So I’ve started to go to Blues Jams open mic night to get a feel for how can go and join in.
It seems there are some standard songs that float around, such as Stormy Monday, Goin up the Country (Canned heat) and others. For those of you that are experienced at these type of jam sessions, I have two basic question to help me navigate my next steps:
Which 5-10 Blues standard songs are a must to learn? -
What skills would you recommend and have solid before taking on this adventure?
Back gound - I can play 12 bar blues up and down the neck mostly, 7th cords some 9th cords and some different voicing. I can also figure out major/minor pent in any key (all this thanks to Justin and alot of hard work). I play along with my looper and I play along with a 5 member jam band. But going to these open Blues Mic night, seems to be a different level.
Thought? - and as always thanks for being so kind and helpful
gcw
Hi. I am nowhere near an open mic night capability. If I were going for that, I’d be taking notes on the common songs your particular location likes. I’d be listening for what rhythms they tend to go for and also trying to see if I could mentally follow what was being done, in what key, and what tempo. If I was lacking in any those things, I’d be working on those in my practice time.
Which is it a Jam or open mic?
A Jam is when there is a band that you can join in and jam with. If you have any songs you’d like to sing or lead you ask and if the other musicians know it they jam with you. If not they’ll carry on with the Jam with or with out you.
An Open Mic is you go up on stage by yourself or some have a house band that you tell them what you are going to play and they back you up.
If it’s a Jam you need to know enough to follow what the rest of the band is playing. So if it’s a Blues Jam as long as you can follow a 12 bar, 8 bar and Texas Blues you’ll do fine. You don’t have to play lead or take solo breaks if you not comfortable doing so.
If it’s an open mic play what ever you want. If the band doesn’t know it they’ll leave the stage and let you play.
From what you say, you’ve definitely already got the skills to join in.
The joy of a good jam session is when the players listen to each other and sensitively compliment what the others are doing
If it’s an open mic, then learn a couple of songs off that list, turn up, put your name down and enjoy!
Thanks Richard - Yea I took the BLIM 1 course so I know a few of these. I guess what I really need is the confidence to do it!!! - However I will put some focus on these songs to have in my back pocket
Thanks
Very good points! - Yea at the moment that is exactly what I am doing I guess I need to go to a few more of them and even different places with different bands/people and see what they are playing - Thanks
This was helpful, good question. I believe then it’s an open ‘Jam’. There’s a house band that’s very good, then after the break new members get up and play. Sometimes with members from the house band. Hmmm…now I’ll have to notice if it’s the same ensemble of folks everytime, meaning is it a new band playing or random players. Well I probably have the playing skills, just not the confidence in a non controller context -
Thanks so much!
I guess I need to go to a few more of them and even different places with different bands/people and see what they are playing - Thanks