Starting a Jam

[davestem]

I have some starting-a-jam questions, and I'm seeking your informed opinions. #My friends and I have been talking for a while about starting a bluegrass jam here in Stillwater, OK. #I've read reports on jams from all over the country here on the cafe, and they've varied from very informal and unplanned to pretty well thought-out. #My friends and I have a couple of scenarios in mind. #Both of these would occur once per quarter.

One: #We have a pretty informal jam where we rent a few rooms at the community center, depending on how many people we expect. #We'd have enough rooms so that, if we were evenly divided, there'd be maybe 7 people to a room. #Folks show up, go to whatever room they want, jam, and go home. #Each person that comes pays maybe $5 to help cover the room rental.

Two: #We have a more structured jam. #We still rent a few rooms at the community center, but (depending on the questions we've asked ahead of time of people we know will be coming) we have a couple of those rooms set aside for specific stuff. #Maybe an old-time jam room, or a slow jam room, or a swing room, or a country room...just depending. #Each room would have a moderator there to discreetly keep things on course and encourage people to follow good jam etiquette.

We'd have some sodas and such available. #We'd have a guest book for people to sign in. #We'd have an email newsletter, or maybe a paper newsletter. #We'd give out door prizes. #Maybe a special door prize for whoever traveled the farthest to come to the jam. #Here's where it gets involved:

We'd book good local, regional, or small national bluegrass acts to come play a concert at the end of the jam, in the community center auditorium. #We'd try to arrange workshops with noteworthy players, depending on interest. #The concerts would start with a 15 to 20 minute open mic session for groups of up-to-five jammers (ala Kamp).

So, the questions are: #Would you rather pay $5 to go to the first jam, or $25 to go to the second jam (concert included, workshops, if any, separate). #What are the big sticking points that will hinder either jam? #Have you seen jams of either sort really succeed, or wither up and die? #Why? #What else should be included, or left out?
Thanks, guys.

[mpeknox]

I've never heard of paying to attend a jam. Most that I have been to have been in someone's house or garage and are really informal. If I knew it was a good jam, I'd probably be willing to pitch in a few dollars to defray the cost of renting the place but if it was someplace where I didn't know anybody, I wouldn't pay to go. I think scenario #1 is probably your best bet but you would have better luck if you didn't make it a "pay to play" event. Maybe you could put out a jar and sign asking for donations to help pay for the hall rental. The only other thing I would be concerned about with the separate rooms for different styles concept is being the one to keep things on track...sounds more like work than fun to me. Good luck with it. If it all works out maybe I'll be able to pick with you when I'm in OK on business.

[fatt-dad]

Sure to both of your scenarios.

What I go to is more along the line of scenario 1. Someone organized to use a Baptist Church on the first tuesday of the month. Folks come to the church and use the Sunday school rooms for playing. As it turns out there are some rooms that are packed to the gills, other rooms with 3 or 5 people, the old-time room and to the best of my knowledge, there is now leader. What makes it nice is if you want to meet with a few folks, you can usually find a room and play with those folks. Each night there is a guy that goes around and collects $1.00 from everybody and that goes to the church.

This event draws maybe 50 to 60 people, but maybe one-third of the folks just come to listen and hang. One room is gospel and there may be 12 folks playing and maybe another 6 or so just soaking it all in (maybe singing along too).

It's lots of fun.

f-d

[pickerfromhell]

Pay to jam???

No way--you pay me to attend, or have players that I want to jam with--

Alternative solution...

Check out a local music store or pub, some will let you jam there for free--they need live music to attract patrons.

I jam at at a ton of different venues.
I occasionally attend a Celtic jam session monthly at our local Hastings...we have 3 or 4 different pubs that let us set up in one of their rooms or basements and jam. I jam at a local music store with some great old-time fiddlers and pickers on saturdays.

Good Luck

pic

[Daniel Nestlerode]

Option one sounds less formal, and I would be more likely to show up the first time and regularly. Option two sounds like it would be a more passive experience (listening and watching rather than playing as much) for more money, and since my interest is in playing music I would be less likely to show up the first time.

Seems to me that option two can be considered a natural outgrowth of option one. Once you have established a group of regulars, you can enhance the jam from time to time with events and concerts for a few extra bucks. Heck, you might start a branch of the local Bluegrass Society and develop state wide contacs with them.

Whichever option you choose, I hope your community supports it. Sounds like fun!

Best,
Daniel

[davestem]

Thanks, all. Your comments seem to be in line with what I'm hearing elsewhere, generally. It looks like we'll probably go with an informal jam, no door prizes, no concert/special guests, and ask for a buck or two to help with the room rental at first. If there's interest, we may host a concert or workshop infrequently. Thanks for your input.

[Frank Russell]

If renting a community center is too expensive, try an RV park. #There are two jams in my area located in the rec rooms at RV parks. #I'm not sure if they pay anything, and if they do, it's minimal, because attending the jam is free. #Some parks will let you do it free if you let the seniors who live there come listen. #It's a good trade-off. #Frank

[Keith Erickson]

Personally I would want to jam have a jam session just to see if y'all are able mesh together before anything else.

You'll have a pretty angry crowd if they've paid money and some of the folks who show up and some can't play for ... ( a hill of beans )

If you're going to charge, get a band together, practice, practice, practice and then play at a local pub for some doe-rey-me $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Just my two cents

[homermando]

Dave-this summer we could sit out side of the third place in the evenings. There is no pressure to pay a fee that way. Is there really that much interest around here? There are also pavillions at Couch park and Boomer park. PM me when you get something going and I`ll do the same when I have jams at my new place.

[davestem]

John--I like playing outside of third place, too. It is dependent on weather & insects, though. As far as interest level; there's maybe two dozen local folks I know of who say they're interested, and some others from farther away. Apparently there was a bluegrass jam a while ago that ended for some reason. From what I've heard it started the first month with about 15 people, and was packed by the second month.
Congratulations on your new place. My wife & I are settling into our new place, too. I'd like to have a smaller house jam once we get things settled. I'll PM you here at MC. Thanks.

[sgarrity]

Id be up for coming in from OKC too

[PhilGE]

We hold jams at a Farmer's Market and a coffee shop. At the market, during the late fall, winter, and early spring, we're inside and in front of folks. We get the space for free and shoppers are entertained. We're not held to do anything and don't get paid. Sometimes we sound great, sometimes not so great, depending on who shows up. During warmer weather, when space in the market is at a premium, we're out back, in front of a luthier's shop, under the cover of a large overhang. Sound's actually better under the overhang than in the noisy market proper. This jam is held on Saturday mornings once or twice a month. At the market, once in a while, a vendor will provide us with a free beverage or snack, in appreciation and thanks for being an attraction. The folks there make a pretty slim profit, so it's appreciated by the jammers.

At the coffe shop, a jam is held once a month on Saturday afternoons. Again, we pay nothing and get paid nothing. It's simply nice to have the space to hang out and play.

Both jams help to increase visibility of the music (mostly old-time fiddle tunes) and contradances we hold in town. See the website below for more details.

-Phil

[John Flynn]

We have a long-standing weekly jam in my area where the first attendance is free, then you pay $5.00 to attend every time after that. That covers the cost of the facility. Refreshments are not provided, it's BYOB. Over 20 people show up every week. I have only gone a couple of times, it's not my cup of tea. I am only interested in old-time and this jam does it all: rock, folk, etc. The only rule is that the music has to be acoustic. However, a lot of people like it and the $5.00 charge does not seem to be a deterrent.

[mandolooter]

I host one at my shop every Wed. from 7 till we quit. Its free and attendance varies quite a bit but I've learned a lot from it. Heck I'd probably have to be the one pay...they come to my place and I just getta kick it and jam. Its BYOTB but I usually throw a pot of coffee on. Sometimes it can become frustrating depending on whos there and what they wanna play but overall it's DEFINATLY worth it. Some nights we go to 11 or 12 since some of the older guys are retired and Im always up late anyways.

I'd say GO FOR IT!!

[Jonathan Reinhardt]

Interesting ,the difference in genres.
The best jams, of course are impromptu (or planned) house parties, in my experience. Second to that have been the blues jams that friends and I have planned, over an internet forum, that get players from PA to ME, including NYC and upstate, too.. About 40 strong, we rent a practice facility centrally locacted, usually in CT (but sometimes otherwise) , with three rooms (less when less central or for sure less people) and equipment (drum kits, amps, sound systems - and charged $20/person - had lots of food/beverage for all, and usually some freebie accessory goodies from instrument companies.
I know, this is a different situation, but charge for the cost of your chosen facility, get the word out, and get some idea of commitment from key players. Things will change day of, for sure, but at least you can have an idea re: food. When people come long distance, hospitality is essential. Significant others will be there also if there is a larger social picture.
Perhaps, depending on your initial outreach, it's best to test the waters incrementally. Certainly it seems not many here are used to spending much on jams, but it truly all depends on what you are aiming for and getting for that money, how often you can meet, and what the level of desire to participate is.
It was amazing the closeness of friendship we achieved through this experience. I met so many fine musicians in person, who before had only been names on a post.
Oh, and in those three rooms, we had one as a two guitar limit (i.e. three or four piece), one with a designated (revolving) leader, to call and instruct, and one free form. We rotated freely, except those who absolutely needed to stay within the bounds of small ensemble structure.
Just an example, from a different perspective, but hopefully instructive.

rasa

[mandolooter]

rasa, very interesting. Mine is labeled as a bluegrass jam and 95% of what played is but I'd love to have a jazz, blues, freeform type jam too as those styles interest me also. I thinks I'll look into this a little deeper and see what I come up with. I don't know many jazz pickers around here personally but maybe a place to go play will spring a few up outta the woodwork. Thanks for the idea!

[fiddle5]

We have a number of regular jams in our area, there is a small two dollar charge to cover costs, not a profit making scheme by any means, but the coffee is free and everytime there is fresh baking that a number of people bring from home. $2. cdn... what that about 50 cents usd ?

[mandroid]

Nearby tavern/cafe has allowed us to sit around and play on saturday afternoons (better than late nite sessions for #early to rise the next dayjob folks)
Its a #roundtable arraingement sharing tunes,
there is an on the stage mini set open mic at the same location wed nites. on Sat the Ace publican even supplys a couple pints gratis.

[Red haired boy]

I started an old-time jam every Saturday night at my workplace about six months ago (Bread and Bagels in Bowling Green, KY). It has worked well for the business, my advice find a local coffee shop/cafe and talk to the owners. Most small business owners would love to have an extra dozen customers during a slow time. This gives you a space for free and makes it easy for hospitality. One thing that will make this work for a business is consitancy, some organizer should show up every week (or have some one in their place if they are unavailible).
Here is what we do:
We have a pair of musicians who act as hosts (in exchange for dinner). They are there to keep the jam toward oldtime and not just random what ever, random what ever will disintigrate after a few weeks. There is no stage, just moving a few tables out of the way and setting up chairs in a circle, when the jam is over everything get moved back. We have handed out fliers and the jam gets mentioned on a local radio show in the community events section (if you offer to do this kind of publicity, few business owners will turn it down).
After six months our jam is now drawing people form as far away as Nashville and every week getts a little bigger and better.
hope this helps,
Stuart