Jam Session! Wednesday, July 16, 2014
What is a jam session? It is a musical event, process, or activity where musicians play (“jam”) by improvising. At a typical folk music or Bluegrass jam, players in the group take turns choosing a tune to play and the key to play it in. (Example- “Let’s play “In the Pines” in the key of D.”) Most of the group will be familiar with the songs, so people can strum, pick, or fiddle along to the song. Maybe one person will sing the verses, and everyone will sing the chorus in harmony. Often, the leader will give a nod to different people and the chosen person will improvise a solo for a verse of the song. Jams can go on for hours with people coming and going as time passes. It’s great fun! I’ve been in jams where I’ve alternated playing fiddle, mandolin, or ukulele. Sometimes, I stop playing and just sing. To learn the songs associated with a particular style of music, fakebooks are helpful, as is listening to lots of music in your chosen style. Eventually, your ear kicks in, and you can play “by ear”. That is, you can hear a song and play it without sheet music. For information about fakebooks for different styles of music, call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com or visit our website at http://www.stantons.com. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!
