A Philosophy of Jamming
Jam: to freely play or sing with other musicians without extensive preparation.
To jam, by it’s very nature, is to co-create a spontaneous musical experience, something we can call the “jam-field”. Participating in a thriving jam-field is so bodily-wonderful that it could be considered an addictive substance.
A jam-field allows for a special kind of resonance through which we may witness our musicianship grow exponentially simply by being a part of the jam.
During a series of recent music festivals I crystalized a set of four simple guides to navigate any jam. Here then, is my philosophy of jamming:
1. Listen.
Music is the product of listening. A jam is like a conversation; listening to the other participants allows you to respond.
At the most basic level, we’re listening for rhythm, tuning and other technical information. Next we’re listening to melody, harmony, texture. At the finest level we’re listening even beyond the sound to the jam-field itself.
Listen with as much subtlety and fineness as you can. Like everything, your listening will develop with practice.
2. Find your space, where you fit.
Feel your feet! Feel your body! Make yourself aware of the other musicians, listen to get a sense of where they are sitting in the jam-field. Find where you fit amongst it.
From your deepest listening, consider your possibilities for expression arising from your musical ability. What can you bring, from just where you are now, to enhance the jam-field.
Work on playing together, rather than playing over… just like a conversation. Many of us love to be heard, but before you launch into loud, I strongly suggest you listen gently and check where you’re coming from. You may have discovered already that most of us can sense ego in music (and it’s not particularly pleasant).
Relax the mind and enjoy the music... Your space will be there, your expression is invited, you can know your moment to share your sound. Practice more listening.
3. Less is more.
Always.
4. The jam-field is paramount.
Contained within the jam-field is a great power and potential of resonance. Just as strings tuned to the same note will vibrate in sympathy, the jam-field can share musicality through the resonance formed between the players. Each player can increase their ability to listen and to play just by being a part of this field.
For this reason, I suggest you consider the jam-field you’re co-creating to be of far more importance than the sounds being perfectly in time/tune/flow...
A key point that many fine musicians trip over on is getting frustrated when a less skilled player is loudly not listening; like the guy on the castinets that comes in out of time throwing off the whole rhythm, or the clarinetist who’s technically excellent but doesn’t listen and never stops soloing, leaving no space… These can be really frustrating things that seem to be messing up the jam for everyone…
However…
Frustration will disturb the jam-field! Stay open for unexpected and graceful resolutions to these sorts of issues… the jam-field has the power and resonance to bring them. Stay with it!
I wish you the greatest of enjoyment and discovery in your musical co-creativity and hope you find the above useful.
