Jam Sessions - A Basic Guide For New Players by Rob Scheps

(As contributed to The Note, Summer/Fall 2020)

When going to a jam session in a club or at a school... what do you do if they call a tune you don’t know? Unless you have a wealth of experience, I’d recommend SITTING DOWN. Don’t be so arrogant or ignorant that you get up there and hack away at a tune you don’t know. Better etiquette and musicality would dictate that going home and learning said tune for next time is the best method to deal with this.

That said, if there is some flexibility at the session, you could request that they play another tune. It’s often unsaid, but it seems that if you say no to the first two tunes called, it would behoove you to know the third one!

There is no shame in saying, “I don’t really know this tune, so I’ll sit this one out.” Rather than shaming you for not knowing the tune, you are actually being more mature and musical by doing this.

Etiquette for jam sessions: A few helpful hints Sign the list if there is one, then wait your turn.

If there’s no list, try to introduce yourself to the leader at an opportune moment.

Just say who you are, your instrument, and that you’d like to play if it’s cool. Don’t go onstage until you’re called up.

When you do get up there, don’t call obscure tunes that nobody knows. It’s ok to call things like “Nica’s Dream” or “All The Things You Are.” It is NOT ok to call “The Brain” by Chick Corea or “Applejackin” by Herbie Nichols. The spirit of the session is to find some common ground and play tunes that most or all of the participants know. Use common sense here!

Conversely, if you are not the one calling the tune, try to go along amiably if it’s a tune you know and can play reasonably well. If you don’t know it, you have three options:

1) Say, “Can we play different tune?”

2) Stay and hang - play the tune if you think you can reasonably get through it without disrespecting the music.

3) Say, “It’s cool, I’ll sit this one out.”

Don’t take too many choruses. If you do, you can be perceived as either young or selfish, or maybe both! An unsaid axiom of jam sessions is, “Don’t play too long!” You aren’t John Coltrane on “Live in Seattle,” you don’t get a 30 minute solo. It’s inconsiderate, and you don’t have that much to say! When you are conscientious about how long you play, you’re showing consideration to the other musicians and the audience, as well as being musical to boot.

Some folks find it helpful to take a list of tunes they know to a session, whether it’s paper in your pocket or a list on your phone. For those who freeze up and can’t remember what tunes to call at the actual session, this can be a big help. Glance at it when trying to think of what to call. A simple list can be a helpful tool in the heat of the moment.

Here’s an unwritten rule: After you’ve played two tunes, thank the other cats and leave the stage voluntarily. By doing this, you’re letting them know you’re not greedy and don’t expect to play all night. Only stay on the bandstand longer than two tunes if they ASK you to. This can go a long way in keeping things nice for all the cats who are jockeying to get up there too. It also shows you to be a reasonable, mature musician who is considerate.

This tip can help you learn more tunes: Make a list of the tunes played at the session that you DIDN’T know. Take it home and learn those tunes for next time. We can grow from observing what tunes get called.

Another unwritten rule: A session at a club requires the deference and flexibility outlined above. However, a private jam at someone’s house or at the Musician’s Union has looser parameters. You might be able to experiment, play a bit longer, or even bring some tunes that are uncommon to play. Finally, depending on the cats you’re playing with, you might even be able to bring and play some original compositions. Try to analyze each situation as well as you can to make these determinations.

A final caveat about jam sessions: If you get your head handed to you, like you fell apart on a fast “Cherokee,” you hated your solo, or you turned the time around, don’t despair. The best approach is always: go home; lick your wounds; work on the stuff that tripped you up; get back on the horse. Charlie Parker did it, as well as many others. It takes some courage but this attitude will serve you well as you learn and grow.

For more information about Rob Scheps, visit his website at robschepsmusic.com Also, check out his newest recording, Comencio, available on amazon.com from Steeple Chase Records.