Let's talk about jamming.

MalcolmAmos · #1 04-02-2010, 06:19 AM

Need some advise. It's just me on bass and Tom on acoustic/electric. He sings and accompanies his vocal -- only sheet music on the song is just the lyrics. So he is jamming his chord accompaniment. Most ole time Country musicians, in my neck of the woods, show up with just the lyrics and wing it from there. Yes, it's Country and Old Time Country at that.

I have tried playing from THE fake chord sheet music, does not work out, better that I'm jamming along with him. So I'm Jamming along with him and:

1) Watching his fretting hand and catching his chord changes. That means I'm at least 1/2 a measure behind the change.

2) Not watching just listening for the change and doing the best I can. This seems to work. Watching his hands makes it very mechanical. No chance for a groove. So I assume a I IV V and change when I think it's right.

3) Giving up and reverting to the tonic pentatonic. This normally ends up being a combination of pentatonic and my old favorite riffs (R-3-5-3 or 8-7-6-5) when I think best.

4) Its all 4/4 time. I've fallen into using a R-R more than R-5. R-R until I get a feel for the song then I normally go to chord tones. Few words here would help.

Open for suggestions. Any hints are appreciated.

JimmyM · #2 04-02-2010, 06:24 AM

how good is your esp?

i'd go #2 myself.

superhand · #3 04-02-2010, 06:29 AM

How about learning the songs?

Playing the root note on "the one" usually sounds good. IMO, if that is the only thing you do on the bass, it is better than a lot of other stuff you could be doing. But you have to know what the chord is before he plays it to do that.

JimmyM · #4 04-02-2010, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superhand

How about learning the songs?

even if he learns the songs note for note, the singer is just going to take liberties with them anyway when they hit the stage, so that's not practical in this situation.

Fergie Fulton · #5 04-02-2010, 06:38 AM

Hi Malcolm, i feel this is not jamming, but you trying to learn songs in the moment, a huge task for any player.

In jamming there is a structure to interact with and that structure has to be knowing. That's different from trying to play catch up on someone.

Here is and example of jamming. About 3 years ago Blues player Buddy Whittington gave a clinic in the UK, at the time he was guitar player for the Legendary John Mayalls Bluesbreakers. We all meet him for the first time ever a few minutes before the clinic and then he went on. The structure was quickly explained before each song in that clinic then we jammed.
See the link for the results:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21Oc1...eature=related

This happens because we all "Jam" within a structure that is "realised" by all, everything else is experience.

santucci218 · #6 04-02-2010, 06:50 AM

sounds like you just need to sit down with the guitar player/singer and go over the music, haha.

MalcolmAmos · #7 04-02-2010, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

how good is your esp?

i'd go #2 myself.

Getting better the more we play with each other. You nailed it - lot of esp in what we do.

jimmy.timms · #8 04-02-2010, 07:06 AM

The only thing thing I can think to add is to listen to the vocal lines as well. I have been in similar situations a few times and often the singer will be leading to the chord change vocally long before the left hand moves. The flip side of that is if the singer tries to emulate Willie Nelson's vocal lines you will be about a measure behind on a good night.

GreggBummer · #9 04-02-2010, 07:11 AM

I think that using your ear is probably the best way to go. However, maybe sitting with the guitar player before the jam and asking him which chords he prefers to play on the songs might help. Working out the chords will provide an understanding that can guide both of you through the song. It doesn't have to be confining. Knowing that he is going to play in the Key of G with turnarounds that begin on A (or whatever) will help.

I play with a guy who likes to "experiment" with some goofy chords and progressions. I think it is fun. It makes me listen much more closely. However, I bet it frustrates other folks.

chadds · #10 04-02-2010, 07:19 AM

Just play louder. You have an amp for a reason.

Exploiter8 · #11 04-02-2010, 07:28 AM

He's jammin' and you're practicing. I'm sure he realizes that. As long as the two of you have the same feel of when the changes happen, you'll be in sync with him before you know it! Just relax! You'll soon be walking up and down, meeting him at the change, and swapping leads. It'll come. Besides, its still fun, isn't it?

X8

Arpeggiator · #12 04-02-2010, 09:30 AM

ask for the keys of the songs or the chords he is most likely going to use for each song. that way you can figure out the key and have a guide as to where you are going.