17 Habits of Highly Effective Jammers

by Tom Smart, Intermountain Acoustic Musician, March, 2005

Note: This is an abbreviated list; the comments have not been reproduced here.

  1. Practice at home.
  2. Tune your instrument carefully.
  3. Get close to the other musicians.
  4. Let the better musicians into the core of the circle.
  5. Listen! Listen! Listen!
  6. Adjust your volumn to the other players.
  7. Keep a steady rhythm.
  8. Get the chords right.
  9. Welcome others.
  10. Give everyone a chance to lead a song or tune.
  11. When it's your turn, choose a song that fits the style of the jam and the skill level of the other players.
  12. Try something different once in a while.
  13. Give everyone a solo.
  14. Learn from others.
  15. Share what you know with others.
  16. CONTRIBUTE TO THE ENSEMBLE SOUND, OR SHUT THE HELL UP!
  17. Have fun.
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