On Wed Aug 18 17:06:13 1999 CDT, Robert Eberwein wrote: >Tim Norris, wrote, on Tue, 17 Aug 1999 22:14:44 -0500 >Subject: Re: Jammers and Artistes > >>>>< > **************** >Yeah. Good point. It did evolve that way. Making them synonymous. "jamming" >and "Improvising" may well be synonymous, but "Jammers" started as a term to >describe rude and inconsiderate collegues. Guys who always prefer "jamming" >over "practicing". Picture a Miles Davis wannabe that has been playing >trumpet a month and plays through the keyboards solo... > >I, perhaps unfortunately, made the choice of "Jammers" to describe certain >kinds of harpers. Folks that have some odd commitment to staying at a >certain, non-musical, level of mastery and make up a lot of romantic reasons >for it. It bugs me for personal reasons and reminds me of my own excuses for >lack of achievement. But my post had nothing against the act of >improvisation (or jamming)... people just found a place to grind their other >ax. > >"Hotdog Primadonna Jerks" might have been a better term. But I was looking >for a word to describe harpers who: -ALWAYS push for more jam, less practice at rehearsals. -religiously don't know music-theory (and claim to be proud of that fact- as >if the info would clip their wings).>-play exclusively "solos" (and never the same thing twice- also claiming >this is an artistic choice), and don't know when to lay out.>- don't make notes at rehearsals -think they are on an equal par with underpaid folks who ARE pulling for the >whole group. - folks that would condemn certain fantastic jazz chromatic players for >being "technicians"...yet they keep their three or four "tricks" like silver >bullets (do I sound bitter :-\). -guys/gals that turn everything (gig or practice) into a jam- forcing every >one to their level. Folks, it's fun once a month with new people. Try it >three times a week with the same band...against your well-laid plan and >will...Arrrggh. > >Logically, that doesn't make any comment about jammING at all. It also is no >slam on beginners... But that's the party game of email. > >(But, hey, whatever works. Just keep blowing that thing) >("Is that a Sears poncho???") > >Robb-no you can't sit in-Eberwein
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Wow. I guess I won't be joining Robb's band anytime soon. :)
On a more serious note, I think Robb, and people as frustrated as Robb, need to rethink what they want from a band situation. I just left a band for a number of reasons. The two biggies: a drummer who did not practice and never improved and a songwriter who wasn't much of a rhythm guitar player. These problems meant that we usually had three separate rhythms at most times, with only the bass player being consistent in driving the band and maintaining tempo. Pretty tough sledding, no? I stuck it out for eighteen months for lots of reasons--nice guys, pretty good songs, occasionally we seemed to make progress, the gigs actually went pretty well AND I ain't exactly (your fave musical genius here). Eventually, it just became too much to take so I took my leave.
I fall somewhere in between the two categories as Robb defines them. I never show up to a practice thinking anything I play will be just great. I know when I've played badly. I know what I need to work on and try to do so in practice and on my own time. On the other hand, I think Robb sounds pretty anal. I don't have the faintest idea what sort of project he has going. If it is a money-making band and top-notch musicianship and professionalism is a must, well, he needs to give the slackers the boot and find some pros. If the band is for fun, well, he ain't havin' any; kick the bums out and find some new, like-minded folks, or, take some time off and play only by and for yourself. I'd like to know more theory and have razor-sharp chops but I don't think you need 'em to make great music. 'Course I like things a little more on the raw side AND I do know that some folks that sound raw may have chops and theory up the wazoo.
I don't recall where I read it but somebody said that a band needs two of the following three things to stay together: good friends, good music, good money. I'll settle for one and a half (if one is good friends or good music).
Good luck to you, Robb. There is much joy to be found in music. I hope you can find some of it soon.
