Jemfest Activities? - What is a "Jam"?

bob oakman · #1 01-02-2001, 08:46 PM

There is a lot of talk about jamming at Jemfest.

Please... I’m not trying to put a damper on anyone’s enthusiasm, as I hope to see everyone there, but I am hoping that if there is a time for open jamming that it will be somewhat organized and not a free for all. Sorry for my ignorance about this. I was not there last year.

Aside from the guitars and scheduled performances, I am wondering what the format is.

I hope you know what I mean… Like people taking turns instead of all riffin’ at the same time. I hate when that happens. Though it would be fun to irritate the hell out of the staff at some local music store with the stereotypical, disjointed shredage, I think the fest would be more fun with a bit of restraint and planning in the jam department.

I won’t be hurt if I don’t play a single guitar at Jemfest, but I do want to see some of you rip it up. Just touching a real UV77MC will be thrill enough for me. I hope someone brings one… Ken? Eric? Rich? :biggrin:

Rich · #2 01-02-2001, 08:51 PM

I'll have quite a few swirls there

bob oakman · #3 01-02-2001, 08:56 PM

Bless you Rich.

I assume the JS series guitars will have a stronger representation this year as well.

Rich · #4 01-02-2001, 08:58 PM

Depends on what you bring, I'm leaving mine in N.J.

bob oakman · #5 01-02-2001, 09:08 PM

Dude, I only have one to bring.

I’ll show you mine if you’ll show me yours.

jay ratkowski · #6 01-02-2001, 09:26 PM

Bob, I know what you're talking about. *The only reason I was any part of the jam last year was because Kevan forced an RG-ART on me. *:biggrin: *I honestly would rather listen to people play. *I'm always the kid at the guitar store ripping it up with the volume BELOW 1.

kirk · #7 01-02-2001, 11:08 PM

For the first "annual" Jemfest in 1999, there were about 10 guitarists at once, and everyone was very cordial. *

There was no tripping over oneanother. *When someone was done, people would look at one another and then another person would begin. *If two people stepped into the ring at the same time, one would graciously back out.

Everyone checked their egos at the door, it was very nice. *I of course left every scrap of talent somewhere in outerspace, so I didn't play I just listened.

tomizm · #8 01-03-2001, 09:37 AM

For what it's worth, Im trying to talk a buddy into going, and I'll be bringing a JPM.
Im kind of stoked on the idea of going, but I agree with the organized idea.
What if someone shows up who has practiced a certain song for months, and wants to play it, and no other musician around can pull it off. *Very disappointing for them huh?
Should there maybe be a coordinated setlist of sorts? *Nothing real formal because of the logistics, but at least a weak attempt? *How is this normally pulled off?
Do bass players show up too?

rbjammin · #9 01-03-2001, 05:31 PM

I have a cool little progression that would be easy to improvise over. *It's bass, drums and rhythm guitar playing a bluesy-groovy thingy. *I could upload an mp3 for people to download and practice with, then bring a cd to Jemfest with the track repeating itself. *Or, I could write out the music for bass and guitar, and we could play it live.

I offered this once before, and nobody commented. *If there's interest I'll upload it for review and comment.

It would be cool if Rich would demonstrate his guitar setup technique. *I'll gladly volunteer my guitar for that!

**jemsite** · #10 01-03-2001, 05:35 PM

REQUEST - Rich show us fret leveling on one of his Donnies:biggrin:

Rich · #11 01-03-2001, 06:00 PM

I'll be happy to work on YOUR guitars :biggrin: (I know Glen won't be sacrificing any of his for the demo(lition)

) But none of my Donnies need anything at all

kirk · #12 01-03-2001, 08:25 PM

When Gabe and I were faced with this problem while organizing JF2K-1, we decided against organizing the jam. *It was spontaneous, which I believe added to the fun.

Concerning someone practicing a song all year long and wanting to play it - we had Dave Hanbury play/sing his version of a Jimi Hendrix tune. *As a matter of fact I believe that Jeremy Krull may have jammed along. *

Noone had any problems with it. * *

I am not organizing the event, and to be completely honest, I don't know how they handled it at JF2K. *This is just my silly opinion.

bob oakman · #13 01-03-2001, 09:02 PM

Ya’ know Kirk, I think you’re right. We have a good bunch of guys and gals here. I’m sure everyone will be completely groovy. I don’t know what I was thinking.

I guess I was just remembering the guy that always showed up to Jam Night at a club near my house. He would play very loud in the wrong key, wrong tempo and stand with his back to the audience. He would never stop. Even when the other musicians left the stage he remained oblivious.

Nobody wanted to say anything because he was a real nice guy.

I just hope you guys don’t hate me when my UV sounds better than all you’re DNA’s and VWH’s. :sarcasm:

bob

**jemsite** · #14 01-03-2001, 09:10 PM

This has been discussed before, probably on the crashed forum. I'd like to voice my opinion since on this. I've discussed this in passing last week with Gary L & Dave W who attended JF1&2 respectively.

I think there should be alloted time to soak in the PEOPLE, not just the PLAYING. I believe there should be some structured SOCIAL time, apart from watching a set or even participating in (or again watching) an informal jam. Especially during "prime time".

I have no idea of the schedule of JF2K1 but hopefully this will be factored in... glen

jeffrey · #15 01-04-2001, 12:11 PM

I, like Mr. Oakman, am an old-schooler. I've been around the proverbial block a few times (and then some) as far as jam sessions go.

If I get to play, great.

If not, great too.

I'll enjoy myself either way.

But I'd be willing to play whatever just for the sake of jamming: bass, drums (I can actually play them hehe) backup guitar.

I'm easy.