Delightful. I could listen to you all day. Such complete and useful info. We have many stories of awkward sessions but nailing those one or two memorable moments makes it all worthwhile. You're the best!
Thank you, Rob! What i love about sessions is that everything can happen. It's different every time, with each stage band. That's the nature of jazz. Improvisation!
Great down-to-earth advice! .. might also add - thank fellow jammers when leaving stage : if there's a pianist - maybe don't comp on guitar at all -(unless you're skilled playing alongside piano ) and, don't pack up and leave after your song , stay and applaud the others -no matter how bad :-D We want eveyone to have a great time and come back again.
A great teacher of mine once said "They only remember your last performance. If you sucked, just play again and they`ll remember you as a good player". True words. I sucked many a times and yet have a good reputation, lol.
Sandra, I didn't see you at the jam session at Front Street Tavern on Tuesday, but you must have been there - you describe it perfectly! I'm not quite ready to have my big moment yet, but I'll be sure to watch this again before I do. You do a great job of demystifying things - thanks!!
Sandra, what can I say? Such valuable tips for enthusiast beginners like me.... A great guide also for my practice routines. Don't know how much I can thank you. Love your channel. Keep Jazzing!
I just want to congratulate you for all your good jazz guitar teaching. I'm a saxophonist who's been keen on jazz guitar for a long time but trying to teach myself during spare times. During this COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, I've been checking all kinds of music videos, jazz guitar, in particular. I'm telling you I was glad when I bumped into some of your jazz guitar tuition videos and I said "voila, I've got it" because you also teach chord-melody...I found that very difficult as a self-taught beginner. I just wish you all the best and thank you very much for your kindness. I'm used to jam sessions and I have been performing on saxophone for years in South Africa and the United Kingdom. I think you live in Austria or Australia?
Thank you, Andile ❤️! I'm from Austria, Europe. Make sure to work out your chords first, before diving into chord melody! I recommend you check out my Chords Playlist. Start work the Basic Jazz 7th Chords tutorial. Then go ahead to the Tension Chords. Parallelly you should check out the Rhythm Comping for Beginners tutorial. This will give you a basic understanding, that will make playing the master discipline of Chord Melody so much easier! Good luck and much fun 😊🎶
I would respectfully add 1 thing. If there is one playing, make sure not to clash with the piano/organ player. He/she runs the show. Listen how the pianist plays the turnarounds. If he/she uses minor turns, you solo minor form. If I’m comping and don’t know the pianist I’ve played only 2 notes that I know will be in that chord. Just until you get what he does. He’ll give a nod or a smile then tear it up
Yes, that's a point! I always say pianists have 11 fingers and they use all of them at once 😁. Playing only guide time Voicing is a good thing to do, in a situation like that. Unless it's the pianist who plays the melody, I would disagree though, that he runs the show 😁.
I agree they dont always run the show, however with all 11 fingers they usually control the voicings and tensions on the turnarounds. He/she has a very prominent role in the band. Just saying:-)
Stalk the venue a few times get the vibe, don't get stoned... at least the first time. Interact with the prospects you'll find yourself on stage with. Leave your ego at home, it'll be happier and those around you will appreciate it. Always keep an eye on the drummer those guys are nuts. Don't walk in with the idea of chopping heads everyone will be happier if you go into a situation trying to build and be a part of rather than trying to dominate. Leave the owner's wife or girlfriend alone... nothing good ever came of that. Sandy gave the perfect first few songs to know when stepping out . Lastly, smile you are s'posed to having fun not walking around like your underpants are to tight or you just sucked a lemon.
Haha, your addendum to my list is hilarious. 1. Yes, I can confirm that drummers are nuts 🤪 😁 2. Leave the owners wife alone 😂 3. Don't play stoned Those are some valuable tips there 😊
