By Piers Hogg,

Until lockdown happened in the UK, I did quite a lot of music. Most weeks I had a couple of rehearsals with different bands, played at a couple of jams or open-mics and even had an occasional gig. Then lockdown kicked in and there was ……   NOTHING. Suddenly my life had a large void. No sweaty rehearsal rooms, no trips to a pub, sweaty or otherwise and no spending time making music with similarly minded people.

But I’m a persistent sort of bloke (more than 30 years of fixing, modifying and, in some cases, rewriting ancient, creaking IT systems does that to you). So, 2 or 3 weeks after lockdown and a couple of false starts and trials, I alighted on Jamulus.

I think Jamulus is truly remarkable. If the people you play with are within, say, 1000 miles radius, it is as near as possible to playing with them in a studio.

The downsides are :

• I don’t get the visceral thrill of playing, at volume, with others.
• I don’t get to spend time in sweaty rehearsal rooms or pubs, sweaty or otherwise.

There are many  upsides, but the main ones are :

• I get to play with fantastic musicians who are generous with their patience, time and knowledge.
• My hearing will not be damaged by rehearsing or performing at top volume.
• I spend much less on rehearsal studios, beer and hasty meals out. 
• The Jamulus community and, particularly, the Jamulus  Worldjam team is very happy to solve problems and freely share their time, expertise and knowledge. Amazing !
• I don’t get to spend time in sweaty rehearsal rooms or pubs, sweaty or otherwise.

What’s not to love? I have been spreading the word ever since.

I find it hard, now, to imagine a future without Jamulus. Whenever all our lives return to normal, I hope I can continue to play with the superb musicians I have “met” and friends I have made through Jamulus.

Thank you so much to Volker Fischer and the Jamulus Worldjam team. You have all made my life in lockdown immeasurably better.