You're the Leader - Playing with Others Series

If you called the song, then you're commonly responsible to lead the song. Don't be too surprised if the house band leader takes this job because they're not sure of your qualifications (it's their job to run a smooth jam). Either way, you need to be prepared. You need to say three things, key (key of E), groove (shuffle) and where the song starts (from the V) and then count them in. You can say a couple more items, but keep it brief... no one likes "arrangements while you wait." The more details you give, the more the chance the song will go wrong. Do not say how many choruses each person's part is... this is not information that needs to be said ahead of time... you just nod your head when it's someone's turn to play. Calling off a song is an art of saying what you have to say in the fewest words possible. In this art is also the ability to give up songs you like, but are not "jam safe."