Jamming For Beginners

Jamming with a buddy can feel a little awkward at first, but it’s truly one of the greatest things you can do to improve as a musician.


View the full lesson at Jamming For Beginners | JustinGuitar

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Hey Justin! Jamming seems really interesting and I’m looking forward to giving it a go. I have one question, though: is jamming possible and equally beneficial with different instruments (eg one person playing guitar and another playing piano)? Thanks a lot:)

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Hi Helen, welcome to the community!
Of course it is - my wife sings and plays piano and I play guitar and we play together occasionally. We do have different musical interests so have to play songs we both like but always play Christmas songs together.

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So, here I am at the end of Grade 2! Not perfect but I’m reviewing all the lessons and songs from Grades 1 & 2 and making a list of the areas I need to practice some more, like better muting on power chords. To keep myself motivated with new stuff I’ve also started to slowly work my way through the first lesson of Grade 3.
As recommended by Justin, I placed an adv for a jam buddy and, low and behold, I got a taker (and possibly another)! We met for coffee and a chat and have agreed to work on three songs with a view to arranging a jam in a week or so. I’ve chosen Clapton, Stones and The Blues Brothers subject to his agreement. I’ve now realised two things…
Firstly, we’ll only be able to do the open strings on one guitar, capo on the other idea on the Clapton song because the others use minor chords or 7ths and I haven’t covered those with capo yet (nor has he).
Secondly, I’m using the app for the songs which means that we’ll need to jam together but with the songs from the app playing as well.
Does anyone have a view please as to whether this will work OK and whether my first jam session has a reasonable chance of success?

They are the same with or with out a capo. For example open A7 is G7 Capo 2, D7 capo 7. open E7 is D7 capo 2, A7 capo 7 some with the minor chords

Ah…very good. Thanks Stitch. Justin had mentioned somewhere that some of the minors and 7ths had more difficult fingering with a capo. I must have misunderstood. I’ll give this a go so thanks again.

The minor chord using G and C shaped chords are easier using barre chords. That’s why there is no open Gm and Cm but the Em, Am and Dm shapes all work. So if the song uses a Minor chord figure out where the capo would go for the minor shape first to avoid G and C shapes.

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OK got it Stitch. I’ll see if I can work it out on my chosen songs. Appreciate your help.
Cheers

Hi Rick, thank you very much for your message. Appreciate it very much.
This is regarding the lesson titled “MINOR PENTATONIC: THE 5 PATTERNS”; to which you answered my query, but somehow, I messed up my reply and couldn’t send the text to you. Something about exceeding a quota limit for new users.

I thought I really ought to reply to you and found another way.

I follow your point better now that you have explained it along with the explanation from Dave.
I have tried to describe my understanding of what both you and Dave explained in your messages.
*Please see my reply to Dave(liaty) ==> Minor Pentatonic: The 5 Patterns - #4 by liaty

If I am incorrect in any way, please do let me know.

Thanks.

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the title that comes in at :15 says “thumb muting”

Imagine ending up kidnaped because you wanted to find someone to jam with =)))

voodoo