I play drums and show up at a local open jam every now and then. A piano player came up to sit in, and when he called up the tune I couldn't hear him because he spoke pretty softly. I asked him to repeat it, still couldn't understand him, but he helpfully offered, "it's in F". Yes sir, that's all that I needed to jump right in and start drumming.
@@yaakovhassoun8965 thats the joke lol He needed to know which song, or at least the tempo or style? is it fast, slow. its a bebop or a ballad or what? F provides nothing to the drummer in that way :D
Honestly, I dont understand the "rock-jam" bashing. If you agree on 3 chords, you have so many options in terms of dynamics and solos, and sounds and instrumentation. Nobody has to learn 1000 standards before they can join in and more chords doesnt mean better jamming. I really like Jazz and am trying to learn it, but honestly I get really put off by the whole cult around it. Just as you can mock playing just 3 chords, I can mock the fact that you refuse to play anything that isn't a standard. But I don't because both styles have their merit. Music isn't about whos smarter, or who can play more chords. I get the feeling some people play Jazz just to feel superior, not because they enjoy the tunes.
That's good advice about not taking too much time. In song sessions, we always have a few people who pick a song with 32 verses, and they insist on singing them all. If you want people to be happy to see you, and to be welcoming when you get up front, make sure your performance is of a reasonable length. Everyone wants a turn. The length of time that you spend engaging in your performance isn't as important as how you perform. You're better off having a short but memorable performance, than you are, if you go so long that people start associating you with boredom. If you're in a place where you're well known, and when you get up to do your part, and the crowd uses that time to go to the bathroom or get another drink at the bar, then you're leaving a bad impression. This is a good time to ask someone who's opinion you respect, what you can do better. If you're new, then don't sweat it if people start milling when you get up. This is your chance to show them that you're worth listening to. And if you are new, be aware that people will often give you unsolicited and at times, what sounds like brutal feedback on your performance. This is a time to swallow your pride and listen. Don't let it crush your spirit or stop you from trying again. Most people will do this, because they want you to succeed. If you feel the criticism is unfair, then once again, ask someone who you respect for a second opinion. And here I am wandering, and digressing... Remember, the crowd wants to see you succeed. They want to share in your success as a performer. they are on your side. So enjoy yourself.
Aimee you're honestly one of my biggest sources of musical inspiration, it's such a gift to society that you make this high quality musical insight available for everyone
Learn your thirds and sevens and get some buddies who will play with you for practice. Get a set list of 3-5 tunes and drill the comping chords into your fingers. Learn a walking bass line if you're not going to have a bass player and just play that with closed comping voicing in the right hand. If you're not comfortably with improvising and have time, write yourself out a solo and maybe an intro and/or ending for some of the songs. Learn the melody and words if the song has them so you can sing if you need to. Also find some musicians who can commit to playing with you OFTEN. The more practice you can get with other musicians, the faster you will improve! Good luck from a fellow jazz beginner!
Aimee, OK - I made the leap and went to my first jazz jam session (as a singer) but I had not seen this video. Well, it seems that I broke all of your rules and they still welcomed me back. Super nice folks! Boy! will they be surprised this Sunday when I show up prepared. Thanks for steering me in the right direction. Another great video!
I think that the term “Jam” definitely has different connotations depending on what genre you are talking about. I think that you did an excellent job explaining what it means to Jazz Musicians. I also know what you mean about Rock musicians only playing the same 3 chords over and over. I think that was especially true during the grunge era lol. For me jamming is more synonymous with spontaneous composition. For instance I like jamming with people where what we are playing is a pure collaboration and no one explicitly tells anyone else what to play (with some exceptions). It is also about freedom of experimentation. But it is also not something I would ask someone if I didn’t feel like they felt the same way about the term.
My first jam session was nerve wrackingly wonderful. I went up and played Funk No. 49, Europa and Always with Me Always with You. I must’ve went on for too long or something because the leader (a pianist) looked displeased (my playing was savvy, I knew these songs). Well later we played Redbone with two female vocalists and an older fella on sax. MAN was that a blast! Eventually the pianist called a song I didn’t know which I attempted to wing… I walked off in the middle of the song out of respect to them because when you bomb that’s when you remember: it’s about the song, it’s not about you, your chops or your ego.
I didn't know about the unwritten etiquette of attending a jazz jam session, so I found this video to be a real eye-opener. Up until recently, I had only ever been to a "regular" jam session (blues, pop, rock), and there is a certain amount of playing over a limited number of chords for an extended period of time, but if the musicians don't pay attention to each other, then they will get in the way of each other, too. So, musicianship is also important in a non-jazz jam session, though there is a lot less prep involved beforehand.
So true, great advice for so much people. Especially: - The singer who throws the famous "Could you play an intro please" - The solo is not all about you, open your ears and let the groove inner to the band rising !
Hi Aimee!! Just want to thank you for this very informative video. As an aspiring jazz drummer, I've recently learned of a jazz jam in my city and was feeling pretty nervous about how it would go, but I am nervous no more thanks to you! Keep up the great work!!
There is a great singer in Montreal, because of the jam sessions leaning toward instrumentalists, she started a Vocal Jam Nite at the local jazz bar. Quite refreshing. She did let instrumentalists sit in... :)
Paul Lifsches, that's good to hear. A woman here in Lawrenceville, GA. did the same thing. On one night, she hosts a jazz jam for instrumentalists and vocalists. On a another night, there's a jam for vocalists only. I've sat in on both. Very cool. Cheers!
Great information. I have been going to, and playing at Jazz jams for a few years, and I still learned a lot from this. Gives me a better understanding of what is happening on stage, when I come up to play. I have always enjoyed listening to Jazz, but never thought I could get up on stage and play with them. Lucky to have a great host, who is very kind/supportive, even though I am uneducated player, who can't read music. You don't have to be perfect to have a good time, if you have a good ear, and pay attention to the leader and what the other musicians are doing. Thanks for sharing this, will help a lot. I will post this to Facebook for other players that attend the Jam sessions. Thanks for doing what you do, and sharing your experience with us ❤️
As you’re from the states I was curious about your Jazz jams and I can say categorically that it’s exactly the same here in the UK! Especially when it comes to us singers… loving your channel xx
That was a great lesson. I moved to Kansas City a few years ago, where there are some great opportunities to play jams (I agree, goofball word). I was fairly new to playing out, and I have made every single mistake you mentioned-being vague about tempo, introductions, not having a plan B, and playing off of lead sheets. Your advice is spot on and makes for a much more enjoyable time. Thanks!
Thanks Aimee, for your insight. I'm a bit disappointed at the few people in the comments that got lost in the vernacular, ie. "jam". "Not seeing the forest for the trees"? I've had to learn (and continue) from my own mistakes, on pretty much every single thing you mentioned. Luckily, I have good friends with patience, and understanding.
Yes, you are probably right!!... Thank you for responding back. Can I ask, how much do you charge for a piano Skype lesson? I am a beginner and still learning basics. but later on It might be great to have some classes with you. Gal
To fully enjoy a jam session, two things will help... Having a list of standards under your belt you know and also the ability to improvise. It's that simple...🎶🎷🎶⭐😎⭐
Awesome Vlog Aimee! Great and very helpful information...having a game plan before you sit in the Jazz Session. Very inspiring! Thank you for sharing and what you do! Cheers!
Very good and completely how it is done. Aimee, this is great for those who are ready to venture into a jazz "place" to experience working with others who love what they are doing. This is complete from start to finish. Nothing left out. The only thing I do not care to much for is when the change over takes too long. I almost feel like running up to the mic and telling a story so they can get everything ready to go. LOL
It seems simple when you talk about it, but it actually is a whole incredibly hard trip to "go" jazz jamming. And you said it yourself, YOU ONLY JAM TWICE A YEAR ! And i know why. I don't go very often and i know A LOT of things, i am a professional. Because : you have to know A LOT of stuff (intros, keys, tempos, chords progressions, many songs), AND be aware of everything, have fun, but not screw the song, so for me that means very focus, not taking too many solos, etc...etc...and NOT TAKING IT TOO SERIOUSLY.... So basically you prepare SO MANY THINGS for ONE or TWO SONGS that you might play at the jam session (yes sometimes plan A, B, AND C are done already during the first set...), so it is VERY FRUSTRATING for a musician to prepare one month to play 2 minutes.... And we are all like this... And personnaly, music is not 12 songs. And BALLADS are Great !!!!!! People should play 3 or 4 ballads a night because that's MUSIC. It's also CALM and RELAXED. But nowadays, it's only about fast and loud. When you hear COLTRANE PLAYS THE BLUES, is it boring ??? I don't think so.... Parker with strings, boring ???? No way... It's sad that jam sessions have become so complicate to play in without being a genius. At my local jam, they are looking at you like you are so annoying when you put a stand in front of you. That's because i want to play 200 differents songs, not only 12 all the time. And i CANNOT KNOW 200 SONGS IN ALL KEYS. Sorry singers..... So again, good video, but not 100% honest, because people have to be aware of that. You have to be a genius to go jazz jamming, have great ears, great timing-rhythm, great memory, and be nice with everyone, for just one or two songs with one or two solos. That is the summum of frustration. For musicians connections it's great of course. I have a great time jazz jamming when i am aloud to put my ireal (not the melodies, just chords, i know the song of course) on the stand and play whatever people want to play in whatever key they want, beacuse that's what music is about also. Because many times when there is a singer, which is great, they change key. So I KNOW the song but not in this key. So it's not like I am "learning" or "reading". IT'S JUST A LITTLE HELP TO PLAY 10 TIMES BETTER THAN WITHOUT SHEET. SHEET MUSIC IS GREAT ! MANY GREAT BANDS PLAY WITH SHEET MUSIC. ALL ORCHESTRAS INCLUDING JAZZ BIG BANDS DO. WITHOUT SHEET MUSIC, WE COULDN'T HAVE PLAY MOZART or BACH. Jazz geeks with computer memory, let us stupid old guys use sheet music. We want to play without practicing 12 hours a day. Thanks ! Take care
This is a GREAT video to help all of us who want to head out and let others hear what we can do on our instruments or with our voices. I'm NOT a youngster, I'm old but I'm brand new to performing Jazz Piano with other musicians. Yes, I'm scared to death but I need to play with others. I know a lot of tunes and I've played solo gigs. Playing with others is VERY different and I tend to RUSH the tempo and I SKIP or DROP beats without realizing it. HUGE PROBLEM! I intend to get better at this.
Hi Aimee, Thank you so much for this video. Playing in a jam session is one of my goal but I still feel scared and not confident enough...At least your vid' gave me hope and some rules!
This is great information Aimee. It's something that I've been pondering about and I might be leading up t it, but I've got a long way to go. I appreciate these insights on what to expect and how to prepare.
This was super helpful, although I watched it after visiting my first session. I got there, signed up and hung out with some of the players and chatted a bit while listening, they all seemed super friendly. We all signed up, and I signed up playing melodica. I think I confused them or they didn't know what to do with me, because when I was called up, I said "I want to play Blue Bossa" and the guy who runs it was like "we're just jamming man" which confused me. I talked to the lead guy after and he said "yeah man we don't do that here this isn't an open mic, ya feel me? We're just here to jam with the house band" which only further confused me.
This sounds like it was not a jazz jam. Maybe like a blues night or something. Any jazz jam session would have been able to facilitate you soloing on blue bossa. Pretty weird.
Hi Aimee, just wanted to say hi and thank you for your advice on my harp playing. I'm more into Smooth Jazz and Stevie's pop sound, but you are really helping me with some things, especially the improvisation. Thanks again.
Thanks so much for sharing all this great info from your experience. I am not a stranger to jazz "jam" sessions, but just to hear you verbalize them is helpful. I have learned some of them, but they swim around on the verge of my consciousness, which is a muddy locale at best. (While you talked about Sue I had to stop the video and smile a few moments; it wasn't laughing at Sue or anyone Sue brought to mind, marveling at and thanking God for you, it is so right on.) I have a full time job at jam sessions simply not being a butt!!
I'm a member of a house band at a jam session, our favorite joke is: How many singers does it take to sing "Summertime?" ...apparently all of them. (Please don't call summertime.)
Nice job Aimee. I am becoming a serious fan of yours. I still only prefer Jazz to listen to but know that all music is good. I like music that swings or I don't usually listen to it again. But I like what you do with these popular songs. thank you.
Sounds a bit like Irish Trad Sessions. Except we play the same song for two hours... That's a joke... But it's similar in that if you want to sing, then you mention it to the leader when there's a chance and then, if it's cool, be ready when the leader calls on you.
Yeah, vocalists and key changes, used to drive me crazy. Ultimately you have to cater to the soloist, vocalist of the case may be. In my case years ago the singers were the headliners and the band was secondary, back up, anyway, you needed to make them look good so you had to do the song in the key they were most comfortable with. This could be markedly different from the original and change the timbre of the song altogether , ya know the mood and feel changes. And, as a guitar player it was a big deal to me, not having as many notes as a piano, it might destroy some voicing thing u could easily grip that worked, now that gets turned upside down. I can't do jazz all night, got to work in blues,,open tunings stuff, just cause I'm a guitarist probably, couple moldy oldies like " I'd have you anytime", great tune Gmaj7, Bflat maj 7 , Cmin7, George Harrison song, not Mingus, but pretty, ya know mix it up tastefully.
1AlWAYS tell them the tune you want to play before you play I talk to the guy in charge before I sign up about that Then there is no problem .Make sure you know the tune, solo, beginning and ending when you play .
Hey.. This post reminds me of the time I invited a few musician friends (Top jazz players) to have a fun-Jam at my place, we had a couple of 'Tower of Power' numbers we wanted to play.. Unfortunately, our bass player brought with him this "unknown' guy who said was a guitar player.. "Do you play Jazz? " I asked, "yes" he said.. "What number would you like us to play?" ... "I can play anything" said the random guy.. I thought I'll give him a chance.. .. So I started with "One note Samba".. turns out this guy had never heard of it, so he closed his eyes and did the loudest heavy metal lick on top our "Proper" jazz intro.. He just wasn't listening to what we were doing.. Needless to say, we kicked him out... politely :-)
As a modal jazz player I take extreme offense to your statement about how we don't play 3 chords for 22 minutes. You've clearly never heard me play Olé. (Just a joke, great video)
wait till you listen to me play one chord for 3 minutes because I zoned out while playing so what, only to then move to the other chord and hold that for another 3 minutes. Repeat this process until band asleep.
Organ Group gigs usually don't have bass players. Organ & Drums + a Guitar or a Horn (or both). If an Armada of Horn Players show up, it can be handy to have someone who can Double on Bass. If Singers come to jam sessions, they should have charts in their keys, and simpler charts for sitting in versus more complex arrangements for rehearsed gigs. This might be less required in the days of Digital Fake Books Apps. During Blues jams often who leads the song cues the solos.
Do they encourage beginners to just have a go? We all stated somewhere and you need to encourage people. And if these standards are played most of the time do they not become repetitive and predictable.
I´m a guitar player and at my first session i was so stressed out that I didn't know how many choruses my solo had been going on, gladly the session leader, a bassist cut me of by shouting "hey!".I felt kinda rescued but I'm to frightened to show there up again.
I see other comments, but after more than a day from when I first watched this video, Aimee's comments about the rock jam are bugging me more and more. Unfortunately, I think this just shows the pretentious attitude of jazz players. I remember this great open mic scene I used to go to, and the guy that ran the PA always said with a wink "more than 2 chords and you're showing off," and he was right most of the time. Then I saw the late master of slide Bob Brozman, who did nothing but show off, play a song with no chord changes -- and my mind was blown. At the rock jams I go to we play Summertime too, but with a completely different arrangement. We call out tempo, and keys. We'll sometimes even learn songs on the spot because that's the nature of an improvised jam. We take turns calling out cover songs which rarely last longer than 10 minutes while trading leads, or play our own originals. We might throw down a reggae version of Hotel California - it's a jam. We might just improvise a groove and take off on that for 5 minutes or so. The purpose of everything but the melody is to support the melody and let it shine. There is no need to clutter it up with chord progressions just for the sake of surprising the listener with an unexpected element. Mathematically jazz progressions are less predictable to the brain than rock or simple pop songs which are totally predictable. Sometimes the brain likes an easy listening game where it's always right, and sometimes it gets off on being surprised, but there's still a point where it can become too unpredictable and then the brain checks out and it becomes background noise. Music is supposed to be (IMHO) about emotion. Many consider it to be a universal language for expressing emotion. Again, IMHO, jazz players too often forget this and get caught up in the intellectual competition of who can make up the craziest atonal melody. Bottom line is that good musicians make for good jam sessions, and any rock musician that only knows a couple chords isn't a good musician to jam with - unless you're still a teenager in a garage.
Aimée, since u like jazz, I imagine you like Laddi Giesler and Mannfred Moch, who played for the King of Swing, Bert Kaempfert, who was featured on Jacky Gleason in '68, and got praise from Isaac Hayes (hey, that rhymes, I'm a poet and I didn't know it; actually I am a poet n I did know it).
Can we just shoot for rhythm changes or the blues to be on the safe side? Also, is the soloing order worked out before hand or on the fly? How to signal to the next soloist that they are next? Also, how to decide how many choruses of solos? Thanks Aimee!
Aimee Nolte. Hi Aimee, I commented under that video actually. I did not hear those answers in the video. I will double check and see if I hear the answers. Thanks!
Awesome video Aimee; very helpful! Any insights on how to anticipate endings at jam sessions? I always have trouble picking up how the band is going to end the song spur of the moment.
+Blake Huebl depends on what your instrument is. If you are the pianist or guitarist, you are in charge of the ending, pretty much...or you have to listen extra hard to the horn player to hear what they are trying to do. It's really about listening hard with a few options in mind and then going for one with some confidence.
1.Go to jam session listen and meet musicians no instrument. Meet leader ask questions Sometime s there is a singer . 3 Now you saw the session next time.take instrument piano or guitar Piano is usually there Leader will tell if you need to bring piano Piano you can play the one there Guitar chord no amp 3.if there is a female singer please know the tune any KEY She might do summertime in Gm or Cm Dm 4 Never go to jam session without practicing your tunes You do not know who is sitting in the audience
Adding the word “female” in front of singer perpetuates the very damaging notion that females are unreasonable or difficult to work with. This way of thinking is very damaging to jazz culture and to the future of jazz.
Yeah sure. Not AS welcome, I’d say, but it happens all the time and everyone is fine with it. Especially if you play something that isn’t straight ahead - like if youve prepared a more Latin or fusion tune to play
Aimee Nolte Music => "What to do before you speak!" To realise not everybody has the English language as their mother-language. To realise YOU should to start to "articolate" your words..... in order the viewers/listeners can UNDERSTAND what you want to tell/ to teach them.
Okay. So In a big band jazz band you read your charts but in a jazz jam you don't? Why is that? What is the difference. Also, and I think most importantly then is - what method do you use to memorize your charts then? (I deleted my original question because I felt vulnerable asking it but you answered it somehow and I got a notification so I'm reposting and adding to the question and just being even more vulnerable so.. yay!)
With a big band, everything is written. Do you have to play the exact note. At a jam, you just have to play the melody, and then improvise. It’s the improvising. You don’t want to be reading while you’re supposed to be playing from your heart. Keep searching my channel. I have lots of videos about these kinds of things.
@@AimeeNolte Yep.. I've been hitting your channel pretty hard. Lots more to go through. I guess what I was trying to get as is that it's my assumption that you play the head first then improvise. So why is bringing a chart undesirable in that context I wonder. I'm certainly not arguing with you. I'm a lifelong student and just trying to improve so I'll be working on memorization as well. Thanks Aimee.
People won’t take you as seriously if you aren’t memorized. Of course if it’s an accepting environment, you can get away with it. If it’s more cutthroat tho, knowing the changes by heart will def work in your favor.
One problem with certain Guitarists (I double on Guitar sometimes) is when they only know First Position Open Chords. I have encountered Folk-Rock purists (including one from New York City, Bob Dylan and Neal Diamond both spent time in Greenwich Village) that obsessant over those Voicings, I often find them Clunky in many Pop-Rock settings, let alone Jazz. Anyway, this guy wanted to do "The Way You Look Tonight" and it sounded Terrible. He was able to modulate the Bridge by going from the E-A-D shapes to the G-C-F shapes, but it was still rough. There at many White Baby Boomers who play within these restrictions and consider it the "Correct" way to play chords.
Can anybody help me figure out how to find one of these? I've googled Jazz Jam Session in my area (Boston MA) and stuff like "jazz club" and all I can find are some cafes or whatever that occasionally have live music but not structured like this that I can tell. I know what with Covid everything's probably shut down right around now, but I'd love to get out and see a few of these when it's possible again.
Not that I would do this (if I went to a Jazz jam session, I would jist observe and listen), but what if a singer called out a Blues standard like Call It Stormy Monday? Would that be against the general etiquette of a Jazz jam session?
I play drums and show up at a local open jam every now and then. A piano player came up to sit in, and when he called up the tune I couldn't hear him because he spoke pretty softly. I asked him to repeat it, still couldn't understand him, but he helpfully offered, "it's in F". Yes sir, that's all that I needed to jump right in and start drumming.
Lol oh gosh. “Yeah ok lemme tune down real quick”
Don't you play drums regardless of what key the song is? Can you explain
@@yaakovhassoun8965 thats the joke lol
He needed to know which song, or at least the tempo or style? is it fast, slow. its a bebop or a ballad or what?
F provides nothing to the drummer in that way :D
Literally the most pointless info for a drummer
Rock Jam: Play over 3 chords for 22 minutes.
Jazz Jam: Play over 22 chords for 3 minutes.
James Randorff 😂🙌🏼
Rock guitarists play 3 chords in front of 3000 people. Jazz guitarists play 3000 chords in front of 3 people.
Honestly, I dont understand the "rock-jam" bashing. If you agree on 3 chords, you have so many options in terms of dynamics and solos, and sounds and instrumentation. Nobody has to learn 1000 standards before they can join in and more chords doesnt mean better jamming. I really like Jazz and am trying to learn it, but honestly I get really put off by the whole cult around it. Just as you can mock playing just 3 chords, I can mock the fact that you refuse to play anything that isn't a standard. But I don't because both styles have their merit. Music isn't about whos smarter, or who can play more chords. I get the feeling some people play Jazz just to feel superior, not because they enjoy the tunes.
So What has got 2 chords :D
Dgpcars1608
♫ Goodbye Joe, me gotta go me oh my oh ♫ - Hank Williams
Most fun you can have with only 2 chords, they say:-)
That's good advice about not taking too much time.
In song sessions, we always have a few people who pick a song with 32 verses, and they insist on singing them all.
If you want people to be happy to see you, and to be welcoming when you get up front, make sure your performance is of a reasonable length.
Everyone wants a turn. The length of time that you spend engaging in your performance isn't as important as how you perform. You're better off having a short but memorable performance, than you are, if you go so long that people start associating you with boredom.
If you're in a place where you're well known, and when you get up to do your part, and the crowd uses that time to go to the bathroom or get another drink at the bar, then you're leaving a bad impression. This is a good time to ask someone who's opinion you respect, what you can do better.
If you're new, then don't sweat it if people start milling when you get up. This is your chance to show them that you're worth listening to.
And if you are new, be aware that people will often give you unsolicited and at times, what sounds like brutal feedback on your performance. This is a time to swallow your pride and listen. Don't let it crush your spirit or stop you from trying again.
Most people will do this, because they want you to succeed. If you feel the criticism is unfair, then once again, ask someone who you respect for a second opinion.
And here I am wandering, and digressing...
Remember, the crowd wants to see you succeed. They want to share in your success as a performer. they are on your side. So enjoy yourself.
What a great comment.
Aimee you're honestly one of my biggest sources of musical inspiration, it's such a gift to society that you make this high quality musical insight available for everyone
a jam session sounds like an anxiety attack waiting to happen
Learn your thirds and sevens and get some buddies who will play with you for practice. Get a set list of 3-5 tunes and drill the comping chords into your fingers. Learn a walking bass line if you're not going to have a bass player and just play that with closed comping voicing in the right hand. If you're not comfortably with improvising and have time, write yourself out a solo and maybe an intro and/or ending for some of the songs. Learn the melody and words if the song has them so you can sing if you need to. Also find some musicians who can commit to playing with you OFTEN. The more practice you can get with other musicians, the faster you will improve! Good luck from a fellow jazz beginner!
😰
Hhhaahahaw
Pete5668 That's funny, yeah, that is the first thing that came to my mind too.
Keep it simple at first. Any new performance situation is anxiety inducing until you get used to it.
Aimee, OK - I made the leap and went to my first jazz jam session (as a singer) but I had not seen this video. Well, it seems that I broke all of your rules and they still welcomed me back. Super nice folks! Boy! will they be surprised this Sunday when I show up prepared. Thanks for steering me in the right direction. Another great video!
Oh awesome!! I’m glad you found one with nice people! Knock em dead, Don.
Jam sessions - Where you'll often find egos the size of Alaska!
I think that the term “Jam” definitely has different connotations depending on what genre you are talking about. I think that you did an excellent job explaining what it means to Jazz Musicians. I also know what you mean about Rock musicians only playing the same 3 chords over and over. I think that was especially true during the grunge era lol.
For me jamming is more synonymous with spontaneous composition. For instance I like jamming with people where what we are playing is a pure collaboration and no one explicitly tells anyone else what to play (with some exceptions). It is also about freedom of experimentation. But it is also not something I would ask someone if I didn’t feel like they felt the same way about the term.
My first jam session was nerve wrackingly wonderful. I went up and played Funk No. 49, Europa and Always with Me Always with You. I must’ve went on for too long or something because the leader (a pianist) looked displeased (my playing was savvy, I knew these songs). Well later we played Redbone with two female vocalists and an older fella on sax. MAN was that a blast! Eventually the pianist called a song I didn’t know which I attempted to wing… I walked off in the middle of the song out of respect to them because when you bomb that’s when you remember: it’s about the song, it’s not about you, your chops or your ego.
THANKS FOR THE INFO I HAD MY FIRST SUN AFTERNOON JAM AT THE ELKS CLUB I WAS SCARD TO DEATH I PLAYED SATINDOLL I WAS 56 AT THE TIME NOW IM 70
dude I think you collapsed on the shift button
I didn't know about the unwritten etiquette of attending a jazz jam session, so I found this video to be a real eye-opener. Up until recently, I had only ever been to a "regular" jam session (blues, pop, rock), and there is a certain amount of playing over a limited number of chords for an extended period of time, but if the musicians don't pay attention to each other, then they will get in the way of each other, too. So, musicianship is also important in a non-jazz jam session, though there is a lot less prep involved beforehand.
I already feel stressed out for Tommy and Sue
+Charlye'Charleston lol
This sounds Like a lot of fun. I need to learn a ton of songs now so I can try this.
I've played jazz since I started electric bass twelve years ago. Still learning new things. Thanks, Aimee.
i love how you accurately called the key you were singing summertime in for sue's example
Great Aimee. As a regular jam host I would love to point everyone at this video.
Where's your session?
Your video helped me feel confident enough to host my own Jazz Jam at my University. Thank you!!!
No way! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
So true, great advice for so much people.
Especially:
- The singer who throws the famous "Could you play an intro please"
- The solo is not all about you, open your ears and let the groove inner to the band rising !
Lmao our band's singer says that on almost every song we play
Hi Aimee!! Just want to thank you for this very informative video. As an aspiring jazz drummer, I've recently learned of a jazz jam in my city and was feeling pretty nervous about how it would go, but I am nervous no more thanks to you!
Keep up the great work!!
I’ve been revisiting this video a lot as I navigate beginning going to jams again, lots of good advice & perspective! Thank you for sharing.
There is a great singer in Montreal, because of the jam sessions leaning toward instrumentalists, she started a Vocal Jam Nite at the local jazz bar. Quite refreshing. She did let instrumentalists sit in...
:)
Paul Lifsches, that's good to hear. A woman here in Lawrenceville, GA. did the same thing. On one night, she hosts a jazz jam for instrumentalists and vocalists. On a another night, there's a jam for vocalists only. I've sat in on both. Very cool. Cheers!
Excellent summation on a jazz jams
Great information. I have been going to, and playing at Jazz jams for a few years, and I still learned a lot from this.
Gives me a better understanding of what is happening on stage, when I come up to play.
I have always enjoyed listening to Jazz, but never thought I could get up on stage and play with them.
Lucky to have a great host, who is very kind/supportive, even though I am uneducated player, who can't read music.
You don't have to be perfect to have a good time, if you have a good ear, and pay attention to the leader and what the other musicians are doing.
Thanks for sharing this, will help a lot.
I will post this to Facebook for other players that attend the Jam sessions.
Thanks for doing what you do, and sharing your experience with us ❤️
you are just the coolest
Thank you for this info! I'm a singer and I really want to start to sing in jams and this is a good map, Thanks again!
As you’re from the states I was curious about your Jazz jams and I can say categorically that it’s exactly the same here in the UK! Especially when it comes to us singers… loving your channel xx
Great tips! Sharing this hard to explain way to approach a session with with my sons
So smart and practical!
Thank you, very helpful :-)
That was a great lesson. I moved to Kansas City a few years ago, where there are some great opportunities to play jams (I agree, goofball word). I was fairly new to playing out, and I have made every single mistake you mentioned-being vague about tempo, introductions, not having a plan B, and playing off of lead sheets. Your advice is spot on and makes for a much more enjoyable time. Thanks!
Thanks so much, Joel. You’re awesome.
This is so helpful. Really encouraging words! Cheers Aimee
Jam is a fine word. No precedent set with the word, very casual and used almost universally among young musicians.
Thanks Aimee, for your insight.
I'm a bit disappointed at the few people in the comments that got lost in the vernacular, ie. "jam".
"Not seeing the forest for the trees"?
I've had to learn (and continue) from my own mistakes, on pretty much every single thing you mentioned.
Luckily, I have good friends with patience, and understanding.
IM LEARNING MOST OF THE STANDEDS
Aimee, I love your classes! you are fantastic! Thank you for putting it all out there!
Well I don’t put it ALLLLL out there, but think of the views I’d get! 😝
Yes, you are probably right!!... Thank you for responding back.
Can I ask, how much do you charge for a piano Skype lesson? I am a beginner and still learning basics. but later on It might be great to have some classes with you.
Gal
Email me, gal. Address is on the website
I love this video. All the most guarded secrets revealed in a very prestigious club of people.
To fully enjoy a jam session, two things will help... Having a list of standards under your belt you know and also the ability to improvise. It's that simple...🎶🎷🎶⭐😎⭐
More people need to do Waltz for Debby at like a Bill Evans tempo or something. Take your solos in 4 if you must, just, need to hear that more often.
Awesome Vlog Aimee! Great and very helpful information...having a game plan before you sit in the Jazz Session. Very inspiring! Thank you for sharing and what you do! Cheers!
Very good and completely how it is done. Aimee, this is great for those who are ready to venture into a jazz "place" to experience working with others who love what they are doing. This is complete from start to finish. Nothing left out. The only thing I do not care to much for is when the change over takes too long. I almost feel like running up to the mic and telling a story so they can get everything ready to go. LOL
So informative! Thank you!
Joined your channel through Jens last week and love your content.😊
Sure appreciate the note! Jens is the best
@@AimeeNolte thank you for replying!🙏🏾💖😊
Thanks for the great peace of advice Aimee !!!
It seems simple when you talk about it, but it actually is a whole incredibly hard trip to "go" jazz jamming. And you said it yourself, YOU ONLY JAM TWICE A YEAR ! And i know why. I don't go very often and i know A LOT of things, i am a professional. Because : you have to know A LOT of stuff (intros, keys, tempos, chords progressions, many songs), AND be aware of everything, have fun, but not screw the song, so for me that means very focus, not taking too many solos, etc...etc...and NOT TAKING IT TOO SERIOUSLY.... So basically you prepare SO MANY THINGS for ONE or TWO SONGS that you might play at the jam session (yes sometimes plan A, B, AND C are done already during the first set...), so it is VERY FRUSTRATING for a musician to prepare one month to play 2 minutes.... And we are all like this... And personnaly, music is not 12 songs. And BALLADS are Great !!!!!! People should play 3 or 4 ballads a night because that's MUSIC. It's also CALM and RELAXED. But nowadays, it's only about fast and loud. When you hear COLTRANE PLAYS THE BLUES, is it boring ??? I don't think so.... Parker with strings, boring ???? No way... It's sad that jam sessions have become so complicate to play in without being a genius. At my local jam, they are looking at you like you are so annoying when you put a stand in front of you. That's because i want to play 200 differents songs, not only 12 all the time. And i CANNOT KNOW 200 SONGS IN ALL KEYS. Sorry singers.....
So again, good video, but not 100% honest, because people have to be aware of that. You have to be a genius to go jazz jamming, have great ears, great timing-rhythm, great memory, and be nice with everyone, for just one or two songs with one or two solos. That is the summum of frustration. For musicians connections it's great of course.
I have a great time jazz jamming when i am aloud to put my ireal (not the melodies, just chords, i know the song of course) on the stand and play whatever people want to play in whatever key they want, beacuse that's what music is about also. Because many times when there is a singer, which is great, they change key. So I KNOW the song but not in this key. So it's not like I am "learning" or "reading". IT'S JUST A LITTLE HELP TO PLAY 10 TIMES BETTER THAN WITHOUT SHEET.
SHEET MUSIC IS GREAT ! MANY GREAT BANDS PLAY WITH SHEET MUSIC. ALL ORCHESTRAS INCLUDING JAZZ BIG BANDS DO.
WITHOUT SHEET MUSIC, WE COULDN'T HAVE PLAY MOZART or BACH.
Jazz geeks with computer memory, let us stupid old guys use sheet music. We want to play without practicing 12 hours a day.
Thanks !
Take care
fantastic, thank you so much for explaining. Big help
This is a GREAT video to help all of us who want to head out and let others hear what we can do on our instruments or with our voices. I'm NOT a youngster, I'm old but I'm brand new to performing Jazz Piano with other musicians. Yes, I'm scared to death but I need to play with others. I know a lot of tunes and I've played solo gigs. Playing with others is VERY different and I tend to RUSH the tempo and I SKIP or DROP beats without realizing it. HUGE PROBLEM! I intend to get better at this.
Hi Aimee, Thank you so much for this video. Playing in a jam session is one of my goal but I still feel scared and not confident enough...At least your vid' gave me hope and some rules!
Antony Farsy you'll get there, Antony! 🙌🏼🙌🏼 thx for the note
Thank you! This is my goal!
Great how you got the f minor key right for summertime without reference pitch!
I used to get all my work through jam sessions when I moved to a town. Lately however I've been picking up work on Band Mix,com
"Come as an observer once." True advice.
This is great information Aimee. It's something that I've been pondering about and I might be leading up t it, but I've got a long way to go. I appreciate these insights on what to expect and how to prepare.
Good advice , been thinking about going to a jam session.Like what you said,search it out first 🎷🎶🎶🎶
This was super helpful, although I watched it after visiting my first session.
I got there, signed up and hung out with some of the players and chatted a bit while listening, they all seemed super friendly. We all signed up, and I signed up playing melodica. I think I confused them or they didn't know what to do with me, because when I was called up, I said "I want to play Blue Bossa" and the guy who runs it was like "we're just jamming man" which confused me. I talked to the lead guy after and he said "yeah man we don't do that here this isn't an open mic, ya feel me? We're just here to jam with the house band" which only further confused me.
This sounds like it was not a jazz jam. Maybe like a blues night or something. Any jazz jam session would have been able to facilitate you soloing on blue bossa. Pretty weird.
How do you know when you know a jazz standard? Do you practice it until you can't get it wrong?
Very instructive !
Oh gosh I wish I saw this earlier.
I called a ballad as a singer and stood aside and expected everyone to take a solo lol
Thanks and Blessings!
Hi Aimee, just wanted to say hi and thank you for your advice on my harp playing. I'm more into Smooth Jazz and Stevie's pop sound, but you are really helping me with some things, especially the improvisation. Thanks again.
So helpful! Thank you very much. You're awesome!
Thanks so much for sharing all this great info from your experience. I am not a stranger to jazz "jam" sessions, but just to hear you verbalize them is helpful. I have learned some of them, but they swim around on the verge of my consciousness, which is a muddy locale at best. (While you talked about Sue I had to stop the video and smile a few moments; it wasn't laughing at Sue or anyone Sue brought to mind, marveling at and thanking God for you, it is so right on.) I have a full time job at jam sessions simply not being a butt!!
+Dan McKinnon lol thanks Dan!
Now I feel more stressed🥲
Better to be prepared. Take the time you need and then go for it! You got this.
Great advice thank you !
I'm a member of a house band at a jam session, our favorite joke is: How many singers does it take to sing "Summertime?" ...apparently all of them. (Please don't call summertime.)
Nice job Aimee. I am becoming a serious fan of yours. I still only prefer Jazz to listen to but know that all music is good. I like music that swings or I don't usually listen to it again. But I like what you do with these popular songs. thank you.
THANK YOU!
Sounds a bit like Irish Trad Sessions. Except we play the same song for two hours...
That's a joke...
But it's similar in that if you want to sing, then you mention it to the leader when there's a chance and then, if it's cool, be ready when the leader calls on you.
amazing. love the "whatever your mood is" at 7:55 - where are these guys? Why am I the only one who knows even a little of this?
Yeah, vocalists and key changes, used to drive me crazy. Ultimately you have to cater to the soloist, vocalist of the case may be. In my case years ago the singers were the headliners and the band was secondary, back up, anyway, you needed to make them look good so you had to do the song in the key they were most comfortable with. This could be markedly different from the original and change the timbre of the song altogether , ya know the mood and feel changes. And, as a guitar player it was a big deal to me, not having as many notes as a piano, it might destroy some voicing thing u could easily grip that worked, now that gets turned upside down. I can't do jazz all night, got to work in blues,,open tunings stuff, just cause I'm a guitarist probably, couple moldy oldies like " I'd have you anytime", great tune Gmaj7, Bflat maj 7 , Cmin7, George Harrison song, not Mingus, but pretty, ya know mix it up tastefully.
But JAM means "Jazz After Midnight", doesn't it? LOL Anyway, great video. I'm a fan :D
1AlWAYS tell them the tune you want to play before you play
I talk to the guy in charge before I sign up about that
Then there is no problem
.Make sure you know the tune, solo, beginning and ending when you play .
Aimee, great stuff. How many standard tunes should a newbie know?
Hey.. This post reminds me of the time I invited a few musician friends (Top jazz players) to have a fun-Jam at my place, we had a couple of 'Tower of Power' numbers we wanted to play.. Unfortunately, our bass player brought with him this "unknown' guy who said was a guitar player.. "Do you play Jazz? " I asked, "yes" he said.. "What number would you like us to play?" ... "I can play anything" said the random guy.. I thought I'll give him a chance.. .. So I started with "One note Samba".. turns out this guy had never heard of it, so he closed his eyes and did the loudest heavy metal lick on top our "Proper" jazz intro.. He just wasn't listening to what we were doing.. Needless to say, we kicked him out... politely :-)
live in Chicago. Can confirm. Minimal snobbery here.
00:20 I thought I was dead for sure.
Super helpful!!!
Tq aimee !
As a modal jazz player I take extreme offense to your statement about how we don't play 3 chords for 22 minutes. You've clearly never heard me play Olé. (Just a joke, great video)
Lemwell7 you're hilarious 😂
wait till you listen to me play one chord for 3 minutes because I zoned out while playing so what, only to then move to the other chord and hold that for another 3 minutes. Repeat this process until band asleep.
Organ Group gigs usually don't have bass players. Organ & Drums + a Guitar or a Horn (or both). If an Armada of Horn Players show up, it can be handy to have someone who can Double on Bass.
If Singers come to jam sessions, they should have charts in their keys, and simpler charts for sitting in versus more complex arrangements for rehearsed gigs. This might be less required in the days of Digital Fake Books Apps.
During Blues jams often who leads the song cues the solos.
Great, thanks! :)
this is nice!
Where are these jam sessions? , the ones with the house drum and bassist? Sign me up, I live in Arcadia.
Do they encourage beginners to just have a go?
We all stated somewhere and you need to encourage people.
And if these standards are played most of the time do they not become repetitive and predictable.
It was the 0:26 part that made me realize I still had the setting on .75 speed haha
I´m a guitar player and at my first session i was so stressed out that I didn't know how many choruses my solo had been going on, gladly the session leader, a bassist cut me of by shouting "hey!".I felt kinda rescued but I'm to frightened to show there up again.
Count1o man, just go back
I agree, go back but hold yourself to ONE chorus - Herbie Hancock only took 2 choruses on Watermelon Man
I see other comments, but after more than a day from when I first watched this video, Aimee's comments about the rock jam are bugging me more and more.
Unfortunately, I think this just shows the pretentious attitude of jazz players. I remember this great open mic scene I used to go to, and the guy that ran the PA always said with a wink "more than 2 chords and you're showing off," and he was right most of the time. Then I saw the late master of slide Bob Brozman, who did nothing but show off, play a song with no chord changes -- and my mind was blown. At the rock jams I go to we play Summertime too, but with a completely different arrangement. We call out tempo, and keys. We'll sometimes even learn songs on the spot because that's the nature of an improvised jam. We take turns calling out cover songs which rarely last longer than 10 minutes while trading leads, or play our own originals. We might throw down a reggae version of Hotel California - it's a jam. We might just improvise a groove and take off on that for 5 minutes or so. The purpose of everything but the melody is to support the melody and let it shine. There is no need to clutter it up with chord progressions just for the sake of surprising the listener with an unexpected element. Mathematically jazz progressions are less predictable to the brain than rock or simple pop songs which are totally predictable. Sometimes the brain likes an easy listening game where it's always right, and sometimes it gets off on being surprised, but there's still a point where it can become too unpredictable and then the brain checks out and it becomes background noise. Music is supposed to be (IMHO) about emotion. Many consider it to be a universal language for expressing emotion. Again, IMHO, jazz players too often forget this and get caught up in the intellectual competition of who can make up the craziest atonal melody. Bottom line is that good musicians make for good jam sessions, and any rock musician that only knows a couple chords isn't a good musician to jam with - unless you're still a teenager in a garage.
Aimée, since u like jazz, I imagine you like Laddi Giesler and Mannfred Moch, who played for the King of Swing, Bert Kaempfert, who was featured on Jacky Gleason in '68, and got praise from Isaac Hayes (hey, that rhymes, I'm a poet and I didn't know it; actually I am a poet n I did know it).
Can we just shoot for rhythm changes or the blues to be on the safe side? Also, is the soloing order worked out before hand or on the fly? How to signal to the next soloist that they are next? Also, how to decide how many choruses of solos? Thanks Aimee!
cocovi check out my video called "The Jazz Jam Session: What To Know Before You Go
Aimee Nolte. Hi Aimee, I commented under that video actually. I did not hear those answers in the video. I will double check and see if I hear the answers. Thanks!
cocovi Most of those were already answered.
Awesome video Aimee; very helpful! Any insights on how to anticipate endings at jam sessions? I always have trouble picking up how the band is going to end the song spur of the moment.
+Blake Huebl depends on what your instrument is. If you are the pianist or guitarist, you are in charge of the ending, pretty much...or you have to listen extra hard to the horn player to hear what they are trying to do. It's really about listening hard with a few options in mind and then going for one with some confidence.
makes sense! thanks for the reply!
What's the difference between a jazz musician and a large pizza?
A large pizza can feed a family.
F
1.Go to jam session listen and meet musicians no instrument. Meet leader ask questions
Sometime s there is a singer .
3 Now you saw the session next time.take instrument piano or guitar
Piano is usually there
Leader will tell if you need to bring piano
Piano you can play the one there
Guitar chord no amp
3.if there is a female singer please know the tune any KEY
She might do summertime in Gm or Cm Dm
4 Never go to jam session without practicing your tunes
You do not know who is sitting in the audience
Adding the word “female” in front of singer perpetuates the very damaging notion that females are unreasonable or difficult to work with. This way of thinking is very damaging to jazz culture and to the future of jazz.
Okay, I'm from Chicago, now I really want to know what Jam you went to..???
+live2groove Phyllis’
LOL.. Awesome.. Everyone plays at Phyllis's at some point..
I imagine there are some Chicago Blues Jams also?
this shit sounds so high strung
U r really smart7
I bet that piano is a nice one.
Is an electric bass welcome at a jazz jam session?
Yeah sure. Not AS welcome, I’d say, but it happens all the time and everyone is fine with it. Especially if you play something that isn’t straight ahead - like if youve prepared a more Latin or fusion tune to play
Aimee Nolte Music => "What to do before you speak!" To realise not everybody has the English language as their mother-language. To realise YOU should to start to "articolate" your words..... in order the viewers/listeners can UNDERSTAND what you want to tell/ to teach them.
Sincere apologies
@@AimeeNolte Thanks for your message and understanding!
Okay. So In a big band jazz band you read your charts but in a jazz jam you don't? Why is that? What is the difference. Also, and I think most importantly then is - what method do you use to memorize your charts then? (I deleted my original question because I felt vulnerable asking it but you answered it somehow and I got a notification so I'm reposting and adding to the question and just being even more vulnerable so.. yay!)
With a big band, everything is written. Do you have to play the exact note. At a jam, you just have to play the melody, and then improvise. It’s the improvising. You don’t want to be reading while you’re supposed to be playing from your heart. Keep searching my channel. I have lots of videos about these kinds of things.
@@AimeeNolte Yep.. I've been hitting your channel pretty hard. Lots more to go through. I guess what I was trying to get as is that it's my assumption that you play the head first then improvise. So why is bringing a chart undesirable in that context I wonder. I'm certainly not arguing with you. I'm a lifelong student and just trying to improve so I'll be working on memorization as well. Thanks Aimee.
People won’t take you as seriously if you aren’t memorized. Of course if it’s an accepting environment, you can get away with it. If it’s more cutthroat tho, knowing the changes by heart will def work in your favor.
@@AimeeNolte Fair enough. I think what is daunting is that there are so many songs! Real books vol 1, 2 and 3... gah... overwhelming.
One problem with certain Guitarists (I double on Guitar sometimes) is when they only know First Position Open Chords. I have encountered Folk-Rock purists (including one from New York City, Bob Dylan and Neal Diamond both spent time in Greenwich Village) that obsessant over those Voicings, I often find them Clunky in many Pop-Rock settings, let alone Jazz.
Anyway, this guy wanted to do "The Way You Look Tonight" and it sounded Terrible. He was able to modulate the Bridge by going from the E-A-D shapes to the G-C-F shapes, but it was still rough. There at many White Baby Boomers who play within these restrictions and consider it the "Correct" way to play chords.
Can anybody help me figure out how to find one of these? I've googled Jazz Jam Session in my area (Boston MA) and stuff like "jazz club" and all I can find are some cafes or whatever that occasionally have live music but not structured like this that I can tell. I know what with Covid everything's probably shut down right around now, but I'd love to get out and see a few of these when it's possible again.
Not that I would do this (if I went to a Jazz jam session, I would jist observe and listen), but what if a singer called out a Blues standard like Call It Stormy Monday? Would that be against the general etiquette of a Jazz jam session?
+Justin Cauble no, that would be fine. Maybe just one a night...but that would be just fine.