The death of jamming

[Pelagic]

My new band is all about it. Its a 3 piece with a few set grooves, but the bandleader is about "improvisational audio soundscapes". We combine it with video and still image art, etc. He started as a soundtrack guy, but has expanded to playing live shows which are actually growing in popularity here. The first album I played on, I met the drummer and heard the music for the first time when I was ready to play in the studio. Just plug in, listen and play what you feel.

So far it works!

 

[Staccato]

Monday night was a jam night for bluegrass, here. There were four guitars, fiddle, two banjos, and an electric bass. Jamming on guitar was my thing that night!

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

I have another (humorous) thread going about jam bands. On a more serious note, I've been running jams for years, and probably always will. I'm saddened that so many people have lost the spirit of true jamming- Improvisation, and spontaneity.
Every week I end up with a bunch of GREAT players who just want to play songs. Maybe add a second (third...fourth) guitar solo, but the jamming aspect is all but gone.
I try to push my guests boundries, and a FEW of them get it. Go to double time feel, or a modulation, or switch up a groove- reggae Zeppelin, or metal Peaches and Herb.
I try to keep it interesting, and push peoples boundries.
I often just hit a brick wall. If it ain't on the record, they don't want to try it.
Too many automatons, not enough free spirits.
Another Pride and Joy.......in the same key as the record.....
Rant over.

In addition to my regular band and musical activities I go to a weekly Wednesday night blues jam in Huntington Beach. It's fun not knowing who I'm going to play with or what we're going to play until it's my turn and whoever else's turn it is and we decide on stage what we're going to play. Occasionally I get stuck playing with a purist who's upset that I'm not playing in the exact same box pattern as on, say, the original Elmore James record or something. Meh--I'm not going out of my way to unbend someone who gets bent out of shape over that.

Usually when I travel I bring one of my basses with me so I can go out and hit some local open jams. In the past couple years I've done that in Hartford, Albany, and Cleveland. It's a blast. The guitar player who runs the Albany jam told me he does the same thing when he travels. He told me of a web site for looking up jams: www.openmikes.org

 

[3Liter]

. Meh--I'm not going out of my way to unbend someone who gets bent out of shape over that.

What a great quote/expression!

 

[mapperboy]

To those players who feel compelled to replicate...more power to you...but playing in road house and bar cover bands got just plain boring for me. I've been attending various flavours of improv sessions and workshops including curated ones (i.e. led by well know improvisational practitioners) for about 6 years now. The instrument mix is extensive, orchestral strings, horns, electronics, all types of guitars and basses. Modern Improv is a very wide field and much modern improv concepts does stem from the roots of American Jazz but I've learned a lot about the way music is approached with the other 90% of the world and it's NOT by learning note by note rote technique. Stretch your musical brain and try attending a well organized improv group in your area. These free approaches are definitely NOT noodling rather but a fine mix of spontaneous performance and even more importantly spontaneous LISTENING -to what the other are playing and finding space to add your own ideas to the evolving composition.

 

[oldmetalhead]

Best band I was in that jammed was back quite a few years. We had a large collection of songs but only ever chose a set opening song, usually just before we started. It would then meld song to song much ike the Dead and other groups back then did. Some songs would just jam out at the end and at some point a key change would develope followed by timing and slowly everyone would realize the next song, do a bit of the intro and go into it. The "locking in" as I refer to it, with other musicians is one of the greatest experiences you can ever have IMHO. Sadly its only hapoened once recently and with my seasoned guitarist. And it happened of all places in the studio while we eere recording a promo demo. We locked in on each other and cemented the whole band together. The kids just don't get it. But we keep trying.

 

[Eyetalic]

I have another (humorous) thread going about jam bands. On a more serious note, I've been running jams for years, and probably always will. I'm saddened that so many people have lost the spirit of true jamming- Improvisation, and spontaneity.
Every week I end up with a bunch of GREAT players who just want to play songs. Maybe add a second (third...fourth) guitar solo, but the jamming aspect is all but gone.
I try to push my guests boundries, and a FEW of them get it. Go to double time feel, or a modulation, or switch up a groove- reggae Zeppelin, or metal Peaches and Herb.
I try to keep it interesting, and push peoples boundries.
I often just hit a brick wall. If it ain't on the record, they don't want to try it.
Too many automatons, not enough free spirits.
Another Pride and Joy.......in the same key as the record.....
Rant over.

I have found a few people I jam with in new Orleans, but I find the same thing when we bring in someone new--often they're oriented toward sings and have to be encouraged to open up and improvise. It's sad because it's really lack of musical fluency. Like giving speeches all the time instead of having a spontaneous conversation.

 

[Eyetalic]

To those players who feel compelled to replicate...more power to you...but playing in road house and bar cover bands got just plain boring for me. I've been attending various flavours of improv sessions and workshops including curated ones (i.e. led by well know improvisational practitioners) for about 6 years now. The instrument mix is extensive, orchestral strings, horns, electronics, all types of guitars and basses. Modern Improv is a very wide field and much modern improv concepts does stem from the roots of American Jazz but I've learned a lot about the way music is approached with the other 90% of the world and it's NOT by learning note by note rote technique. Stretch your musical brain and try attending a well organized improv group in your area. These free approaches are definitely NOT noodling rather but a fine mix of spontaneous performance and even more importantly spontaneous LISTENING -to what the other are playing and finding space to add your own ideas to the evolving composition.

Spot on. I'm going to quote you to my band next practice when we discuss jamming. They tend to think jamming is an extended guitar solo.

 

[Ric5]

Some musicians don't really know how to "jam" or "improvise" or make it up on the fly ...

They only can repeat a memorized pattern over and over.

Then there are bands like the Grateful Dead that don't know when to stop jamming.

 

[Mike Romanowski]

It's the advent of YouTube musicians. A lot of people are learning note for note from there. I lose a lot of students because I teach practical theory. The ones who get it become monsters. They are learning Nashville Number System first lesson and are playing (without fills) the first lesson. They are trained to use their ear and apply the things that they learn in every lessons.

Their friends may learn songs, but within 3 months, my guys are playing circles around the other teachers students... and they actually tend to stick with the instrument.

That's fantastic you have a system that's working with these younger kids. I never had the benefit of any instruction being totally self taught when I was 12 or 13 years old. Now 55 yrs. later I think I could have improved significantly had I had a bunch of practical theory. I can see where retention rate would improve dramatically if they are picking up and learning at that kind of rate and most of all learning to depend on their ear and sight for charts. Good for you!! My hats off to you!! The beginning music world for kids needs more of this rather than the old stuffy learn your notes, charts, and scales over and over until they are so bored they go and learn on their own like I did or most of the time just lose interest and quit. Good luck in the future!!

 

[JIO]

WAY too many times there are players who are not FEELING the music and simply go off on their own private little wanking session. That's not jamming, nor is it LISTENING, which is what Real Creativity / Co-Creation of Music with others is all about.
Jamming IS all about SHARING the music, and it really can be a BLAST.

I think we need start by addressing a jam-session/improvising with respect, not distain. We can all go on about the gratuitous wankery that occurs in enough attempts at 'jamming' to sour ones patience for being part of another session like it. Yes it can get redundant, self-centered, boring and stupid. But those examples are when the intent isn't successful for those reasons. As you can hear from those who posted who have had successful forays into 'jamming'/improvising - it's not only possible but it is a way of playing music that is ever bit as legit as playing a highly structured song/arraignment. I've been to more successful jam-sessions than not so I also know it's not just a 'chance-thing' that they are successful. Frankly it's very similar to life - it's who you surround yourself with and how well you interface with others that will open doors of opportunity and a richer life.

 

[Soporific]

I only seem to be able to jam with people I trust. The last "organized" jam I had to try and learn 10 songs in one week. We start out with the song that has a 17 bar intro with no bass parts until 18. I pretty much sucked and hated it as I didn't know any of the tunes except the one I picked.

Of course one guy was trying to make it in the biz and was bent out of shape. I was upfront that I'm not a cover guy but I'd give it a shot.

I decided then that I would never do covers to jam as it seemed pointless. Why not get something weird flowing and trade off. At least that's what I did at jams with friends I actually had fun with and played to the edge of my ability, creatively speaking.

 

[open strings]

Yeah it seems young people want to write definite songs more than ever. Precious jam time is forfeited because now it's easier to get some fame (or at least gimme some attention!) and money at local parties or on Bandcamp.


But the greater problem is that world is not as jam-friendly anymore. Maybe the decline of jamming shows how much this world can rob magic from a musician.

Music will win though, as long as somewhere, somehow, musicians are gathering to jam. Here's to carrying the torch.

 

[Speedhitter]

The most jamming we do is when we play Allman Brothers tunes! lol! That's good enough for me! Blues I can hang with the best, but I get real bored with anything else. But I'm also not good enough to play jazz, so I can't really comment on that. Plus I'm the lead singer, so I would rather sing then listen to guitar solo's! lmao!

 

[buddha Longbone]

I go to a jam every Saturday afternoon where there is pretty much no real jamming going on. As has been said, everyone wants to play songs. The only improvisation is in the solos. I remember when we would come up with cool and often wild chord progressions and rhythms on the spot and see what could be made out of them - that was much more fun, being on the edge like that. We would intentionally use bizzare changes to see how well people could think on their feet. Ah, the good old days.

 

[AshokanKid]

Blues jams here with slow blues tunes that go on for 9 minutes.
I can't take it anymore, I would need heroin (lol) maybe to hang out more.

Flame me, but this is how I felt listening to Pink Floyd back in the day ('69, '70, '71,) when all of my friends raved & gushed over them. Funeral dirges had as much interest for me (Flame ON).
King Crimson? Different story ENTIRELY...

 

[JIO]

Yeah it seems young people want to write definite songs more than ever. Precious jam time is forfeited because now it's easier to get some fame (or at least gimme some attention!) and money at local parties or on Bandcamp.


But the greater problem is that world is not as jam-friendly anymore. Maybe the decline of jamming shows how much this world can rob magic from a musician.

Music will win though, as long as somewhere, somehow, musicians are gathering to jam. Here's to carrying the torch.

I'm not sure 'jamming' is dead. I'll read about a big-time musician describing their performing/recording process and continue to hear that some material- a guitar riff, a bass-line etc was the result of some exploration before it evolved into a song. Then, once the song is constructed it's further developed on the road by playing it night after night. Not exactly 'jamming', but involves much of the same tools required for 'jamming' - listening with discerning ears, hearing the song and how it will sound best by how each part is played. In my book - Nels Cline represents the gold standard of a uber-talented musician who really doesn't have any creative boundaries - he's an amazing composer, a consummate ensemble player and one of the most courageous improvisers living today.

 

[cchorney]

I have another (humorous) thread going about jam bands. On a more serious note, I've been running jams for years, and probably always will. I'm saddened that so many people have lost the spirit of true jamming- Improvisation, and spontaneity.
Every week I end up with a bunch of GREAT players who just want to play songs. Maybe add a second (third...fourth) guitar solo, but the jamming aspect is all but gone.
I try to push my guests boundries, and a FEW of them get it. Go to double time feel, or a modulation, or switch up a groove- reggae Zeppelin, or metal Peaches and Herb.
I try to keep it interesting, and push peoples boundries.
I often just hit a brick wall. If it ain't on the record, they don't want to try it.
Too many automatons, not enough free spirits.
Another Pride and Joy.......in the same key as the record.....
Rant over.

As long as you tell me the progression, I'm ready to roll with anything at a jam. My theory isn't good enough to hear the root note and work out the rest, unless you want the "Clam Special" as I work out what the involved chords aren't.

 

[stringtapper]

I know that the "jam band" phenomenon is highly derided amongst many in the indie rock scenes around the US. For many I think the term "jamming" alone is a trigger. It likely brings to mind a roomful of hacks just noodling.

For me, if it isn't straight ahead jazz (with all of the particular sounds and required talents it involves) then I'm not really into it anymore. Back in my prog rock days we would jam for hours on all kinds of stuff. I'm not sure I would ever want to hear any of that now.

What I do find rather hilarious is this categorization of players into classes based how much they improvise. To me improvisation is a given unless you're reading from a score. Nothing special about it really. Just part of being a competent musician (alongside being able to read music, understanding harmony inside and out, and knowing the history/musical particulars of styles and genres).

 

[elevenpieces]

I'm picky. It's because I'm a drummer/ bass player. I love to jam/ improvise, but because I'm picky I can't seem to do it with just anyone. I have to click with the other side - whichever I'm not doing- otherwise I get bored quick.
One band I was in made it a point to avoid our originals for 1/2 hour, 45 minutes every practice and just wing it, and record everything. It made writing future material so much easier.