I was editing some recorded rehearsal audio when I came upon something neat.

Oh wait, I have to set this up: You see, some musicians feel it is necessary to “jam” in order to bring out something spontaneous and also to generate solid ideas and fodder for structuring songs later on. “Jam” is actually a technical term, and not just for fruit preserves.

Having some nice little tools that let us record our gatherings on the fly, the musicians of the newest project I’ve joined had decided to record said jam. This is so that we would be able to revisit the recording during our regular work weeks; so that we could pick out the pieces we liked to construct into a song later. I’ve done this before with other musicians, too, but of course with different personality dynamics come different jamming dynamics. The interesting thing about this group’s dynamics probably has something to do with the fact I’ve known for a while now (and one of them I’ve known for 23 years). I believe that this group has the ability to “read” each other. I don’t know if “reading” other musicians is also technical term (thus the quotes), but for me, it’s that non-verbal connection you have with other musicians that communicates upcoming changes in mood to the music. It’s when everyone is improvising and at the same time keeping up with each other. If you’ve ever seen improvisational jazz or any band of the eponymous jam band genre, you know exactly what this is.

If you’re a musician, I highly recommend honing your jamming skills if you haven’t already. Being a part of this lilting motion hits you at the core of your very being. It is actually pretty intensely spiritual being part of a group of musicians who can read each other. And this is probably the reason I’ll never love a lady as much as I love my guitar.

Ooh… unless she could read me as a musician. Any girl who could do that would own me.

In any case, here’s what I was talking about at the top of this post:

I’ve never actually heard it before because I’ve never been on the audience side of it, but there is this entity that occurs in jams that are solid shifts that sound planned. Noting that this is a “jam” and that no arrangements were made, I found one segment of our rehearsal that moved very quickly from aimless noodling to a solid theme — and I think it’s pretty neat!

I like to think that it’s the sound of an idea being born.

And because this is my blog and I have no problem shamelessly putting you through demo hell*, here’s that moment:

*Demo Hell: [noun] Term used to describe the state of being forced to observe another’s self-employed demonstrations of often amateur efforts in the creative and/or performing arts.