Jam Sessions:

In an effort to assist her students and other musicians in the community improve their skills playing with others, Mary has developed two Jam Sessions.

What is a jam session?
A jam session is a gathering of musicians who play songs or chord progressions together.

What happens at a jam session?
Generally speaking, a song is started and anyone who would like to join in may do so. The song is played over and over allowing each player to participate in the song in different ways like playing chords, or playing the melody or improvising. As that happens, the ability of people to go with the flow on particular songs is improves.

What can I expect to learn at a jam session?
A jam sessions should improve your ability to hang in there on a song and contribute where you can and keep quiet where you can't. It doesn't always make the best music, but it helps the musicians. At least, this is all the case with beginners and intermediates. With more advanced players, other benefits occur like meeting new players, etc.

How do I know what to play?
These jam sessions will be more structured than a casual jam session. As the instructor, I will explain the different options, parts, and possibilities and help each student decide how they will participate. Ideally, each student will be able to play the melody, the chords, and eventually learn how to improvise on the melody.

What kind of music do you play at a jam session?
The styles of music will vary among groups. Some groups jam only rhythm and blues while other Groups jam difficult jazz progressions. The music we will play at these jam sessions will be mostly folk music that is easy to recognize.

Can anyone join a jam session?
Anyone who would like to join a jam session must be registered as a student. The price is $60 for four (4) hour long jam sessions. The material and registration is included in the price.

In summary, jam sessions are a way to enhance your playing skills. It has come to my attention that you can only learn so much before it becomes necessary to apply what you have learned.

ADULT JAM
Day: Thursdays
Time: 7pm to 8pm
Level: beginner to advanced
Instruments: all welcome including voice
Price: $60/month

TEEN JAM
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 11am to 12pm
Level: beginner to advanced
Instruments: all welcome including voice
Price: $60/month

New jam times are available pending requests. Teens must be 16 years old or have 1 year experience playing to join adult groups.