In Los Angeles, Calif in the 1970's, a format was chosen that was very successful and
was instituted by an organization called "Songmakers". There were several different
sessions across the city at the time. This is the strategy that they employed.

A participant would do a solo and the lead a song. When the song was lead, the option
was to join in instrumentally or vocally being guided by the leader.

Every person that evening who wanted to could lead one song and sing one song solo.
The meetings were every week and a great source of entertainment. Some of the performers were quite good but everyone had a chance to participate. A solo could be
prepared for each week and the reaction noted.

Being limited in this fashion was an antidote to run-away egos that are so often not
easily regulated by the aforementioned methods.

I have been in situations however where a singer has taken a lot of time to the exclusion of others. In this situation, a "set" is not required and after a series of weeks a "set" program can be ascertained by the audience reaction to songs that are tried out. It's kind
of like a workshop without any formal critique.

It's interesting that this organization of singers/players is analogous to the way in which
different systems of governing function. Some are more arbitrary than others.

My view has always been that of a jazz player. I tend to live for the musical inspiration of
the moment rather than be in an overly structured environment with those who are not
on a frame of reference of music making. Oddly, this each-one-sing-one-lead-one served to unite the "songmakers" in the room.

Frank Hamilton

Frank Hamilton