by Blues rock icon Joe Bonamassa recently shared his thoughts on jam session etiquette. He called on guitarists to prioritize humility and musicality over excessive gear and showboating, in a statement featured on Guitar Player / Gibson Gear Guide.
Bonamassa emphasized the importance of reading the room and keeping things simple when joining others onstage for a jam.
“As a player, you’ve got to read the room,” he said. “If you’re getting called up onstage for a jam, or called up for one song, there shouldn’t be a technical team in tow with a pedalboard the size of a Fiat. You don’t need an F1 pit crew for a three-minute jam. Just plug straight in, man. We’re not making our careers here. Just use the volume and tone controls, and figure it out.”
He also stressed the value of awareness and restraint when sharing the stage with multiple guitarists.
“I’ve been onstage with five or more guitarists many times, and do you know what your greatest asset is? The volume control,” Bonamassa continued. “When somebody’s soloing and there are five guitar players, it shouldn’t be on. Leave some space, and then when they point to you, go for it. You wanna make music for music’s sake and not your sake. The days of those Ralph Macchio and Steve Vai duels are long gone. It is so unappealing to watch that go down.”
However, Bonamassa acknowledged one exception to his philosophy: his onstage collaborations with fellow guitarist Eric Gales.
“The only time I’ll do it is when I get onstage with Eric Gales,” he said. “I’ll do it, and it’s fun because I love the man and we have such a mutual respect for one another. We both know we’re going to get a black eye and a bloody nose. We’re going for it, and the crowd loves it. But it serves a purpose because it’s a spectacle, it’s P.T. Barnum juggling a polar bear on a unicycle. But in other situations, you want to be respectful to your fellow players.”
Bonamassa’s comments reflect a musical philosophy he has consistently demonstrated throughout his career, particularly in his collaborative work with fellow guitarists.
JBonamassa.com reported that Bonamassa produced Eric Gales’ 2022 album “Crown” and co-wrote songs with him. This demonstrated his commitment to supporting Gales’ artistry especially during challenging times like the pandemic. Their collaboration is rooted in close friendship and mutual respect, which explains why Bonamassa makes an exception for their onstage guitar duels.
The two guitarists have performed together in high-energy jam sessions at various live events. JBonamassa.com noted that they delivered a notable 13-minute solo duel at Gales’ Memphis release party. They have also shared the stage at Keeping The Blues Alive cruises and festivals. These performances reflect Bonamassa’s embrace of dynamic, spontaneous interplay in live settings when the context calls for it.
Bonamassa’s approach to guitar playing extends beyond just gear simplicity. Guitar World highlighted that his musical philosophy emphasizes keeping gear simple and focusing on musical communication and feel in jam sessions rather than technical excess. His approach values authentic expression and making the best of the moment, which aligns with his recent comments on jam session etiquette.
The guitarist’s broader message centers on respect, musicality, and knowing when to step back for the sake of the music. His philosophy prioritizes genuine musical collaboration over individual showmanship, except in cases where spectacle serves a clear purpose and is built on mutual respect between performers.
