But one more thing. I think it was much better if you had the time and occassion to attend the same jams over and over again. You know, live close to the jam. In other words, it would be hard for a traveller that has to go 100s or 1000s of miles once a year to attend one jam at some festival in Louisiana or something. Makes it harder for you to become part of the group and be recognized to play. Not being a local makes you sort of an unpredictable Maverick. Cajun's for one, take a while to cozy up to strangers sometimes. Not always, but sometimes. Especially strangers that are attempting to show these Cajuns up at their own game. Just sayin. No offense meant even though it may sound like I am trying to ostricize non Cajuns.
I myself (a Cajun) have given up accordion. Too much trouble in pleasing spectators who will never be able to relate to your choice of art unless they themselves learn to play accordion. And then, the "time line" factor comes into play in this situation too. Cajun musicians....A dieing breed. At least, that's the way I'm starting to see it. Sorry if I have burst your bubble.
"They would never be able to play (in) or experience the same time line that produced the Masters! The time lines of days gone by."
Whew, to explain that would cause a paradox in the modern day accordion playing time line continuem! LOL
ever play for people who knew hardly anything else besides cajun accordion and or fiddle music? Never heard rock n roll or modern bubble gum country. No, you probably haven't. Ever played for people not at your dance just to get slap drunk and wallow in their own sorrows or criticize the bands playing, or talk and toil about depressive events of the times, but instead were there to gather with friends and family to celebrate innocent life as it was. They had no sensory overload from cell phones, 300 channels of TV programs and false sensational news media hype pulling at their every emotional strings all day every day, their $1 could buy bread, the milk, and the eggs and have change left over, etc, etc. A time line where things were not necessarily easier on the body or person, but more pure, true, and easier on the soul. A time when ideas were new or a musician could turn on the radio and listen to a great new or old song that would inspire a new Cajun song or crazy/happy new licks on the accordion. A time line where just about everything hadn't been done already?
Have you ever played for a child who does nothing but rejoice in your song by staring wide eyed, screaming happily, or just cutting loose and dancing for as long as you are able to play your accordion. If you have, then you experienced a miniscule attribute of the "time lines" of old. Startin to catch muh drift yet?
"They would never be able to play (in) or experience the same time line that produced the Masters! The time lines of days gone by."
Whew, to explain that would cause a paradox in the modern day accordion playing time line continuem! LOL
ever play for people who knew hardly anything else besides cajun accordion and or fiddle music? Never heard rock n roll or modern bubble gum country. No, you probably haven't. Ever played for people not at your dance just to get slap drunk and wallow in their own sorrows or criticize the bands playing, or talk and toil about depressive events of the times, but instead were there to gather with friends and family to celebrate innocent life as it was. They had no sensory overload from cell phones, 300 channels of TV programs and false sensational news media hype pulling at their every emotional strings all day every day, their $1 could buy bread, the milk, and the eggs and have change left over, etc, etc. A time line where things were not necessarily easier on the body or person, but more pure, true, and easier on the soul. A time when ideas were new or a musician could turn on the radio and listen to a great new or old song that would inspire a new Cajun song or crazy/happy new licks on the accordion. A time line where just about everything hadn't been done already?
Have you ever played for a child who does nothing but rejoice in your song by staring wide eyed, screaming happily, or just cutting loose and dancing for as long as you are able to play your accordion. If you have, then you experienced a miniscule attribute of the "time lines" of old. Startin to catch muh drift yet?
Re: Jam Protocol & Dynamics (good & bad jam experiences)
Maz - you raised a good point, not all jam tastes the same. A one-accordion-rule is not a jam, you may as well be in the woodshed, but more like a show-and-tell. Fundamentally you must rely on the kindness of strangers. Though this concept was deployed by Miss Scarlett it's not universally accepted.