Red Henry
There’s a jam session which goes on near here every Thursday. It’s been attracting quite a number of pickers (and listeners) lately. On a typical night, the players range from folks who know one song clear up to a few folks who have played bluegrass full-time. How can that work, you may ask? Well, it just takes the right people.
For one thing, all the players seem to know the Rules. Jam session rules, nationwide, include using good musical courtesy, not drowning anyone out, not playing loudly in anybody’s face, taking turns singing the songs, letting everybody participate, and so forth. There isn’t anybody who charges in and tries to dominate the session. (There have been a few like that who came once or twice, but they were not encouraged to come back.)
For another thing, all the people are compatible with each other. There aren’t any personality conflicts going on, or cliques within the pickers. And even though the players range from energetic teenagers up to slightly slower-moving folks in their 70s, we all understand each other well enough musically that we can play together in a friendly way. This makes the jam session work.
I think I’ve listed my five biggest reasons for participating in things like this before. They are:
1. Practice.
2. Practice.
3. Practice.
4. Practice.
5. Practice.
–But I like the people, too. We all have a good time. If you can get good, painless, non-tedious playing time (read: PRACTICE) on your instrument, and have a good time with good people while doing it, then go for it. Go out to the nearest jam session and see what it’s like. If there isn’t one in your area (or there’s one that’s hard to get along with), start your own with folks you know. Practice, Practice, Practice. That’s how to improve your music!
Tags: Practice
Yes, Sir, Red. I’m gonna practice, practice … Though I’m not too far behind in age from the “slightly slower-moving folks in their 70s.” Paragraph # 3 is powerful, and especially the 2nd sentence in this paragraph. Thanks again.