If you are a primarily blues player and can find other blues players, then it's hard to see what the problem would be.
I'd prefer to be involved in jams that are 100% original, and fortunately have friends that think likewise, so we don't play "tunes" or "standards" (similar to what happens here on wikiloops but "in the moment" ). I do go out and occasionally join in a jam where there are pop tunes being played. The fun thing for me is that I haven't listened to pop music for 30 years, so it's all new to me and jam the same as with anything new.
It's understandable that you want to fit and sound OK, so may want to practice or listen to some things that you think would be likely to be played....I can't help you with that (maybe others can?).
Here's a really good exercise: start playing along with anything you hear on the radio. Don't necessarily make it just pop, do rock, jazz, classical ethnic, blues...almost anything. This exercise has several key ingredients:
1. To become a good listener and not only hear what's happening, but anticipate what's coming (so you could play along). If you feel that you are fumbling around don't get frustrated. Put down the guitar and use your voice. This part of the exercise is about your hearing, understanding and anticipating...you don't necessarily need you to play.
2. Once you can hear what you want to play it's a matter of playing it. This can open a huge can of worms for many players who are used to just playing finger memory riffs. The challenge is to become one with your instrument so that it becomes your voice. In other words, you play what you would sing. That's the real you and not just a bunch of BS licks. You may want to actually sing what you are trying to play and just use one note at a time. Got to be truthful about this...can take many years to become one with your instrument. Won't happen any sooner than when you start trying.
If you've got an ear and some talent this can put you on the road to becoming a proficient improviser very quickly.
Edited by
Wade on April 08 2016 04:57