Jazz Camp Jams Guidelines and Etiquette
Host Rhythm Section Duties:
- Each night, a different rhythm section will be hosting the jam. You will find a list of rhythm players on the bulletin board. If you are on the list, please ensure that you arrive at your jam room 15 minutes before the start of the session, if possible, to set up and meet the other players.
- The rhythm section can change according to jammers’ instrumentation, but if there is a gap in the rhythm section, a hosting rhythm player must fill in.
- The host players must remain at the jam for at least 1.5 hours.
- There will be multiple copies of Fake Books on hand.
- There is a signup sheet where you can “call” a tune – sign yourself up as the caller, indicate your instrument and name the tune and key. Limit your calls to one initially, with opportunities for a second tune if turnout is slow.
- When you call a song, invite anyone you like to join you, either from the host band or audience members.
- The caller is responsible for putting together the combo, leading the tune, and communicating with other players how to play the song.
- If you’d like to join an already-called song, ask the caller (well before the song is performed!) if it’s okay and sign up under your instrument on the sheet. The caller may have specific instrumentation in mind for the song.
- The caller is asked to provide lead sheets that are easy to read and are in reasonable keys, including charts for Bb and Eb instruments. There are Fake Books on site in each jam room.
- Please be welcoming and introduce yourself to strangers...it makes a difference!
- Only call or join a tune if you know it well. You’ll be called only when your combo is complete.
- Keep your solos short. Please keep them to one or two choruses, and splitting choruses on a ballad is a good idea.
- Playing obbligato behind a singer is nice but choose only one player at a time to do this, so you don’t drown out the singer.
- To make room for all players, please don’t hog the stage (even if you’re really good!).
- Be sure everybody gets a chance to solo, that everybody knows whose turn it is to solo and when it’s time to take the tune out.
- Only use charts that are easy to read...no handwritten or elaborate charts!!!
- Make the form easy to play, without a lot of complicated arranging instructions.
- Choose tunes that have a reasonable expectation of being known.
- Please be ready to play when your song is called...have your instrument and music in order and quickly make your way to the stage when the previous combo finishes.