I'm not surprised you'd host a welcoming jams, judging from what I know of you here. I think I'm like that too. I have weekly jams here in the shop, and I'm just trying to encourage people to play. A lot of times it's a pretty amateur scene but if I can just have one or two folks that keep good time it works out. When that doesn't happen it can be a bit of a slog.

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Originally posted by Brian Wood

I'm not surprised you'd host a welcoming jams, judging from what I know of you here. I think I'm like that too. I have weekly jams here in the shop, and I'm just trying to encourage people to play. A lot of times it's a pretty amateur scene but if I can just have one or two folks that keep good time it works out. When that doesn't happen it can be a bit of a slog.

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I'm SO pleased to hear that you do that..!  Those beginners will never forget you..!

Indeed, if the player can keep time and tune their instrument there is hope for future good music and reason to be patient and help out. If otherwise it can become a bit of a stumble. We all had to start, and we all still learn. Play on friends.

Seems to me jam etiquette has changed since I first started. Back in the day, there was the inner circle, with folks like Andy Statman, Kenny Kosek, Bill Keith and so forth in that circle. Then you had talented amatures in the next circle out. Then there was the Outer Circle of Hell, where the rank beginners were ( that was me). These days, raw newbies feel comfortable jumping right in the circle, and displaying their newbie-ness. Its disrespectful and tends to make the good players stop coming, since jams turn into group music lessons, or worse, a cacophony of jumbled sound. Maybe its just me getting older.

Now, you kids get off my lawn.

The “cure” for it is when experienced players start stringing together sets of fast, lesser-known reels…very inhibiting effect on the beginners, and they tend not to be back…but I don’t like it when they do this.

My favorite session has a blend of levels…friendly vibe, with polite beginners who will be asked to start a set of tunes occasionally and experienced players who will play common tunes at a reasonable space (while taking off into the stratosphere once In a while, which keeps things inspiring and feels like you’re at a private concert :-) So we have everybody from people who gig, to first-year whistle. To me this is the “Goldilocks” for an open session. Cuz friends don’t ruin other friends’ music…. LOL.

LOve that you ran welcoming jams, Lee, and I am sure that both you and your jams are missed!!