A new student joined our studio this week. After his initial meeting, he signed up for a package of private lessons so he can start learning piano. We’re offering a special summer deal where jam classes are included in his tuition, so I told him about how our jam sessions work. But- he felt very strongly that he wouldn’t want to jam.
Some of our adult students feel the same way- until they come to jam the first time! Our business is called Tune Up and Jam ATX. Both Andrew and I (and our kids too) learned to play music and honed our abilities by jamming. So… what exactly is a jam session?
I would preface this by saying that jam sessions can take many forms- I’ve seen them be:
1.an open mic
2. a giant circle with everyone accompanying 1 lead player
3. a group where only 2-3 play at a time
4. 3-5 crazy talented musicians taking turns improvising on a jazz tune for 15 minutes
5. a couple songwriters exchanging songs and talking about the writing process
6. a small group of people playing together, teaching each other new tunes and honing their musical chops
Jam sessions, no matter what form they take, aren’t for an audience- they are specifically for the musicians who are playing. No need to dress up, smile for the camera, play your most polished, or worry about your gear. It’s a time for musicians to just play music and enjoy doing it!
At our studio, jam sessions are where you really get to try out your developing skills in a safe environment. We sit in a circle. All instruments together. Sometimes the instructor calls the tunes, sometimes the participants get to choose. Everyone plays together, doing their best to change chords on time, play in tune, and keep the rhythm steady. There are always more experienced players to follow. Beginners can jam the first time they walk in- we adapt our tunes to help them through.
The sense of community that comes from playing music with others is unforgettable. Rather than learning an instrument as a solitary endeavor, with only an instructor to correct you, the jam session approach builds camaraderie as new musicians relate to each other in the learning process. Watching more experienced players give tips to the newer members of the jam, encouraging them with smiles of solidarity- this is why we love the jam.
Our jams have 3 rules:
Respect other people’s experience and be kind.
No noodling (don’t make sounds on your instrument between songs, for the sanity of the instructors!)
Keep trying to top your personal best- you are your own competition here. Just try to be better than you were the last time!
-Stay Smiley,
Deanna