Starting jams sessions can be frustrating for several reasons... one of the biggest issues that I encountered years ago was the different expectations of the participants... even though people want to play, they have different aspirations and tastes in tunes.... what really helps is having backup... my preference is piano... but that doesn't work well with old timey tunes, Texas style tunes, and some others... if you are playing contra dance tunes then a good piano is essential in keeping things together.... you may just have to ask the people what they want or tell them what you expect...

Play Happy

Swing

Hi Heidi, I don't know all the details about your jam but, from what I can gather from your post, perhaps you are being too ambitious for right now. Rhythmic subtleties that you must explain to the group (or that you group doesn't even understand), crooked tunes, a beginning leader and folks who don't know jam dynamics...that's way too much! My suggestion, if you're struggling, is to start with simple songs and find the joy in learning to play together. As the group, and your leadership develops, you can introduce complexity.

Above all, don't be discouraged. I've been jamming regularly with the same rotating cast of ne'er-do-wells for close to fifteen years, ever Tuesday night. And we still have issues with "listening to each other," and issues with timing, and jambusting, etc..., it's the nature of the beast. But it's sill a lot of fun and, every once in a while, it all clicks and it's magic.

Even otherwise capable musicians seem to have a hard time hearing a fiddlers rhythm. It doesn't hit you like a hammer. That said, it also seems like a jam needs a fairly capable yet modest/humble core. Maybe a pair or two. Bad timing is a hard row to hoe. Try not to confuse ignorance or physical impairments with malice. I know there're knuckleheads out there. Try to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Thanks for this.. when everyone is "in sync" the groove is the thing that gives me the high and I tend to crave and chase.

I think I have to learn to accept it's not always gonna happen or maybe it's rarely gonna happen. When it does, savor it like there's no tomorrow.

Maybe I have to find ways of cultivating with others as if they've maybe not experienced themselves in a way that's encouraging. When there's a decent guitar player it helps a great deal, but it doesn't fix the problem for those who aren't "tuning" in. I think I make the problem worse if I respond by fiddling louder than I normally would, throwing in more drones and double stops than I might have wanted to in places I would ordinarily avoid as a matter of personal preference. I did that a few times yesterday, and the experience wasn't quite to my liking. It's good to know other peoples'experiences and how they deal with these issues.

If you are hosting the jam (your "creation") and you have a vision of what you want it to be - make sure that vision is clearly communicated. You don't need to apologize for letting folks know what you are wanting to do and why. Invite folks that want to play something different to talk about wht they want to play and offer to help them by promoting a separate jam they might want to start - so they can pursue their expectations.

I would suggest that you generate a playlist of tunes that you want to be used as source material for the tunes you want to play at the jam. Send the list out in an email to everyone that wants to attend your jam - with links to YouTube videos of those tunes and the versions you want to focus on.

Use the opportunity to point out things about the tune - and that particular version - that inspires you to want to play it. Drop hints about things like the rhythm patterns that make it "old time" or unique, verses other styles - and why that should be the focus of everyone's effort. And other "things" you think need to be communicated.

After a while, when folks are comfortable and inspired, invite the participants to share tunes they like - that are in the same "vein". Tell them to send out a group email with a link to the tune.

When it makes sense - play those recordings during the jam for folks to hear and discuss - before or after the group plays the tune. "This is the part I like best... why this version is my favorite... why I wanted to learn it..." Ask if they agree - engage them so they will want to own it too.

After a while - none of that will be necessary. The group will have a repertoire of tunes they are all familiar with, and they will have learned to play those tunes as a group - because they like it.

And if they think all of that is kind of "hokie" - that's great. It means you will have communicated your passion and desire. Your persistence and consistency will convince them you are serious about it and are willing to be a bit "hokie" - if that is what it takes.

IMO - the real satisfaction of playing tunes is not necessarily the tunes themselves, but learning to create the magic of playing those tunes together with a common shared focus.

The danger: You may find that very few (if any) are really wanting to play those tunes you are wanting to play.  But - nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Sometimes the leader is nothing more than a successful salesperson - are they buying what you are offering?

Such good ideas here!
A good foundation backing player (guitar?) to glue it together, developing/finding a core group of regulars who are willing to come regularly & learn the tunes , a beginning playlist which is added to democratically by members of the group...

If they are struggling with groove/rhythm you could try playing the tune once through (or playing recording of tune) before encouraging everybody to play? (I know that for me, hearing 1 playing through of the tune is worth 1000 words LOL)

The ability to listen to others while playing (and adjust your playing on the fly) is a fairly advanced musical skill and it may take some time for members of your jam to learn to do that! So I also agree with starting out with simpler/basic/common tunes as the jam gets launched. That way their brain is less occupied by notes/fingers/technical and they will have more brainwidth to listen to the other players.

On the group "high"...I know what you mean!! I found that this happens more when people know each other well, feel relaxed and can kind of "let down their hair"...a friendly comfortable relaxed vibe... promoting a vibe like that for your jam (not just here for music, also to kick back, have fun together) helps with that mysterious magical thing...?

Kudos to you for starting a jam!
I could never do it, I admire you!

I have started jams with at least one other person i enjoy playing with, but never lead them. i just think if folk turn up it is a bonus. And when i call a tune i had better know it well enough to play through the inevitable and well intentioned mistakes. Eventually things come together, or go pear shaped. i was happy to just sit and have a beer anyway. Some of these jams lasted years. And i made some good friends and met other great players, and got invited to their jams/events also.....Good times.

I hosted a Bluegrass Jam for 4 straight years at the Blueside in Frederick Md and we averaged 20 people every week.
I witnessed a lot of bad talking during the jams at other people, people having full on conversations during the jam. Musicians that is...not the crowd. People would try and cut in line to lead a song but I kept it fair. I also kept it simple. When songs were brought up, and the majority did not know, I'd suggest something else or would at least encourage it. Heck, we were all there so often that we'd play a lot of the same tunes EVERY week...lol
There were many times that I considered having the most experienced end the night. Usually, the best pickers stayed after and would jam acoustic. I ran mine on a stage with One mic. I had to put tape on the floor so people knew not to get too close. This worked very well.
It was cut throat many times and let me tell ya, I miss it but I don't miss the drama or being the "Host"
When Covid started, that ended the jam and I haven't been back. They started up after a year I bet.
That's when I decided to invite pickers over to my house...hence the reason we have a pretty steady thing with FrankCo Penn.
For the fact that I wanted to pick in a circle without distractions. These guys are pro though.
I had a great time hosting all those years and would love to go back.

I've been to 2 jams now on the fiddle and I know to stay in the back...way in the back...not everyone gets that.

quote:

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Originally posted by Erockin

I hosted a Bluegrass Jam for 4 straight years at the Blueside in Frederick Md and we averaged 20 people every week.
I witnessed a lot of bad talking during the jams at other people, people having full on conversations during the jam. Musicians that is...not the crowd. People would try and cut in line to lead a song but I kept it fair. I also kept it simple. When songs were brought up, and the majority did not know, I'd suggest something else or would at least encourage it. Heck, we were all there so often that we'd play a lot of the same tunes EVERY week...lol
There were many times that I considered having the most experienced end the night. Usually, the best pickers stayed after and would jam acoustic. I ran mine on a stage with One mic. I had to put tape on the floor so people knew not to get too close. This worked very well.
It was cut throat many times and let me tell ya, I miss it but I don't miss the drama or being the "Host"
When Covid started, that ended the jam and I haven't been back. They started up after a year I bet.
That's when I decided to invite pickers over to my house...hence the reason we have a pretty steady thing with FrankCo Penn.
For the fact that I wanted to pick in a circle without distractions. These guys are pro though.
I had a great time hosting all those years and would love to go back.

I've been to 2 jams now on the fiddle and I know to stay in the back...way in the back...not everyone gets that.

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Hi Eric, do you mean to say that there were 20 people jamming at the same time?  If so, that sounds like a nightmare to me!   Most of my jams are more like the living room variety you describe later.  There's a hot jam that happens once a month at a local pub near my house.  I'll go but, if there's a big crowd, or if there are especially hot pickers there, I'll just sit at the bar, have a hard cider, and listen instead of playing. 

Oh....yes...20 at a time...lol.

20 folk and a line on the floor to control them... That sounds like a good session to me! I was usually put in my place with the lifting of a disapproving eyebrow.

I don't think old time shares the hornpipe subtitles that traditional Irish music has, so unless you're hosting an Irish session, I'd skip that education.

I hosted a jam before covid and it was pretty consistently together. Only a couple of times did someone come who didn't quite fit in.

When jamming with Friends regularly, there will always be problems of some sort.. However if you want to focus on Music.. pick and choose who you invite. No need to invite people who don't fit it well musically to every jam. You can invite them the Next time.. That is the route I've taken. Sometimes everybody is invited and sometimes just those of us who play tight.. (no, not alcohol 'tight', musically tight)...

Play in D. Standard tuning. It's a place probably everybody is comfortable with.
Try a straight, non-crooked tune everybody who plays fiddle probably knows already, like Soldier's Joy. Or maybe Battle Hymn of the Republic.
Do it over and over again at a steady, moderate tempo.
When you notice fatigue setting in with the jammers, raise your foot/leg and proclaim "Last verse!"