Slo-Jam Meeting Etiquette

Meeting Etiquette and Information

Meetings run from 6:30 to 9:00 PM on the third Friday of the month. This time has been reserved for us at the San Carlos Recreation center. It is important to the flow of the meeting that people arrive on time, with their instruments tuned and be ready to get started on time. We have to do a number of 'House-Keeping' chores in order to facilitate an orderly and productive meeting. The Rec Center closes right at 9:00 PM, so everything must be completed by then.

Here is a list of suggested hints to help expidite the meeting.

First arrivals help each other set up the chairs.
No "noodling" please during announcements, and while anyone "has the floor". (That would also include the portion of the evening when the group leader is teaching the song.)
Be mindful to not bang into others' instruments, it's easy to get a ding with a large crowd in a small room! Move slowly and watch your step!
Everyone helps put away chairs at the end of the meeting.
At the end of the meeting, please pack up and go outside to have extended conversations. We all need to be out the door at approximately 8:50 so that Rec Center personnel can lock up.

Other Meeting Information

A bathroom is located near the office, which is across the basketball court.
There is no charge to attend the Slo-Jam, however, every few months a donation is collected to cover the cost of janitorial services.
There is a Recreation Center Board meeting on third Tuesdays. Greg Gross currently attends most meetings. When he is unable to attend he will notify us, as we need to send an alternate. Participation on the Board is the factor that allows us to be at the Center on third Fridays at a very reasonable charge.
Those who can join us for Pizza get a 15% discount from Round Table as Slo-Jam members. Since we come in quite late and are often a pretty big group, we usually pass a cup to collect a $1.00 (or whatever) to leave as a tip. The idea is to help generate enthusiasm for our arrival. Our pizza makers are often pretty tired already by the time we get there!

When you happen upon a future jam, with your instrument in hand,
here are a few hints to help you be a welcomed - and valued - participant.

The Ten Jammandments

by Robert Rosenberg
(Made cool by Charlie Hall)
(from the Internet)

THOU SHALT:

TUNE YOUR INSTRUMENT. There are too many good, cheap electronic tuners around not to do this before the meeting begins.
LISTEN. If you can't hear the vocal or lead instrument, then YOU are too loud. Be sensitive to volume levels.
COMMUNICATE WHO HAS THE SOLO. Follow a pattern (like clockwise) so the next player knows it is his/her turn. Indicate that you are passing on playing with a shake of your head.
WELCOME OTHERS. Jam sessions won't be too large if everyone is polite.
SHARE THE SELECTION. Don't monopolize by playing one song after another.
NOT START THE SONG TOO FAST. Once everyone has had a turn on an instrumental, then someone can announce that the tempo is going to increase.
TRY NEW STUFF. Once in a while, a participant may suggest an original tune, or one that is not easily followed by the group. This is OK occasionally.
LET OTHERS KNOW WHEN YOUR GROUP IS NOT JAMMING. Bands may sometimes be rehearsing and need to exclude nonmembers. An explanation would be polite.
NOT BE TEMPTED TO RAID. Don't interrupt an active jam by calling favorite musicians away to begin another jam. After a reasonable amount of time, any jam session will change musicians.
KEEP STEADY RHYTHM. Errors in rhythm are difficult to overcome while trying to keep a group together. Avoid adding and dropping beats (if possible). If you haven't had much experience playing with others, check your rhythmic tendencies with a metronome. You might be surprised!