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Finally attending my first jam..nervous and excited

gkella

gkella

Mar 29, 2017
334
497
Cobourg, Ontario, Canada
#1
i will be going to my first jam on Tuesday night.
I have been plying in my basement for about 16 months now, so it us about time.
One of the attendees was kind enough to print off lyrics and chords for about 30 songs that are most commonly played.
I have spent the last couple of days looking up the songs on YouTube and playing along.
I was really proud that I could come up with a suitable bass line for the songs.
Some if the songs..
Heard It In A Love Song
Alberta
Brown Eyed Girl
You Ain't Going Nowphere
Dock Of The Bay
Turn The Page
Most of the players are acoustic but I am told that a pedal steel player comes sometimes.
A big boost for my confidence..
Glen
 
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#4
A jamming session is a very safe place. Everyone will bend over backwards to make it easy for you. We've all been there and feel for you. Little more on that safe place. Jamming is getting close and close is close enough for us mortals.

If you get lost you can always pound the tonic root (of the song aka the key note) till you find your place. When I get lost I cheat and watch the rhythm guitar's fretting hand and go where he is going. Can't see his hand grab a 12 bar blues progression and hang on. That's mostly I's and IV's and that in itself is a safe route should you get lost.

You'll have a great time. Come back and tell us all about it.
 
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#6
This is not my first jam session as I played banjo for many years.
First one with the bass Since I started learning last year.
It is, as you all know, a totally different animal...
I feel the other musicians are more dependent on you.
Added pressure.
I am nervous but anxious for the experience to see how I relate its other musicians
With my bass playing.
Thanks for the responses.
Glen
 
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#9
Have fun playing in your session! All of that practice will pay off for you. Do your best, don't worry about mistakes, and have fun. Making live music is what we all practice for. If you like, tell the other players you're up for playing more sessions. Exchange contact information. Enjoy. :bassist:
 
#10
The jam never happened for me but I did get a chance to meet up with a guitarist
and we played together for a couple of hours.
We did Sweet Home Chicago, Flip Flop and Fly, My Girl, Evil Ways,
Midnight Hour, Mustang Sally and Walk Don't Run.
It was nice to be able to get an opportunity to play my bass with a guitarist for the first time.
He 2as a fairly good player, good leads and rhythm.
He had drum tracks recorded for us to play along with.
I think I did fairly well.
Gained a lot of confidence.
Walk Don't Run was the most challenging for me.
I played the main riff of the song fine, but the bridge threw me a bit.
I need to work on my consistency and dynamics.
My timing was really good.
Glen
 

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