Maintaining a structured format for our ukulele jam sessions ensures a fun, inclusive, and harmonious experience for all...our volunteer song leaders and the jam session participants! 

Additionally, it encourages collaboration and camaraderie between song leaders and helps to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere where players feel comfortable strumming, singing, and sharing their love of music.   

A well-organized jam session enhances the joy of leading and playing and makes every gathering an uplifting musical experience.

Before the meeting:

3 weeks prior to the meeting

• Find at least one other person to help, (3 or 4 is preferred)

• Select songs, 15-20, preferably from the Weebly site

• If not on the Weebly site, find a PDF file with the chords in line with the   lyrics (contact Rob or Stu if you are having trouble finding a file)

• Select the key for each song

• Organize the songs with easier songs first, more difficult songs at the end.

• Limit the difficult songs to one or two.

• Send the song list to Rob, Gordon and Stu 

• Send the non-Vancouver Ukulele Club WA PDF file to Rob 

•  Set up 1 or 2 practice sessions with your team.

•  Play through the songs until you are all familiar with the chords and lyrics.

2 weeks prior to the meeting

• Send Rob, Gordon and Stu any required changes to the song list discovered in your practice sessions (i.e. song changes, key changes, etc)

• Songs, 15 min - 20 max, preferably from the Vancouver Ukulele Club WA website

• Keep practicing.

  
  

1 week prior to the meeting

• Rob, and Stu will post the list to the group.

• Gordon will prepare the projector versions.

Day of the meeting

• Arrive at least 30 minutes early

• Make sure an amplifier and a microphone with a microphone stand are available and in place. (Leroy usually brings the amplifier and microphone but make        sure you coordinate with him or organize an alternative.

• Make sure a music stand is available for the leaders (They may be facing away from the screen)

• Gordon usually provides an ipad with the playlist to sit on the music stand. (please coordinate with Gordon.) (Paper copies also work) 

Start of meeting

• Call the meeting to order

• Make sure the microphone and amplifier reach the people in the back of the room

• Self-introduction - go around the room and have everyone give their first name.

• Group Tune up - G, C, E, A

• Discuss Playlist Theme (if any)

Introduce the first song (and for each following song as needed)

• Explain the Key and the timing

• Discuss any “unusual chords”, difficult chord changes, unusual timing, etc.

• Discuss the “intro” or how the song will start.

• Discuss where any Bridges or Key changes occur in the song

• Explain what to do for the instrumental parts. (play, ignore, any soloists, etc.)

• Play a small piece of the song so people will know the pace that you expect.

•  Start the song

After the Seventh or Eighth song, call for a break

• Limit break to ten minutes

• Continue with songs until all are played or until 4:30pm whichever comes first.

Yeah! YOU did it. Relax