If you are interested in the community groups that I run, check out the Facebook Page Park JAM.


1. What is the difference between the events.
 
  Park JAM
Frequency of Events Once a month Feb - Nov.
Number of Songs 18
Repertoire A range of levels.
Rotation of Songs 3 sets of 6 songs.  6 songs discarded and another six added each month  meaning that each song is played for 3 months.
Meeting Time Around 3 hours
Structure Play through
Suitability All levels of ability – play what you can, simplify or explore what you are capable of.
Instruments Anything that compliments the repertoire.  Usually, a drummer, keyboard player and bass player are present.
Google Classroom with Tutorials Yes
Spotify List Yes
Break Break – tea, coffee etc supplied. BYO cup.
 
 
  Sunday Morning Strum
Frequency of Events Once a month March - December
Number of Songs Songbooks of 18 songs rotated each month.
Repertoire Drawn from past Park JAM songs
Rotation of Songs Songbooks rotated each month
Meeting Time Around 3 hours
Structure Play through
Suitability All levels of ability – play what you can, simplify or explore what you are capable of.
Instruments Guitars and ukuleles, mother instruments need to play unplugged as some of the events occur outdoors.
Google Classroom with Tutorials No
Spotify List Yes
Break Yes – beverages not supplied
  1. How are the songs chosen?
I have a working list of songs that I know of or people have asked about.   I constantly listen to Spotify and look at their suggestions.  I notice songs in TV programs and in movies and even when I’m in shops. Google, Youtube and Ultimate Guitar are research buddies.  The choice comes down to what grabs me at the time, what I think will work and what I need to make a balanced set.  I am catering for guitarists, ukulele players and singers, male and female players/singers and a variety of ages and ability levels.  So, the set needs to have some easy songs, something middle of the road and something a little more challenging. 
Here is a bit of a criteria:
  • Obviously, something with a good strum or maybe a different strum from the usual.
  • Strong melody and harmonies (or the potential to create harmonies).
  • Something that makes you and/or me feel good/nostalgic/energised or sets a mood that I’m trying to create.
  • Something with learning potential – maybe a different strum, some little riffs, new chords. 
  • Something that can be kept in the key it is recorded in so you can play along to the track to practice.
I’ve had some great requests from people, so if you have any suggestions and you think it will work, let me know.  A disclaimer: there are some things I just can’t do and that is Country – most of it is too Twang de Dang for me!  Just sayin’.
 
If you want to listen to all of the songs that we have done since May 2023: Click Here
 
  1. Why are the song charts accessed through Google Classroom?  Why can’t I just get the charts sent to me?
I have chosen to use Google Classrooms for several reasons.  They Are:
  • Automation.  I am able to set it up so that I don’t have to check my emails and send through the links.
  • Curation of Information.  I am able to collect tutorials and charts for the songs, access them anywhere and reuse them when I bring a song back.
  • Ease of Correction and Communication.  Google Classrooms allows me to go in and correct something without having to email everyone.  It has a discussion feature and a communication feature.
 
  1. I’m not into technology. What do I need in order to get involved?
You need:
  • An email address and internet connection.
  • Ability to buy a ticket online (or someone who is willing to show you how to do it).
  • A printer to print off the charts or a device to download the PDF. 
  1. Got any tips?
Yes, I do:
  • Make sure you read your ticket confirmation; it has a hyperlink.  A hyperlink is an underlined word that sends you to Google Classrooms when you click on it.
  • If you know someone that comes to the JAMs, ask them to help you do it the first time.
  • Message me if you have a problem. mstmt@bigpond.com is my email address.
  • Perhaps you can book a lesson with me and I will walk you through it. 
  1. Why do I have to pay for a ticket when there are other free JAMs around?
Good question.  I’ve only been asked this once, but I am sure that some people don’t participate because of the cost, so if you are talking to someone about it, here is the reason.
The difference is that I am a registered business and a bit of a one women band so to speak. All the other groups are volunteer run and/or registered community groups. I am a music teacher who enjoys community music.I want to learn and grow as a musician and I think there are other people like me out there who want to come on this journey with me.I choose to charge a small amount (in regard to how many hours I spend) to cover some costs like insurance, hall hire, subscriptions like Spotify, Ultimate Guitar etc.You pay for a session of yoga or community sport and classes.It’s just that with the rise of the ukulele and community groups and the kindness and generosity of volleys that other JAMs are free.
 
  1.  Why do you always write JAM’s in capitals?
Fun Fact: When I started the first Park JAM at the Vic Park Farmers Markets in 2016, I called it Park for obvious reasons and JAM which stands for Just Add Musos.