How Jazz Jam Sessions Work
Jam sessions help musicians build community, grow musically, and make great music. Elon’s jazz jam sessions are usually open to everyone, from beginners to pros, regardless of previous jazz experience, but there are few things to know that will help less experienced performers have a positive experience at their first jam session.
- Before attempting to sit in and jam, it’s a good idea to attend a jam session as an audience member to see how it all works.
- Choose a commonly played jazz standard to perform at the next jam session. It is best to pick songs with typical forms like 12 bar blues or AABA. Jam sessions are not a place for original songs or pop/rock favorites. Choose a tune that other people are likely to know!
- Memorize the melody (including lyrics if you are a singer), the form, and the chord progression. Does the song have an intro? A coda? How is it usually ended? Be sure that you know the form well enough that you can follow the song structure during other people’s solos. This is important so that you come in at the right place at the start of your solo, or the melody. Know what key you’d like to play or sing in!
- If you play an instrument or if you are a singer who is comfortable improvising, you should plan to take an improvised solo (more on this later), so be sure to choose a song that you’re comfortable improvising on. Before the session, you might want to practice the song with other musicians you know and try running through it and/or practice singing or playing along with published recording(s).
- Typically, the venue will have a house drum kit and cymbals. If the house band has a bass and guitar, those amps can usually be used by other musicians sitting in. If the house band has a keyboard or piano, this instrument can usually be used by musicians sitting in. Vocalists may want to bring their own microphone and cable, but this is sometimes available on site.
- Be sure that instrument cases are left backstage, not out in the seating area.
- Always keep you instrument silent between songs and between sets while the house music is on.
- Never get up on stage unless you are invited. Sign up (if there is a sign-up sheet) or speak with someone in the house band before their performance or at the break to find out how to get on the list to perform.
- While performing, keep your volume in check and relative to the room. Don’t play too loud!
- If you propose a tune and the house band doesn’t know it, either suggest another tune you know or just stay in the audience to listen and take notes about the tunes that are performed (and learn one of these for next time!).
More information below…