Play music with others as much as you can!
I’ve been fortunate enough to grow up in a household where I was able to play music with others all the time. My dad and brother both play instruments (guitar and drums, respectively) and we still play together to this day. I’m incredibly grateful for the connection we have through music and how performing live together has allowed me to pursue the path that I am on today and continue growing as a musician.
Check out my brother Keith Walpole’s newsletter, Circles in Space where he shares 5 interesting bullet points each Friday featuring various topics collected throughout the week. On his website, his blog covers intriguing material ranging from music, art, history, literature, and more. Be sure to subscribe!
During the pandemic, I became more aware of how important playing music with others is to me. I missed it A LOT. It’s a blast to bounce creative ideas off each other and play your favorite tunes. But the real magic happens when approaching a jam session with an open mind and with the intention of growing and developing as a musician and as a person. This will result in countless benefits. Here are some ways it can improve your playing!
It will improve your ear. Newcomers to group playing may have blinders on because they’re so focused on playing their own parts correctly. That’s okay in the beginning, but to lock in with the group, it’s necessary to develop the skill of playing those parts while listening to the rest of the band. Then it becomes easier to notice what everyone else is playing and why. Having that awareness builds confidence, which will show in the performance. We need to know our parts well enough to relax, keep our ears open, and have fun!
It will improve your timing. So much of our practice is done alone. And hopefully, much of it is done with a metronome! In a new situation, it’s normal to want to rush the tempo, especially if nerves come into play. If the opportunity arises to play with a good drummer, listen closely. They will make it easy to hear who is rushing or lagging. Take note of that, try to adjust in the moment if need be, and keep making those mistakes until it’s hardly possible to make them again!
It will enhance your creative output. A group may inspire each other to try new things and improvise on the spot, which for me, is the magic of live music. Maybe the drummer adds more fills and gets louder, prompting the guitarist to kick in the overdrive pedal and shred. Or maybe the bassist gets the band’s attention for an improvised bass and drum break, leading to a big moment when the entire band comes back in. Experiencing more impromptu moments like these lead to new ideas and certain expectations will also develop as a group builds a connection.
While a band is improvising, what will happen next is unpredictable, but that’s the beauty of it! The musicians become exposed and vulnerable. Through practice and preparedness, courage and confidence will grow to step into the unknown, and an expression and authenticity that is unique to each individual will emerge.
It will improve overall performance skills. What is it like to perform live for an audience as a group? When rehearsing for a gig, the band will learn:
How to communicate before, during, and after songs
How to transition between tunes
How to continue through mistakes and pretend like it never happened (see here how Stevie Ray Vaughn breaks a string at 5 seconds into the video and keeps going)
How to avoid and tackle technical mishaps
How to overcome nerves and relax under pressure
How to talk to the audience and develop good showmanship skills
How to take on different roles (i.e. lead vs. rhythm guitar)
It will provide more exposure to new musical styles. One of the best things about a band is that each member comes from a different musical background and brings their own experience and taste to the group. Through sharing favorite bands and artists, everyone is exposed to new music, whose styles may begin to appear in their own. Being open and willing to learn from all types of music will contribute to an individual’s and a group’s own unique sound.
Social connection and overall health benefits. We know by now that music has countless health benefits. Some of these include reducing blood pressure and pain, lowering anxiety, and improving memory and sleep quality. Combining this with social activity, which has been shown to improve brain function and health, is a no-brainer! When we interact with others, our brains work hard, picking up on social cues, facial expressions, body language, as well as the words spoken and the sounds of those words. When we play music, we are activating all regions of the brain. So why not do both together? Check out this blog on music and brain health from Harvard Medical School if you are interested in learning more.
“…because music can activate almost all brain regions and networks, it can help to keep a myriad of brain pathways and networks strong, including those networks that are involved in well-being, learning, cognitive function, quality of life, and happiness. In fact, there is only one other situation in which you can activate so many brain networks all at once, and that is when you participate in social activities.” Harvard Health Blog
Performing with Others in a Nutshell
Below, drummer Steve Smith and bassist Victor Wooten take us to school, displaying how communication, chemistry, improvisation, and technique come together for an incredible duo performance. Notice how they each listen closely to what the other does, which then informs what is played next, especially around the 8-minute mark. Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/3QDIQc1kCAc
