Sun, 23 Apr 2006
Many months ago I started this blog with the idea of having a central location where I could post information on lessons, jams, open mic nights, etc. At last I have something to talk about that aligns with the original reason for starting this blog. This Tuesday evening we will be having our first Slow Jam at Music & More from 7:00pm to 9:00pm All string instruments are welcome: guitar, banjo, mandolin, autoharp, fiddle, whatever. The Slow Jam is free and everyone is welcome. One of the things that I love most about music is the social aspect of playing with other people. But if you’re either beginning on an instrument or perhaps you’re just not as accomplished as you’d like, then most of the jams may be too fast or too intimidating for you. Slow Jam is here to solve that. On Tuesday I’ll be teaching some basic old time and bluegrass songs. We’ll start with simple two chord songs and move on to three chord songs. If you want to try taking a solo then you’re welcome to give it a try. If not, that’s perfectly alright. The point is to have fun and meet other people who also enjoy music. Starting in May the slow jam will occur on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. So mark it on your calenders. Once the Slow Jam becomes more popular we’ll move to the format that my friend and mentor Walt Richards invented when he started the original SloJam over 20 years ago. The standard format of a Slow Jam is to have 2 or more song leaders. After a brief introduction by the slow jam facilitator we split up into as many groups as we have leaders and each group goes off into their own practice room. Each song leader has chosen a song to teach the group. Traditionally, the song leader has photocopied the words and chords of the song and blown it up to poster size so everyone can see it. You have an hour to learn the song. After that we all gather in the main room and perform our new song for the rest of the group. After each performance the audience is urged to comment on the performance. There is only one rule: All Comments Must Be Positive. And that’s the purpose of Slow Jam: To get together to learn and play new music in a positive atmosphere among friends. What could be better than that? Come on by and bring your instrument. We’re going to have a lot of fun.This story is from the
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