Jam Session Etiquette - The Do's and Don'ts of a Blues Jam

[@georgelesiw7380]

"When in doubt, Lay out." Great advice!

[@Makumazahn77]

Humility goes a long way in any jam amongst fellow musicians! Try it, you’ll like it! 🎸🎹🎤🥁

[@SJE68]

Thanks for this, the house band seems like a kind group as well, very generous with their time. Always great to hear from experienced musicians.

[@andimachovec2719]

Thanks for mentioning Mustang Sally. Get's on my nerves at jam sessions for over 20 years now ;-)

[@tallthinkev]

I refuse to play that, no amount of beer, money or even 'ladies' could get me to give a go

[@andimachovec2719]

@@tallthinkev: I agree about the beer. Might get tempted by money or ladies though ;-)

[@TobyDN1982]

well nice to see so committed musicians at work. Makes me feel like dropping anything and come over and share the stage with those guys :-D

[@PNWJEEPER01]

My da told me “always leave room, feature the soloist by being dynamically sensitive. Play non-intrusive rhythm and play for the band and the audience; not yourself“. If the vocalist is singing, they’re the soloist; and likewise for any instrument that’s being featured. Do your best to go with the groove and don’t overstay your moment to shine.

[@davidmcaninch4714]

I used to go to a Blues jam session. Sadly, they don’t do it anymore.

[@pattybreiland7015]

Safety meeting! LOL

[@joemasse4568]

Go in with a Marshall,turn it up louder than everyone else, and do your thing. You will never be asked back, but you will have a great story to tell.

[@Bloodwealth]

I literally did this when I was 18 and drunk 😅

[@jeffrowlette]

I used to go to jams to learn what NOT to do.

[@jamlane]

Where are these cats now? Do they still show up at The Torch?

[@laurelrunlaurelrun]

this is good even if you're not going to a jam. a little slice of life and some interesting characters.

[@Jim-ro5sl]

The best advice I can give, And I've been playing professionally for over 50 years. Strictly a blues guitar player. Leave your guitar pedals at home. I know that's tough, but when serious blues guys see you trying to hook up your fuzz,flanger ect its a huge red flag.

[@Baribrotzer]

Probably also depends on what you do with them. Throwing in a bit of overdrive with a pedal might be OK. A weird processed tone won't be. Although: Doesn't Hendrix count as a blues guitarist? Or at least an acceptable blues influence? He used LOTS of sounds.

[@Jowls2024]

I don't leave home with out my little multi effects pedal.

[@Jim-ro5sl]

@@Jowls2024 🙂✌️

[@Jim-ro5sl]

@@Baribrotzer 🙂✌️

[@waltjames407]

Lol tell that to the guys around here, last blues jam I went to one of the guys *in the host band* had the full array of choruses and delays and played prog rock stereo space echo solos when it was his turn. I seldom go into a jam with pedals but I'll take a tube screamer with a battery if I have to use a backline, especially if it's an older amp without built in OD.

[@kasvision1593]

I'd love to start going to jamms, Blues and country are definitely on my list. I need to start branching off from learning songs any ideas on preparing to join blues jam session?

[@richardirvin6155]

just be careful where you go. a lot od these people are what is referred to as "blues nazi's" and are only there to belittle new guys and try to enforce their own petty rules onto everyone else at the jam. they will try to keep you from using your chorus or something like that, which is none of their business if you keep it subtle. one of the stupidest example's of this is that no guitarist can double the same rhythm of any other guitarist at the jam. been to a few like that where 3-4 guys are trying their best, but it sounds terrible and amateurish. at times it even becomes hard to tell what song is being played. watch out for those assholes.

[@kasvision1593]

@@richardirvin6155 wow first time I've heard that before

[@kasvision1593]

@@richardirvin6155 as a producer I'm used to accepting Constructive criticism for the most part. I usually am good at reading vibes and seeing what's going on though

[@twigsagan3857]

Most of this was pretty meh, but then the guy goes: "The host can't make everybody happy, and maybe you're the person that is not happy. So.. check yourself" Holy fuck, that is an efficient way to bring across a whole set of ideas in two sentences.

[@davejackson8376]

My number 1: guitarists, it’s the 21st century; take your own digital tuner (clip-on is ideal) and use it. Don’t get up, express surprise your instrument is not in the perfect state of tune from several days ago then stand there for a solid minute trying to tune by ear against another player at full volume.

[@georgelesiw7380]

Be Nice!!!

[@sodakjohn]

I got the be nice part, it's the sound good I have the problem with.

[@Jowls2024]

You dont have to kiss my ass, but you do have to be nice!

[@johnnyg.2200]

As a bass player for me nothing us more boring then a blues jam. It's all 1-4-5 BS!!! the songs you mentioned that you should/shouldn't know are songs I'm sick of. What makes a blues jam WORSE? a harmonia player. They NEED and think they should play on everything!!! Expand your horizons. Blues isn't just SWEET HOME CHICAGO and STORMY MONDAY.

[@ErikShen2907]

Well Said!!!

[@frankstephenson1746]

Jams are great for listeners to drop in on. Pretty much a drag for musicians, and you don’t get paid…

[@Jenda-ld8dj]

The pay is via learning and experience. Worth more than the money, honestly.

[@webstercat]

Drummers, do not retune the drums for your taste. Move the drums as little as possible. Deal with it…

[@Baribrotzer]

Or maybe bring your own snare stand, so you can swap it out fast. The #1 problem with playing someone else's kit is usually the height and angle of the snare drum.

[@vladepervan3752]

Step 1: take some acid

[@rogereverett4467]

Rule #1. Don’t record people who don’t want to be recorded.

[@imwiththeband8290]

A video I did a year ago on same 😊 OH...I'm thinking of making a "No Mustang Sally" poster to hang behind the band stand 😂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3TEhHmbqrp2nZIsi=jT1bOTg_CD4cLSG7

[@jamlane]

No Stairway? Denied!

[@stevencirile]

I can’t read,write music don’t know what the come in on the 5 means, don’t know many songs as I’m an original kinda guy, glommed many a lick from my hero’s., but I can still sit in and find my way after 50,years tickling the guitar strings. I use my ears, that’s all.

[@billyclub9863]

Can be same as a turnaround