A Music Jam-type Performance

Subject: RE: A Music Jam-type Performance
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 31 Oct 06 - 12:57 PM

One experiment that was tried a few years ago at the Brantford Folk Club (Ontario) was to put 3 solo performers on stage at once and have them take turns presenting their mini-sets. The idea was that it would save time on set-up (we used a full sound setup) and turnover. The neat bonus was that sometimes the performers would collaborate on each others songs and take the performance to a new level. I loved it, but the experiment was fairly short-lived for some reason.

Subject: RE: A Music Jam-type Performance
From: Mo the caller
Date: 31 Oct 06 - 04:09 AM

The big sing at Bedduth, and events at Bromyard have a line of singers on stage who stand up in turn and sing one song each, or 2 if a duo stands up, in a 2 hiur session it goes round maybe 3 times (not sure). I don't know how planned it is , sometimes what one sings seems to remind another of a song.

Subject: RE: A Music Jam-type Performance
From: terrier
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 07:02 PM

Sorry about that Ebbie but I couldn't resist the temptation. Have a GREAT night, just GO for it. Folk music should be spontaneous. ;)

Subject: RE: A Music Jam-type Performance
From: Ebbie
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 01:34 PM

re 'sining in unison', terrier, it is difficult to sin by oneself. :)

Subject: RE: A Music Jam-type Performance
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 02:57 AM

Ebbie,

I have a friend in Denali so you never know.

Sounds lke great fun to me. At some clubs I have been to their seem to be more performers than audience and we all sit around waiting to sing our one or two songs. With a bit of organised cooperation we could all sing and play each others songs and tunes.

Does this happen in clubs in the UK?

Subject: RE: A Music Jam-type Performance
From: terrier
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 05:33 PM

At these sort of performances, session members tend to be 'on their best behaviour' so as not to jepordise another performers song/tune. This in turn tends to improve the standard of general performance and therefor the general 'feel good factor' of the performers.
There's nothing an audience likes better than to hear good music played and sung by people who are really enjoying what they do.

I like the idea of 'sining in unison', does this go on a lot at Juneau? Please forward instructions how to get there. :}

Subject: RE: A Music Jam-type Performance
From: Ebbie
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 01:11 PM

Thanks, Terry. It does sound like fun. I don't think it's been done in Juneau- at least not in my memory.

In the Friday night jams, often when two - or more - people sing together they exchange places with someone else, so they can be together. I prefer that because I like the dense sound it creates. Might it be a good idea to do the same on stage? If we practice it beforehand, it could be done with a minimum of disruption.

I also like the idea of involving the audience on refrains wherever possible. Juneau crowds are not as good with harmonies as FSGW (which is an amazing group) but strong harmonies mixed with people sining in unison would be a stirring thing.

Subject: RE: A Music Jam-type Performance
From: Leadfingers
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 11:37 AM

Hi Ebbie - All seated all the time , and different people leading each number , wether a song or a tune , with the rest joining in chorus or on whatever instruments !
We have done this as a 'Folk Club' thing at Festivals , though with 'our' people scattered through the room , rather than 'on stage'
together !
          Just need to make sure everyone involved DOES know what they are joining in with , and then you can have solos , duets , or whatever compbination you want , and ALL singing the choruses .
            Sounds like a fun event !

Subject: RE: A Music Jam-type Performance
From: Ebbie
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 11:24 AM

Oh, dear, Les. It is in Juneau, southeastern Alaska.

By the way, the suggestion has been made to me via pm that we turn the whole evening over to this exercise. That's not a bad idea- it would free up a lot more minutes, and we certainly have enough good musicians available from the Friday Night jam group.

More thinkin' comin' on.

Subject: RE: A Music Jam-type Performance
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 03:55 AM

Where will this be?

Subject: RE: A Music Jam-type Performance
From: Ebbie
Date: 29 Oct 06 - 12:57 AM

I suspect you are right. Especially since almost all of us are seated in the jams.

I am also pegging out minutes versus the number of people. Think I'll have to shave some down. At this point I've listed 9 sets but unless each does only one song or tune the time is quickly used up. Bummah.

I still think it is doable and will be fun.

Any more ideas?

Subject: RE: A Music Jam-type Performance
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 28 Oct 06 - 11:07 PM

..............about 12 people - for a 40-minute set.

............. a group of empty chairs in front and everyone standing behind them, then the designated performers would come forward and take their seats.

Unless you enjoy 9 or 10 people fidgeting behind the performers, I suggest that you have them all seated. At least that way, the interruptions would be between the tunes rather than during them.

DC

Subject: RE: A Music Jam-type Performance
From: GUEST,Richie
Date: 28 Oct 06 - 11:04 PM

IMHO it would be better to have everyone seated if everyone will stay on-stage (given as a requirement).

It's kinda like having a jam in your living room with people watching.

Have fun!

Richie

Subject: A Music Jam-type Performance
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Oct 06 - 01:45 PM

Last night at music the group was enthusiastic about a suggestion I made, an idea I've moiled about in my mind for some time.

As I've said before, in Juneau we have a new monthly music venue which consists of 5 twenty-minute sets. It is fun and has become popular. We call it 'Gold Street Music' for the obvious reason.

Now we're thinking of sometime early in the next year scheduling our Friday night music jam group- about 12 people - for a 40-minute set. It will consist of everybody being onstage at all times but individuals and duos and threesomes, etc, would break off and do a song or tune (or two). The whole group would start it off by doing a group number and involve the audience and end it the same way.

Everything would be planned and practiced.

I was visualizing a group of empty chairs in front and everyone standing behind them, then the designated performers would come forward and take their seats.

But perhaps having every one seated would work better just as in a real jam. In real life, when two people want to do a number together there is some shifting of seating.

Any ideas?