How much do I need to know to go to an open jam?

[adudenamedruby]

Hey all,

As some may know, I'm a relative beginner, but working hard at learning bass. Part of my plan for getting better is to also start playing with people because playing with others is a skill that needs to be developed just like all other musical skills. So I have three questions that I'd love some help with:

1. What do I need to know to be ready to go out and join an open jam night?
2. What should I expect from these types of events?
3. I'll bring my bass (obviously), but do I need to bring an amp as well? Anything else?

For example, I've found a few jam nights here in Toronto. Some mention they have back line (and list a few things but not bass amps). Some mention signing up. I'm just kinda curious to know what I'm getting myself into.

Thanks!

 

[DrMole]

Know the genres that will pop up.
Hopefully know a few cliche intros, outros an changes
Listen.
Don't be afraid to ask key or change details but put that info to good use.

Good luck.
Have been on both sides of the jam situation; just enjoy and play your best

 

[RyanOh]

I'd go to the jam without a bass the first time. Meet people, explain your situation, ask questions, get advice.
Listen to what tunes are being played. There are lots of various open mic / jam formats, there's no single answer.

Most people are pretty friendly.

 

[filmtex]

I'd go to the jam without a bass the first time. Meet people, explain your situation, ask questions, get advice.
Listen to what tunes are being played. There are lots of various open mic / jam formats, there's no single answer.

Most people are pretty friendly.

I'm with you. Go to the jam/open mic just to find out what's happening. Introduce yourself and shake some hands if you like, but certainly do the best thing you can do in these situations: listen. Take your bass and whatever else you might need the next time. Personally, I always have a mic stand, cables and a monitor in my van, I like to be prepared. Have fun!

 

[Mushroo]

The most important thing is to know the songs, obviously.

If you are a relative beginner and don't know a lot of songs yet, then my advice is to go as a listener the first time. Make a list of the songs you hear, then go home and learn them for next time.

 

[ShortyGetLow]

^^^Show up and audit the scene, don't bring anything^^^

There is usually a core group that shows up all the time.

Get to know them and ask questions.

You may get handed a loaner the first time you show up.

 

[LBS-bass]

I'd go to the jam without a bass the first time. Meet people, explain your situation, ask questions, get advice.
Listen to what tunes are being played. There are lots of various open mic / jam formats, there's no single answer.

Most people are pretty friendly.

I was just going to suggest this. At a minimum, you'll probably need to be able to do some I-IV-V blues stuff and some I-V-VIII style country stuff. Most jams do their best to keep things simple so that almost anyone will feel comfortable there. And then there are musician's jams, where you'd probably need to be fairly experienced to fit in.

Some will rotate between simple and more technical stuff so that more seasoned players will have a shot. I'd go just to listen and see what happens, then decide what you are going to need. You could bring your bass anyway, just in case you feel like you're ok with it that first visit. There's no rule that says you have to play.

 

[Razzo]

Hey all,

As some may know, I'm a relative beginner, but working hard at learning bass. Part of my plan for getting better is to also start playing with people because playing with others is a skill that needs to be developed just like all other musical skills. So I have three questions that I'd love some help with:

1. What do I need to know to be ready to go out and join an open jam night?
2. What should I expect from these types of events?
3. I'll bring my bass (obviously), but do I need to bring an amp as well? Anything else?

For example, I've found a few jam nights here in Toronto. Some mention they have back line (and list a few things but not bass amps). Some mention signing up. I'm just kinda curious to know what I'm getting myself into.

Thanks!

Show up with all the gear you're gonna need to perform, don't rely on someone else!

 

[lz4005]

What do I need to know to be ready to go out and join an open jam night?

Even if you don't strike up a conversation with anyone, go as a scouting mission. Listen to the songs they're playing and ask yourself if you could get up and play those songs right then knowing nothing but the title and key. That's the standard.

Show up with all the gear you're gonna need to perform, don't rely on someone else!

That's terrible advice. You don't walk into a backline provided jam with your own amp and cab. I don't even go in with a pedal board. Just a bass and a tuner.

 

[Razzo]

Even if you don't strike up a conversation with anyone, go as a scouting mission. Listen to the songs they're playing and ask yourself if you could get up and play those songs right then knowing nothing but the title and key. That's the standard.



That's terrible advice. You don't walk into a backline provided jam with your own amp and cab. I don't even go in with a pedal board. Just a bass and a tuner.

Nobody's talking about just walking in I assume he's already done his research.

 

[lz4005]

Nobody's talking about just walking in I assume he's already done his research.

Read the OP again.

 

[mrjim123]

I play a lot of jams, and the number one mistake I see newcomers make is not paying close attention to whoever is leading the song (this is usually the person singing). The leader typically gives cues (sometimes only visual, for example, slightly raising the guitar headstock) for solos, breaks in the song, and when the song is about to end. Listen, keep your head up and look around!

 

[mrjim123]

Show up with all the gear you're gonna need to perform, don't rely on someone else!

I've never seen a jam run this way. The amps are provided by either the host band or the establishment. Just bring your bass and tuner.

 

[seilerbird]

The first time I went to an open ukulele jam I had never even owned a uke much less played one. The first guy I ran into lent me a uke to use during the session. I went home and ordered one from Amazon. Really friendly group of people. I still go there every month three years later.

 

[mrjim123]

I'd go to the jam without a bass the first time.
<snip>

I wouldn't. Just because you bring your bass doesn't mean you HAVE to play. Otherwise you might really want to jam and regret leaving your instrument at home. Most players don't like to let a complete stranger play their instrument, and it would be presumptuous of you to even ask.

 

[Beersurgeon]

I'd go to the jam without a bass the first time. Meet people, explain your situation, ask questions, get advice.
Listen to what tunes are being played. There are lots of various open mic / jam formats, there's no single answer.

Most people are pretty friendly.

I like this. I have gone to a few open mics that the bartender/waiter doesn't know what they are talking about on the phone and then I have showed up to a poop storm. I like the idea of crashing the jam to observe and get the feel of the crowd and players.

 

[OogieWaWa]

First and foremost, before playing find out IF THEY TUNE STANDARD OR DOWN A HALF! Many do the turn-down thing to help the singers. Trust me, nothing like playing for the first time in a new place with new folks and fumbling around trying to tune up or down on the fly. Or starting right out in the wrong key!!! Unless you're pretty good at transposing on the fly.

 

[Stewie]

The house band will do a set, then they will bring in jammers. Wait 'til someone gets up to play bass, then go talk to the house bassist (he is the nicest and coolest guy in the band) tell him you are just getting started. At the very least, you should know how to play a twelve bar blues and where the notes are on the neck. You don't have to get fancy, you can even just hit the root note on the one and three beats.

The bass player will likely be your best friend there. And will help you out. Be a good guy and you'll be fine

 

[GlennRH]

1. Watch out for fleas when you walk in tall grass.
2. Watch out for ticks when you walk in a forest.
3. Watch out smart-asses when you play at an open jam. Some of them specifically seek out first-timers and unfamiliar players to play their smart-ass tricks.

Go to enough open jams and your knowledge of smart-asses will develop.

Please do not become a smart ass. Some of them don`t seem aware of how comparable they are to fleas and ticks.

 

[lz4005]

I play a lot of jams, and the number one mistake I see newcomers make is not paying close attention to whoever is leading the song (this is usually the person singing). The leader typically gives cues (sometimes only visual, for example, slightly raising the guitar headstock) for solos, breaks in the song, and when the song is about to end. Listen, keep your head up and look around!

Very good advice. As bass player you should also be making meaningful eye contact with the drummer. For cues.