Topic: Future Near-Fest Jam and the format. Be heard!!

[Bri]

Jammers, Players, Pickers, Singers and Wailers:

I'd like to get your 2 cents on how to conduct  future jams.
The last one I believe was a great success but there is room for improvement.

We were blessed with getting a sound man (Ben along with Andrea and Julie) who not only provided sound but all the equipment and did all the setup/breakdown!!

I'd like to get as many players as possible to join us.
This includes the non electric players, beat poets, A cappella, rappers, minimalists and stray cats.
I don't know about you but I can stand to learn from someone playing a different style or musical taste.

I've been asking some of the players from past jams for input, but I also need input from those that would like to play but didn't because of what ever reason: song choices, electric VS acoustic, skill level, personnel, lack of equipment.

Please stand up and be heard. If you don't speak up you can't be counted!

Should we have separate sets for acoustic, pre arranged songs, jams, blues, original music??
Or it that too much structure?
Should we start the jam earlier to accommodate different/more interests?
Is anyone interested in getting together mid winter to work on some songs to play at the next fest?
Lets hear your ideas.
I figure I should be able to lay the coming jam by mid. January.
This will give everyone time to get acquainted with what's going to happen and how.
But.. I need to hear from you! If I don't get feedback, the jam format will probably remain as is.
And if thats the case, there is a no-bitch policy.

You can respond here via the forum or if you'd rather be discreet, you can email me directly at:

bshaban@beld.net

See you in the Spring,

Bri

[W1VFB]

Bri,
My 2 cents.  I enjoyed the jam immensely.  Format or structure, maybe.  Rehearsed songs, yes.  Mid-winter rehearsal, that would be very interesting.  I had suggested maybe passing some tabs around that we could individually practice in the comfort of our own space.  Maybe limit the amount any one person was to pass on.  Then again maybe not.

I know that volume is a very hard thing to control but a little control could go a long way to make the event better.  As things got going this fall, the volume got louder.  Rather trying to balance other players with one maybe trying to balance the whole picture instead.  That's just my feelings.  They won't be hurt if this doesn't happen.

Different types of sets, sounds like an idea.  I think if you invite the blue grass guys that we have all heard about to do their own set, you might get more audience and maybe a little earlier also.  I know I was done at 10:30-11:00 because I had gotten on the road at about 5 in that morning.  I know we are all trying to be the ultimate rock star and trying to play all rock and roll but there are some slow numbers out there that we could try to do also.  I know that "Whoz your daddy" Rick is in a working band as I believe are Raj and Scott.  The three of them had great chops as did everyone.

I look forward to anything that comes out of this forum and will contribute what and when I can.  Please let me know.
Catch ya for now.

[N1ERF]

My belief is that the Jam is All-Inclusive. No one gets left out unless they choose to be left out -
which is unfortunate AND avoidable.

I think that there would be a hard marriage between some different styles of music and it would
take tremendous discipline amongst the musicians to not stomp on each other (or to be stomped
on). To avoid alienating the different groups, earlier and later time might be an interesting idea.

_____________________________________________________________________________

I'm glad I brought my earplugs, my ears would still be ringing... Actually they still are from all the
damage I did in my 20's & 30's *8^(

"VOLUME" - This is a self control thing. It starts from the very beginning and is important for
all to be aware of. I did not turn myself up because we were inside. I sometimes couldn't hear
myself too. We might need to remind ourselves that we do not have to go to 11 just to be
"1 Louder". It creeps up on you and sometimes you don't realize it.

_____________________________________________________________________________

"Should we have separate sets for acoustic, pre arranged songs, jams, blues, original music??"

"This includes the non electric players, beat poets, A cappella, rappers, minimalists and stray cats"

This may depend on who speaks up and may be the most important thing - If you don't
say anything, nobody will know. The earlier one speaks up, the easier it is to plan anything.
Hopefully we can be flexible enough to accommodate most or all.

As far as prearranged songs go... One idea is for each person that wants to play, that they
come up with a wish list and/or a list that you think that you can play and possibly pick something
from each list. I know that Rick & Brian have posted a variation on this in previous discussions.

If a core set of songs can be decided on, then all that want to participate can have time to
practice those songs. I came in late in the process last season and tried to cram in as many
songs from the two lists that were posted into 6-days. Most of what I learned never got played.
It was a great & busy learning experience, but in a way I wish that I could have focused on
the songs that actually did get played.

Also, around and through the core songs, there is always room for the unexpected!

Count me in if there is a pre-Jam practice session.

Having a core set of songs will help in having a smoother and tighter sounding set.
The non-participating audience will appreciate this more and will probably equate to having
a better time.

_____________________________________________________________________________

"Your results may vary"

John
N1ERF

[K1WIZ]

Just some constructive criticism:

I think the PA was overkill.  Most of the instruments were already amped (guitars, keyboards, drums) and did not need further amplification.  While I was there setting up the radio link, the sounds was so loud (mostly because of the PA) that it sounded distorted in my ears.  I also heard remarks from others who were listening on the radio then went to the Jam and back to the radio to listen because of the same problem.  The point of broadcasting the live jam is to entice people to come watch/participate in the performance as well as being able to listen from the comfort of their RVs/tents, or while out and about beyond the fairgrounds, etc. 

Over the radio, everything sounded crystal clear, and was a pleasure to listen to, but in the room with the PA re-enforcing the already loud music created a less than pleasurable listening experience. 

I hope it's decided to run the jam in the spring without the PA, you all sounded so much better without it!   

[Bri]

All great responses so far!!

At this time I'll only touch on the subject of volume; Yeah it got freakin' loud later in the set.

I'm somewhat on the fence on this issue.
On the one hand there is something to be said for loud rockin tunz.
For guitars, there is a kind of sound that rarely happens at low to mid levels but really makes it at close to max.
And having a good loud P.A. can push the performance up. Sometimes a little, sometimes a lot.

I'm not ready to say no to having a P.A.
I found it very valuable for giving the keyboards, drums and vocals a way of being part of the jam.
That said. At one point it was so loud I couldn't hear the drums or keyboard at all.
Loud and clean works total distortion doesn't.

On the other hand it started out pretty loud especially for the songs we were playing and just went right up from there. It starts out as who has the bigger stick (louder amp) and whose more aggressive with the level.
The spring jam I found myself wishing I brought my larger amp because I could barely hear my guitar. So, this time I did bring it and when the need arose for more volume I was able to get it.
Maybe I should have taken a more controlling hand with the jam but were supposed to be adults and perhaps  we should self regulate. Also, dynamics can go a long way. Not every song begs for 120db.

In the future jams I will keep a tab on the level and I may require players to bring it down or to stand down.
I'm sure we can all make this work without going into regulation and rule.

This issue is not closed. I still want more input from players and listeners alike.

I still need to hear from the ghost and fringe players. Those that want to play but for whatever reason have not jumped in.


Keep those replies coming!!

Bri

[W1VFB]

Okay, I know that I opened a can of worms but I don't mean to shut the volume down completely, just balance everyone and then pull back a notch.  Like John said, in the room it was almost distorted.  He was able to pull back volume on what he was picking up and let his transmitter do the rest.

Bri, I agree with the statement that to reach a certain sound you have to be at a certain volume.  That's a no brainer.  When I worked with the Hammond organ, the amp in the Leslie was only 45 watts.  Everyone else around me was using 60,70, 100 or more watts but I was still able to be heard and still could fill a large room.  I think some self control and this issue will work it's self out.

Set music lists.  My thought with that was to have a few songs that we all could do, and do well.  We had some of those at Jam IV.  Then we had some that were put together on the fly and came out.  There was such a variety of music styles on stage that we really did a great job of putting them together.

All in all I think the next Jam will be better, more organized, and more appealling to the masses.  We're on the right road to big and better things.

Again, my 2 cents and I'm open to any and all comments.

[Bri]

"Okay, I know that I opened a can of worms"

Maybe.. but the can existed so it had to be opened.

After reviewing Mark's video's of the jam on Youtube, I realize levels were so high I couldn't hear many of the great players who came to play and should have been heard.
I could barely hear myself sing (scream)

So, We'll definitely start out lower and keep an ear on the volume swell.
Those with bigger amps (I'm one of the culprits) need to exercise volume restraint.
Lets work the dynamics. Rather than have the singer try to sing louder, over the band, the band should bring it down during the vocal and during someone's solo.
It's not easy to do. It's hard to fight that temptation to adjust that knob But I think we can do it.

Thanks to Mark for posting those video's.
Warts and all It's great to see and hear where were at. It also lets me know what to work on (everything)
Anyone else have any?
Please put em up or email 'em to me!!


I'm thinking of setting up a mid winter jam/practice.
No details or location just yet.
If your interested let me know.


Bri

[Bri]

Well, it's been a while and no one else has chimed in.
No other thoughts or wants as to how the jam operates?
I'll wait till  Jan. for more submissions. 
I will then work out a program with those that have responded.

Please silent majority, lets hear you.


Bri

[nebula]

I plan on bringing my acoustic drum set. This will be my first year attending the NEAR-Fest. I was introduced to it by N1WIL.

Thanks!

nebula

[Bri]

Very nice!!!
It's been a while since I've heard acoustic drums at the jam.
I can't wait to hear and see how it opens up the jam.

I'm looking forward to it!

Thanks,

Bri

[nebula]

Do we have any ideas for a set list yet? I'd like to start practicing some tunes if I know they'll be performed. Also, are there any practice sessions planned? I'm in the southcoast of Massachusetts.

-nebula

[Bri]

No set list yet.
Only 1 person has sent in a list (besides my own).

So, lets go players!
Send me a list of say 10 songs you want to play.
Depending on how many people send in a list and if people sign on to play on your songs says how many of your songs get played.
It could be a bunch, it could be just a few.
I can't generate a list if you don't submit one.

As for a practice, I'm thinking mid Feb. at my place in Braintree, MA
More details will follow when we get a list together and I know who's coming to the practice.


Thanks,
Bri