| Jam |
bigdaddy76
IP:
Logged
Status: Junior Member
Posts: 231
Join Date: 5/27/2006
 |
Alright, so I set up a weekly jam with a buddy of mine. We decided that maybe we should just play, and some of the songs that i know and some that he knows, would help both of us out. He has been playing a lot longer than I. Question, what would be the best way to make this beneficial for both of us. 
Sometimes a winner is just a dreamer that never gave up! 
| Post Date: 7/10/2012 @ 8:22 am |
|
|
|
RE: Jam |
sting729
IP:
Logged
Status: Easily Annoyed
Posts: 2,529
Join Date: 4/17/2007
|
I would suggest starting with an improvisational jam where you lay down a chord progression while he solos and then you solo while he lays down the chords. This is valuable because you can both learn from each other as you go back and forth
“Among God's creatures two, the dog and the guitar, have taken all the sizes and all the shapes, in order not be separated from the man” Andre' Segovia
| Post Date: 7/10/2012 @ 8:34 am |
|
|
|
|
RE: Jam |
six string for hire
IP:
Logged
Status: Jacked
Posts: 3,102
Join Date: 4/20/2003
|
bigdaddy76 said:
Alright, so I set up a weekly jam with a buddy of mine. We decided that maybe we should just play, and some of the songs that i know and some that he knows, would help both of us out. He has been playing a lot longer than I. Question, what would be the best way to make this beneficial for both of us.
===================================================
You buy the beer.
| Post Date: 7/10/2012 @ 9:26 am |
|
|
|
|
RE: Jam |
bigdaddy76
IP:
Logged
Status: Junior Member
Posts: 231
Join Date: 5/27/2006
|
six string for hire said:
bigdaddy76 said:
Alright, so I set up a weekly jam with a buddy of mine. We decided that maybe we should just play, and some of the songs that i know and some that he knows, would help both of us out. He has been playing a lot longer than I. Question, what would be the best way to make this beneficial for both of us.
===================================================
You buy the beer.
=================================================== 
Sometimes a winner is just a dreamer that never gave up!
| Post Date: 7/10/2012 @ 2:29 pm |
|
|
|
|
RE: Jam |
Maritimer
IP:
Logged
Status: Vocal Assassin......
Posts: 2,358
Join Date: 10/27/2006
 |
Don't make it too complicated or stress yourself out on what you're going to do. Make sure you have 6 - 10 songs you play or like to mess with, and if he has something like that as well, thast a start. Feel out what tastes and genres you like and have in common, and set out "homework" for each other, to learn a couple of each others songs and go from there. Thats what I've always done, and remember, just watching someone else play will help you, and don't be shy, try to play along, thats how we learn!!! Sounds like you have a good plan so far, jamming with someone, in my mind, is the best way to learn, expand, and have fun. Your only limitation is in your head!!! Let us know how your first jam goes.
Commander of the Brotherhood of Vocal Assassins
| Post Date: 7/10/2012 @ 7:38 pm |
|
|
|
|
RE: Jam |
TheoDog
IP:
Logged
Status: uncompressed
Posts: 2,043
Join Date: 1/11/2003
|
My experience teaches me there are 2 important aspects to focus on. First learn complete songs- beginning to end. This teaches discipline and perseverance. Second learn how to improvise in an ensemble. That way you learn to listen while you play.
He who can keep his head when all around are losing theirs... Probably does not understand the situation
Mod Junkie of the International Boutique Pedal Coalition
| Post Date: 7/10/2012 @ 9:57 pm |
|
|
|
|
RE: Jam |
schmidtp
IP:
Logged
Status: Member
Posts: 12
Join Date: 7/11/2012
|
That's the hardest thing is finding common ground between guitarists (or any other musician for that fact). Best thing I find is have a list of songs you can play in full. Then show the others. Most of the time someone will say (or start playing) one of those songs on your list with any luck. It's always hard when someone shouts out "Oh can you play -such and such song?" Most of the time I've never heard of it because everyone has a different taste in music and bands. Hopefully you can find something in common
| Post Date: 7/11/2012 @ 7:13 am |
|
|
|
|
RE: Jam |
Chuck King
IP:
Logged
Status: Preferred Member
Posts: 1,838
Join Date: 1/24/2007
|
If you guys are buddies, but not used to jamming or doing improvisational stuff, then, as suggested, get some beer (or your social lubricant of choice) and initially, just figure you'll hang out with your guitars and play a little. Come up with a chord progression and try playing different things with it. Don't expect too much right away. It may take you a little bit to figure out how your playing styles work together and to get used to melding them. If you're getting stuck, you could certainly pick a few songs to use as a framework.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My music blog: http://chucksmusicblog.blogspot.com
| Post Date: 7/11/2012 @ 2:39 pm |
|
|
|
|
RE: Jam |
Henry Mars
IP:
Logged
Status: Advanced Member
Posts: 696
Join Date: 7/17/2007
|
Years ago when I played jazz exclusively there was a body of standard tunes that you were expected to know and play in any key (chick singers can be a pain in the ass key wise). Like wise you should start with the tunes that you might be expected to play if you were called to play a gig in the idiom in which you play.
The easy thing about playing rock or blues styles is that most of the songs are in one or two keys because the people that write them can't play in any other keys. It would be good practice to learn the standard tunes then play them in different keys ... all joking aside, you never know what key you will have to play in.
______________________________________________________________________
....that's real nice kid. Now can you play that in Db for me?
Ashby Trent
| Post Date: 7/11/2012 @ 3:00 pm |
|
|
|
|
RE: Jam |
Pic-N-Lic
IP:
Logged
Status: Intermediate Member
Posts: 257
Join Date: 4/29/2006
|
I've jammed with a lot of musicians.
The best way to get the most out of jamming is be flexible and don't take yourself too seriously.
Personalities and expectations can very greatly.
Some people want to play cover songs exactly from beginning to end without improvising.
Others only want to improvise.
Some want to improvise alone while everyone else backs off and plays rhythm.
Some want to improvise off of other people improvising.
Some want to play cover songs with their own twist.
Then there is original material.
And all kinds of stuff in between.
The bad part is, a lot of musicians think their way is the only way, so they don't jam well with people that take a different approach.
Be flexible and you will find common ground the will benefit both of you!
        
| Post Date: 7/12/2012 @ 2:29 pm |
|
|
|
|
|
