How to prepare for a jazz jam session?

[Fassa Albrecht]

A local jazz venue near to me is holding a jazz jam session for all musicians to attend. I'm hoping that this will be a prime opportunity for me to test out some of the jazz playing I've been practicing in a real band situation.

Given this is my first proper jam session, what should I expect? Am I going to be expected to know any jazz standards or songs?

times a million.

[Mushroo]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

Am I going to be expected to know any jazz standards or songs?

Yes.

Be supportive, listen, be friendly and respectful to the other musicians, have fun! Good luck.

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by Mushroo

Yes.

Be supportive, listen, be friendly and respectful to the other musicians, have fun! Good luck.

*panic*

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

Am I going to be expected to know any jazz standards or songs?

Indubitably.

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by Hoover

Indubitably.

Not necessarily. I've been to other jam type stuff and in some cases, we just made something up on the guitar and then the bass and piano were improv'ed to it.

I can't say either way what the set-up of this venue is because I've never been before as a musician.

[Ed Fuqua]

But your other "jam type stuff" wasn't a "jazz jam session", right? Otherwise this wouldn't be your first one.

Trust me, they're going to be calling tunes/standards.

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

But your other "jam type stuff" wasn't a "jazz jam session", right? Otherwise this wouldn't be your first one.

Trust me, they're going to be calling tunes/standards.

Any recommendations for any songs I should look up?

[Rebop]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

Any recommendations for any songs I should look up?

Jazz standards.

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by Rebop

Jazz standards.

I know that, but are there any really common ones?

[butchblack]

I don't know if it's the same across the pond, but a lot of jazz jam sessions around Boston work around the "Real Book". If so, reading will be very useful and at least be able to follow chord charts. Knowing some standards would be helpful also. A lot will also depend on the caliber of musician the jam attracts. A beginners jam will be a lot different then a jam of working Jazz musicians.

[joe vegas]

there are a lot of standards that usually seem to get called at a jam-
'stella by starlight' / 'all the things you are' / 'how high the moon' type of things...

also: charlie parker is big in jam sessions.. things like 'scrapple from the apple', his blues stuff like 'billie's bounce' and 'blues for alice'.. his rhythm changes stuff like "ornithology' and 'anthropology'..

the bossa stuff is also popular- 'desafinado' / 'corcovado' / 'girl from ipanema' is huge in jams..

uptempo chops-testers like 'giant steps / 'bebop' / 'donna lee' are likely..

also some modal stuff- 'so what' / 'afro blue'.. also 'all blues', a simple head blues in 3/4, is possible... monk's 'round midnight' is a great minor ballad..

good luck, have FUN, listen & learn!

[Rebop]

They change as standards are different depending on where you are. Speaking for the US, every city you go to will have different standards they call.

Some good ones where I live are:

There Will Never Be Another You
I Love You
Impressions
Footprints
Yesterdays
Invitation
I Remember You
Chameleon
All Blues
Donna Lee
Ornithology
Oleo
Blue Bossa

That's all I can think of off the top of my head for now, but should give you a springboard.

[Mushroo]

If you don't know any jazz standards then I recommend going to the jam session just to listen, the first time. You'll get a sense for whether they're calling standards that everyone knows, sight-reading charts, or just making up stuff on the spot (unlikely).

If you're looking for a list of standards, here's a good start: Jazz Standards Songs and Instrumentals Contents

Top 3 chord progressions you need to know are ii-V-I (major and minor), blues changes, rhythm changes. If you know those 3 cold and have a good ear, you can fake your way through a lot of jam situations.

[OmnitzGarima]

Originally Posted by Mushroo

If you don't know any jazz standards then I recommend going to the jam session just to listen, the first time. You'll get a sense for whether they're calling standards that everyone knows, sight-reading charts, or just making up stuff on the spot (unlikely).

If you're looking for a list of standards, here's a good start: Jazz Standards Songs and Instrumentals Contents

Top 3 chord progressions you need to know are ii-V-I (major and minor), blues changes, rhythm changes. If you know those 3 cold and have a good ear, you can fake your way through a lot of jam situations.

Yes. Yes. And yes.

[Mushroo]

Let's flip the question back around with a question to you: Why don't you tell us what you know about jazz, which songs you know how to play, and we'll tell you if we think you're ready for a typical jazz jam session?

[Elrend]

Learn II-V's, blues and rhythm changes (possibly coltrane changes) and learn how to play bass lines in different styles (know the difference between salsa, partido alto and bossa, as well as knowing how to walk).

[Rebop]

Originally Posted by Elrend

Learn II-V's, blues and rhythm changes (possibly coltrane changes) and learn how to play bass lines in different styles (know the difference between salsa, partido alto and bossa, as well as knowing how to walk).

Partido Alto? I don't believe I've ever heard that one called and I'm right next to Miami. They usually just say Samba.

[Elrend]

Originally Posted by Rebop

Partido Alto? I don't believe I've ever heard that one called and I'm right next to Miami. They usually just say Samba.

Well, traditional samba is very similar to bossa, whilst partido alto is more syncopated and more akin to a montuno bass line.

I am by no means an expert though, so corrections are absolutely welcome.

[fmoore200]

Originally Posted by Elrend

Well, traditional samba is very similar to bossa, whilst partido alto is more syncopated and more akin to a montuno bass line.

I am by no means an expert though, so corrections are absolutely welcome.

There is no such thing as a montuno bass line, lol. The montuno is played by the piano.

[Rebop]

Originally Posted by fmoore200

There is no such thing as a montuno bass line, lol. The montuno is played by the piano.

+1