Raz's First Gig (Well Jam Session)

[Raz]

Well I answered an ad in the local music scene here, a drummer and a bass player (not the dudes in the picture ) and they were looking for a guitarist, for experimental stuff. They listed their influences, stated it was mostly originals and for fun and I thought, great no covers. So it started off just me and the drummer...man o man did we jam, and it was all prog stuff. I must say this drummer is AMAZING (way, way out of my league). Any rythm change I would throw at him, he'd quickly pick up on, exploit it and move on...it was f%^&*'n GREAT. Then the bass player showed up, and I got nervous. (I thought I could easily get away with key errors with a drummer, but keeping time and on key with the bass player also is another story).
Well within in a few short minutes we hit a groove that translated into a 2 hour jam, and we only stopped the song maybe twice...now that was AWESOME.
I told the boyz that even if I don't get the part, what we just did will fill my stocking for a lifetime. They seemed very pleased. We then went upstairs, and listened to some of their stuff they recorded with their old band ...wow. Pure Prog Rock...
Anyhoo, we have another jam scheduled for this coming Friday. I know for most of you this is just a drop of a hat, but for me, not jamming in over 20 years, this is HEAVEN on EARTH.
The only thing I regret is not recording it, I wanted to bring my portable multi-track...dang I'm an idiot.

 

[akozols]

Cool Raz. I haven't been in a band in over 10 years and it's been a few years since I even jammed with anybody. I miss it. I'm going to try to hook up again.

al

 

[Raz]

Cool Raz. I haven't been in a band in over 10 years and it's been a few years since I even jammed with anybody. I miss it. I'm going to try to hook up again.

al

I think I'm still glowing, I feel like a school girl after her first kiss!

 

[tvanveen]

Cool.

That moment when you're playing with other folks and you lock in is just completely amazing. Sometimes when I'm playing with my band and my drummer does something crazy I just get this stupid smile on my face and start laughing out loud.

 

[fogman]

That's awesome Raz!!!

 

[shamus63]

It's especially great when you're jamming with people you've only met minutes before, and you lock-in!

Those are the times you wish you were rolling tape.

 

[phatduckk]

very cool buddy. the feeling you get when jamming w/ people after you havent jammed in a WHILE is awesome.

congrats, good luck and woo hoo

 

[kbaim]

Nothing like it. Hope it turns into a regular thing for you.

Sounds like you might need to buy another guitar or 2.

 

[Raz]

Nothing like it. Hope it turns into a regular thing for you.

Sounds like you might need to buy another guitar or 2.

I can't say I haven't thought about it

Thanks guys and I'm still kicking myself for not recording. Again if they decide on not taking me, I still come out smellin fine. I've discovered a twack of new prog bands, plus I'm pushing myself to LEARN theory and proper guitar playing. I've had enough of my antics.

 

[Silhouette]

I feel like a school girl after her first kiss!

Just wondering...How do you know what a school girl feels like after her first kiss?

But no good work. Jamming is great fun, GO JAMMING!!!

 

[SteveB]

Raz,

That's just great, man! I am really, really happy for you!

Like you said, even if you don't get the gig, you got to have a 'moment', and that's what makes playing worthwhile.

 

[Raz]

Raz,

That's just great, man! I am really, really happy for you!

Like you said, even if you don't get the gig, you got to have a 'moment', and that's what makes playing worthwhile.

Agreed, but I'm not going to make it easy for them either...our first jam went well, and they said, and I quote, "Well, it sure didn't sound like you haven't played in 15 years". On top of that, I'm going to crack down on the theory, so I can be better prepared. The only thing the drummer said was that he wanted to HEAR me more, I guess I need to tweak my tone, playing with a drummer/bassist is different than playing in your house, alone! Solos were heard but I guess my mids weren't pronounced enough and our tones, the bassist and I blended during the riffs and rythms.

 

[koogie2k]

Cool bro! Hope it works out for ya! Nothing like jamming with other peeps!

 

[shamus63]

Tonight's gig (paying gig) is with a bunch of guys I haven't met ('cept the drummer).

Should be fun!

 

[kbaim]

The only thing the drummer said was that he wanted to HEAR me more, I guess I need to tweak my tone, playing with a drummer/bassist is different than playing in your house, alone!

Maybe the drummer can play not so loud. Most of them bang harder than Tracy Lords.

 

[Raz]

Maybe the drummer can play not so loud. Most of them bang harder than Tracy Lords.

Hahahaha, no actually he doesn't ground and pound, I guess I didn't want to come off as one of those guys, you know, the Tony Iommi types

 

[SteveB]

You're lucky Raz. My drummer is the sole reason I own a 4x12 cabinet and 120 watt head.

He beats those frikkin' drums so hard you can't imagine.

I was recording him once.. had the kit mic'ed for recording, and I was getting as much snare in the kick drum mic as I was in the snare drum mic.

 

[Norrin Radd]

Well, this sure is a nice story from the guy who was really down on his playing not so many months ago! Congratulations and good luck Raz! I hope this turns into something regular and cool for you.

 

[Raz]

Well, this sure is a nice story from the guy who was really down on his playing not so many months ago! Congratulations and good luck Raz! I hope this turns into something regular and cool for you.

Thanks, I got lucky finding these guys. One thing that made me feel kind of good was they kept asking me if I was going to play with anyone else...

SteveB You're lucky Raz. My drummer is the sole reason I own a 4x12 cabinet and 120 watt head.

He beats those frikkin' drums so hard you can't imagine.

I was recording him once.. had the kit mic'ed for recording, and I was getting as much snare in the kick drum mic as I was in the snare drum micSteveB

He must like changing sticks and skins often then

 

[beej]

Nice Raz! So what guitar/amp did you play through at the jam?