First Jam Session
Tue, 01/25/2022 - 07:25
David,
I'm joining my first jam session. I can play clean tongue blocked single notes, slaps, shakes, dips, etc. but my bends are not consistantly in tune yet. My improv skills are developing with your instruction and I'm trying to develop my vocabulary of accompianment licks on your accompainment lessons.
What tips do you have for success in my first jam session? This group plays a mix of blues, rock, bluegrass, country, etc. and includes guitar, piano, mandolin, banjo, bass, harmonica, etc. based on who shows up. The group encourages players to bring some music for the gorup to play.
Thanks, Doug
Hello Doug.
I have an entire series of lessons dedicated to this, starting with Performance Training Study 1 - Beginnings, Breaks & Endings (https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/performance_training_beginnings_b...). Of specific interest is Performance Training Study 4 - The Jam Session.
Start digging in to the series, as well as reviewing your past study songs, practicing the "What to say to the band" part of the lesson to prepare for communicating with (and signaling) the band when you play.
After reviewing the series, let me know if you have any further questions.
P.S., I assume you already know this, but the Accompaniment and Improvising series are the lessons that prepare you for playing improvised music with other musicians, so the deeper you go into those lessons, the more prepared you will be.