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I can't jam(examples now included)
    #5213795 -

It's really starting to get to me. I've been playing guitar for 3 and half years now. For the last year, I haven't practiced as much as a nearly should, but I'm still pretty decent.

I have quite a few friends who have some good bands going. We hang out all the time and they hear me busting shit out on the guitar and they are like, "wow, come on let's jam". All these friends have actually went to a lot of effort to try and get me jamming regularly...but it just doesn't happen.

As soon as someone else picks up an instrument next to me, I freeze. Like, not that I'm afraid or anything, it's just, I"m finding it SOOO hard to try and play with someone.

They start playing...I stop. Maybe I don't have the ability to play with other people yet? I don't know any theory, chords, modes, etc...so maybe that's why. I don't know what it means when the band says, "Ok, let's just fuck around in the key of C". But all these people seriously think I"m pretty good and are always on my case trying ot jam.

WTF? It's actually getting so depressing because after a year of this, they don't even try anymore.

And now I"m watching them exceeding with their bands and I could of been in there.

I really want to go somewhere with my music

So yeah, I just quickly whipped these up. I ran up and down some scales I'm pretty sure. Horrendous quality, but you get an idea of what my idea of running a scale is


http://media.putfile.com/hostinginaroundonascale

http://media.putfile.com/Warmup-Improv

If they don't work, I'll be back later. Maybe try pasting it in a new browser

Edited by entityexperiment (01/24/06 05:54 PM)

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Re: I can't jam [Re: Spooge]
    #5213809 -

Well you're going to have to learn some scales because if you don't it will sound like shit.

http://www.looknohands.com/chordhouse/guitar/index_rb.html

This is a GREAT site to learn scales from. On the right bar labeled 'regular scales', click on major, and it should automatically choose it in the key of C.

Learn this scale and you'll be able to play good sounding stuff with them... assuming they're playing in major... which they probably are.

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Re: I can't jam [Re: Spooge]
    #5213821 -

Learn scales.

Learn the major scale and the minor pentatonic scale. Learn a few shapes for each.

For rock music, you can improvise quite easily with only one shape of the minor pentatonic. Start there.


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Welcome evermore to gods and men is the self-helping man.  For him all doors are flung wide: him all tongues greet, all honors crown, all eyes follow with desire.  Our love goes out to him and embraces him, because he did not need it.

~ R.W. Emerson, "Self-Reliance"

:heartpump:

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Re: I can't jam [Re: Spooge]
    #5213831 -

And you have to get pretty damn good at knowing it. Be able to play the notes in any position to any position on the fret board.

Do you play lead? Just try improvising and going all over the fret board... but learn small pieces at a time. Once you know it like the back of your hand then you can try moving around the whole thing to play D major, E major, etc.

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Re: I can't jam [Re: WhiskeyClone]
    #5213835 -

See, I don't really know about the scales and stuff(like, I don't know any terminology)...but I use them, lots

My friends say I use the major/minor pentatonic scales quite a bit.

What's the one scale David Gilmour is very comfortable in(the one in money, comfortably numb, etc)? I really like that one.

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Re: I can't jam [Re: HeavyToilet]
    #5213838 -

I'll have to make a recording(I'll do one today k?) to give you an idea of what I can do.

I move around the fretboard, I'd say, I fair amount. I'm more of a lead player, but not by choice. That's just what I know. I'm good at picking and what not.

I need to practice strumming and learning chords though

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Re: I can't jam [Re: Spooge]
    #5213851 -

My advice:

Learn the notes of the guitar. Learn how the pattern of notes works on the guitars neck. Then you will know where to jam at C, or at least you will learn a good starting place.

Blues. Try jamming some blues solo's. You can really just let go, and its not too difficult. Try soloing to some Led zeppelin, AC/DC. They usually are simple to solo to.


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TRUMP 2020

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Re: I can't jam [Re: XUL]
    #5213960 -

Thanx for advice all.

Yeah, that's a good example.  Led Zep is my all time favourite band, I know lots of led zep tunes...but I still can't jam away to one of their songs.

Like, I'll put their DVD on and just try to jam with the tunes...but I feel so "out of place"...I know for sure they'd stop me in a heartbeat if I was on the stage with them  :smirk:

I guess it does come down to theory and more practice.  I can't solo along to any acdc or led zep without it sounding horrible

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Re: I can't jam [Re: Spooge]
    #5214059 -

the sooner you learn the theiory the sooner you'll be happy about your playing!
it's not THAT hard... and you probably do most of all that naturally... you just have to put it into words kinda
if you can speak it you know it!

as your friends to show you and i bet pretty soon you'll be jamming and flowing on whatever you want!

just a suggestion though... when jamming with people it's VERY important to listen and FEEL when it's time to take the lead or be the rythem or simply stop...... there's nothing worse then playing with someone who's into himself and can't listen (jamming is like having a conversation NOT a monolouge!) *a wanker :tongue:

hope this helps to motivate you a little...
and if you're still too afraid of the theiory just start REAL slow and only come in when you feel it's right (you can play really soft so just you can hear what you're doing and when you feel it's alright just play stronger!)


--------------------
:mushdance::sanpedro::peyote::mushroom2: :heart: Shr:supershroom::supershroom:mery :heart: :mushroom2::peyote::sanpedro::mushdance:
      Visit & Support Free Spore Ring Earth
      :sun: Please help spread live Salvia Divinorum :sun:


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Re: I can't jam [Re: Simisu]
    #5214726 -

Do what I did....

Hide away for a bit, practise all the really boring stuff (smoking pot helps, as long as you concentrate), and listen carefully to how the experts do it. I mean the experts as in Clapton and Hendrix, those guys were pretty damn loose.

And then just relax and have fun with it, if you get hung up with impressing people or reaching a certain expected standard you'll get nowhere. It has to be natural.

Robert Johnson didn't sell his soul to the devil, hell no. He just disapeared for a bit and practised like FUCK!

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Re: I can't jam [Re: Spooge]
    #5214763 -

Yep. Practice like fuck. Learn your basic scales and chords shapes.
You don't need to know in depth theory. You just need to know the names of some of the scales and shit you are playing. It's actually pretty easy.. you will begin to recognize certain patterns in the fretboard...that you can apply anywhere. Switch keys, whatever.
When jamming with others.. the more you do it.. the easier it gets. So take every opportunity you get. There is no magic key, you just have to play, play, play. Go with the flow and just play what feels right.


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Re: I can't jam [Re: Shroomism]
    #5217449 -

yes yes, practice and practice some more
i'd also suggest learning the circle of fifths, maybe draw yourself a diagram of the guitar neck from the first fret to the 12th, marking out each note by figuring it out based on the roots. if you do this repeatedly eventually you'll know them pretty well.

also, like simisu said- learn how to stay in the pocket as much as possible until it's your turn. it keeps the structure of the song intact as it progresses.. but i'd usually say this more to a bass player than a guitarist.

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Re: I can't jam [Re: idiotek]
    #5217904 -

thanks again for the advice.

I went and drank a few beers and listened to my buds jam last night. They are getting pretty decent...very "toolish".

hehe it's funny because everyone's advice basically boils down to "practice". It's so true though. I guess I"m just a little dissapointed because after 3 years of decent practice, I thought I'd be able to jam a song or two with some band members.

I'm by myself right now, I'll rip out the guitar and play a few riffs through the mic

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Re: I can't jam(examples now included) [Re: Spooge]
    #5219265 -

Have you had a chance to jam with just a drummer, and not a bunch of guys all at once? Or maybe just a drummer and a bass player or something to keep a rhythm for you to follow.. I think that if it were my first few times jaming and I were trying to play along with a band who have been together a while I probably wouldn't know where to start either. I don't know many scales myself but I would imagine learning a few could definitely help. I guess personally I usually just play it by ear..if you are playing along with a bunch of people you are going to need to have atleast a general idea of what notes they will be playing and when, otherwise you'll probably be locked outside the tune with no idea of how to jump in there..

If you want to practice playing to a beat you could always download hammerhead or fruityloops or something and try throwing something simple together to practice jaming along with.. Once you start to get the hang of it you'll probably end up finding it alot easier than it has been so far just playing with a more experienced crowd and all. Let loose start with something simple, and gradually work it into something you enjoy playing. Don't forget to be spontanious and experiment.. If you want to practice your leads you can always record a riff on your computer (would be even better with a drum loop) and then play it back on repeat and just jam out to it until you want to try something different. Practicing that way would probably really help for the next time you are out jaming with your friends.


--------------------
Pot cures cancer.  Tell your friends.

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Re: I can't jam(examples now included) [Re: ekomstop]
    #5219813 -

I just listened to your first example, and it sounds like most people sound when they first learn a scale but no chord theory. They just play little riffs that sound decent enough, then move onto something different, but usually moving up the register. You ended on a higher octave then you started and played around there, which is very stereotypical. Id recommend learning some chord theory.

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Re: I can't jam(examples now included) [Re: TheCow]
    #5221819 -

TheCow said:
I just listened to your first example, and it sounds like most people sound when they first learn a scale but no chord theory. They just play little riffs that sound decent enough, then move onto something different, but usually moving up the register. You ended on a higher octave then you started and played around there, which is very stereotypical. Id recommend learning some chord theory.


thanks both of you. And thanks for the critisisim. You're very right, I don't know any chord theory what's so ever and I can't really understand how that would help me with scales and whatnot?

Those recordings were something I just quickly belted out(I was in a hurry, gf waiting). I plan to make some decent recordings soon here. Well I mean, as decent as I can with windows sound recorder. I just wanted to put together a quick idea of what my "improvisation" involves. I think you're right, not knowing ANY chord theory can't be good.

And to the poster above, nope, I've never jammed with just a drujmmer. That actually might be very possible. I've played with drumbeats and stuff(preprogrammed on a keyboard) and made some decent recordings once upon a time, but no, never with an actual drummer. Maybe I'll have to do that up. I could make it happen. Thanks again

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Re: I can't jam(examples now included) [Re: Spooge]
    #5221868 -

sounds to me you don't really want our advice...
if you really wanna jam with people just learn a few chords and some scales and you'll pick it up fast enough becouse you already kinda know it but you don't know you do...

or at least learn a few basic chords (that's as easy as it gets really!)

good luck


--------------------
:mushdance::sanpedro::peyote::mushroom2: :heart: Shr:supershroom::supershroom:mery :heart: :mushroom2::peyote::sanpedro::mushdance:
      Visit & Support Free Spore Ring Earth
      :sun: Please help spread live Salvia Divinorum :sun:


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Re: I can't jam(examples now included) [Re: Simisu]
    #5222470 -

simisu said:
sounds to me you don't really want our advice...


Whoa, I think you got the wrong idea bud. If I put across a tone or attitude that makes it sound like that, very very unintentional. You're very much mistaken.

I love all sorts of critisism and advice, so by all means, let it fly.

It's very much appreciated, so thank you all of you.

Yeah, I think it's a good idea...I have to get some chord theory under my belt for sure.

Regardless, if anyone still wants to hear songs and things I make, I found a website where I can keep files and whatnot...so I'll be writing some stuff everynow and then.

Thanks again all

Oh, and my question still stands...how does chord theory relate to knowing and running the scales?

Edited by entityexperiment (01/25/06 07:03 PM)

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Re: I can't jam(examples now included) [Re: Spooge]
    #5222919 -

Well otherwise you are just hitting random notes on a scale.

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