Jam Sessions are held regularly every two to three weeks at my studio where I give lessons. They are usually held on Friday nights from 7pm to 10pm. I supply a a drummer and a bass player (if you know someone who is interested let me know) and all of my students are welcome, along with guests, free of charge. Only my students are invited, so the atmosphere is one of low pressure and fun. Everyone is just getting started and it is perfectly OK to sound awful, I promise you wont be the only one. I try to provide a nurturing learning environment where everyone feels comfortable to play and ask questions. Everyone is encouraged to play but some students just come to hang out as well.

I have many students who study blues and we spend a lot time playing 12 bar blues in different keys and styles. We also tend to do to pick a key and just jam in a certain style. I always try to help the players figure out which scale to use and what to put it in. Sometimes we write chord progressions on the white board and talk about how to improvise over them.

Most jam sessions will change gears, however, and have more of an open mic coffee shop feel. If a student is working on a song and they want to perform it solo they can. I have a great PA system and microphones. Jam Sessions exist for my students so they are the ones who decide the direction they go in and they are always open to suggestion. Its also a great way to meet other musicians who live in the area.