Jam-tastic - Playing Guitar with other Guitarists!

There are many benefits to jamming with other guitar players - most importantly, it's just plain ole fun! And, if you're feeling intimidated, the best way to overcome those doubts is to just jam! 

In this episode, Marlene inspires you to give it a try as she shares her very first jam experience - she'd only been playing for 6 months! Plus, you'll learn about previous jam episodes that can help you get started on your jamming adventure! 

Links to the previous Jam episodes: Find a Jam Session Near You  How to Jam with Your Guitar Friends 

Start Your Free 7-day YoGuitar Video Library Trial!

Join our Guitar Tips Community! Don't miss out, our next jam session is 6/18!

Marlene's Guitar Courses & Learning Resources YoGuitar Video Library Learn to Play Guitar in a Day!  Coaching Sessions Marlene's Tips For Guitar Playing Success book Thursday Tips blog

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Credits: Creator, Host, Producer: Marlene Hutchinson This podcast was made possible in part by: Gator Cases I Create Sound - For help getting your best sound go to www.icreatesound.com

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
I'm Marlene Hutchinson and welcome to Tips for Guitar Plane Success.

(00:09):
As many of you know, I've been sharing my guitar plane tips every Thursday for more than
10 years.
It's been my way to hopefully help you stay motivated, be inspired, and continue expanding
your guitar plane journey.
If you're interested in more learning resources, go to my website, marlene'smusic.com.

(00:33):
And for anyone who's listening and feeling like you're missing out on all the guitar plane
fun, you can easily get started with my super simple, learn to play guitar in a day course.
Now on to today's tip.
This podcast is brought to you in part by Gator.

(00:57):
Whether you just need a bag to gig with on the weekends or a frequent flyer needing a
flight-friendly TSA series case or a dedicated road warrior bringing your instruments on tour.
Gator has a solution for you.
For the stuff you love, guard it with Gator.

(01:18):
Today's tip is how to successfully jam with other guitarists.
There are so many benefits to jamming with other guitarists.
Most importantly, it's just plain old fun.
Still, many people feel intimidated by the idea.

(01:39):
Thoughts like maybe I'm not good enough can creep in and hold us back.
But guess what?
The best way to overcome those doubts is to jam.
In this episode, I'll share what you can expect when playing with others and how to make
it a positive and yes, truly fun experience.

(02:03):
As always, a big shout out this week and thank you to our fellow guitarists joining us from
Germany, Taiwan, Tunisia and India.
Before we jump into this episode, can I ask you a favor?
Would you please tap the subscribe button?
Because this is the easiest way you can support this podcast and me.

(02:26):
And it doesn't cost you a thing.
It's absolutely free to tap the subscribe button.
It helps me to continue bringing you this content every single week on your favorite podcast
channels and on YouTube.
Thank you for supporting this show and me by tapping the subscribe button.

(02:46):
I love to jam with other guitarists.
In fact, I have a few guitar playing buddies that I get together with every few weeks.
We play group songs and solos plus we catch up on each other's lives.
It's always a fun time and we typically feel like we rock the world with our music.

(03:08):
So that's a little bit about my current guitar jam group, but today I want to share my first
jam experience with you because like many people, I was intimidated and almost didn't go.
But before I do, in case you want to know more about the ins and outs of jamming, listen

(03:28):
to a couple of my previous episodes like the seven benefits of jamming with guitar players,
and find a jam session near you and how to jam with your guitar friends.
I put the links for those episodes in the show notes.
The first time I set in to jam with a group of guitarist, I had only been playing for about

(03:54):
six months.
I knew just a handful of chords and some basic strumming.
Now mind you, this group had been getting together for years and there were some seriously
talented musicians in the group, some with soloing riff skills that could rival Eric Clapton.
So to say I was intimidated is an understatement.

(04:16):
I went anyway with the mindset, fake it till you make it.
When I arrived, there were 20 guitar players seated in a circle.
I got my guitar out of its case and sat in an open chair.
The first thing I noticed is that no one used music.
Their format was that each guitarist would take turns, name a song and tell either the key

(04:40):
for the song or the chords.
And then we would all start playing.
Most of the time I had no idea what I was doing so I would just look at the guitar player
sitting across from me and try to follow what they were doing.
It was a challenge.
In my mind I felt like I managed to hold my own and then of course the beauty of playing

(05:03):
in a group is mistakes are less noticeable.
I streamed softly to avoid being detectable.
I had numerous playing errors but I was treated like one of them and honestly I was just thrilled
to be included.
No one said anything about my playing abilities or lack of playing abilities and it ended

(05:26):
up being one of the most wonderful guitar playing experiences, mistakes and all that I had
to that point.
What I noticed most was that once I let go of my expectations to be a perfect guitar player
and just felt the vibe and rhythm of the other guitarists, it was a blast.

(05:46):
And I must have been somewhat okay or okay enough because they did ask me back.
In the moral to this story, don't wait until you're at a certain level to feel like you
can play with other guitarists.
No matter your skill abilities, just give it a try.
You'll have fun and you'll certainly learn from the other players.

(06:09):
So grab your guitar and get ready to jam.
And if you're looking for a jam join our guitar tips community jam we get together once a
month virtually and play songs.
Grab your guitar and plan to jam.
I hope this episode's tip has helped you to continue expanding your guitar playing skills

(06:33):
and knowledge.
If you'd like to learn more please check out the many learning resources available at marleneesmusic.com.
Thank you for joining today's podcast and as I like to say, play on.
[END PLAYBACK]
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