[Dave Pollack]

Hey everyone! I'm back with a new video. We've all come across these types of musicians at jam sessions...or we are one...so let me know which ones you've seen!

 

[datsaxman]

Funny as always ... I remember jam sessions!

 

[J-Moen]

Hilarious video, one of the few I have actual experience with in more recent years 🙂.

I was in Bahrain, hadn't played sax in years, but bought one while I was there. A friend of mine convinced me to go to a Jam session. About all I knew was blues scales in D and G, no tunes memorized.

So I go up there and call a blues in G, which completely ruined everything, as I forgot to transpose. So I just sat up there trying to find some chord tones for 8+ choruses and then kicked the solo over to the guitar in the middle of a chorus. It was a mess......

 

[10mfan]

Dave,
My thoughts:
You really need your own YouTube channel, or your own PDF book to help players, or maybe you could put up some videos that are funny and some that also help a lot of people. Another thought is to have you put up videos at the holidays to celebrate the holidays for maybe a few weeks straight. I would be happy to pitch in and get you some really funny looking sweaters to wear for those videos if you are interested. Another idea, maybe ask some of your students to come on and do some cool videos with you.

Oh, and I just thought of a pretty weird idea but maybe you could pull it off... maybe put different parts of instruments on different things that may not even be musical, and see if they work together? Now THAT would be fun!
These are just some thoughts I’ve had recently, that I think could help you build a following.
I think it would be really neat for everybody to be able to see all this type of stuff.... and I think you could pull it off!
If you need a manager, let me know.



Oh, and one more thing———> Thank you for all you do!
During a year of darkness, you have been a shining light for so many people!

 

[dexdex]

Texter Gordon, love it. Cool video, again.

 

[1saxman]

Hilarious video, one of the few I have actual experience with in more recent years ��.

I was in Bahrain, hadn't played sax in years, but bought one while I was there. A friend of mine convinced me to go to a Jam session. About all I knew was blues scales in D and G, no tunes memorized.

So I go up there and call a blues in G, which completely ruined everything, as I forgot to transpose. So I just sat up there trying to find some chord tones for 8+ choruses and then kicked the solo over to the guitar in the middle of a chorus. It was a mess......

When you speak with rhythm section people, you should speak in concert pitch.

 

[datsaxman]

Concert pitch for sure. Always. Except you have to remember your own key too. Happens!

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

The last jam I sat in with was nearly 9 years ago. I sat with my horn in my lap patiently (ie: drinking beer) waiting to be called. The last 15 minutes after a two hour wait was when I was asked to call a tune.

So I called Chameleon since I thought everybody knew this classic. They all looked at me and said, *** and asked me to leave. ) Even blues guys know this tune. Sad really but the reality of being a transplant from NYC now living in Bumfu%^ Oklahoma where country line dancing is still a thing and jazz is considered a relic.

Jams around here are usually for those untalented hacks who can not be in a band for whatever reason and they don't care how they play. LOUD and fast major scales all the way baby! LOL

 

[J-Moen]

When you speak with rhythm section people, you should speak in concert pitch.

Concert pitch for sure. Always. Except you have to remember your own key too. Happens!

Oh yeah, that lesson was learned the hard way. I imagine the band wanted me off stage lol. It was a good learning experience though! Ready to try again now

 

[datsaxman]

Lessons learned any other way usually do not stick.

Back on the horse it is!

 

[AddictedToSax]

I wish I could play like one of those guys, no matter how annoying they are. Funny video, Dave.

 

[swperry1]

Awesome! I’ve run into all these cats frequently...though the vast majority of them weren’t as pleasant to listen to as you. If you make another one of these could you add the guy that calls a tune—almost always both tough and obscure—and doesn’t even know the melody? One of my faves.

 

[10mfan]

Or how about the guy that counts off a tune and then comes in playing it at a different tempo than what he counted off.
I’m sure we all know that guy too.....He frequents many jams sessions.

 

[paulwl]

So was Milt Jackson known for messing with people's heads?

I think a good citizen at a jam session would probably be impressive for a chorus or 2, then they would both bore and intimidate everyone else with their excellent conduct, and not be asked back.

 

[Dave Pollack]

So was Milt Jackson known for messing with people's heads?

No - he plays vibes...that person is the one who vibes people at the sessions

 

[Dave Pollack]

Dave,
My thoughts:
You really need your own YouTube channel, or your own PDF book to help players, or maybe you could put up some videos that are funny and some that also help a lot of people. Another thought is to have you put up videos at the holidays to celebrate the holidays for maybe a few weeks straight. I would be happy to pitch in and get you some really funny looking sweaters to wear for those videos if you are interested. Another idea, maybe ask some of your students to come on and do some cool videos with you.

Oh, and I just thought of a pretty weird idea but maybe you could pull it off... maybe put different parts of instruments on different things that may not even be musical, and see if they work together? Now THAT would be fun!
These are just some thoughts I've had recently, that I think could help you build a following.
I think it would be really neat for everybody to be able to see all this type of stuff.... and I think you could pull it off!
If you need a manager, let me know.

Oh, and one more thing---> Thank you for all you do!
During a year of darkness, you have been a shining light for so many people!

Hahahahah!!! I'll definitely look into all of those things you suggested.

 

[turf3]

Thing is, Dave, when you illustrate "jam session players you want to avoid", you shouldn't sound so DAMN GOOD.

I mean, #10 is funny, but jeez, that's also some mighty fine playing there.

Did you by any chance attend a jazz school to get ready for #10?

 

[lostcircuits]

The last jam I sat in with was nearly 9 years ago. I sat with my horn in my lap patiently (ie: drinking beer) waiting to be called. The last 15 minutes after a two hour wait was when I was asked to call a tune.

So I called Chameleon since I thought everybody knew this classic. They all looked at me and said, *** and asked me to leave. ) Even blues guys know this tune. Sad really but the reality of being a transplant from NYC now living in Bumfu%^ Oklahoma where country line dancing is still a thing and jazz is considered a relic.

Jams around here are usually for those untalented hacks who can not be in a band for whatever reason and they don't care how they play. LOUD and fast major scales all the way baby! LOL

Just ask for Tennessee Whisky or Turn the page LOL

 

[Dave Pollack]

Thing is, Dave, when you illustrate "jam session players you want to avoid", you shouldn't sound so DAMN GOOD.

I mean, #10 is funny, but jeez, that's also some mighty fine playing there.

Did you by any chance attend a jazz school to get ready for #10?

Hahah, thanks so much! I did get a music ed/jazz studies degree from william paterson, so.......yup

 

[DonaldL]

I had a teacher who toured professionally in the 70s and he told about one city where all the musicians with free time Sunday would go to a jam session that the local musicians union held. What the local guys would do to show up the touring musicians was to call standards in weird keys. He remembered Confirmation in concert E or A.