JAMS – Community Isobreaker

We are back starting acoustic jams, just for fun. Depending on how these go and participation, we may yet do another outdoor jam when the weather improves.

DETAILS: MAR 31, 2023, starting 6:00pm

1229A – 9 AVE SE (TENATO office, about Ironwood)

Please follow our Facebook page for latest updates, especially re: weather for outdoor jams.

JAM TIPS FOR PERFORMERS

Welcome to our Community Jams, a FREE community event hosted by singer-songwriter Jacquie Drew and her amazing soundman & hubby Gary Drew – founders of Community Isobreaker. All are welcome to attend, regardless of which community you live in! If you would like to perform in the jam, here are some guidelines to make this the best possible experience for all.

Everyone is welcome to play/sing. If you don’t play an instrument, ask the other musicians to support you, and do a song we know.
Arrive by 1/2h before the start of the jam, so Gary can get you set up in the sound board and give you a sound check. These are claimed on a first-come first-served basis. All players/singers must sit in the lineup for the evening (we can no longer allow people to jump up out of the crowd since it affects the tuning of the overall sound blend).
Bring a microphone (mic) and stand if you have one, as we sometimes run out of them! These are claimed on a first-come first-served basis. A stool is also a good idea if you have one. We supply cables and power.
Bring a TUNER and tune your instrument before we start.
Ideally, use an instrument that has a pickup in it, or doesn’t need one (e.g. saxophone) so we can hear you.
Once you’ve got your spot, please do not share or lend your microphone.
You must sing “lead” (the melody) of a song to get a turn in the lineup, but otherwise you are welcome to accompany others!
If you want to look like a pro – memorize your lyrics, and really, really know your song well. It is better to know an easy song really well, than stumble over a harder one. (Try not to sing while reading your smartphone if you can help it).
For best success, choose songs that are quite easy for others to play and familiar. This gets more people playing along, and makes everyone sound better and have more fun. There’s a list below here – scroll down…but as long as it’s a well known tune, you’re probably safe!
Do not request to use backtracks – this is a live performance opportunity for all the musicians.
When it is your turn, start PROMPTLY, speak into the mic, and tell us:
- the name of the song, and optionally, why you chose it (but be reasonably brief)
- the key or the chords used (keep it to 3 – 4 chords if possible)
- the tempo (what speed you want to go) by counting the song in loudly (e.g. 1,2,3,4!)
- Once you have started the song, keep a steady tempo – listen to the drummer and try to stay locked to him. If you screw up, keep the beat going and jump back in. It’s okay to repeat the same verse if you forget the next verse; or make up forgotten lyrics. Just keep going!
- If you want someone to do a solo for you, look at that player and nod to them as needed.
When it’s someone else’s turn:
- Don’t sing over top of the lead singer, i.e. don’t sing the melody – let them do it.
- Feel free to sing harmony, or backup vocals
- Strum along, but keep the beat with the drummer
- If you can’t get the chords, or don’t know the song, stay silent (don’t chat/make noise).
If you play lead guitar or a lead instrument (e.g. saxophone), you can fill “holes” around the melody – i.e. put in little riffs, but not while the lead singer is actually singing. It is crucial not to drown out the lead singer. Also, let some of the other lead players also have a chance to fill holes, and don’t play at the same time as they play so we can hear different lead players.
When you get to the end of your song, try to visibly signal the players, e.g. look up, especially at the drummer/bass player and use your arms or instrument to show you are slowing down or ending. This helps everyone end together.
FOLLOW US on Facebook at www.facebook.com/isobreaker for announcements about the next jams.

TUNES MOST OF US KNOW

Here are songs we often play at the jams, just because almost everybody knows them – so if you’re new to the jam, try to do something we’ll know, so we can all join in backing you up. Note: no backtracks allows (as the point is to create live music and give the musicians a chance to play).

COUNTRY / BLUEGRASS

Good Stuff – Kenny Chesney

Friends in Low Places – Garth Brooks

Head over Heels – Blue Rodeo

Till I Am Myself Again – Blue Rodeo

Hasn’t Hit Me Yet – Blue Rodeo

Lost Together – Blue Rodeo

5 Days in May – Blue Rodeo

On the Road Again – Willie Nelson

Always on my Mind – Willie Nelson

You are My Sunshine – The Carter Family

Hey Good Looking – Hank Williams

When Will I Be Loved – Linda Rondstat

Coat of Many Colors – Dolly Parton

Jolene – Dolly Parton

Someday Soon – Ian Tyson

Four Strong Winds – Ian Tyson

Snowbird – Anne Murray

Could I Have This Dance – Anne Murray

Danny’s Song – Anne Murray

King of the Road – Roger Miller

I Fall to Pieces – Patsy Cline

Crazy – Patsy Cline

Imagine That – Patsy Cline

I Believe in You – Don Williams

All I Have to Offer You is Me – Kris Kristofferson

In Spite of Ourselves – John Prine

Till I Gain Control Again – John Prine

Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash

Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue – Crystal Gayle

Delta Dawn – Helen Reddy

Mama’s Broken Heart – Miranda Lambert

No One Needs to Know – Shania Twain

Any Man of Mine – Shania Twain

Alberta Bound – Gordon Lightfoot

It’s Hard to Be Humble – Mac Davis

Your Cheatin Heart – Hank Williams

Crazy – Patsy Cline

Startin’ Over – Chris Stapleton

ROCK and FOLK ROCK

American Pie – Don Mclean

Heart of Gold – Neil Young

Free Fallin’ – Tom Petty

Learnin’ to Fly – Tom Petty

Twist & Shout – The Beatles

Yellow Submarine – The Beatles

Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles

While My Guitar Gently Weeps – The Beatles

Can’t Always Get What You Want – The Rolling Stones

Light My Fire – The Doors

Like a Rolling Stone – Bob Dylan

If I Had a Millions Dollars – Barenaked Ladies

Be My Yoko Ono – Barenaked Ladies

Bye Bye Love – Everly Brothers

Blue Suede Shoes – Elvis Presley

Suspicious Minds – Elvis Presley

Stand By Me – Ben E. King

Build Me Up, Buttercup – The Foundations

You’ve Got a Friend – Carole King

All I Wanna Do – Sheryl Crow

Leaving Las Vegas – Sheryl Crow

Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond

Big Yellow Taxi – Joni Mitchell (or Counting Crowes)

Sweet City Woman – Stampeders

Landslide – Fleetwood Mac

Ordinary Day – Great Big Sea

One Great City – the Weakerthans

Ironic – Alanis Morrisette

Life Is a Highway – Tom Cochrane

Leaving on a Jet Plane – John Denver

Country Roads – John Denver

Take It Easy – The Eagles

Lyin’ Eyes – The Eagles

Desperado – The Eagles

Wheat Kings – The Tragically Hip

Wild Thing – The Troggs

POP

NOTE: We don’t play these as often, but the host can definitely play them to accompany you if needed.

Viva la Vida – Coldplay

This Girl is on Fire – Alicia Keys

Crabbuckit – K-OS

I Won’t Give Up – Jason Mraz

I’m Yours – Jason Mraz

Exes and Ohs – Elle King

Shake It Off – Taylor Swift

Lover – Taylor Swift

Bad Day – Daniel Powter

Complicated – Avril Lavigne

Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen

I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor

Love Will Keep Us Together – Captain N’ Tennille

You Might Think – The Cars

Don’t Worry, Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin

MISC / NOVELTY SONGS

Purple People Eater

Monster Mash

Gilligan’s Island Theme

Flintstones Theme

JAZZ/BLUES

BLUES: We can pull of a basic 12-bar blues if you tell us what key you’re in.

We don’t play much jazz but here are a few:

Summertime

All of Me

Blue Skies

Autumn Leaves

Blue Moon