Basic Etiquette Rules for Jam Sessions

A student of computer science at Mercer County Community College in New Jersey (NJ), Adam Porcher spends much of his free time playing music. Adam Porcher plays drums, piano, and bass, and he enjoys sharing his love for music at jam sessions.

When attending a jam session, each musician should work to ensure that everyone enjoys playing, feels respected, and gets to experience contributing to an ensemble. This requires everyone to abide by the basic rules of jam etiquette, which vary by genre but tend to center on sharing the spotlight and playing within one’s skill level.

The first and perhaps most important rule of etiquette at a music jam is to arrive with a properly tuned instrument that you know how to play. How good you need to be depends on the level of the jam, so the first thing you should do when the music begins is listen. If the music seems to be above your level, you may be able to play along, but it can help to sit next to a seasoned player whom you can watch for chord or tune changes.

If you are one of the better players in the group, you can enjoy a nice low-stress evening, but be careful not to show off. Avoid choosing repertoire that is above everyone else’s level and do not overshadow the other players, either by volume or through choice of embellishments.

Regardless of your ability, you should be careful not to take too many solos or impose your tune choices on the group. Watching the session leader can tell you everything you need to know about who begins a tune and how the solos will work. If you play within these rules, it’s much more likely you’ll be welcomed back.