No good jam session without clear agreements
and etiquette
(code of conduct)

A jam session is designed for musicians to work together to make good music, regardless of the individual participant’s skill level. Think of it as a stage-learning platform. Listening to each other, giving each other enough space to meet and network, with respect for music and each other.

 

There are 3 main rules

The jam is not about you: it is about the music and working together on music – and the experience shared with it – as best as possible

 

Don’t be “the one who…” doesn’t know the key, plays too many solos and too loudly, doesn’t give space to others etc.

 

When in doubt, consider rules 1 and 2

 

DO

  • Limit your number of choruses
  • Listen, especially to the soloists
  • Choose good tempos
  • Show respect (for players & for the equipment used)
  • Have faith, and remain humble (Don’t be “the one who…”)
  • Drink one, but not too many and no glasses on stage
 

DON'T

  • Showing up on set unprepared and unexpectedly
  • Don’t look at your cell phone and don’t stand around talking on stage
  • Don’t spout criticism or pull faces on stage
  • Don’t linger too long on stage
  • Don’t stand next to the stage to practice
 

To prepare all this properly

  • Know the melody (yes, the lyrics too) and chords of the songs you have chosen
  • Accompaniment: weigh and weigh – especially between guitar and piano – what you will do
  • Prepare your solos and be clear at beginning and end of your improvisation
  • Look, look, look
  • So: look at each other, make eye contact
  • Know how to begin and end a song
    • The lock is the most difficult
    • Keep a “coda” in your mind, but listen and watch others because they have an idea too
  • Think of cues and be clear, such as indicating a coda preferably high above your head, that closed hand
  • Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy and let others also enjoy this moment
  • The only way to practice all this is to go to sessions. And it’s the only way to improve your game
 

Finally, everyone is responsible for their own instrument(s) at all times. The organization is not responsible for accidents, theft and/or damages that happen.

 

There is a time of coming and of going. Before midnight we call it a day.

 

When you agree with the above principles, feel free to add your name to the list of people below.

 
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We BELIEVE These Ethics Help Build Great Jams With A Loving Music Community

HalewynStichting vzw
M. Weyler
J. Desmarais
L. Duchamp
H. Verrijcken
P. Bakker
L. Martin
Invintell BV
T. Brown
L. Young
C. Rodriguez
S. Mitchell
G. Carter
Y. Evans
V. de Vries
F. Moreau
I. Bourgeois