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Thoughts on Jamming, September 2008

Recently, I have started running regular Skills Days (in my home), and Saturday Jams (in Stockbridge Church Hall), and these afternoons have made me reflect about what we mean by jamming, or improvising. It seems to be common in every musical culture I can think of - consider the way bluegrass musicians muck about with the same tune for twenty minutes; the pibroch in Scots piping, Indian classical ragas, and the way both are played by accomplished musicians who have mastered their respective musical languages. Consider the nature of jazz, the wonderful hypnotic intricacies of African kora playing, or drumming; consider J. S. Bach's variations and figured basses (the notation a bare minimum to give the harpsichordist something to go on). In each case, something is laid down: a basic tune or chord structure - which is then used as a secure framework for free self-expression. Freedom within safe limits is perhaps the essence of human musicality - and enjoyment.

When we jam, we sing something for long enough for it to become easy and familiar, and then wander off from the thing itself. Once everyone can hear the basic riff or song, we can all be free of it, yet still be blending and in relation. A bit like the way human culture works (when it does) - everyone relating to, and celebrating, something implicitly agreed, understood, shared.

©Yvonne Burgess, 2008