The Slam Jam was first developed for a group of students of the Sound in New Media masters degree at Aalto University in Finland. In this article you will find a summarised version of the format.
PURPOSE OF THE LAB
The aim of this workshop is to facilitate the get together of people who do not know each other and to prompt the creation of music and lyrics on the spot that address political themes that are close to participants hearts. The final result is a sort of semi-improvised concert where small groups perform a song they just created in front of other participants and a broader audience of passers by.
The format is designed to be enacted in public space with voluntary, free and open participation, however a substantial core group should be present from the very beginning.
WHY SHOULD THIS WORKSHOP EVEN TAKE PLACE?
Because people who like to play and compose music and/or lyrics have seldom the chance to collaborate with other random people, and they do not always focus their songwriting on political topics. The Slam Jam challenges creativity, it prompts people to experiment with ways of producing music and expressing thoughts in ways they might have not experienced before, and most of all it is a fun get together where people can meet unknown others and spend some good time together.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
POLITICS?
By politics we mean all those conscious and unconscious practices, processes and infrastructures through which we act to shape our coexistence in society.
IDEAL LOCATION
The ideal location for this workshop are urban spaces that can provide a comfortable nieche for people to get together without being interrupted. Parks, small squares, beaches are all good options but indoor spaces would work also very well provided they are openly accessible and barrier free.
DURATION
~2 hours
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS
~20
AGE
Any age
TYPE OF PARTICIPANTS
This workshop can be carried out with whoever wants to join but it works best if people who join have some basic skills in making music or writing lyrics. If participants do not posses these skills they are welcomed to group up with people who do and work together.
IMPORTANT ASPECTS
- This workshop implies the creation of music. Although some instruments will be present on spot, participants are welcomed to carry with them the instruments they would like to play. Electricity might not be available, instruments need therefore to be either acoustic or battery powered.
KNOWLEDGE/ SKILLS NEEDED (participants)
Basic to advanced motor skills are necessary, and people should be able to speak and understand one of the commonly spoken local languages.
USEFUL KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS (participants)
- Ability to play a musical instrument
- Experience in composing music
- Experience in writing lyrics
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS NEEDED (facilitators)
- All of the above
- Attention and empathy towards people
- Open, inclusive and non-discriminatory attitude
- Attentive listening skills
- Good rhetoric and synthesis skills
- Experience in moderating workshops
USEFUL KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS (facilitators)
- Proficiency in music overall production and execution
MATERIALS (checklist)
REQUIRED
- Paper and markers
- Instruments required by the people playing (they need to be analogue or battery powered)
- On or more microphones
- A large battery powered bluetooth speaker
- Cables to connect the instruments to the speaker
OPTIONAL BUT RECOMMENDED
- Towels or pillows
- Food and drinks
RUNNING THE WORKSHOP
Slam Jam is a format that includes 3 main phases following an introduction:
- Team making and composition
- Music performances
- Collective discussion
PHASE 0 - INTRODUCTION [~10min]
The purpose of the introduction is to make participants feel comfortable, get to know each other a little better and explain the activity the workshop will consist of. The ideal introduction can vary much depending on the context and the type of participants.
Some useful aspects to consider:
- Efforts should be taken to make the setting as accessible, welcoming and comfortable as possible (the Conditions for better (political) participation guideline can be a great help in this)
- Participants should be greeted in a friendly way and efforts should be made to get to know them a little, in this context moderators might try to find out if participants have previous experience in music making
- If the workshop is enacted in a public space with open and spontaneous participation the introduction may begin with just a simple informal chat
- If people do not know each other mutual introduction should be encouraged
- If the workshop takes place in an institutional setting where participants already know each other then some warm-up exercise or icebreaker can be used to lighten up the mood
- Moderators should explain the purpose and structure of the workshop in a summarised and clear way
- Moderators should try to talk with each participant and understand if they would like to rather make music or write lyrics to get a feeling of how groups could be best made
PHASE 1 - TEAM MAKING AND COMPOSITION [~45min]
As soon as everybody is ready the Slam Jam begins. People are asked to express their preference for either writing music or lyrics and couples or small groups are formed. Participants can spontaneously chose who they would like to make music with but facilitators need to make sure that every participant find somebody to work with.
Groups are asked to find a spot close by where they can work on their song without being distracted by other participants. They have 45 minutes to come up with a song idea, compose the song and the lyrics and eventually practice it a few times. Each group can create more than one song, if they manage to do so in time.
It is very important to make clear that lyrics, and possibly the very idea or concept behind the songs, should have a political meaning to participants. Groups should take the chance to express themselves and share their thoughts and feelings about things that matter to them in that precise moment.
During this time facilitators should check in with each group and make sure everybody is getting along well in the process of creating their song.
When time is over, facilitators should gather all participants to the meeting spot for the next phase to start.
PHASE 2 - MUSIC PERFORMANCES [As long as it takes. Usually ~30min]
Each group is asked to take the stage, set up and perform their song in front of the other groups and the audience which might eventually have gathered. The order in which groups perform can be chosen spontaneously or with any other method desired.
Facilitators should take care to moderate the performances to make sure they run as smoothly as possible and eventually talk about the workshop format to the audience.
At the end of each performance time should be dedicated to address the concept and content of the song. Possible questions include:
- What is the the concept/idea behind your song?
- Why did you chose to work on such theme and why is it important for you?
- How did you approach the writing of music together?
PHASE 3 - COLLECTIVE DISCUSSION [~40min]
Once the performance is over facilitators should make sure to promote a comfortable atmosphere where whoever joined the workshop (either as participant or as audience) feels welcome to exchange with others. No specific prompt needs to be given at this point as usually dialogue and interaction will start by itself.
This is a good moment for facilitators to exchange with participants and ask them about how they feel about the experience and/or to deepen the themes they addressed through their music. If desired, a more formal feedback round could be held at this stage.
Providing some food and drinks would make this part much more convivial and it is highly recommended.
