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RULES
of the
JAM
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Rule
1. Our Jams are for fun. They
are for entertainment of the audience & participants.
We try to make it fun. If you have to, work hard to make it
fun. If it isn't fun, don't do it.
Introduce yourself to the host, sign in.
The sign in sheet enables the host
to keep a complete band on stage ( Drummer, Bass, Vocals, Etc)
so that everyone has a backing band.
Introducing yourself allows the host to put a face to the signed
in name.
Any suggestions or comments about the jam should go the host. We
have tried to incorporate all the things we didn't like about
area jams and try to do a better job. It's not easy. Remember
that we set the whole thing up ( and tear it down), haul, provide,
replace stolen or broken equipment, maintain the equipment, make the arrangements for the venue, and have provided
the core band so that all will have a chance to play.
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Rule
2. It's OK to make mistakes, experiment, screw
up, or make a fool of yourself at the JAM.
The flip side of this is that
you have to be tolerant of others who do the same.
In any
case good manners should be as important here as in any social situation.
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Rule
3. Everyone is welcome at our JAM from beginner
to professional.
We do have a few rules, and the host of the JAM makes them.
For example: Bring your instrument, sign in, and don't be critical
or negative.
Frequent attendance at our Jam will improve your playing and teach
you how to interact with others.
Learn
how to play in different keys. If you are an expert, teach the
beginners, don't condemn them.
If you are a beginner, it may be better not to play anything if
you are not sure of the key
or the
changes.
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Rule
4. Everyone should get a chance to solo - if not in
every song, then at least once when on stage. Don't solo unless
its your time to solo. Don't step on someone else's solo.
There's nothing worse than trying to sing or play or solo and have
someone else playing a solo against or with you. AKA Train Wreck.
If a solo is good or needs a second time around then
it should get a second verse.
A great solo deserves a third shot, but a great solo leads to
something and should end of its
own accord by the third verse. Even the drummers and the Bass
player need to solo from
time to time. Turn
down, play some rhythm while the soloist has his turn.
Playing rhythm
requires coordination and a
good understanding of the music.
Harmonica players have the
hardest time playing rhythm, but harmonica rhythm sounds great.
Don't add embellishments and ornamentation to the song needlessly.
Nuff said
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Rule
5. SIGN IN !! You can't expect for us to
know you want to play if you don't sign in.
Everyone plays that signs in before 9pm.
The amount of people signed up at any given time determines the
playing time you get.
Too many of any one type of player sounds like noise, and will
lead to a train wreck.
This is a live venue with bar patrons that come to hear live
music, including the house band.
A good long running jam like this gets and has lots of varied participants and a
variety of instruments,
with sometimes a half dozen
people playing at the same time.
All should respect each other.
The object is to have fun, play, and to improve. Remember rule 1.
The sign in sheet
enables the host to keep a complete band on stage all night.
( Drummer, Bass, Vocals, Etc)
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Rule
6. Learn the music. Blues is
mostly one four five. If you don't know what that means, you need
ask someone or take lessons at Superior Music. click here for
lesson info:
Superior Music Lessons
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Rule
7. If you are not soloing, turn down. There's a
volume knob on your guitar.
Don't play loud. In jams there are
always more than a few people.
The combined loudness will make total volume levels so high that
the softer instruments and
players will not be heard. Learn to "Bring it Down".
If you can't here the soloist, TURN DOWN ! Don't expect him to
turn up.
Sound levels have been adjusted by the host so that patrons ears
aren't blown off.
If your Host turns you down or makes adjustments, it's because he
wants everyone
to sound good and balanced. Don't sneak your volume up.
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Rule
8. Call the song. If you are going decide which song
to play next, then describe it. Try to make sure everyone knows the key.
Example: "Slow shuffle in E, quick 4, stays in
the 1 in the guitar solo.
The singer will signal the stops in the intro."
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Rule
9. Don't be shy, it's OK to come to the
Jam and feel out the situation the first couple of times. We also
like to have an audience. But after that, if you play or sing, you
need to join in and play.
The jam is a chance for people to get out and have a good time. Participate!
Encourage others to participate. Some people want to be coaxed.
Coax them.
Remember that you were once at that level.
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Rule
10. Applaud. Be happy. Reward positive behavior. The
jam isn't about you, it's about US.
Make everyone feel they've done a good job. Even the worst
player has to be better in the last
song than he was in the one before. Everyone can get better and
they will.We
will not & do not tolerate rude inconsiderate patrons. You WILL be
asked to leave.
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Rule
11. Control your alcohol and drug use. Don't
get so drunk or high that it hurts your
playing or upsets other people. It's hard to judge just
how "screwed-up" you are, even when it is
perfectly obvious to everyone else. If you are nervous about playing, a drink
might loosen you up a little, but
control yourself. Drugs, especially, make some people
uncomfortable. I personally don't like
it when there are drugs around. I don't appreciate people who
bring drugs to the jam. It's bad
manners to assume that everyone at the jam is 'cool' enough to
think that drugs are OK.
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Rule
12. We like to mix up the musical styles.
We don't play slow Blues shuffles in A or E all night.
Play some fast
boogies and a few rock classics. Some SRV, 60's, Southern Rock
all go well.
Change keys. Play an original.
The beauty of this Blues Jam is the variety
of music to choose from.
Everyone brings something a little different to the table.
Don't play just one kind of song. But - see next rule.
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Rule
13. Play easy songs. Songs with
complicated changes and key changes make it
hard on those that don't know the song. Play simple songs that everyone knows.
This isn't work.
It should be FUN!!
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Rule
14. Let the drummer call the beat if you can.
He'll use his sticks and count off the beat.
Don't do this yourself. The Drummer and the Bass players are the
backbone of the music.
Let them lead you. If you are a drummer, drive the song.
Don't
let the guitar players do your job.
You have to
keep it steady. Don't let
anyone speed you up.
If you are a Bass Player, please keep the
drummer straight.
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Rule
15.
Listen to your Host when he says it's time to
rotate your position.
He knows how many players there are, and how much time is left, so that all get a
chance to play.
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Rule
16. SUPPORT THE
VENUE !! Probably needs to be number one.
Be sure to tip the waitresses, buy all your
drinks and food at the bar, and don't sneak
out to the fast food place up the road. If the venue doesn't
sell anything, they will quit providing a place for the jam.
Simple! Also, don't throw up in
the bathroom. Don't start fights.
Remember, this is supposed to be fun.
If you don't have something nice or constructive to say, don't say it.
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Rule
17. Take a break, order a sandwich, shoot some
pool, have a drink,
talk to the pretty girl at the bar, or flirt with the waitress.
Let someone else be the star for a set.
Depending on attendance and sign-ups, the Jam will rotate players
every two or three songs
to let
someone else take a shot at stardom.
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Rule
18. Bring your own axe. Don't ask to borrow a
guitar or (yuck) someone's harmonica.
If you are a harp player, bring your own Mic and or amp and ask
your Host where you can set up and plug in to the board. Do not do
this yourself. Equipment is expensive, and you don't want to
damage it. Guitar amps & a tuner, Drums, Bass Amp, and a PA with
microphones are provided,
please don't ask to bring or set yours up.
The goal of our Jam is to keep live music going continuously for 4
hours.
Changing out equipment takes time and defeats that purpose.
Drummers should bring their own sticks. Drummers should also
bring extra sticks.
Guitar
players should bring picks, slides,
extra strings and batteries. Host approved effects are OK.
Harp players, bring
more than one harp - don't make the band play in G all night.
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Rule
19. Bring your friends, everyone
likes an audience and a fun evening.
See, hear, meet & network with area musicians.
Shoot pool, play, sing, listen, eat & drink.
Our goal is for you to have a good time.
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Rule
20.
Practice at home. Bring a new riff or song or idea to the Jam each
week.
Make each jam better than the last. Don't put you axe in the
case after the jam and leave
it there until the next jam. Get better!
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Rule
21 ??.
Make a new rule.
Go to the jam and figure out
how it could be improved and tell me about it.
I'll add the rule here
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