How to Survive a Blues Jam, Part 1 (Guitar Lesson)
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How to Survive a Blues Jam, Part 1
Hawkeye gets started in this series with this lecture style lesson explaining just what a blues jam is, and how your typical jam session works.
Taught by Hawkeye Herman in Jamming With Others seriesLength: 14:38Difficulty: 0.0 of 5
Video Subtitles / Captions
Supplemental Learning Material
Jamming With Others
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsAre you tired of just playing in your bedroom? Are you thinking of putting yourself out there in a jamming situation? If so, this series from Hawkeye Herman is just the one for you! Hawkeye has been a professional musician for more than 40 years, and has facilitated hundreds of jams. Benefit from his vast experience in this series, Jamming With Others.
Lesson 1
Series Introduction
Join Hawkeye as he introduces his series, Jamming With Others.
Length: 5:14 Difficulty: 0.0 Members Only
How to Survive a Blues Jam, Part 1
Hawkeye gets started in this series with this lecture style lesson explaining just what a blues jam is, and how your typical jam session works.
Length: 14:38 Difficulty: 0.0 Members Only
How to Survive a Blues Jam, Part 2
Remember, it's not all about you! Hawkeye discusses a major part of jamming with others: etiquette!
Length: 19:33 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
How to Survive a Blues Jam, Part 3
Learning how to be on stage during a jam is super important! In this lesson, Hawkeye gives us a picture of what it's like on stage, and he coaches us on one of the most important aspects of all: How to...
Length: 14:50 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Easy to Play Hard to Forget, Part 1
Chris Liepe joins Hawkeye in this lesson, giving you a practical look at playing with another person with no rehearsal!
Length: 11:15 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Easy to Play Hard to Forget, Part 2
Now, Chris will lead a song and Hawkeye will back him up! Then they will both explain the process they went through to make this jam successful.
Length: 8:37 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Easy to Play Hard to Forget, Part 3
One more collaboration between Chris and Hawkeye. In this one, they explain the process of complimenting each other musically, when both are playing rhythm guitar.
Length: 12:40 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
The Nuts and Bolts of a Jam Night
Now that Hawkeye has discussed all of the elements of a Jam, he gives you a detailed look at a Jam Night, from being a jammer to being a facilitator of the jam.
Length: 10:35 Difficulty: 0.0 Members Only
Planning Your Own Jam
Having your own regular, private jam session can be a great way to build a musical community. In this lesson, Hawkeye shares is extensive knowledge that comes from years and years of hosting his own private...
Length: 29:42 Difficulty: 0.0 Members Only
Series Summary
Hawkeye wraps up his series on Jamming With Others with a review of his key points: Jamming in a club situation, and starting your own private jam.
Length: 11:33 Difficulty: 0.0 Members Only
About Hawkeye Herman
View Full Biography
""One of America's finest acoustic guitarists and blues educators."
Cascade Blues Association
"Herman plays with a sensitive, reflective touch that continually draws
attention to his vocals, which are effectively understated and free of
affectation... Herman can rock with the best of them. A solid choice for fans of
traditional acoustic blues."
Living Blues Magazine
" ...plays haunting music on a mournful guitar."
Los Angeles Times
"The only thing better than hearing this live album is seeing Hawkeye Herman
in the flesh. Whether adding his own spin to blues classics or offering his
own songs, Herman is a one-man history of blues, noteworthy guitar player and
inimitable communicator. Miss him at your peril."
Blues Access
With over 40 years of performing experience, Michael "Hawkeye" Herman
personifies the range of possibilities in blues and folk music. His dynamic blues
guitar playing and vocal abilities have won him a faithful following and he leads
a very active touring schedule of performances at festivals, concerts, school
programs and educational workshops throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
His original music has been included in video dramas and documentaries and in
four hit theatrical productions.
In 2000, Hawkeye was awarded Philadelphia's
Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theatre for best original music in a
theatrical production. "Everyday Living," Hawkeye's first nationally released album
from 1987, now reissued on CD, features the late blues giants Charles Brown and
"Cool Papa" Sadler, and established the demand for his now long-standing
festival and concert touring. His latest CDs and DVD, "Blues Alive!" (CD), "It's
All Blues To Me" (CD), and "Hawkeye Live In Concert" (DVD) have been greeted
with rave reviews. Hawkeye's journalistic efforts have been published in numerous
national and regional blues and music-related periodicals.
In 1998 he was the
recipient of the Blues Foundation's "Keeping The Blues Alive" award for
achievement in education. He served on the Board of Directors of the Blues
Foundation for six years. Hawkeye was inducted into the Iowa Blues Hall of fame in
2004. In September of 2005, Hawkeye composed, at the request of the British
Broadcasting Company (BBC), "Katrina, Oh Katrina (Hurricane Blues)," detailing the
hurricane disaster on the Gulf Coast. The song was aired to over 7 million
listeners on the popular "BBC Today" program. He is the cofounder of the Rogue
Valley Blues Festival, Ashland, OR.
This musician has definitely carved out a
spot for himself in the contemporary acoustic blues/folk field, and has earned a
reputation as one of the most accomplished artists in the genre, and
audiences throughout the US/Canada/Europe have come to know and appreciate Hawkeye's
talent, dedication, and captivating performances.
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Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.I don't get what it matters the style of blues on the list? Are you playing with people you've never played with or are you playing solo or with a friend, in which case you would play one of your songs...
I need to give you a big thanks for onr thing you said in this video. Most guitar instructors I have ever seen or talked to are constantly saying that you have to go out and play with other people or you are just wasting your time. I am very pleased that you actually say it is perfectly fine to not want to do anything but play for your self. Many, such as myself, suffer from very severe social anxiety, and may never want to or be able to overcome the fear to play at a jam or anything.
You're most welcome, Erik. Art, like music/guitar playing, can be a collaboration with others, or not. If you're uncomfortable with others in social artistic situations, like a jam or band/ensemble, don't participate. You don't have to. THERE ARE NO REQUIREMENTS, technically or socially in learning/creating/playing musics. Whatever 'floats your boat' is fine. It's about being happy on your path in life, not about abiding by the requirements' of others, regardless of their status as a player or teacher. Those that have no problems/issues with 'socializing,' in general, or in art, generally find that playing with others is good for them, and playing with others who are 'better' than they are helps them learn faster. Even so, socializing/playing with others is NOT REQUIRED ... The only requirement for playing the guitar is to have an instrument... What you do with it is up to YOU ... Like painting (any art form) ... The only requirements are for you to have the paints/brushes/canvas/media needed to create ... What one does with the tools of the art form, regardless of how basic or advanced, is up to the artist ... And NOBODY else. Thre are 'rules' in music theory that are very helpful to learn in order to understand how music 'works' and how to create music ... but, as the old blues players of the past, and many folk artists have illustrated, knowing the technical side/rules of any art form is not necessary in order to create beautiful art. Do whatever you wish ... And enjoy the journey. Happiness is not somewhere up the road, happiness is right now. Enjoy your guitar, and understand that one can ignore ALL THE RULES and still personally enjoy the arts ... and even be successful in the eyes (ears) of others. Thanks so ouch for your kind comments and for enjoying these lessons. I hope you continue to enjoy these lessons, and that your skills on the guitar continue to improve, regardless of the 'social nature' of your practicing and/or playing.