THE BEGINNINGS:
Massive Blind Jam Project is an idea initiated by DEEJ SG and implemented with the joint efforts and full support of both DEEJ SG & SCOTT VAN ZEN. The first few were simply called BLIND JAM PROJECT and involved only Deej SG & Scott Van Zen. They would pick a backing track and work out their own jam without hearing each other along the way (hence the term "Blind Jam"), then post their takes on Wednesday afternoons at the very same momemt. This was literally coordinated to a couple of seconds in the these early jams... we'd text each other, "I'm ready... you ready? OK 1,2,3, go!" The first Blind Jam Project was April 20, 2017. By the time the 3rd Blind Jam was release, there were many other guitarists who wanted to join in and a monthly MASSIVE BLIND JAM was born. The 1st Massive Blind Jam Project was on May 19, 2017. Deej & Scott continued to do the weekly Blind Jams while planning a monthly Massive Blind Jam. By the time the 3rd "Massive" came around in July 2017, jammers were looking for more action and wanted to participate in our weekly Blind Jams as well, so Deej & Scott decided opened it up and make EVERY week a MASSIVE BLIND JAM! July 26, 2017 was the birth of the weekly Massives that we enjoy now.
THE CONCEPT:
A backing track link without any lead guitar is shared out each week on the Massive Blind Jam Project Facebook page typically at least 5-6 days in advance of a Massive Blind Jam. NOTE: tracks for upcoming jams were originally posted right here on the DeejSG.com homepage for several weeks or months in advance, but as of June 2022 have switch to strictly Facebook posts. Guitarists from around the world put their own lead in their own style on the track and then share with the group at Massive Blind Jam Project each Wednesday. All of a particular week's Massive Blind Jam tracks will be release *simultaneously* on Wednesday afternoon around 5pm EST... We know that "life happens"... we're all busy people that LOVE to play guitar, so we'll try to leave the window open into Thursday as well for those who were working on a jam or just really wanted to, but had a hard time meeting the Wednesday night "deadline", but ultimately we hope everyone will adjust their schedule by a day or two to fit the Wednesday deadline. This is the true concept of "Blind Jam"... to play your interpretation without hearing someone else do it first!
HOW TO BE NOTIFIED:
As mentioned above, upcoming tracks will now be posted as Facebook Events and regular posts within the MBJP group at MASSIVE BLIND JAM PROJECT page and Pinned to the top of the page.
HOW TO UPLOAD VIDEOS:
You can upload your jam ANYTIME! Videos will remain in queue until Wednesday. Admins will approve posts Wednesday evening at approximately 5pm EST. You may upload directly to the Massive Blind Jam Project page, but if you prefer to keep track of "view counts", then upload to your Facebook page and copy the link (see below "How to copy a video link"). Create a new post on the Massive page and paste the link in after you type out a description. Always be sure to begin your post with "MBJ#xxx" so it can be easily identified in the Massive queue.
NOTE: If you upload to your own FB page and copy your link from there to a Massive post, then please set security to "Only Me" until Wednesday and then change to "Public". This will help us keep the Massive Blind Jams truly "blind"!
NOTE: Did you know... when you create a post, once the video preview loads you can can delete the URL (website video link) and the video will remain.
It's a nice way to keep the posts clean. It's purely optional though!
HOW TO COPY A VIDEO LINK:
Generally, to copy your video video link: begin playing your video, then RIGHT click on video and select "Show Video URL", then RIGHT click on the URL (website video link) and COPY... then create a new post on the Massive and PASTE the link in after you've typed in your description. Alternately, you may also click "Share" (the curved arrow icon) and then select "Copy Link".... paste in new post as just described.
PLAYING WITH A PURPOSE:
Massive Blind Jam Project is designed to share our love of guitar and guitarists of every skill level. Participants benefit from being able to compare various interpretations with their own. Being familiar with a track, having just played it ourselves, makes it much easier to see what other players are doing that we may wish to incorporate. So we can learn and grow from the experience! The Massive Blind Jam Project helps round us out as musicians and gives us regular goals to work toward as we are driven to pick up our guitars and play!
LASTLY: IT'S JUST PLAIN FUN!
And who doesn't need a little relief from all pain and craziness in this world!
Massive Blind Jam Project Originators:
Deej SG & Scott Van Zen
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