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Wednesday Noon Moving Past the Basics
Questions
Let me know if you have other questions about the Wednesday Noon MPtB Jams - Tony - TwinCitiesUkeClub@icloud.com.
Questions
- Q - Are MPtB Technique Sessions and MPtB Freestyle Jams classes or jams?
- A - They are a combination of classes, workshops and jams. Both present more complex concepts and techniques that can and will fit into a jamming or performing environment. They are very definitely a giant step above the normal Yellow, Blue or song sheet sessions. If someone wants to break free of the normal jam where virtually everyone is tied to a simple version in a book or on a song sheet, these will help take them there.
- Q - Is the purpose of the MPtB sessions to get people away from playing from written material?
- A - Yes and no. The MPtB Technique Sessions rely heavily on good leaders and written material to present concepts and techniques. The MPtB Freestyle Jams will be strongly geared to get participants away from playing and singing from written materials. Freestyle jammers can certainly bring and use written materials to learn the songs. However, to encourage creativity, participants will be encouraged to move away from relying on print or ebook materials in a timely manner. The goal of Freestyle Jamming is to get the group leading the group and learning from what other jammers are doing. The idea is to "put interactive play back in playing the ukulele."
- Q - Will discouraging the ongoing use of printed or ebook materials scare some jammers away from the Freestyle Jams.
- A - Probably. My experience is that MOST jammers resist jamming without something to look at. They avoid it like the plague! Are they convinced they can't do it? All Twin Cities Ukulele Club jams offer participants jamming information that truly gets them ready to break free of the "books." We actively encourage and educate jammers about the Nashville Numbering System, hearing chord changes and effective jamming techniques. We have a Dropbox folder with about 50 items on how to play and jam more effectively. Our jammers are far more ready to move away from relying on print than they realize. However, it takes practice, and this is what the MPtB Freestyle Jams are all about.
- Q - Will breaking away from the use of printed or ebook materials at the Freestyle Jams encourage participants to better interact with the other jammers? And, will they learn more effective and fun jamming techniques faster?
- A - Absolutely yes! Many ukulele experts like Jim D'Ville and Lil Rev strongly agree with this. Click here and here for their thoughts.
- Q - Do you have to quit using printed or ebook materials to be creative?
- A - No! However, many hold the belief that time spent looking at and listening to fellow jammers or band/group members is far more productive than focusing on written materials. Try playing a song that a whole group knows and ask jammers to look in the eyes of the other jammers while playing. Ask them to note what other players are doing. I have asked many groups to do this. The reaction is almost always highly positive and enlightening.
Let me know if you have other questions about the Wednesday Noon MPtB Jams - Tony - TwinCitiesUkeClub@icloud.com.
Questions - Automatic Notification of Events - You may ask questions and sign up for automatic e-mail notification of the Twin Cities Ukulele Club jams by contacting TwinCitiesUkeClub@icloud.com.
Click here for the Twin Cities Ukulele Club calendar.
Why? - Because you just never see someone playing a uke without a smile on their face!
Questions - Automatic Notification of Events - You may ask questions and sign up for automatic e-mail notification of the Twin Cities Ukulele Club jams by contacting TwinCitiesUkeClub@icloud.com.
Click here for the Twin Cities Ukulele Club calendar.
Why? - Because you just never see someone playing a uke without a smile on their face!