Double Bass More questions about rhythm in an open jam

[Don Hergert]

In my experience, a good cohesive jam is part of preparation for being a band, like a "school" for people who want to be in a band, but I agree they are not the same in a huge number of ways.

That said, we consider our band, which has been active performing and recording since around 2008, to be a "jam band" in that we each approach our songs and performances similarly to how we would in a jam. We do practice, unlike a jam, but like a jam, there are not set arrangements that have to be followed by anyone. We plan general things, but not the minute details, and we heavily use body language and signals to identify what or who goes next. We do practice an informal "form" for each song, but each artist ultimately determines what they will do at the time of the gig or session. After having played together for 15 years, the result is a quality, somewhat random, extremely high energy performance that is actually fun to do.

Because of this experience, our definitions of "jam" and "band" are probably not exactly the same as everyone else. But our definitions do work for us.

 

[Ed S]

That said, we consider our band, which has been active performing and recording since around 2008, to be a "jam band" in that we each approach our songs and performances similarly to how we would in a jam. We do practice, unlike a jam, but like a jam, there are not set arrangements that have to be followed by anyone. We plan general things, but not the minute details,

Our experience is similar - but a little different - from yours. Our band grew out of this weekly jam. Basically, I was selfish and wanted more opportunities to play with this one mando picker who lived near me. He invited a cellist/mando from our same town - and from the same jam. Over the years, we swelled to as large as 5-piece - all folk from the jam. One of our main goals was to work on arrangements on a more limited number of songs, exceeding what was possible in the larger open jam.

For the past couple of years we have been set as a 3-piece. Working on arrangements and dynamics as a group helps us each develop. And we each have a main and 2d instrument (bass/clawhammer, cello/mando, fiddle/guitar), so we can work on our secondary instruments, experiment with with different combinations of instruments/tempos/keys, work on vocal harmonies, etc. Just helps to be able to (if we want) play a certain song 3 times in a row, and then play it another 3x the following week, working on listening to each other and trying to make each other sound as good as possible.

 

[Ed S]

So this morning, only 4 of us showed at 7: the 2 most solid guitars - one of whom plays banjo as well, and the guy with the worst rhythm. I texted my 2 bandmates about the low turnout, and my fiddler showed up right when the guy w/ suspect rhythm had to leave. MAN, that was fun! (And calling the tune sure comes around quickly when there are only 3-4 of you!)