FAQs
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How do sessions work?
1
Sessions take place every month (usually on a Sunday).
Sessions last for 3 hours.
The event is divided into two sections:
Open jamming, where musicians jam over predetermined chord progressions
Covers, where we choose 6 songs from our repertoire to play. We usually attempt ‘re-imaginations’ of these songs rather than purely playing straight covers in order to keep things interesting.
We’re also keen to encourage musical friendships too, so after the session some of us also go to a local pub afterwards for an hour or so.
Why is this a paid jam?
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The IMC is not a commercial enterprise. We are just a group of musicians trying to give other musicians the opportunity to play with each other in a no stress, friendly environment.
Some people want to play in a studio, at a well organised and structured session, without an audience and without any pressure. We aim to provide this.
Why is it paid? We don't own or have access to a free venue. Therefore we have to pay for the studio, as well our website and other outreach costs. The cost of the event is purely to cover that.
I’m coming to a jam, what do I need to bring with me?
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Drummers:
Drum kit and cymbals are provided, but feel free to bring your own cymbals if you like.
Sticks are not provided so kindly bring your own.
Guitar and Bass players
Bring your instrument and a spare cable to connect it to the amps (2 guitar amps and 1 bass amp provided by the studio). If you use pedals please bring cables for these too.
Keyboard players
Unfortunately Pirate Studios can't guarantee keyboard availability so please bring your own keyboard and stand.
If this is a problem for you please let us know and we will try to help.
Everyone else
1 Mixer and 2 Speakers are provided by the studio. There are also 3 microphones to amplify any instruments not mentioned above (percussions, saxophone, accordion, etc.)
How should I prepare for the jam?
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What is the standard of musicians?
As mentioned above, the jam is split into a “Open Jamming” and “Covers” section:
Open Jamming Section
Please familiarise yourself with the chord progressions that plan to jam over ahead of the session.
Covers Section
We ask that all attendees could prepare for all 6 tracks (even if there are perhaps 1 or 2 that you would like to take the lead on, or if they are outside what you might normally play).
As a minimum please
Know the form of the songs
Know the chords that make up the songs
This way we can play each of the songs in a style that reflects all of the musicians in attendance. We are happy for people to improvise if that’s what suits your musical style best.
If you want to go deeper and throughly learn parts of songs that works for us too.
Generally speaking, most members of the IMC have been playing their instruments for at least 5 years, often considerably more.
People who attend are at least intermediate level, being able to follow songs, with a solid understanding of musical harmony and rhythm.
Many members of IMC are advanced level, being able to improvise in the moment, something that we are keen to encourage.
Where are you based?
Most of our jams take place in Dalston in East London.