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Topic: Do Jams intimidate you? |
Jack Francis
From:
Queen Creek, Arizona, USA
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 10:26 am |
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O.K., a little soul searching for me.
I play lead guitar in a classic rock group.
I can sit in with a band on steel and try to stay within the chordal structure, remembering some scales and try not to get "OUT THERE" too far and actually receive some positive imput. I realize that I'm the only one there somewhat familiar with this instrument.
At a jam session there are a buncha guys that concentrate mostly on thier steels and are a lot more familiar with the songs being thrown out there.
You guys have all of your great licks...and blow me away with the confidence you play with.
No one has ever shown anything but kindness or made me feel like I wasn't welcome there....I'm sure that it is just me dealing with my own limitations that bothers me.
Does anyone else share these feelings? 
_________________
DESERT ROSE D-10 8/5...Joe Naylor "SteelSeat"...
Gallien-Krueger MB200 amplifier through an Alessis MicroVerb w/15'Peavey cab.
TELES & STRATS...
FENDER TWIN & SEYMOUR DUNCAN 50W tube amps...1-12" 2-12" & 4-12" cabs and a FENDER MUSTANG-3 |
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James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 10:34 am
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Jack, If you are not very good, your job is to make the REST of the players look great. If you are pretty good, their job is to make YOU look great. 
You are there to have fun and learn, and meet others, so go there and have fun, admit your a newbie if you are, and learn from those better than you. If you are a good player, go to the jams, have fun, meet newbies, and help them along, WIN WIN. |
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Larry Strawn
From:
Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 10:46 am
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I get a little intimidated at steel jams. Even though I've been playing for some time now I still don't play the "expected licks, and songs".
When I'm playing in a club setting and some really good players come I have a few moments of scrambling around so to speak, but then usually settle down and play what I can play.
What it is, is what it is! 
Larry
_________________
Carter SD/10, 4&5 Hilton Pedal, Peavey Sessions 400, Peavey Renown 400, Home Grown Eff/Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY" |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 10:56 am
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| I choke if a steel player even walks into the bar at a gig. Fingers turn to wood and brain turns to mush. |
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James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 11:02 am
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| Seems like human nature kicks in and you worry. Worry will corner you, if you let it. Don't worry about what you CAN'T play, worry about what you CAN play. |
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richard burton
From:
Britain
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 11:04 am
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| As long as you can play in tune, there's no problem. |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Jim Eaton
From:
Santa Susana, Ca
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 11:29 am
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At PerlJam last year the players to my right went like this, Dean Parks, Mike Perlowin, Doug Livinston, Jay Dee, Big Jim Baron, Frank Carter, John McClung.......so I just pictured them all naked and had a good time!
JE:-)> |
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Larry Strawn
From:
Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 11:29 am
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| Mike Perlowin wrote: |
A few years ago at a jam I sat next to JD Maness and had to follow him.
That was intimidating. |
Wrong Mike!!
That's just plain scary!!
Larry
_________________
Carter SD/10, 4&5 Hilton Pedal, Peavey Sessions 400, Peavey Renown 400, Home Grown Eff/Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY" |
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Jeff Colson
From:
Rockford Illinois, USA
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 11:33 am
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I must be weird in that it dosen't bother me to have another steel player show up where I've played. Even If I am playing in front of a Super player and that has happend. I feel there is nothing I'm going to do to impress them or that they haven't seen or done before so why not just be yourself ? I have limitations and I know it as long as I don't try to be somthing I'm not or will ever be. Besides after they hear about 2 min of my playing they will most likely leave anyway !
Jeff |
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John Roche
From:
England
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 11:43 am
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| I once was on stage at the Wembley Country Mucis Show in London backing Vernon Oxford about 1979/80 and Buddy Emmons was sitting behind me waiting to come on next. He did seemed a little nervous. |
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James Marlowe
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 12:15 pm
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I play bass in a Bluegrass Gospel band. I've played before thousands of folk. And even though I know there surely must be scores of bass players in the crowd, that all play better than myself, it doesn't bother me a bit. I believe it's because I feel confident with my playing. But playing a steel is different to me. Though I enjoy it more than any instrument I've attempted to play, I know I'm a lot more prone to making mistakes with it. And the answer to the question; yes, jams intimidate me.  |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 12:18 pm
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If it's just a steel jam, I get a little nervous. I don't get nervous when big name players come into a club though. I have known and played in front of Bobby Black since I had only been playing a few years. Sometimes even setting up next to him and jamming. That got me over the jitters real quick. In the 70's, I was playing a club here in Fremont when Bobby Hempker came in with Don Ballinger and someone else from Loretta Lynn's band after they did a show in Oakland. That was a little intimidating. John Hughey also came in the prior year after a show in Oakland.
As far as just regular jam sessions, I play at one in Hayward every Sunday. Music ranges from Hank Williams to Santana to James Brown and everything in between. Even though I play songs I have only heard (maybe 20 years ago) or have never heard, I still hang in there (after all, it is my job) and can usually fuddle my way through the song. No intimidation or nervousness. I also play a little keyboards and sometimes bring one to the jam session, but I am not an accomplished player and get intimidated sometimes. But it gets better with time.
As far as falling apart when a big name or even just a killer local player goes as Jon Light mentions, time will cure the insecure (or maybe not insecurity, but just nervousness) feelings. Jon, someday you will probably be able to jam next to Buddy and not feel a thing.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Jack Francis
From:
Queen Creek, Arizona, USA
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 12:25 pm
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Great posts....UUUHHHH, Jim, about this picturing these guys naked...I have NEVER pictured GUYS being naked...Maybe I'll try that....Nooo, maybe not!  |
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Billy Carr
From:
Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 12:27 pm jams
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| Steel jams are about having fun, meeting new folks and picking up new things from other players. Kinda like going to the fair when we were kids. Have fun with it and don't worry about it. |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 12:38 pm
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| Richard Sinkler wrote: |
| Jon, someday you will probably be able to jam next to Buddy and not feel a thing. |
Yeah, but if I'm that stoned I probably won't be picking too well, either.
I'll also keep looking down to make sure I'm not naked. I hate when that happens. |
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James Marlowe
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 12:40 pm
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| IMO, some of the jams I attend are more of a concert than a jam. To me, a jam should be more of the "round-robin" situation. I personally do better with them. At least I don't feel like I'm putting on a show, sharing a song with the others in the group. But.again, just my opiion. |
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Jim Eaton
From:
Santa Susana, Ca
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 12:43 pm
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Just make sure they are SITTING DOWN behind their guitars when you picture them naked!!! LOL
JE:-)> |
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 12:47 pm
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I love jam sessions where a lot of guys get together and pick,If I am better than they are I may show off a little,If they are better than me I try to learn something,either way it's a lot of fun.DYKBC.
_________________
Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC ! |
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Jerry H. Moore
From:
Newnan, GA, USA
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 12:55 pm Re: jams
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| Billy Carr wrote: |
| Have fun with it and don't worry about it. |
Some of my experiences with regular guitar jams or shootouts (as I call them) is that the ones that know the least are the loudest and play what few tunes they know and cut out. They play them very well but never get past that point. Trying to copy someone note for note will open you up for intimidation. ex. If you miss that "Mooney lick" someone will know it! Just follow your abilities and play hard. Like Richard Burton said: Play in tune |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 12:56 pm
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| I find jams exilarating. They're a lot of fun. I find studio dates scary. |
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Marc Friedland
From:
Fort Collins, CO
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 1:47 pm
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I enjoy going to steel jams when I have the opportunity, for the social aspects and camaraderie, as much or more than for the music. Unfortunately, the way most of the jams are set up, if I choose to play the steel there, my weak points are showcased, and basically very few of my strong points will be noticed. This doesn’t stop me from participating, it’s just the reality of the situation, which I accept, and I still have fun doing it. This has nothing to do with being nervous or intimidated, it’s simply I have limited skills when it comes to jamming along to tracks without vocals. After a dozen talented steelers have played “Crazy Arms” as an instrumental for about a half hour, I really have nothing of value to add to the song, and doing something different just for the sake of being different is not something I’m used to doing. I admit that not many seasoned steel players will be very impressed with my abilities if their opinion is based solely on what they hear from me at a typical steel jam. I believe my strongest skills are playing with a live band backing up a singer. In that situation, I’m doing what I do best, and feel I do my job quite well. I invite and welcome all steelers of every level to experience me in that environment, but realize that almost none will. The type of music that the bands I play with, perform are usually today’s rockin country, and this includes Garth Brooks, Toby Keith, Big & Rich, ETC. We also do some Josh Turner tunes, and I do have my showcase spots on the pedal steel, but our main focus is putting on an entertaining, exciting show, and performing songs that the crowds in the venues we play, want to hear. I totally understand that this is not many steeler’s “cup of tea” and can appreciate the fact that you won’t be showing up at any of my gigs in the near future.
With all that being said, I truly look forward to seeing some of you at the next jam that I’m able to attend.
Marc |
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Stan Paxton
From:
1/2 & 1/2 Florida and Tenn, USA (old Missouri boy gone South)
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 2:31 pm
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As to Jon Light's post, I think he is being overly modest, with his statement of intimidation. I have the feeling he is a right good player.  .I am not intimidated in a steel jam; I am intimidated by a steel jam, so I don't play them. Not being an instrumentalist, the only thing I am good for is backing a singer, and then only well rehearsed. One has to know his limitations. That being said, loving the PSG as I do, I can go set at a steel jam and listen all night, enjoy every minute, every lick and every style. 
_________________
Mullen Lacquer SD 10, 3 & 5; Mullen Mica S 10 1/2 pad, 3 & 5; BJS Bars; LTD400, Nashville 112, DD-3, RV-3, Hilton VP . -- Gold Tone PBS sq neck; Wechter Scheerhorn sq neck. -- "Experience is the thing you have left when everything else is gone." -anon.- |
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John Roche
From:
England
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 3:06 pm
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| I love jam sessions, I found more out about the steel guitar playing jam session than anywhere else, because you will work with all types of musicians and all types of styles. just my 2 cents worth |
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Darrell Schmidt
From:
Charles City, Iowa, USA
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Posted 30 Dec 2007 3:16 pm do you get intimedated
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Like Stan I do not put myself thru my own destruction.I have allieanated myself form the rest .I go to jams but rarley talk to anyone because sometimes you feel you are not up to best and do not want anyone to think you are bragging.This my own little desturctive world and I do not let people in.
NOW I FEEL BETTER!!Thanks for letting me have a place to blow.
Darrell |
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