A few basic rules of the road can help informal jam participants get fair playing time and enjoy a harmonious, fun experience.

Here are a few procedural guidelines that have proved to be helpful at our Lincoln jams.  (They are called “guidelines” because they are intended to be a flexible framework.)

1.  PLAYLIST:

We play from a playlist chosen by the players’ voting ahead of the jam.  This gives participants a chance to choose the tunes they would like to play and it gives those who want to prepare time to do so.  It also saves valuable playing time at the jam which would otherwise be spent on negotiating what to play next and in what key, etc.

 

2.  TAKING TURNS:

(a) Pianists:

·         Typically, more pianists tend to show up than for any other instrument, and since only one can play at a time the result is they all end up getting too little playing time and go home dissatisfied.

·        To avoid this, we designate pianists for each jam, notified in advance, and rotating from jam to jam.

·        Undesignated pianists who show up do so knowing that they might not get a turn, depending on whether the designated have gotten adequate playing time (usually defined as three 3-tune sets).

·        Pianists rotate every 3-tune set.

·        Unless we have someone present who is willing and able to count in and lead, it is up to the pianist to play a lead-in.

 

(b) Other instruments:

·        No more than 2 of the same instrument to be on stage at the same time. (No playing from off-stage.)

·        If more than 2 players of an instrument show up, they rotate so as to give everyone fair playing time.

·     There is a limit to how many pairs of instruments can be on stage at the same time, e.g. 2 clarinets + 2 banjos is OK, but 2 saxes + 2 trombones + 2 trumpets is not.

 

(c) Vocalists:

We try to slot singers in for up to 3 (non-consecutive) songs, preferably from the playlist.  Because vocalists generally don’t sing in the usual keys, the question of who is going to accompany a singer is worked out beforehand.

 

3. SOLOS:

·        Too many solos per tune means too much repetitive accompanying for others in the band, and too much time waiting for a turn for those sitting out, so we generally keep it down to 4 one-chorus solos per tune.

·       In the absence of a leader, before we begin a tune we decide who the 4 soloists will be and the order of solos.

·        A one-chorus vocal by someone who is not primarily a vocalist may be substituted for one of the solos.

·        Feel free to trade 4’s, 8’s, split solos, extend solos on 12-bar blues, etc

 

4.  GENERAL:

As everyone knows, it is vital to listen to and respect what others are doing.   Without clear communication and co-ordination the result can be a cacophonous clashing of discordant sounds as individuals go off on their own, out of sync with each other, playing conflicting riffs, losing the tempo, soloing out of turn, stepping on each other’s solos, etc.

It helps if players offer feedback between tunes.  If you feel something is wrong, say so, so we can fix it.  (Or, if you prefer, have a one-on-one private word with  an individual player.)   If you feel a tune went well, tell everyone so we can repeat what we were doing.    And praise a soloist for an especially hot solo if you feel like it.   Help foster amicability and mutual respect.  It will come back to you

Most importantly, let’s all have fun!