What we’re about
UPDATE: Community Jams has moved a new location and starting new jams! Our new studio is at 2365 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Portland, OR. To stay updated, please subscribe to our emails at www.communityjams.org
This is the original founding Meetup site used by Community Jams (www.communityjams.org), the nonprofit organization that evolved out of Portland Casual Jams. With the same vision and inclusivity, Community Jams is place where everyone of all abilities and backgrounds can connect by creating music together. We foster a relaxed, comfortable, and supportive environment where everybody gets a chance to participate and develop their own musical path. Build confidence, develop skills, and enjoy musically collaborating!
We offer open jam sessions almost every day in a customized jam studio in Portland. Each jam is led by an experienced musician. Our sing and play-along jams are easy with the innovative open-source jam web app, bsteele Music App, and our 2000+ song library. (www.bsteele.com/bsteeleMusicApp/)
Check out our calendar of events and rsvp to start connecting through the joy of music!
Upcoming events
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Build Your Jam Bones: Rhythm for All Players (Workshop Wednesdays)
CJ Clubhouse, 2365 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Portland, OR, USRhythm is the foundation of every song we play, so why not learn more about it? Rhythm is not just for drummers and bass players. Every instrument in a jam influences rhythm, even singing voices! In this workshop, learn how to count and identify rhythm patterns so you can participate more confidently and purposefully at any jam.
We'll cover a wide range of jam rhythm concepts including beat and downbeat, tempo, time signatures, common jam rhythm patterns, how to identify and navigate unusual rhythm patterns, and explorations in applying rhythm patterns to your favorite instrument. There will be lots of audio and visual aids to assist.
All abilities are welcome. Instruments are not required, but feel free to bring an acoustic instrument if you wish to apply your rhythm skills in the last section of the workshop. This is a highly interactive workshop with clapping, counting, and movement to feel the groove. Let's have fun studying and playing with the rhythm bones of our favorite songs!
There is a $20 suggested donation via PayPal.14 attendees
CJ "No Request Refused" Jam
The Clubhouse, 2365 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Portland, OR 97225, Beaverton, OR, USWhat's more fun than trying new songs in ways you've never thought of?!
For those players who would find it fun and exciting to not be in control of their playlist, we offer a 2 hour jam where we promise not to refuse any request we make of each other! The game is to try not to refuse!
The Studio is a digital sound stage where we plug directly into the stage itself! Amps aren't required, but if you wish to bring tone control of your own, feel free! Please do not adjust the sensitive equipment yourself, but instead simply ask for a sound-person to mute the appropriate channels and then assist you.
Musicians with electric instruments, please arrive 15-30 minutes ahead of the event start time for setup. All jams start promptly on the hour, with a break at 10 minutes before each hour for adjustments. There is a $20 suggested donation via PayPal.6 attendees
CJ Newcomers and Explorers Jam
The Clubhouse, 2365 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Portland, OR 97225, Beaverton, OR, USFor first-timers, even if you're an experienced player, these are the jams where you get comfortable with our system, our library, and our jam sessions.
Musicians with electric instruments, please arrive 15-30 minutes ahead of the event start time for setup.
Expect lots of question and answers, and lots of opportunities to try things that might be a bit new to you!
The Studio is a digital sound stage where we plug directly into the stage itself! Amps aren't required, but if you wish to bring tone control of your own, feel free! Please do not adjust the sensitive equipment yourself, but instead simply ask for a sound-person to mute the appropriate channels and then assist you.
All jams start promptly on the hour, with a break at 10 minutes before each hour for adjustments. There is a $20 suggested donation via PayPal.3 attendees
CJ Saturday Blues, Roots and Americana Jam
The Clubhouse, 2365 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Portland, OR 97225, Beaverton, OR, USWelcome to Saturday Blues, Roots and Americana Jam at Community Jams! The Saturday Blues+ Jam will emphasize opportunities for singers to lead the group through songs and musicians to express themselves through lead and improvisation opportunities. Establishing a strong rhythm foundation will be emphasized.
Musicians with electric instruments, please arrive 15-30 minutes ahead of the event start time for setup.
Singers and instrumentalists may choose blues/roots/americana songs from the CJ song database or may choose to lead the group through songs with simple structures without a chart. Sessions may also include improvisation without a defined structure or chart.
NOTE: In the new CJ Studio, all amplified musicians will go through the mixing board/PA. Amps are not allowed, but you may bring pedals to plug into our in-studio amp modelers.
As a group we will focus on:
- Active listening: finding the rhythm of the song and sharing space with other musicians
- Dynamics: making sure that singers and soloists are supported and heard
- Communication: syncing up with other musicians through non-verbal communication
- Supporting; encouraging constructive feedback to improve our ability to play better together and offer techniques/tips to help players of all abilities improve their skills
- This session is intended for musicians who have previous experience participating in group jam sessions. Lead playing is encouraged but not required.
Sessions are limited to 12 participants.
There is a $20 suggested donation for those who can afford it. Please visit http://www.communityjams.org for more details on how to stay connected through music, and sign up to get our event updates.12 attendees
Past events
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