Music Support Group Jam Session
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 10:49 pm
I thought I would fill you all in on some recent developments in my life with regards to playing. As most of you will know I started jamming over at my Dad's house and from there started attending the open mic night in the local pub which I've really enjoyed.
Well I recently started seeing a new Councillor to deal with my various states of mental-ness. He told me about a music group that gets together every Friday in Sheffield and just have a bit of a jam. I've been three times now and I must say It's been fantastic, all of the people are really nice and most have them have various mental health issues so there is no one there to judge you on the standard of your playing. I went today and we jammed from 12:30 until 4:30 so a good long session. Some of the guys have original songs that they like to play and we just join in, then we play covers and the rest are just when someone plays a lick, we pick up on it and go for it.
Today's best song for me was when I got them to play my version of I've Got A Mind To Give Up Living, there was a drummer, bass, keyboards and 2 guitars and we really hit our groove, I played rhythm while we all knew what the changes were while the other guy solo'd, then he took over and I solo'd, then we starting bouncing off each other, he plays a lick, I copy it and visa versa. We must have be playing that song for a good 20 minutes maybe longer.
It has just been a huge step forward to me and it leaves me looking forward to next week before we've even finished.
One of the guitarists just bought a new amp and he brought it along and let me play through it all day, a Fender Super Champ. It has built in effects and 14 different amp models, but it is a tube amp at the same time, really a great amp.
All in all I'm feeling a lot happier in my life and this has been a big part of it, now all I need is a regular band to practice with and start gigging.
Well I recently started seeing a new Councillor to deal with my various states of mental-ness. He told me about a music group that gets together every Friday in Sheffield and just have a bit of a jam. I've been three times now and I must say It's been fantastic, all of the people are really nice and most have them have various mental health issues so there is no one there to judge you on the standard of your playing. I went today and we jammed from 12:30 until 4:30 so a good long session. Some of the guys have original songs that they like to play and we just join in, then we play covers and the rest are just when someone plays a lick, we pick up on it and go for it.
Today's best song for me was when I got them to play my version of I've Got A Mind To Give Up Living, there was a drummer, bass, keyboards and 2 guitars and we really hit our groove, I played rhythm while we all knew what the changes were while the other guy solo'd, then he took over and I solo'd, then we starting bouncing off each other, he plays a lick, I copy it and visa versa. We must have be playing that song for a good 20 minutes maybe longer.
It has just been a huge step forward to me and it leaves me looking forward to next week before we've even finished.
One of the guitarists just bought a new amp and he brought it along and let me play through it all day, a Fender Super Champ. It has built in effects and 14 different amp models, but it is a tube amp at the same time, really a great amp.
All in all I'm feeling a lot happier in my life and this has been a big part of it, now all I need is a regular band to practice with and start gigging.
