Total no0b question: how does jamming work?

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So… I’ve just completed module 12 in B2B and I’ve gotten a little bit confident: I’m starting to feel like know a couple things about the instrument. I’ve been invited to jam someone I know socially (another dad in my kid’s circle) who has been playing for decades and been in a number of bands. I’m self-conscious and don’t want to embarrass myself and don’t really know what to expect.

Should I ask ahead if he wants to try and play Smells Like Teen Spirit or Don’t Stop Believing? Should I offer to lay down some roots and fifths in C so he can improvise a max bass-face solo in the high registers?

Is it possible I’m overthinking this and should just show up with an open mind, a few pedals, a bass, and an amp?

For additional difficulty: we both play bass. (I own a guitar and can form some chords and he’s got some recently acquired electronic drums). The folks over at SBL seem to enjoy playing bass together and my friend has a 6-string so there’s a few more notes in play than there might otherwise be.

So anyway… what’s it like to jam?

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It’s like walking in to a dark haunted mansion for the first time and things are popping up and out to scare you. :joy:

Nah! Just learn the song and play, enjoy yourself.

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Yes, it is.

Jamming is a place for fun and exploration. It’s an opportunity for everyone to play and stretch out on a tune. Plus, when there is a better, more experienced player in the group, everybody benefits. It’s the best possible scenario.

Just go into the experience with the aim to do your best, at whatever level you are, and have fun. Chances are you’ll come away with new experiences, inspiration and a big ol’ grin.

Really, don’t hesitate or try to pre-game anything. Just show up with an open mind and heart.

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I’ll throw this out there, even though two bass players isn’t one of the scenarios covered

You have a guitar and sort of know how to play it and he has a drum set so it seems like anything could happen. Just go with the flow and try to have fun.

And playing with other people really is a lot of fun.

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This is such a good question, and this is such an absolutely 100% of the time experience when new players are walking into their first jam.
Thanks for asking, and I fully get this.

Jamming is a real generic term, and most people - especially people who are just playing for fun - will use it to mean: “do you want to hang out with musical instruments and maybe play something?”

And, usually, the “something” that they want to play isn’t specified, and they might not even know what it is.
Asking for a song that they want to play is a great place to start.
Learning a 12 bar blues form is another great place to start.
Any solid ideas you can get together so that there is a known and clear musical thing to play together will make the jam better.

Sometimes the “something” that they want to play is just noodly, meandering stuff that is made up on the spot. This would usually revolve around one key, one chord, and one basic groove, and everyone would take turns playing different ideas/melodies while the basic 1 chord jam continues.

If you’re dealing with more experienced players, or specific genres, or a participatory performance at a venue like “Tonight - Pro Jam!” or “Jazz Jam every Thursday” then it’s a different scenario, and people will expect you to know the commonly known songs of the genre, probably will expect you to be able to read a chord chart, and will expect you to be able to jump into a band scenario and keep up.

When a friend invites you to jam, it is almost always always always a social call more than a music call. There’s usually more talking than playing, and it’s a nice, musical hang.

But! When it does get to the musical parts - having an idea of things they’d like to play (or if they prefer the 1 chord funk jam approach) will do a lot for your peace of mind!

I’d love to know how it goes - if you guys get together, please do report back!

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It’s nothing more than friends getting together with guitars and playing stuff. Noone is really expected to know anything, unless someone has asked you to bone up on a certain song beforehand.

Roll in, throw your ax one and play whatcha know.

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Totally remember so long ago jamming for the 1st time…scary as heck, embarrassing 100% and in a couple months playing on stage for the 1st time…priceless. Enjoy the ride…jam to your hearts desires…have fun!

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@Gio lays out the variety of hierarchal jamming scenarios, from the casual to the much more sophisticated, musically.

Sounds like yours is a get-together jam between buds: no expectations but to hang and have a good time.

That said, all you gotta do is bring your axe, a positive attitude, and the will to pick up a few tips and tricks along the way. The rest will take care of itself.

So just relax and have a blast! :+1:

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Bust out Billy Jean of course :rofl:

I haven’t had a social jam, but I did have some guitar lessons a few years ago and I wanted to learn how to improvise. After giving me some tips and a starting note, the teacher just told me to start playing something and he would join in. I was super nervous, but he just played some chords to whatever I was playing. I didn’t stray too far from “home”, but allowed myself to start experimenting. The teacher gave a few words of encouragement as I played and it was a nerve racking, yet simultaniously enjoyable experience. It wasn’t long before I started feeling comfortable.

Someone with that amount of experience is likely to be very similar and just compliment what’s within your reach.

Good luck and enjoy.

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You should ask your friend what they have in mind.

It’s fine to be honest and say, “I’m a newb who has never jammed before and don’t know what to expect.” Or you can ask something like, “Should I prepare anything? Particular songs? 12-bar blues? 1-4-5 reggae?”

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You jest, but Billie Jean is a good one to have up your sleeve an people will try to join in.
Another good one which surprised me is Cocaine. Nice and simple but is seems everyone knows it or at least how it goes

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JJ Cale was a great singer/songwriter. His melodies and lyrics are simple but always tasteful and artfully done. Plus, they’re fun and easy to play.

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It’s a great song, but gets so much press in this forum, I couldn’t resist.

Definitely worth having some classics in your bag of tricks.

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Incidentally: Billie Jean was really good set up for Groove is in the Heart which alternates between two patterns, the first of which is similar to Billie Jean with a string jump between two notes played on the index finger.

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As others have said, “a friendly jam” is often understood there are skill and experience differences.

Just communicate what you know how to play, what you’ve been working on, etc. Someone may be able to teach you a new song right away, at least enough that you can play along on your bass.

It’s really cool when you can use skills you are super comfortable with to just actually stay in time. If they push you to play the song as it’s originally played etc don’t be afraid to say “hey it’s tripping me up to do all this”

Just my advice, and never turn down a jam if your interested in it!

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Everything is learning :slight_smile:

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Do you know the band’s book? If you have enough confidence (you don’t need tons) in yourself then go for for it. Is it going to be perfect? Nope, but do not let that dissuade you. Just give it an honest effort and you may surprise yourself—pleasantly. You don’t catch fish without putting the hook in the water.

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Back before I really knew much about bass my buddy who played guitar would come over and strum over 3 chords while I murdered my instrument. We sung inappropriate lyrics while drinking cheep beer. It was a lot of fun.

Now that I can play a little more if probably try to see what songs they know and learn them a little before hand.

If I was going to improvise I think I’d want to play with someone who was better than me. Let them lay down something for me to play over.

I need some more nonsense in my playing. Learning songs is a lot of fun but I have to learn fast so it’s also a drag at times.

I like to make room in practice for:
-Fun
-Technique
-Songs

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