double_G
Silver Member
a good listen on this topic...they get into the details (cover EVERYTHING!) about 1/2 way throug: http://www.drummertalk.org/2014/08/02/drummer-talk-223-the-art-of-sitting-in/
I only go to the left-handed open mic nights.
The left handed thing can be tricky depending on the kit provided. I have stealth racks and its not possibly to swap the snare and floor toms around, and I will sometimes bring a double pedal which makes it harder too.
You guys have got my attention. This sounds scary as hell, but fun.
So I'm relatively new coming back into the drumming world (25 yr break).
I live in a relatively big town in the Midwest, which I won't mention {cough, Arch, cough, cough}
How does one find these open mic and jam sessions?
If you don't see any jam sessions advertised on craigslist then visit some restaurants, bars or bowling alleys, ask if you can have a jam session there. Then place an ad on craigslist inviting people to the jam session.
I live in a relatively big town in the Midwest, which I won't mention {cough, Arch, cough, cough}
Hey now, he could've been talking about Oak Brook, Illinois, where McDonald's is headquartered...Hey, have you ever been to St. Louis? i hear it's a pretty cool town. ;-)
It's unfortunate you never attended any like one I used to play regularly- It was jazz & blues based so no one was pounding pop/punk or metal, and only vocals, acoustic guitar, and a smidge of bass drum was in the PA (no one ever brought an upright bass), so the volume was reasonable, even fairly close to the stage. Plus, it was a fairly large room, so in the back, it was like a stereo was playing at a volume that no one had to raise their voice over, so there was lots of socializing and networking. It was very well-run and organized also; players were partnered with like-minded folks, so the blues guys weren't forced into jazz standards if they weren't into it, and vice-versa, although some folks like myself played both. If they wanted to, the drummers and bassists were given just as much time in the jazz tunes to solo (an entire A section, or were included in trading fours) as everyone else. It was very nurturing to (not-too-new) beginners, and also drew more experienced players filling a void on a typically off night (Monday). It was a great scene for the couple of years it lasted before the venue closed.I find open jams to be a complete bore. It’s too loud to talk with and meet people and you play as steady and boring time as you can for 15 minutes while everyone else solos. I’m really just not into them.
I’d much rather go play a 3 hr gig and get paid.
You guys have got my attention. This sounds scary as hell, but fun.
So I'm relatively new coming back into the drumming world (25 yr break).
I live in a relatively big town in the Midwest, which I won't mention {cough, Arch, cough, cough}
How does one find these open mic and jam sessions?
I find open jams to be a complete bore. It’s too loud to talk with and meet people and you play as steady and boring time as you can for 15 minutes while everyone else solos. I’m really just not into them.
I’d much rather go play a 3 hr gig and get paid.
I have seen many discussions that mention Open Mic nights, but I don't know how they work.
As a drummer, do I just show up and hope there's someone to play with? Also, I play left-handed. Will they let me switch the kit around? Do they have a kit?
Some information would be very helpful
Thanks!