Slo-Jam Meetings

Slo-Jam with Walt Richards

Workshop Format
Meetings are on the Third Friday of the month.
6:30-9:00 P.M.

Please be on time!

San Carlos Recreation Center
6445 Lake Badin Avenue
La Mesa, CA 92119
(see maps)

Contact Walt at
(619) 589-8177

Meeting Format

Each meeting, three or four leaders bring songs with the words and chords printed on a large formatted poster. Walt divides those present into approximately equal groups taking into consideration the various instruments available. Each leader takes their group into a separate room where the melody of the song is learned and the group members proceed to make an arrangement. (See Song Leader's Guide)

During the last hour each group performs their arrangement for the other groups. Following the presentation there is an opportunity for "audience" members to comment on the song selection, the arrangement, the breaks taken, vocal solos and harmonies and performance aspects such as audience contact, enthusiasm, phrasing, dynamics and so on. Comments focus on the positive and are very supportive. (On occasion, since many of the group members have been meeting for a number of years now, and know each other quite well, there may be some humorous comments and references to prior performances, as well as the usual complementary kudos that are always shared.)

In addition to the traditional three or four song leaders who bring a song for their groups to learn and present, we now have a dedicated group perform a short set of songs at the start of the evening. This group is selected, as are the song leaders, the previous meeting and have a month to work up one or two songs to present to the Slojam group. They will usually give their performance at the start of the meeting after Walt has said a few words and shared whatever announcements need to be made.

The idea is to inform the Slojam participants on the how-to's of getting together, selecting the songs and then arranging and practicing the songs. Hopefully, this exercise will encourage participants to meet outside of the Slojam venue and seize the initiative to form groups, formal or informal, to play and perform music.

Let us not forget the Friday night continuation of the Slo-Jam when those who can, get together for pizza (or Salad), and beer (or water ), to share the enthusiastic camaraderie that follows a job well done. The current location for all this post-jam conviviality is Round Table Pizza on Severin in La Mesa. (Maps)

We've been doing this a long time!