Cryo - Posted - 10/14/2012:  13:38:21

Hi,

I have been in discussions with my community association in using the local community clubhouse as a site for a neighborhood acoustic jam session.  Has anyone on this site organized one?  Is there any advice or tips that you could give me?

I have the following planned so far:

1) Biweekly date/time to be set up.

2) Flyers for the community bulletin boards.

3) Email address - got one already - flyer says to email for information.

4) Plan on emailing out a set list - song list, what key, C-instrument notes.  Will recommend that folks practice before they come.

5) Pot luck for refreshments (perhaps should organize this before hand).

Not sure about mix of instruments - I know there could be some flatpickers, maybe a mandolinist, banjo players, violin, saxophone, flute.

How do I organize the skill levels?  Should I worry about this?

Thanks in advance.

DoubleG - Posted - 10/14/2012:  14:34:11

I asked this basic question once and here is a link to my archived thread. Some interesting observations here. Hope all goes well.

banjohangout.org/archive/212425

Kenneth Logsdon - Posted - 10/14/2012:  14:38:48

/check the archives.. lots of suggestions in the past...
...... Someone has to be in charge...period...
...... Specify types/genre of music to be played and stick to it... country and gospel shouters have killed more Bluegrass Jams than anyother cause..
...ditto for the instruments/enforcement..Accoustic.. great...... then someones cousin wants to bring an electric bass, then it breeds in a Keyboard and soon you have the Nashville sound or a punk band...
... Forget the set list, not needed unless you want a class situation instead of a jam...
...The musicians will sort theirself out accordingly... not a problem

beegee - Posted - 10/14/2012:  14:46:28

I started the Eastern NC Bluegrass Association 30 years ago. It started as a jam session. My suggestions:

If this is to be a regular event, charge a membership or admission fee to keep the "riff-raff" out. Most of the time the leeches don't want to pay. They can make your life miserable.

EIther be prepared to enforce your rules or have someone who will.

Do not allow alcohol unless your aim is to provide a haven for drunks. It only takes one drunk to ruin it for everybody else.

Do not allow smoking. It makes a bad atmosphere for non-smokers.

Define the jam. if you want accordions, harmonicas, spoons, sax, flute, etc, spell it out. We defined ours as bluegrass instruments only with electric bass as the only electric instrument. Otherwise you will have electric guitars, keyboards, etc. If that's what you want, fine, but be prepared for cliques and conflict at some point

Set a time limit, unless you want to pick all night.

Skill levels will tend to equalize themselves, but you do want to encourage participation. Some jams have a slow jam or beginner's jam then an open or advanced jam.

Consider liability insurance

Provide simple light refreshments either for sale or for a nominal donation.

Use flyers and posters to promote the jam, but spell out the details. We did a monthly newsletter with jam news, profiles of musicians, etc. Do PSAs on public radio and TV.

Make a Facebook page if not a full website.

Fathand - Posted - 10/15/2012:  06:46:23

I go to a lot of jams and some are run differently than others. Your steps 1,2,3 are good. My first suggestion is to keep it simple both for yourself and the participants.

None of the jams I go to  have a set list. People take turns leading a song in a circle setting amongst the musicians or in a performance setting in front of an audience where the other musicians play backup.   If you prepare a set list up front you will need to determine the key which means determining who is going to sing up front.

You have not stated you are setting up a bluegrass jam or any other genre but if you keep it acoustic, people will usually stay within bluegrass, country folk type things.

Some jams I go to are all acoustic and these work well in the circle setting but some have a vocal mic if a performance setting. Some jams allow electric instruments and there tend to be 1 or 2 electric guitarist that think they need to be "loud". When this happens other players start to bring amplifiers for their mandolins, banjos etc. then the audience start talking louder, then the amps get turned up again and it becomes a mess. I have also been to jams with electric guitars that are played at the same level as acoustic instruments and this works fine but is hard to control.

Often, community halls have a snack bar and cold drinks/coffee for sale and if they can profit from your jam they are more likely to be happy you are there. I would leave Pot Luck out of it to start. I go to several jams in Legions that sell alcohol but I have never seen a problem from this at a jam but it could happen.

You do not have to worry about skill levels until you get more than say 10 or 12 players. After that you could split them up but in the meantime, the beginners learn from the experienced.

minstrelmike - Posted - 10/15/2012:  07:53:06

There are three types of problems you end up with.

Not enough people

Too many people

Noise instead of music.

Most folks worry about the wrong stuff first.

1. Get people to show up. That's all. If you want a _jam_, then don't send out set lists.

2. Wait until you've done it a few times to see what sorts of people show up regularly. Those are the regulars. Whatever music they play together is what will be the default. Once you have a regular group, you can worry about turning the music more into what all y'all want (which may mean excluding some people).

If you worry about the wrong things first, you don't end up with any set of regulars and the jam fizzles.

On the first day, welcome everyone. Shake their hand. Thank them for coming. Don't pass out rule sheets and foofaraw like that. The best musicians will leave or leave their instruments in the case.

On the second day, do the same thing. Welcome everyone. Shake hands. Smile a lot.

Notice I haven't said anything about music. if the folks are happy with each other and relaxed, the music will take care of itself. OTOH, and this is the voice of experience going to many first jams that never had a second one, if you focus purely on the music, then you'll have a nice first jam with a bunch of folks but it won't quite be what any _musician_ wants so they don't come back and the next time all you end up with are n00bs who have yet to form an opinion about what sorts of music they want to play.

The problem is the organizers themselves.

If they say we're only going to play this sort of music, then the participants have to make the choice whether to attend or not based on the resultant music.

Don't do that. You want folks coming because of the other folks coming. That's what will get them to come back and see what sort of music erupts. Be pleasant. Be inclusive. Be encouraging. Smile a lot and make the venue relaxing to be in. The music will take care of itself if you take care of the people.

Rich Weill - Posted - 10/15/2012:  08:33:56

I agree with Mike.  It's too early to worry about keeping people out.  Be as open as reasonably possible.  An "acoustic jam" should speak for itself.  If not, make an assessment later whether you need to be more explicit -- with your principal goal getting the jam up and running as a regular, well-attended event.

I also agree about the song list.  But I would make one related suggestion:  If you can, drag a few people you know to the jam.  Folks who can lead a jam song and are willing to do so.  Who'll play something everyone is likely to know.  In other words, people who are guaranteed to break the ice.  Rhythm guitar players are a good bet.  The last thing you want is everyone standing (or sitting) around, too shy to go first.

1935tb-11 - Posted - 10/15/2012:  19:45:57

around these parts the one common trait that i see in all good jam venues,, FOOD !!!!!  for years there was one particular jam session on a friday nite "everyone" went too.  the man and wife who owned the property cooked hot dogs and had drinks,,, nearly all the listeners brought some kind of covered dish,, they were not ask too ,, they just did.  it was outside but focused around a small double porched building with a small kitchen in the middle of it.     he had plenty of parking ,  no alcohol,  great socializing,, and so many jammers of every level sometimes scattered over the grounds you might have 6 to 8 jam sessions at once. people would come 50 to 75 miles to this jam  session on a friday night. pros and amatures alike.. it got so big that UNC TV done a special on it when they had their last one. the man and his wife finally got to the point of age to where they couldn't handle it anymore,, they tried moving it to another venue but it just didn't go,, now they have tried moving it to a park venue and we'll see what happens from there,, but around here if you have good food,, and most of the time the non-pickers or crowd will bring something if only suggested, it will go big.  bluegrass and food go together like peas an carrots !!!!!!  i know i really miss it,, some of the best music i have ever played or heard was at that jam session.

terry m  

Jazz Country - Posted - 10/19/2012:  05:06:42

Cryo, I would welcome a jam in MoCo. Other than the monthly jam at The Mansion on O Street there are not many convenient to us MD folks. I've been getting together with a few people outdoors but it's going to be to cold for that soon.

What area are you considering?

Larry

Cryo - Posted - 10/25/2012:  17:23:57

Thanks. I just presented to my community foundation board. Waiting to hear back. Some were interested in having a group for their teenagers to play. I recommended sticking with bluegrass, but may need to be flexible depending on what instruments show up. I will try to keep this group appraised of how this goes.

alishabear97 - Posted - 10/25/2012:  18:00:24

My advice is to get it going, then let the jam "take over" itself. I definitely think the set list would hamper the jam atmosphere. Don't stress! It'll come together! :)

Alisha

Charles in SC - Posted - 10/26/2012:  10:52:30

I was kind of on the ground floor of one of our local jams getting started. We have it on the second and fourth tuesday of the month. This worked better for us than every other week because if someone has missed some weeks it is sometimes hard for them to figure out if it is an on week or off week. After a couple years we decided to start a slow jam that we now have on the first tuesday. A funny thing is that we have a lot of seasoned players coming to the slow jam to work on their playing at slow speeds and the newer folks get some great one on one with the advanced ones.

Cryo - Posted - 10/27/2012:  04:10:03

We just got approval and backing. Looking at the 1st and 4th Tuesdays due to space availability.

Jazz Country - Posted - 10/27/2012:  04:17:47

When will you post the details?

Larry

Cryo - Posted - 10/27/2012:  04:40:45

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jazz Country

When will you post the details?

 

Larry

---

Jazz Country - Posted - 10/27/2012:  04:42:19

That's great news, hope I can attend!

Larry

Cryo - Posted - 12/22/2012:  08:05:56

Email kentlandsjam@gmail.com to be placed on mailing list and for more details.

Early play list was sent around and includes a Ralph Stanley piece as well as some old standbys.

Guitarists, mandolin players, flutist, uke players, not to mention some 5-string banjo players are on board.

First jam session is on the 22nd of January in the New Year.

Jazz Country - Posted - 12/22/2012:  08:52:50

If that's the Kentlands in Gaithersburg I think I can make it.

Larry

mastertone250 - Posted - 12/22/2012:  23:45:17

Never planned a jam session before. I just call up a few buddies and get together at the house to pick, it's always best to invite who you want. I don't mean no disrespect to anyone, music is all about fun and if people enjoy it that's all that counts....HOWEVER...I have gotten into some really hot jams at festivals before that always manage to get busted by a "sworper". Invitation is a smart thing to do. If you are hosting a big jam at a community center or something, then i would just advertise it and see who shows up.

Edited by - mastertone250 on 12/23/2012 00:00:05

mastertone250 - Posted - 12/23/2012:  00:08:26

And food should be mandatory, you feed musicians and they will play all night. We jammed at this one lady's camper one night at Poppy Mtn and got fed a wonderful meal of Rattlesnake and Ribs! Banjo pickers love to eat!

Edited by - mastertone250 on 12/23/2012 00:09:28