The 5 Things That Make Good Guitar Jam Tracks
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The reason most guitar jam tracks are not great is that they don’t have a cool rhythm. It’s hard to build phrases/solos when the track is just a power chord progression. In many of these, the whole track has the exact same rhythm as well. You aren’t even presented with an opportunity to change your phrasing because you aren’t given any rhythmic variations. Clearly, rhythm is a key factor when evaluating a guitar jam track.
The concept of jam tracks is that they are missing a lead guitar track which is improvised over top by the player who is using them. Having said this, they still need a melody or they give the player no context for their own playing. A good jam tracks lets the player hear the musical interactions of their notes and the melody of the track. The true value of a guitar jam track is then the opportunity it gives the player to respond to the phrases/melody of the recording. This results in a jam session that is interesting and exciting.
If you shoot for a jam track that is between three and five minutes in length, you will probably find that it is a comfortable length. If the track is to much shorter, you may be cut off early (a real annoyance), and any longer, you might find yourself wishing it would end. Length is important in a jam track and choosing one in this range may ensure you keep coming back to it. Don’t think that looping a shorter one is the same either because the fact that the track ends, even for a few seconds, is very annoying and can contribute to a lot of unnecessary frustration.
The thing to strive for when picking jam tracks is to look for tracks that are in a different style then you would normally play. That way you will be forced to get out of your comfort zone and as a result, will grow as a musician. Always playing in the same key or style is a surefire way to get yourself into a playing rut. The key to developing your own style and improvisational voice is to experience as many different styles and rhythms as you can. Doing this may introduce you to a style/key/mode that you would never even have thought of yourself and it might even become a staple of your own style. Just remember that as far as jam tracks are concerned, different/unique is good.
To help ensure you get the most out of a jam track, look for one that is recorded well. Sound quality is key because you need to be able to hear the subtle details of the track to best understand the rhythm and melody of the piece. Once you can hear and understand these, you can work on composing more interesting phrases and solos. None of which is possible if the jam track was recorded poorly. As well, the tones of the instruments and the dynamics captured play a large role in creating a good jam track.
At my blog Guitar Jam Tracks HQ, I have lots of great information about jam tracks and also links to other great pointers. Visit my page to get free guitar lessons and playing tips.
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