Who can come to the Jams?

Anyone with an interest in Indian Classical music is welcome. You do not need to sing/play/talk; appreciative/critical listeners are most welcome! You need not be a "regular." We also welcome "irregular" (you haven't showed up in a year) and "new" (this is your first time) attendees. Typically, we have musicians (in any style), students of Indian music, active listeners, nostalgic listeners and just plain curious people.

What happens at the Jams? How do I participate, make requests or give feedback?

A rough jam format is given below. Details are determined entirely by the participants. The moderator usually just keeps things flowing roughly according to the jam format and tries to ensure that everyone who wants to share gets heard in some reasonable order.
Participants are strongly encouraged to speak out, share, ask for what they would like to hear or know about, suggest changes or addition to the format etc.
You can also email the moderator at: sitharam at ufl dot edu . Jam sessions style and character are expected to evolve over time incorporating feedback from the participants.

Do I have to stay there for the entire 3 hours?

Jam sessions are relaxed affairs. People drift in and out (quietly) as and when they please. We will, however, try to stick to the overall jam session format below. So, for example, if you want to attend the children's session, you should be there for the first 30 min. Children can however listen and join in during the two subsequent adult sessions. Adults are welcome to participate in the children's session as well.

Styles

Under Indian Classical we include for example: Carnatic style, or Hindustani style, or their Fusion with other musical genres (including traditional, improvised, jazz music from anywhere in the world).
The emphasis will -generally- be on melody (microtonal), (poly)rhythm, phrasing structure and lyrics plus ofcourse, improvisation. And only in the case of Fusion is there significant harmonic/polyphonic/chordal content.

Biweekly Schedule

Jams will take place roughly once every 2 weeks. NORMALLY, we have the some room on UF campus Saturdays 2-5 pm (as of summer 2009, Rm 121 Music building). However, on homegame saturdays, or for other reasons, we may move it to Sunday afternoons at ICEC meditation room upstairs, or to one of the GGS members' homes. Please see or the news flash on the main page to get exact room locations.

NOTE: The Jam Agenda for a particular date -including the style of pieces played (Carnatic/Hindustani/Fusion)- is primarily set by the musicians who are present (those who earlier volunteered to lead pieces get first priority), and it is influenced heavily, if not entirely, by the audience present.

3-session Jam Format

The plan is to keep roughly to this flexible format that allows those present to express their preferences.

***Session 1:
30 min for children (adults can participate): indian classical musicianship development tips (raga/tala/swara recognition and reproducing by ear + simple improv exercises, slo-o-o-w gamaka (bent note/microtone) exercises). This is run by the moderator

***Session 2:
1 hour non-improv group set pieces and discussion.
(a Jam Agenda for each jam, containing a list of pieces may, but not necessarily be sent out earlier by moderator with lead volunteer for each piece)
This is interspersed with discussion led by any volunteer (this may or may not be sent out with the jam agenda); the discussion is typically about music that people have been practicing or listening to, which they play or playback; and observations and questions with musically demonstrated answers and recommendations.

***Session 3:
Free jam with improv (list of ragas/pieces could be sent out earlier, but probably not necessary).
Any discussion or demonstration spilling over from Session 2 is accomodated here.

History

These jams were started around Spring 2006 by Gainesville Gana Sabha and were hosted in various homes. GGS eventually converged to the above Jam format.