My first Open Jam ever tonight...

Well, even thought I've only been playing a little over a year and I suck as few have sucked before, I'm going to an open jam tonight. I know it's the only way to get better, and I don't have any buddies that play, so I'm taking the plunge. I emailed the guy that runs it and he was really cool, and said not to worry about it, that many players there aren't very good and there are a few that love to teach. So we'll see. I have a feeling it's going to be tragic, but either way it'll be memorable. I'll let you know how it goes.

Have fun! And :fist bump!: for gettin' out there.

Have fun! And :fist bump!: for gettin' out there.

Chest bump! Major props for gettin' out there.

I'm sure you're better then you're saying. Even then, most non-players can't tell the difference, and all players have been in your shoes.

Have fun!

You will learn a lot every time you play with some one else, have a good time!

Have fun---------you have a great attitude,and will only get better (as we all strive to do!).Keep us posted! :wink:

By now I hope you already went and did it. One of the best things you can do as a beginner. Nobody will laugh at you, I used to go to an open mike where a new guy played every week. Lousey timing, sang off key, had trouble making a c,f and g chord but everyone there applauded and encouraged him. Saw him a year or so after that and the dude improved 10 fold. Still not a great singer but he just kept at it. So......just keep at it!

While I'm thinking about it I remember this dude in a cover band in western PA around '81 or so. Was only playing for 3 years and was nailing songs from Blow By Blow, Kansas, Steely Dan, Zappa etc. and making it look easy. Ain't easy but you can do it.

I turned 50 this year & just began playing in earnest 5 mos. ago and playing out is on my bucket list! Kudos to you & best of luck!

Let us know how it went!

Well, I went, but there were a ton of people up there and a ton of people in the bar and my dangly-parts went AWOL. I just couldn't... ugh. But... I talked to the guy that organizes it (a drummer) and one of the guitarists, and they invited me over to jam with them next week. They were really cool, but I completely lost my nerve when I saw how good they were. I'm ashamed, but am already looking forward to jamming with them in a more personal setting. I will keep you updated... sorry to post this and then wuss out... I suck.

Feel free to flame me for posting this before going.

The other thing that threw me is that they asked me what I liked to play and I said country and they looked at me for a sec and said, "Oh".

Don't sweat it! We all get nervous at times.

How about this: When you go play with the guys from the Jam, ask them what a couple of songs are that get played regularly. And maybe ask them to show you the tunes. Take a Notebook or something to write down the Chords and possibly the Strumming Patterns and/or Riffs.
By learning something a lot of the Regulars know, you'll have more people up there with you when you play. And they'll "catch you" if you fall. That's the beauty of so many nice people up on stage with you.

And some Classic Rock or some Blues will have enough in common with Country Music to be useful when you do get to play a Country Tune.

You have some cool gear there 'awfulguitarnois',,who knows what the fellas were thinking...probably not used to people saying "country" as a reference to foundation, but it all comes back to I IV V chord, doesn't it? whether rock, pop, r & b or my favorite , country..and that is with a capital G for George Jones! But I digress,,,just play hard, my man, strum those open chords like no body's business,,,nothing sounds better than a ringing open chord with some steel in front, IMO...but playing with a drummer and other twanger is a hell of a time...keep us posted, your getting out there...you will falter, as we all do, but you are still moving forward..

You're a better man than I, agn! Carry on.

Thanks guys. I was pretty ashamed of myself last night, but a good thing that came out of it anyway is that it has really focused and motivated me. I stayed up late last night starting to learn a few of the songs they played last night, and am making good progress already, so maybe there's hope for me. I emailed the guy that organizes it and apologized for being a wuss, and hope they didn't take it that I didn't think they were cool. He said no problem and he'd see me next week. That made me feel better, as well.

They are a bunch of characters, though. They were all dressed in full St. Pat's gear. They were taking a break and asked if I wanted to step out back with them while they smoked. I said sure, even though I don't smoke, but just to hang out. We get out back and they all pull out one-hitters and flame up! It was a little surreal, standing out back of a bar, freezing my butt off with a bunch of stoned leprechauns.

Don't be ashamed man, even though you didn't play, you've learned something surely. And if anything, the leprechauns seem like they're cool, inviting you to hang with them like that.

In fact, be proud of the guts you obviously have.

This is a pretty neat story really, seems they are cool cats. I would not have went to play with the leprechauns and thus missed the chance to get to play with em in a simpler setting. Sounds fun. Watch those leprechaun pipes though. Subscribin to this thread; love ta hear how the other jam works out.

j

I'll definitely steer clear of the pipes... I gave up the 'blarney' a long time ago.

I was pretty ashamed of myself last night.

Hi, please don't be ashamed. You did good! Just the fact that you had the courage to go says a lot. You forced yourself out of your comfort zone. Good for you!

Second, I've done this many times. If I hear about a new jam at a club I will almost always just go without my guitar just to check it out and see what the vibe is. Some jams are good. Some are friendly, but disorganized, and some are just terrible. I like to know what I'm getting into before I walk in with my guitar.

Hey, maybe you go a few times before you actually get up to play. It's perfectly ok!

Some suggestions: be aware of the band. If they get loud, you get loud, if they get quiet, you get quiet. Make sure you start and end with the band. Blend in as much as you can. Remember, you'll be playing rhythm mostly, so if you can get that solid they will love you.

Good luck!

You got more stones to get up there knowing your limitations than most of those who will be critical of you and never step foot on the stage.
Do it with pride and have fun.

Don't sweat it! We all get nervous at times.

...When you go play with the guys from the Jam, ask them what a couple of songs are that get played regularly. And maybe ask them to show you the tunes. Take a Notebook or something to write down the Chords and possibly the Strumming Patterns and/or Riffs.
By learning something a lot of the Regulars know, you'll have more people up there with you when you play. And they'll "catch you" if you fall. That's the beauty of so many nice people up on stage with you.

And some Classic Rock or some Blues will have enough in common with Country Music to be useful when you do get to play a Country Tune.

+1

I've found strength in numbers and most musicians want to help others come along. The next best thing to partaking in a "jam" is watching someone experiencing it for the first couple of times! Go back and play.

kc

About three years ago, my wife and I were spending the weekend in "The Hill Country" and walked in a music store just to look around. Now up until this point, I had not "played" with or in front of an "audience" since I was in high school. I was looking at an acoustic guitar and the shop owner allowed that I sit down and "see how she sounds".....next thing I know, three guys appear from out of nowhere armed with a guitar, mandolin and acoustic bass guitar and said......"show us whatcha got!". Man oh man....the sweat popped out on my forehead, my mouth got dry and my mind went blank....I said "hey fellas, I'm not very good..." Don't worry.....we'll help ya out" was the reply. The only "tune" that I could come up with was "Folsom Prison Blues". So I nervously plunked out the intro and WOW!!! Those guys kicked in and it was MAGIC!!! Before I realized it, an hour had passed and the store was packed and people on the sidewalk looking throught the window. That was most fun I had had in a long time.

And the best part.....the next day we were in neighboring town about 30 miles away, walking down the street, "window shopping" and a couple walked up to us and said...."hey, you're the guy that was playing the guitar in Fredericksburg yesterday.....that was great!" I graciously said..."yes ma'am, thank you very much".
My wife and I continued walking down the street and I felt 10 feet tall!!

I'm sorry if I got "long winded" here. But, the point is......JAM ANYTIME, ANYWHERE!!
You'll be missing more than you can imagine.
Good Luck to YOU!
WPO

Every one starts somewhere..I have been doing it for years now ( open jam nights ) Some times I have a blast and sometimes I feel like I just got my rear end handed to me.
But every time I learn something. You will be fine ,, just do yer thing...

Thanks again for all the support... man, I love this forum.

I've got an idea of some of the stuff they play, but the guys says it really varies and they don't play the same stuff all the time (makes sense), but he was a little lost/vague when I asked him some good songs to learn. They played all kinds of different stuff while I was there: Floyd, Allman Bros, Doors, Eagles, Neil Young. Can you guys suggest a few good songs to learn in general, that might be commonly played? LIke I say, didn't really get a good answer from him.

Thanks again!

Good on ya for persevering! As others have said, you're already ahead of most people by just wanting to play in public.

I'm the same way, and was terrified when I first started 3 years ago. But I have learned that the best way to get better fast is to play with others. One jam is worth hours and hours of basement practice!

Best of luck!

Go forth and Rock it! Have fun.

Hey man. If ya like the blues learn a bit or get someone to help you. I took a few lessons from a hotshot cat when I was 17. He thought the blues were lame but taught me Stormy Monday using 9 chords. Those chords became a big part of my style to this day. Learn what you like. Stay on time. Start slow, tap your foot, use a metronome but keep a good steady beat. Play what you love. Standards in what ever genre moves you. You have the right idea.
Many years ago I was listening to some pros jamming at a concert hall I worked at. It was just friends and family of the AWHQ. One of the founders told me to grab his Strat and sit in. One of the guys asked me what I was doing. I told him Hank said to play his rig. A couple of the guys moved over by me and helped me out a bit. I bowed out after a couple of tunes cause it was plain I was getting in the way. But hey, I got my feet wet. Those guys were starting one of the hottest bands in Austin, Balcones Fault. And frankly, I was on my way to play with the likes of Mance Lipscomb, Johnny Gimble, George Thorogood, Eric Johnson, and others that weren't famous but were equally as good. Ya gotta start somewhere. I never "made it" but it has been a great ride. Everything good in my life has come to me through my love for music and the guitar.
Best of luck, and never give up.

As we say in Texas "you gonna get yer feet wet or jump in the creek?"...go on and jump in the creek and enjoy it...I suck..but I play in front of people all the time...no worries!

I see you met Charlie the drummer. He is a good guy, and has only been playing for a couple of years himself, so he is real supportive of people that are just starting out.

I'm there every week, playing bass (older dude with glasses), the jam seems to change every month or so. Lately been a bit heavier music with a couple of younger guys. I personally would like to see a bit more country, good blues (not Red House), but it is what it is.

My name is Ed, and I get there around 9 or so. Look me up and say hello. Also, shoot me a PM on what songs you know and we can do a couple of those. Do you sing? cause that does help getting the songs you want to play get played.

anyways, PM me

Yeah, learn ANY of the Tunes you've heard them play. Then, just pick that Tune yourself when you get asked up. They already know it!

A simple 12 Bar Blues works too. Instrumentals are good. "Hideaway", "Bright Lights Big City", "Sweet Home Chicago", "Stormy Monday", all usually go over well.



A good, easy to Jam Tune for some Classic Rock type stuff might be "Breakdown" by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers.


VAMP
Am G

CHORUSES

Am G F G
Am G F G
Am G F G
Am G F G
F G F G F G

SIGNATURE LEAD LINE

Notes:

AGAE
EDEA
AGAE


Solo with Am Pentatonic.
I think that's right. But, I don't have a guitar handy to make sure.

Also, maybe get the Greg Koch DVD "BLUES". He shows a whole Setlist worth of Tunes. No reading required, as he shows you with hands on demos. Excellent stuff!

http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Signature-Licks-Blues-Greg/dp/B0007X9TPC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1269103174&sr=8-2

Hope some of this helps!

My best friend and I have been jamming together for 20 years. He is now an excellent guitarist, certainly more than qualified to jam at an open mic blues event. But every time I try to get him out to play live he has a 1000 excuses. He says he's fine and wouldn't get stage fright but I can tell he's scared ****less. I play live all the time but I've given up on getting him up on a stage. Some people just will not step out of their comfort zone.

So congrats for taking a shot soon! You WILL be scared ****less but you'll also (probably) be fine. The worst case scenario is that you'll freeze up and play like crap and people will yell at you to get off a stage. That happened to me a long time ago and I survived.. you'll be fine. Good luck!

take care.. Allen

Thanks, Allen. Funny thing is, I'm a little surprised i want to do it... but after playing for a year by myself, i felt like i wanted to take the next step, both to improve, and to see if i enjoy it. Although, it isn't really part of my job, i periodically need to speak in front of groups of people. I think that helps, but it's not nearly as personal, plus in those situations, i generally know what i'm talking about.

Funny to me that this comes up now. I've played guitar on and off for 40 years, but haven't played with others or in front of people in more than 30 years. I considered myself a decent playing hobbyist with a lack of confidence. As I've gotten older, my desire to find the right situation to play has returned. Cut to the chase....last week I answered a CL ad from a drummer in his 50's, first phone contact is Sat.AM, he says there's a blues jam that afternoon, try to make it. I went and left my guitar in the car. I meet him for the 1st time along with a bass player who also answered the ad. He says what do you want to play? We're goin' up together. OK(gulp). I get my guitar and we go up and do two tunes. As soon as I stepped onstage I felt no nervousness, and felt as if I belonged there. I didn't feel I played that great, but afterwards was stunned by the compliments I received. My first time with two guys I just met, in front of over 100 people, I had a great time, why did I wait so long?

Just subscribed to this thread agn. Keep us posted!

Great that you made a connection and can play with some of them first, without the public pressure/support. Do that and then jump into the jam.

To me, an important tip for going to jam is to avoid overplaying which may be a tendency after seeing better players at the jam. Keep it simple and you'll do fine. Remember to use you ears to stay with the beat and chord changes. Not following those can be a mess for a beginner. No one will mind if you keep your playing simple.

It is intimidating but do not let that stop you. I have not played out anywhere in 30 years and since I have taken up guitar again after all this time I am tempted. But the thought alone give me stomach butterflies - but I know how much better I would get if I were pushed. So why don't you go out there and get started for me and let me know how the water is?

The trick is , you be the first one to call out a song. Do that three times and get off the stage before some one calls out a song you dont know..........:lol:

Just subscribed to this thread agn. Keep us posted!

+1

I've a similar story took up the tele again about 5yrs ago and 2 good pals who are both pro players pushed me up to sit in (not a blues jam) the first guy tricked me into it. In fact he called me up on the spot in front of the Baltimore Blues society! funny thing is one member asked me later what was that band I used to be in? As if he had seen me play sometime, I said I,m sure your mistaken. The other pal called me up this time I knew ahead of time but he made me sit in the whole last set and I didn't know a single song...yikes!

I used to go to blues jams all the time around Dallas and Denton. I like them. Most of the people running them are nice guys, sometimes you meet a prick who thinks he's to good to get you up if he doesn't know you.

When I was in high school some friends and I formed a blues band. We used to go to jams a lot for practice in front of an audience. This one time we go without the bass player, so they put up this other high school kid. We start some blues in E. He asks "what key is it in", I say E, he says "the whole time?". At this point I'm thinking this guy is a badass who wants to throw in key changes and we're gonna be OK. So I'm like "yeah E the whole time".

He played an E the whole time. Apparently, by key he meant pitch, because he never shifted away from an E. I'm trying to scream out the 1-4-5 changes to him and he looks at me like "I thought you said E the whole time". That was painful, but the guy got through it.

Bump.



So, did you ever get up there to play? Or, have you gone to the other Players' house to Jam some more?

Unfortunately, no. Not for lack of desire or courage, but my boys are now into their baseball seasons, and I'm coaching both teams. There are games or practices every night, so it's impossible for me right now. That being said, I'm playing more than ever (late night) and focusing on learning entire songs when I pick one. So my plan is that when I do get to go again, I'll have some songs in my arsenal. Thanks for checking in, and I will let you guys know when it happens.

Sorry to keep this going but....I actually played in front of a group of people for the first few times last month.

I worked at a restaurant in Philly and a guy started playing acoustic on the day that i work in the bar. I told him i played and he said to bring my guitar.

From there, i played a couple songs with him, i mainly played lead/solos while he did rhythm and sung. I mostly played Hey Joe, let it be, and some others that i really didn't know but just totally improvised.

As nervous as i thought i would be and was, after the first song i was loving it. You kinda forget about the people around you and just care about playing.

So, i did it a few more times and was really fun.

Congrats!

Where is the restaurant in Philly? I live in Lancaster but get in from time to time.

You're on your way now.

Awesome! I'm jealous. I'll definitely go, but it won't be until after the kids' baseball season ends (June/July).

You've got more guts than I do. Good luck.

I've played at least a thousand gigs--probably more. Yet, I sometimes still get nervous in a jam, particularly in an unknown situation. Nerves--they get on my nerves. Keep learning tunes, become a regular at that or other jams, and eventually start out easy, with tunes in your comfort zone. It's tough to anticipate what tunes to learn, with such a giant universe of songs from which to choose. But, I've noticed that folks typically have their own repertoire. They call the same tunes for themselves, again and again. If you have pals at a jam who want to help you, let them. And finally--I truly believe this--beginners don't suck, they just haven't yet learned how to play. Once you really learn how to play, then you can begin to suck! Dan

another good thing about these jams,it is a good place to meet other players like yourself. Maybe hook up and learn some tunes for the jams,or start a band of your own.I have played casually for 40 years,mostly in garages or basements,but a few dozen gigs over the years,and its all good fun.get out and enjoy!You gots some great gear too!