Jam sessions are an excellent way for drummers to learn from each other and hone their skills, but they can also be a source of frustration if the session isn’t run properly. To ensure that everyone has a good time, here are some essential tips on jam session etiquette for drummers.
From sharing solos to knowing when to stop playing, this guide will help you make sure your jam sessions are fun and productive.
What Are the Rules for Jam Session?
If you are looking to participate in a jam session on drums, there are a few rules to keep in mind:
- Make sure that everyone’s instrument volume is balanced and that the mix doesn’t drown out any single piece of the puzzle.
- Listen to the players around you and be conscious of how each sound interacts with one another.
- Try not to solo too much and stay within the general groove of the music.
Following these simple tips can provide a smooth and enjoyable experience for all jam session participants and help create an environment conducive to collaborative improvisation.
And if you’re still looking for tips on jam session etiquette, be sure to consult with your drum teacher. They’ll be able to give you the best advice for how to make the most of this opportunity, plus you’ll learn cool tricks and strategies like the ones you see in the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1GHGg7KB6E
How Do You Prepare for a Jam Session?
Are you ready to rock out? Well, if you’re a drummer and planning to attend a jam session, then you need to be prepared! Whether the jam session is your first or your hundredth, it pays to know what to expect so here’s our drumming playbook on preparing for the big event.
Have Your Gear Ready
The most important thing when attending any jam session is that your gear is in order. This means making sure all your drums are tuned properly and that you have enough cymbals and other percussion instruments to make it through the set. But don’t forget about the extra stuff like drumsticks, beaters, and mallets! If you don’t have them with you, the jam session could come to an abrupt halt.
Know What Styles You’re Playing
Jam sessions are often spontaneous events but even so, it pays to know what type of music will be played. If the jam session has been planned ahead of time then this shouldn’t be too hard since everyone attending should know what styles they’ll be playing.
Even if you don’t know every tune by heart, familiarizing yourself with some of the more commonly played songs can help give you an idea of what style of music will be performed during the jam session.
Knowing this beforehand will also help you prepare better and make sure that your drumming skills are up-to-date for whatever material may come up during the session. And don’t worry – we will give you some tips on how to prepare for a jam session that’s in the jazz and bluegrass styles below in this post!
Be Ready To Improvise
One of the great things about playing at a jam session is that it allows for improvisation. As a drummer, this means being able to create beats on the fly as well as reacting quickly to changes in tempo or dynamics from other musicians in attendance.
To do this successfully requires practice and preparation so make sure that before going into any jam session you’ve taken some time out beforehand to sharpen your improvisational skills. It also doesn’t hurt if you can play along with backing tracks either as this can help get your groove going faster than if someone had just started playing without warning.
Jam Session Rules and Etiquette to Know
Most musicians know the importance of setting goals and the idea of deliberate practice. But we’ll let you in on a secret: letting loose every now and then can actually be beneficial! Although it may seem counter-intuitive, getting together with a group and just “jamming,” without a true agenda or goal, is a great way to work on your improvisation skills. However, that freedom can be a little scary for first-timers.
And as this Drum Magazine interview with New Orleans jazz veteran Terence Higgins points out, for drummers it can be especially daunting – after all, you’re the one holding the beat together. The ability to keep the tempo constant and improvise as you go is a skill that all drummers should work on, and jamming is a great way to get some extra “fun” practicing in!
The article also points Higgins’s rules of etiquette, which we agree are important to keep in mind. Here are the comments that we think especially hit the mark:
1. Listen Closely
“You need to be cohesive with the whole to make the best musical statement possible. Music is a language — if you study music and listen to a lot of different stuff you can almost kind of figure out what to play even if you’ve never ‘spoken’ to a particular group of musicians before. I focus in on whoever’s soloing — whether it’s a sax player or keyboard player — and change what I’m doing texturally to complement that player’s unique sound. It gives every soloist a different atmosphere. I try to build the tension as they’re building it and release it at the same time.”
2. Make Eye Contact, Read Body Language, Be Vocal
“The worst thing is to play with musicians who don’t ever look at you — especially within the rhythm section. If we’re not making eye contact and sharing body motion when we’re playing, I feel disconnected. When something really cool is happening between me and another musician you might hear me go ‘Woo!’ or ‘Yeah!’ By showing my excitement for what they’re playing, we’re locking in and it’s feeling good. Then everybody’s grooving.”
3. Develop Your “Sixth Sense”
“Warren [Haynes] can look at me and I automatically know what to do. I don’t know how we know it, but we know. There’s a look that means we’re about to do something different. It’s amazing. That just comes from playing and listening, developing your ear. A lot of young drummers think they can just buy some DVDs and cop everything off of them, but the only way you get a feeling for anticipation is by playing with other musicians. That’s how you grow, by playing different styles of music in different situations.”
For more of Higgins’s interview, continue reading the article at DrumMagazine.com.
Jazz Jam Session Etiquette
A jazz jam session is a great way to let loose and make some music with other jazz aficionados. You can get creative, take some risks, and make some beautiful music with your fellow musicians. But it’s not just about playing whatever you want. There are some unwritten rules of etiquette that all participants should follow to ensure everyone has a great time.
Nobody likes an overstayer! When it comes to jam sessions, it’s important for participants to know when their set is up and give another musician a chance to take their place on the stage. It’s also important not to monopolize the mic or the stage; after all, everyone participating in the jam session came there with something special they wanted to contribute.
One of the biggest no-nos when it comes to jazz jam sessions is tuning up during someone else’s performance. This can be incredibly disruptive and disrespectful, so make sure you’re fully tuned up before you jump on stage. It’s also a good idea to bring extra strings and picks just in case something breaks mid-performance.
Jam sessions are all about having fun, but they’re still serious performances that require preparation and practice. Showing up late or unprepared is never acceptable—it shows disrespect for your fellow musicians and will disrupt the flow of the show. So make sure you bring your best material and be ready for anything!
Bluegrass Jam Session Etiquette
Ahhh, the beauty of a good ol’ bluegrass jam session. There is nothing quite like it. Whether you are an experienced musician or just starting out, these sessions bring people of all skill levels together to share their love and passion for music. But if you want your jam session to go off without a hitch, it is important to familiarize yourself with the etiquette that comes along with it.
Above all else, respect is key when participating in a bluegrass jam session. Be respectful of the other musicians and their playing styles—even if you don’t agree with them. This means no talking over each other or cutting each other off while someone is playing. Everyone has something valuable to contribute and should be given equal opportunity to be heard.
One of the greatest challenges for any musician during a jam session is making sure the volume levels are balanced so that everyone can hear each other clearly without overpowering one another. It is important for the musicians participating in the jam to be aware of their volume levels and make adjustments as needed so that everyone can get an accurate representation of what they sound like as a whole unit without anyone getting overwhelmed by too much noise.
It’s always exciting when it’s your turn to play a solo or show off your skills during a jam session but remember that it’s not about showcasing individual talent—it’s about creating great music as a group! So, while there may be times when you feel like taking control of the song, try not to hog all the spotlight—this will ensure everyone gets their chance to shine!
Ask Your Drum Instructor for Jam Session Tips!
Jam sessions are an amazing way for drummers of all levels to learn from each other and have fun while doing it—but only if they follow good etiquette!
Sharing solos, knowing when to stop playing, and practicing good listening skills can go a long way towards ensuring that everyone has an enjoyable time at jams while still honing their craft as musicians.
With these tips in mind, drummers should have no problem getting into a groove—and staying there! And if you’re still not sure what you should be doing at your jam session, don’t be afraid to ask your drum instructor for advice and pointers. There’s no shame in asking questions!
Drummers, what do you think? What have you learned in your jam sessions? What works and what doesn’t? Leave a comment below or stop by our Facebook page to join the discussion! Like these posts? Sign up to receive updates right to your inbox! Click here to subscribe.
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Suzy S.