Starting first band HELP!

[euronymous]

Ok, so I have been playing for a few years, and I want to start a band. I met a guitar player the other night, and we have very similar interest and goals. I am jamming with him on Sunday. The thing is I have never really played with other people, and I'm not sure what I am supposed to do while we jam. Should I just try to play root notes with what he does? Do I just pick a key and play around with it? What is the proper "etiquette" for jamming? If it matters we will be playing death/black metal. Sorry this is so vague. Thanks!

[NoiseNinja]

Just try to hang along, and try to play whatever comes to your mind. Sometimes you'll take the lead and he will try to follow, sometimes the other way around.
You could also agree on some certain chords to play around with. Or simply pick a blues in A to start with.

[ducknturtle]

It might be a good idea to agree on a couple of songs ahead of time to work on.

[mcglyph]

The best advice I can give you is to realize he wants to play with you. This immediately should tell you he values this experience as much or more than you. So when ya'll are kickin it, just do your thing, love the moment, forget how little you have played and all those crazy fears you may hear in your head, and just be. I've played with some really awesome musicians, most of the time when I, "sucked", and still the groove was ok with them. So, just let go, and go. Simple. Right?

[euronymous]

Originally Posted by mcglyph

The best advice I can give you is to realize he wants to play with you. This immediately should tell you he values this experience as much or more than you. So when ya'll are kickin it, just do your thing, love the moment, forget how little you have played and all those crazy fears you may hear in your head, and just be. I've played with some really awesome musicians, most of the time when I, "sucked", and still the groove was ok with them. So, just let go, and go. Simple. Right?

There is a thread called something like "the best advice you've ever been given" that I was reading earlier. This is going in there. Thank all of you for the tips!

[MalcolmAmos]

Originally Posted by euronymous

The thing is I have never really played with other people, and I'm not sure what I am supposed to do while we jam. Should I just try to play root notes with what he does?

That is a good way to start. Assume the chord progression and root on 1 will keep you in any jamming circle. Roots at first then when you need more throw in the 5. Have room for more add the 8 or the 3. Root, five, eight and the correct 3 will jamm a lot of bass.

Do I just pick a key and play around with it? What is the proper "etiquette" for jamming? If it matters we will be playing death/black metal. Sorry this is so vague. Thanks!

Jamming circles I'm involved in someone calls out a tune and gives the key it is to be played in. The person calling the tune then starts playing it and everyone else accompanies his lead. Don't know how your style of music is done ---- Normally the lead will sing the song as he is playing. After a couple of verses and a chorus the "lead" can be passed to the next one in the circle - this person sings another verse or two and passes the lead to the next in the circle. If you do not want the lead when it's your time, just lean back and the lead goes to the next person in line. Understand one person has the lead and everyone else accompanies that lead. When it your time for the lead you do not have to sing the tune, you can play the tune, adding your interpretation of the tune, i.e. your improvisation on the tune. Or just pass the lead to the next one in the circle by leaning back. This is the normal way it's done in Mountain View, Ark (photo at the bottom of this string).

Other circles I play in a song is called as above and the person calling the song sings and plays the entire song - all verses and a couple of choruses - everyone else accompanies and then if you are the next in the circle you call a song and you sing and play your song, i.e. the song stays with the person calling it and everyone just plays accompaniment. Not a lot of improvisation goes on in this method. This is the way it's done in our town.

So it can be done all kinds of ways. You and your buddy decide what is best for you. As you are new at this I would suggest you start out with songs instead of jamming in a key. If you both are new and both are doing "your thing" hoping it works with what the other is doing, that can get real muddy. But, it's your jamming circle. Do what you like best.

Remember it's supposed to be fun, don't get up tight.... After a couple of months playing together, both of you jump at the chance to join a jamming circle that plays your music.
Jammin' on the Square, Mountain View | Flickr - Photo Sharing! This is what a jamming circle I'm involved in looks like.

[Russell L]

If it's just you and the other guy, no worries. Don't try to analyze it. Just get together and talk until you get a song or groove going. Even if it doesn't go well, don't disparage. It may only mean that you and that particular person don't click. No problem. There are others out there with whom you will click. If it goes well, then ther ya go. You'll know. I can usually tell from the get-go if I'll click with someone, usually just by talking. But, I'm experienced, though. There are certain things that are important to me when playing with others, especially when it comes to how they understand music, and whether they are good at learning and communicating.

Takes time, pal. Go for it, and see what comes of it. But, like I said, don't be up tight and analytical. That just gets in the way of observing what's important.

[HeavyRockBasser]

Just to expand a little on what was already said...

When two veteran players get together, it rarely goes perfect. So, don't feel like you need to nail everything. Just try to do everything that your good at, as well as you can. Take a deep breath, and play to your strengths, and you'll do fine.

When I play a song for the first time, I generally start with just the root, and feel it out, and then expand it out, as I get the feel tempo/progression/rhythm of the piece. For a blues in A, as was suggested, it would help to know if it's A minor or A Major. If it's minor, you'll be playing an in-the-box pattern (root/octave and the notes in between). If it's major, then you'll be building off a triad pattern. Again, you could start with just the root, and expand it out to a longer/shorter phrase to fit what the guitar is doing.

The main thing is have some fun with this. Enjoy it. And now that you're playing with other musicians, don't ever stop. You will find that you learn more playing one hour with others than 10 hours in the woodshed.

I'm excited for you. Rock it! Then, let us know how it went.

[HeavyRockBasser]

Hope things went well for you. Haven't heard anything. Check in when you get a chance. hrb

[juankidiaz]

I'd recommend, apart from jamming and improvising, pick a couple of tunes you both like and get them ready for your jam date

that will give you an idea of how you'll feel playing together