Cape Cod Acoustics
  • Home
  • Your Lessons
  • Performance services offered
  • About Gene
  • Contact
  • Guitars, Ukes & Accessories
  • Acoustic Guitar Blog
  • Tips for guitarists
  • Guitar Gallery
  • More...

Playing with others. Just do it!

6/11/2014

0 Comments

 
A couple of my students have been getting together for some casual music-making, nothing serious but just for the fun of playing with others. Initially they have been playing some tunes I’ve given both of them individually in lessons and from what they tell me it’s been going well. I think this is great! It helps that they are both intermediate level players with similar tastes in music. Unfortunately it seems that casual get-togethers among guitar players are less common than they used to be, at least in the area where I live. There are probably many reasons for this – lack of places where budding musicians can meet on a casual basis is one (coffee houses or churches hosting open jams, guitar “clubs”, lack of a local music store with a bulletin board where aspiring musicians can post notices). Another factor may be the overall health of the music industry: there is so much fragmentation that people are less likely to be exposed to a wide range of music, hence they have trouble finding anywhere to sample a wide array of music and styles in one venue.

In any case, there are a few things a guitar player can do to ensure those first forays into playing with others are fun and worthwhile. Yes, it’s supposed to be a casual, no-pressure situation but a bit of planning can go a long way toward making it a positive experience.

First of all, check your ego at the door! This is not an issue for most folks of course. No one should sit in judgment of another’s playing ability. Results may vary of course but even simple songs can be tons of fun to play with others. This is not like, say, playing tennis where two players of widely different levels of ability end up having a mutually frustrating experience. An experienced guitarist can (and should!) keep things simple in deference to those with less experience. One of my former students went to an “open jam” at a big deal music store near Boston a couple years ago and one guy who featured himself the World’s Greatest Lead Guitar Player inflicted his hot licks on everyone and it was an awkward and uncomfortable experience all concerned – until Mr. Hot Licks hit the road and everyone relaxed and proceeded to have a fine time.

Bring along plenty of printed music (lyrics/chord sheets work best) rather than just hoping you’ll remember the tunes you play. And it’s a nice idea to bring multiple copies if you suspect the others may not know your favorite tunes so they can follow what you’re playing.

Now here’s one that may be tough for first-timers: someone has to SING! Don’t worry if you’re not American Idol material. Just go for it and keep a smile on your face. Believe me, no one cares all that much about how much you sound like the original artist. Vocals add structure and a reference point to the music you make with others. And even if your singing up to that point has been something you only do in your shower, you may even find you enjoy it! (Don’t forget your capo, by the way – you may have to change key for others to sing comfortably.)

If you are naturally a very loud or very soft player, be sure to listen to the others who are playing. The object is to play TOGETHER. Adjust your playing to blend as equally as possible with the others, even if it’s just one other guitar player.

Make a list of songs you played together. If you hang out with other players for a couple hours it’s easy to forget what was covered. Having a list will give you something to practice later on and may even make you think of similar songs or artists that you’d like to introduce next time.

And there’s the take-away. No matter what happens, assuming there aren’t any major personality conflicts, DO make the effort to do it again! I absolutely guarantee that every time you play with someone else, you will learn something. Either about new music, or your own playing, or both. Making music with others is gratifying and just pure fun.

Peace & good music,

Gene

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Gene Bourque

    Archives

    June 2022
    May 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed