Jam Session at Newspeak House
Bring your instrument, your voice, or just come to listen and vibe with us. If you haven't had much chance to play in a while this jam is for you - dust off your instrument and rediscover the joy of making music together in a friendly, no-pressure environment.
We have a collection of amps and house instruments (drum kit, keyboard, synth, guitar, bass guitar, upright bass, percussion), which respectful hands will be welcome to use.
We will be running a rotating quintet format. At any time the stage may have up to five musicians playing, and it's one-in, one-out. Everyone else stays in the audience area where they can spectate and chat. Feel free to bring your own food and drinks - there are plenty of places to pick these up near the venue.
Rules of the Jam
Ask before using someone else’s instrument. In general, you probably shouldn’t, unless it’s one of the house instruments. In particular, a jam is definitely not the place to try and learn a new instrument that you’ve never picked up before. This includes percussion.
If someone says you’re too quiet, you’re too quiet. If someone says you’re too loud, you’re too loud. Adjust & trust. In a jam setting it’s very hard to tell if you’re being too loud or too quiet. Try and accept volume feedback with good faith.
When playing, your attention should be focused on what the others are playing, not on yourself; Improvise by listening and responding.
No noodling: Unless you’re trying to get a song started, play with the group or don’t play at all.
If you’re feeling shy, remember that repetition and simplicity are great; it provides certainty that others can build upon. You can play the same thing over and over. You don’t have to play lots of notes. Your part can have (and should!) have plenty of silence in it.
Leave room for others. You don’t have to play every bar. Music is best when it has contrast, and in a free jam setting the way you do this is by coming in and out. This is especially true when there are lots of musicians. You’re not just improvising harmony and rhythm, but also the arrangement - when you come in, try and fill a gap in the sound.
Let things end. If a song isn't working for you, put down your instrument. If you see that other people aren’t playing, let the song end. A jam with lots of short songs is more fun than long and boring ones.