Have you ever watched one of those old gladiator movies from the golden age of Hollywood? Ben Hur, Spartacus...where two lethal warriors fight for their lives in a blood soaked battle to the death, showing no mercy in front of a crowd that is whipped into a frenzy of blood-lust?
If so, then you have gained some idea of the atmosphere of a New York jam session.
Perhaps you think my introduction over-dramatic. Make no mistake my friend, jam sessions are not for the faint of heart. It is not unheard of for musicians to be defeated on the bandstand, and then disappear into obscurity. I heard one time there was a guy who pulled a calf muscle trying to play the bridge to “Sweet Lorraine,” and had to be carried off on a stretcher. And “Sweet Lorraine” is a ballad.
Any musician who tries to tell you music is about individual expression, and not about competition is a LOSER. Do you think Louis Armstrong got famous from his excellent musicianship? Of course not. He got it by playing lots and lots of really loud high notes. Suck it, other trumpet players.
So drop and give me twenty, Dirtbag; and get ready for The Professor’s Jam Session Guide.
If you’re planning to step into one of these contests, proper preparation is vital. In case you haven’t caught my original point: this means war.
I recommend watching the training montage of any of the Rocky movies. Raw egg-
