Viol Jam – (online Viol Consort playing using free Jamulus software) what’s it all about and is it for me?
Viol players might have come across Jamulus in the context of lockdown and something we used then in order to play together live. Zoom was our usual way of staying in touch but simultaneous playing wasn’t possible. However, Jamulus is also a platform that has its uses for busy people who have limited time to travel, or people who live remotely but still want to play viols (or any other instrument) with other people.
Audio only
Jamulus is audio only and relies on your computer being wired directly to your router with an ethernet cable – Jamulus will not work on wi-fi. Being wired to your router helps to avoid too much delay to the sound, so you listen to yourself and other people simultaneously through your headphones and can play in time and hear a surprising amount of detail. Would you imagine that to start a piece all you have to do is breathe in and the other players can hear you?
Jamulus and Zoom Together
To have a visual connection and smile at each other, we often use Zoom as well, but muted. It’s always nice to see the person you’re playing music with, but of course the sound you hear and the movement made will not be in sync. It is something I have found players get used to however. When I teach online, I do prefer to have students who are prepared to use Jamulus as well as Zoom, as I know they will get a better lesson. I can hear sound quality with the contact of the bow on the string; we play together; can discuss and experiment listening to different ways of playing the same phrase, and so much more than on Zoom alone.
Viol Jam meet-ups
The Viol Jam groups that I have been coaching since January 2023 have met in person on a regular basis with bi-annual meet-ups in London, which is such a pleasure.
Jamulus for busy professional players
My latest project using Jamulus is with other musicians in the UK and Germany. We are recording a CD and the majority of our rehearsal time will be on Jamulus. Of course, we will rehearse in person as well, but a lot of the work will be done online. I wonder if there are other young professional groups with busy lives who struggle to find time to rehearse and could use a 2 hour window for a 2 hour rehearsal?
New consort playing opportunity for any viol player
Having originally started Viol Jam groups to cater for young players (generously supported by the UK Viola da Gamba Society), I would now like to offer tutored consorts on Jamulus to viol players of any age and standard. Depending on who applies, I will organise players into consorts of a similar standard and musicianship. Tutored sessions are 1:15hrs long and cost £10 each and will run for a term after which time a decision will be made to continue with or without a tutor.
Free tech setup sessions with Jacqui and Diane
We will help players get set up on Jamulus in a stress-free environment before picking up a viol to play together. Here are two sample equipment options, but before you buy anything we can discuss and advise what would be compatible with Jamulus and your needs and computer. Both options will require an ethernet cable (Cat 6 or better) and wired headphones.
Jamulus – https://jamulus.io
Jamulus Shopping list – option 1 (approx £100)
USB Microphone (Logitech Blue Yeti):
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Recording-Streaming-Condenser-Adjustable/dp/B00N1YPXW2
Jamulus Shopping list – option 2 (approx £200)
USB Audio Interface – Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th gen:
https://amzn.eu/d/ce8l1IV
Condenser Microphone & mic stand & XLR mic cable:
A budget condenser mic:
https://www.musicstore.com/en_GB/GBP/Fame-Audio-Single-C-Condenser-Microphone/art-REC0004720-000
A boom mic stand:
https://www.musicstore.com/en_GB/GBP/Koenig-Meyer-27105-Microphone-Stand-Black-/art-ACC0000030-001
A more portable table-top mic stand:
An XLR mic cable:
https://www.musicstore.com/en_GB/GBP/Fame-Audio-Microphone-Cable-Ultra-3-m/art-ACC0011479-000
Jacqui Robertson-Wade & Diane McGuire
To join in with Viol Jam or for more details please email Jacqui at:
jacqui@rondopublishing.co.uk