Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

At The Back => Time Out => Topic started by: Twinfan on March 15, 2011, 09:10:28 AM

Title: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: Twinfan on March 15, 2011, 09:10:28 AM
...which was interesting!

I went with my non-'DC band and we played three tracks fairly early on.  Our drummer stayed on with the next two guys, our bass player joined another duo and our singer sang with them.  I also got up a second time to sing on "Dani California" and finished off with rhythm guitar on "Sweet Home Alabama".

It was a good laugh, with some good musicians, but the last band up were awful.  Unbelieveably awful.  They played Radiohead's "Creep" in several different keys and time signatures simultaneously  :roll:  I feel really bad about it, but I had to go outside as I couldn't listen to them  :oops:

We really enjoyed the social aspect of it though, so I think we'll go back.  Does anyone else go to this sort of thing?  I think Shobet and Matt77 do?
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: JDC on March 15, 2011, 10:00:10 AM
There is one round mine I go a few times, always been meaning to learn a song and give it a go but never do, any recommendations for songs I should learn?

I go more because my mates are there than the music to be honest
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: Twinfan on March 15, 2011, 10:22:10 AM
Something simple and well known that the audience will like is your best bet.  No point trying to flash with an obscure song for the sake of it...
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: JDC on March 15, 2011, 10:48:08 AM
Aye that's pretty much why I ain't got round to learning a song, I'd start learning one and get distracted with riff ideas and generic widdling
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: Lezard on March 15, 2011, 11:19:54 AM
I'm hoping to head to my first later in the month.
they give a list of the 2 or three progressions that they'll be focusing on which is really handy, wouldn't like going in blind.
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: Ian Price on March 15, 2011, 12:23:14 PM
Never been to one before but very definitely up for it if I ever was to find one near by. My choice of song to play would either be Sweet Home Alabama or Message in a Bottle.  The two songs I am most comfortable playing that are very well known.

My old band used to do a cover of Creep. I must say that I thought it was really rather good!
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: nfe on March 15, 2011, 12:23:34 PM
Most of my learning guitar I did at jam nights getting flung in at the deep end, turning up, being introduced to a few folks then getting asked up, hit with song you go know and "It starts on A, I'll shout you changes, go!" :lol:

Does wonders for your playing.
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: Brow on March 15, 2011, 12:41:10 PM
I'm keeping my eyes open for something similar to this in my area, but I can't find anything without travelling 15miles into Nottingham and that ain't happening as it's a nightmare for driving through
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: Matt77 on March 15, 2011, 07:20:49 PM
It's bound to be worth the drive!
Shobet and I go now and again.
We are due to do it again so we have started practicing again
Dave, when it comes around again, you're not invited on account of stealing our set list and playing it better than us!

Actually out of interest, did you play in Sale or Withington or elsewhere?
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: 38thBeatle on March 15, 2011, 07:27:04 PM
I've done my first solo acoustic open mic nights recently and had a great time. I have only ever once done a solo acoustic gig years ago ( when the other member of the due had a break down in his car ) but this was entirely new for me.
I enjoyed myself and the other participants were very nice and we all got on famously. I ended up getting asked to play bass for some of the others. Certainly going to do it again.
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: Twinfan on March 15, 2011, 07:30:51 PM
Altrincham mate!
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: Brow on March 15, 2011, 11:24:46 PM
It's bound to be worth the drive!

In theory yeah, but the price of fuel pretty much means I only use my car when I need to  :?

Could go on the bus I guess and add 2 hours onto my night!  :lol:
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: Frank on March 15, 2011, 11:28:24 PM
I used to do open mics all the time when I lived up in Newcastle, kind of got out of the habit now. There's one last wednesday of the month at the Baker's Vaults Stockport that I keep meaning to get to, heard good reports from that one so I might wander over and see what it's like.
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: Matt77 on March 16, 2011, 11:15:36 PM
I'd be there if I was local in the week.
I live a mile away from the Bakers at the weekend, but I'm living it up in Hull in the week at the moment
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: Frank on March 17, 2011, 09:20:19 AM
Well that's a coincidence, I live about a mile from the Bakers too.

*Stockport high fives*
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: _tom_ on March 17, 2011, 09:33:18 AM
I don't really like jam nights. The ones I've been to seem to all be about showing off and "one-upsmanship". Not saying they're all like this but it's the feeling I get so tend to steer clear. Wondering if it'd be a good way to meet some new musicians and find a band though.
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: Frank on March 17, 2011, 09:54:09 AM
You get showoffs and oneupmanship any time a group of musos get together. Usually the showy players are the ones that get ignored while the ones that can actually play a song or jam with other musicians are the ones that end up getting asked up on stage every time.

I'm going to get back into the open mic thing, it's a good way to get out and play without the hassle of forming a band and (shudder) rehearsing.
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: shobet on March 17, 2011, 06:34:53 PM
Yeah, I started going as way of trying to improve my playing and ear. By the time I've got enough courage, I'm usually too pissed!
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: Matt77 on March 17, 2011, 11:14:43 PM
Well that's a coincidence, I live about a mile from the Bakers too.

*Stockport high fives*

yay Stockport!
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: nfe on March 18, 2011, 12:51:58 AM
I don't really like jam nights. The ones I've been to seem to all be about showing off and "one-upsmanship". Not saying they're all like this but it's the feeling I get so tend to steer clear. Wondering if it'd be a good way to meet some new musicians and find a band though.

I think this is probably true of Open Mic Nights, which seems to be what everyone is talking about, but generally jam nights, by their very nature, are the opposite. People getting up to play with people they've possibly never met to jam tunes for fun, not coming with their band to play some songs to try and impress people.
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: Johnny Mac on March 23, 2011, 11:49:55 AM
I did a lot years ago. The last one I went to was in Leyton E London. There were some very good players there. It was all blues so it was easy enough to play along with everyone. I remember my ring finger freeze up with nerves!  Some of the slide players there are amazing. Even the simple licks, the tone and phrasing were giving me the shivers! I should do some more.
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: MrBump on March 23, 2011, 12:52:59 PM
Oooh... A BKP themed jam night... Everyone descend upon an unsuspecting pub out in the wilds somewhere...

:)
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: JJretroTONEGOD on March 23, 2011, 04:17:41 PM
I remember being constantly asked to go to a jam night by friends when at leeds university, I never went once...
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: JJretroTONEGOD on March 23, 2011, 04:19:23 PM
I don't really like jam nights. The ones I've been to seem to all be about showing off and "one-upsmanship". Not saying they're all like this but it's the feeling I get so tend to steer clear. Wondering if it'd be a good way to meet some new musicians and find a band though.

+1 that's the same reason I hated them too, it attracts the biggest bigheads ever know to humanity
Title: Re: Did my first "Jam Night" last night...
Post by: sgmypod on April 20, 2011, 09:44:48 AM
Have to do one in Hull Matt77, have beer or two as well