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Post subject: Re: Jam/Open Mic Protocol
Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2016 6:18 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
Miami Mike wrote:
If any of you attend or host blues jams, do you find many "blues nazis?"


I've drop-kicked a few of those "blues nazis" off the stage a few times when they got in my face, touched my gear, or otherwise pissed me off. Of course I was never invited back but I don't giveashit. Most of those "purists" don't know jack and should concentrate on their day jobs of bagging groceries at the Piggly Wiggly, disinfecting the receivers of public pay phones, or manning the drive-thru at the local burger palace.

:lol:

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Post subject: Re: Jam/Open Mic Protocol
Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2016 6:39 pm
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Drew365 wrote:

Ours is very friendly, blues oriented, but we play everything, Motown, Hendrix, Stones. Anything that's good and you can teach the other players quick enough. I've played multiple songs for the first time while standing onstage at the jam. That's when it gets fun.


It's also a good chance to find other like minded players to
do gigs with.

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Post subject: Re: Jam/Open Mic Protocol
Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2016 8:47 am
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This is a guitar forum. Surely there are more here that have
attended jams.

Feel free to post about them...

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Post subject: Re: Jam/Open Mic Protocol
Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2016 9:03 pm
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Miami Mike wrote:
If any of you attend or host blues jams, do you find many "blues nazis?"

I found this interesting on the topic:
http://nashvillemusicianssurvivalmanual.com/Blog/?p=209

I have in the past. If you don't play it in the key their favorite artist did it in, or don't use the exact bass pattern on what they consider "the" recording of a particular song, etc. you might get a lecture. I once got a "well, sure you were in key but why wouldn't you have played it the way bassist Willie 4String played it on Horton HearsAWho's classic 1963 live recording at the Tub Club??? I mean everyone I know considers that the definitive bass part for that song ... so clearly you're not very experienced or don't listen to much music."

Now granted, it's probably smart to be part of the audience for a few times until you get the idea of what the standards, etc. are at that particular venue. But last I knew, there's no one way to play the blues, very few songs I know of that absolutely must be done in one way only ... and no excuse to come down on someone regardless.


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Post subject: Re: Jam/Open Mic Protocol
Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 9:00 am
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I attended and played at an open mic night last night and it was a great and fun night of
a good variety of music - no egos, no nazis lol - just good music all night.

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Post subject: Re: Jam/Open Mic Protocol
Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 9:05 am
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philipk wrote:
Miami Mike wrote:
If any of you attend or host blues jams, do you find many "blues nazis?"

I found this interesting on the topic:
http://nashvillemusicianssurvivalmanual.com/Blog/?p=209

I have in the past. If you don't play it in the key their favorite artist did it in, or don't use the exact bass pattern on what they consider "the" recording of a particular song, etc. you might get a lecture. I once got a "well, sure you were in key but why wouldn't you have played it the way bassist Willie 4String played it on Horton HearsAWho's classic 1963 live recording at the Tub Club??? I mean everyone I know considers that the definitive bass part for that song ... so clearly you're not very experienced or don't listen to much music."

Now granted, it's probably smart to be part of the audience for a few times until you get the idea of what the standards, etc. are at that particular venue. But last I knew, there's no one way to play the blues, very few songs I know of that absolutely must be done in one way only ... and no excuse to come down on someone regardless.


When I first started learning to play, I watched a youtube lesson where the instructor talked about Neil Young's playing and showed how something was played on "the album," but then said he was a real Neil Young fan and had seen him play live numerous times before -- said Young never played the song the same way twice. Then suggested that, unless you're in a cover band, to just go for feel and forget about worrying how it was played on the album. Anyway, that's the useful take away that I got from whatever else the tutorial was supposed to be teaching me.

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Post subject: Re: Jam/Open Mic Protocol
Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 9:07 am
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Miami Mike wrote:
I attended and played at an open mic night last night and it was a great and fun night of
a good variety of music - no egos, no nazis lol - just good music all night.


Very cool! If I get a chance to practice them this weekend, might go out and play an open mic next week too! :)

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Post subject: Re: Jam/Open Mic Protocol
Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 12:09 pm
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mh2000 wrote:
Miami Mike wrote:
I attended and played at an open mic night last night and it was a great and fun night of
a good variety of music - no egos, no nazis lol - just good music all night.


Very cool! If I get a chance to practice them this weekend, might go out and play an open mic next week too! :)


Cool Mark!

You'll see the event listed on my FB page about it being
the one year anniversary and many got thanked for attending on
a regular basis. Erik runs a great jam!

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Post subject: Re: Jam/Open Mic Protocol
Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 3:47 pm
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Okay. I can see where it might be preferable at an open mic session to be on the mark as originally done. It certainly helps to support a vocalist. However, I think this can take the spontaneous fun out of a jam. Check out any gathering of super artists when they do a jam to wrap up a concert for example. It's usually free and easy. The basics are there, but everyone adds their own flavour. And yes, even these stars are prone to errors, particularly if the song is not theirs.

I've sat in with jazz trios, rock and big bands without knowing their preferential arrangements, and I have never been criticized in the way some of you have mentioned here. Maybe I was lucky, or maybe I was with a group of musicians that were just gracious and likeable. Many understanding musicians (like those here in the Forum) share an acceptance of different skill set. With open mic we're not talking auditions, recording, or performance contracts here. I'd like to think it's more about the fun factor. Granted, there are limitations; but, what if the tables were turned, and the guest told the band to tune in and drop out?

Doesn't play in the fashion expected? I'll refer to the old adage, "Can't sing or play the blues until you experience it." On that note: Everyone feels the Blues differently as an individual, unless it's scripted. Choose your poison. For some it's copied, and for others it's adlib. Copy is good if desired, but adlib can be rewarding.

Having just watched the Prince video from SBLS (on the You Tube thread), I'm reminded how Prince elected to keep a violinist's recording rather than fix the flubs with multiple takes. I've worked with actors and musicians who would only do one take. There aren't many who can do one take perfectly though. I and others in my position have agreed that generally for some it's three to six takes for maximum results. Someone, I can't recall who, said that somewhere in six takes or less you will likely get the good version, and much of this relates to the early mood put forward. This and economics is why some producers and engineers alert the entertainer that recordings will be limited, putting the responsibility on the artist to do their best in the beginning.. It's always great to have everyone in sync. However, as Prince (and others) put it, mood can and does override perfection at times. I think that may be the case here.

I agree that you'll want to know more in advance about who you jam with. Opposites attract, but this is not always advisable. Moody musicians and cynical audience members need not apply when I jam with my mistakes and all. YMMV.

FSB 8)

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Post subject: Re: Jam/Open Mic Protocol
Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 6:10 pm
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I've never gone to a lot of jam nights...here around the Northern Ohio area, they really seem to depend more on the bar and host band. There's been a few where yea, there's a sign up sheet and it seems these usually work best for either soloists or "bands" rather than individuals just looking to jam. For the most part, yea....you (or you and your band) go up and do 3 or 4 tunes. The downside is that sometimes you get some people who just won't quit...saw one band do "Purple Haze" for over an hour and a half and kept wondering why no one kicked them out. And yea, there's one bar around here where it's the "play what the host band is playing or go home" thing too...

On the other hand, we've also got a few spots where it's pretty much just a free for all. Someone gets up and starts to do a tune and whoever happens to be there jumps on whatever instrument happens to be sitting free at that moment. I've often wondered if that's how the drummers for Spinal Tap got started (LOL).

To be honest, I generally try to avoid jam/open mic nights. Could just be the area, but for every one or two decent players out there, you have a few "wanna bees" who can't even seem to tune a guitar...ya get the impression that they just couldn't cut karaoke night, so now they're annoying someone else. I guess everyone's gotta start somewhere, but I have a really low tolerance for people who are just too stupid (or too drunk) to know they're simply embarrassing themselves.


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Post subject: Re: Jam/Open Mic Protocol
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 3:29 pm
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The one I go to uses the sign up sheet formula. 3 tunes gets you a drink ticket. It has some pretty high caliber musicians. I'd say 3/5 times the host asks me to stay for another set. I didn't know it was compliment, but hearing that it could be, gives me more inspiration. I try and get on early, usually the first or second slot.
I've been playing 2.5 years and attending Open Mic weekly for a little under 2 years.


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Post subject: Re: Jam/Open Mic Protocol
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 7:22 pm
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BSC wrote:
The one I go to uses the sign up sheet formula. 3 tunes gets you a drink ticket. It has some pretty high caliber musicians. I'd say 3/5 times the host asks me to stay for another set. I didn't know it was compliment, but hearing that it could be, gives me more inspiration. I try and get on early, usually the first or second slot.
I've been playing 2.5 years and attending Open Mic weekly for a little under 2 years.


You're going to find that the time you spend on stage is a huge learning experience, and the contacts you make will last for years. Keep it up.

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Post subject: Re: Jam/Open Mic Protocol
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 8:21 pm
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We have one here (or used to ) at the House of Blues. I've seen it, but never sat in. I can riff to just about any blues type stuff but I don't know many of the standards. I don't think I would get any love if I just went up and cut improvised leads all over regulars. They would probably give me the Hook, lol. My band mate and I are starting a very loose, no ego, jam session. We thought we would throw it up on craig's ang see who showed up. Might be fun.


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Post subject: Re: Jam/Open Mic Protocol
Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2016 8:05 am
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Eroot64 wrote:
We have one here (or used to ) at the House of Blues. I've seen it, but never sat in. I can riff to just about any blues type stuff but I don't know many of the standards. I don't think I would get any love if I just went up and cut improvised leads all over regulars. They would probably give me the Hook, lol. My band mate and I are starting a very loose, no ego, jam session. We thought we would throw it up on craig's ang see who showed up. Might be fun.


Since you usually just get 3 and out (unless you can sing too) try concentrating on
just a few of the standards like:

Sweet Home Chicago
Born Under a Bad Sign
Messin' With The Kid
I'm Tore Down
Shake Your Moneymaker
Stormy Monday
I Can't Quit You Baby
Born In Chicago
Five Long Years
Hideaway

Good luck!

http://digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_bluesong.html

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Post subject: Re: Jam/Open Mic Protocol
Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2016 11:04 am
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Thanks for the tips. I usually do a couple originals and a couple Johnny Cash. I've met some great artists and formed lifelong friends at one mic. I first went after playing only nine months. I just couldn't wait to play on stage. It was an awful performance but I had fun. I've gone back weekly since and people now ask me to play some of my own songs by name. Which is ultra cool in my books.


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