.
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i've attended probably 1000 jams, and been in bands that have hosted a few also. a jam is a great place to learn how to react quickly, test what you know, and learn new stuff. one never knows what a house band may play but most times it's fairly straight up 1-4-5 and 12-bar songs. not that i haven't been left hanging here and there- some guys just expect you to know the key, what song, where your part is etc- but usually my experiences have been cordial or at least civil. i never hesitate to ask what key a song is in before it kicks off. failing that, i will figure it out before long, away from the mic.
since i sing also, i often get to call off songs when i'm on stage. one gets good at calling, "1-4-5, in A, about this fast", and counting it to the drummer. a decent house band may not do exactly what i expect but they usually give me plenty to work with.
the more "organized" jams- like those a blues society or a bigger venue hosts- are a good place to meet players, get some stage time, learn, and maybe teach. i see our next generation represented sometimes, younger guys and gals attracted to the real gritty blues sound.
i lost my stage fright long before i was in a gigging band by stepping on jam stages. i also met band members, learned songs, and generally improved my chops at jams. it's good to have some basics down and respect the etiquette of a jam, but at some point i have to leave my car or the living room or wherever and get out in the public eye to make progress.
i have met some great folks at jams, some of whom are now lifelong friends, many of whom i've gotten a chance to work with thanks to us seeing each other on stage here or there.
usually a host band will open up with a set of their own, and then call guests up. a signup sheet is sometimes used which to me helps keep things flowing well. usually a guest gets 3 songs or so, more if they are really getting a crowd response. it can sometimes be pretty intense esp if there are a lot of people signed up to play. i had a night where about 35 different players came across the stage. at times we had a whole band of folks who normally didn't play together! that was a good night. the harder ones are when 2 jammers show up and then leave after they're done on stage. to me a great jam is a busy one with an appreciative audience. of which musicians can make up a part.
So every once in a while i read on the bathroom wall at some random whole in the the wall place. That The Blank and Blank Band is hosting a Jam wed night. All players welcome, drums provided only. I was wondering if anybody has done something like this before? How do you know what songs they play, what key, ect ect.
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A bad day of harping is still better then a good day at work!!
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