Tell me about Wernick Method Jam Camp

[phydaux]

Darn it, Sue, now you're got me wanting to attend the Contoocook NH Weekend Jam. Although I can think of about 386 reasons NOT TO.

At $25 the Homespun Video Bluegrass Slow Jam video is, probably quite literally, more my speed.

Although we will expect a write up on how it went.

[Sue Rieter]

Phydaux, you should go. I was thinking of suggesting it to you. You could bring both your guitar and your mandolin.

I bought that video (at a discount when I signed up). I wish I had it 2 years ago, I'd be a better rhythm player today, and probably a better mandolin player overall. I think someone could get their instrument brand new and start with that video the same day, as all you need for the first couple songs is two chords.

[phydaux]

Yes I recently got bit by the mandolin bug again, but I’ve always been a guitar player first. I was wondering, if I went to that gym, would I play my guitar or my mandolin. I’m a little bit better than beginner on guitar, but still very much a beginner on my mandolin. But since I’m in the throes of mandolin fever I’d probably play my mandolin.

I’ll talk it over with my wife this weekend. I was telling her about it last night and she said “You should definitely go.“ Big help she is.

I’ll probably download that Slow Jam video from Homespun this weekend. Actually, the set of three videos is only a few dollars more.

[farmerjones]

I can't state this enough: Don't wait until you're good enough. You grow and get better by playing with others.

[DaveGinNJ]

Yes I recently got bit by the mandolin bug again, but I’ve always been a guitar player first. I was wondering, if I went to that gym, would I play my guitar or my mandolin. I’m a little bit better than beginner on guitar, but still very much a beginner on my mandolin. But since I’m in the throes of mandolin fever I’d probably play my mandolin.

I’ll talk it over with my wife this weekend. I was telling her about it last night and she said “You should definitely go.“ Big help she is.

I’ll probably download that Slow Jam video from Homespun this weekend. Actually, the set of three videos is only a few dollars more.

The Slow Jam one is very slow. It won't take long to graduate to the more difficult ones. I find the online videos (vice the DVD) to be a bit easier to use. In addition to playing along there is instruction on jamming much like you get in a live Wernick session. While the videos are a bit dated and the quality is VHS-like, they are still very useful and a no pressure way to learn. FYI I have a Slow Jam DVD that I dont use if anyone wants it

[Sue Rieter]

The Slow Jam one is very slow. It won't take long to graduate to the more difficult ones. I find the online videos (vice the DVD) to be a bit easier to use. In addition to playing along there is instruction on jamming much like you get in a live Wernick session. While the videos are a bit dated and the quality is VHS-like, they are still very useful and a no pressure way to learn. FYI I have a Slow Jam DVD that I dont use if anyone wants it

Ha ha, to me the speed is about right. Maybe I will feel differently after the weekend sessions.
I hope so.

[Sue Rieter]

Yes I recently got bit by the mandolin bug again, but I’ve always been a guitar player first. I was wondering, if I went to that gym, would I play my guitar or my mandolin. I’m a little bit better than beginner on guitar, but still very much a beginner on my mandolin. But since I’m in the throes of mandolin fever I’d probably play my mandolin.

I’ll talk it over with my wife this weekend. I was telling her about it last night and she said “You should definitely go.“ Big help she is.

I’ll probably download that Slow Jam video from Homespun this weekend. Actually, the set of three videos is only a few dollars more.

She's right. You should always listen to your wife

[DaveGinNJ]

Ha ha, to me the speed is about right. Maybe I will feel differently after the weekend sessions.
I hope so.

Sue, the Slow Jams is great place to start. My point was that you will find yourself getting faster pretty quickly. I found that very motivating

[Dan in NH]

I signed up for the camp in Contoocook. Plan to bring my KM-250 mandolin.

I was very conflicted at first. I'm starting to get to a place where I can call myself an intermediate guitar player, but I am still very much a beginner on mandolin. I wanted to chicken out and bring my guitar. But that was the motivation to sign up for the camp in the first place - To improve as a mandolin player.

[Sue Rieter]

Got an email today, they are actively recruiting banjo players. Any closet banjo pickers want to join us?

I'm actually feeling pretty good about it at this point. I got the jam songbook today, and I actually know a few of the songs well enough to walk around singing them in my head. They want you to have a song that you can maybe try to lead, and I was thinking, "No way, Jose!", but now am seeing a couple possibilities.

[Dan in NH]

I’m working on a couple of Hank Williams tunes, Jambalaya and Move It On Over. That, and just making the cord changes.

I still can’t do chop chords, but I figure I can do double stops and that’s almost like chop chords.

Chopping on the upbeat while playing in time is a lot harder than I had anticipated.

[ValerieK]

I will be attending the Contoocook camp with a friend. The instructors are great with extensive experience bringing beginners along. The whole weekend is fun!

[Dan in NH]

See you Friday, Valerie. I'll be the old, fat guy with a beard. Which in my experience won't narrow things down any at all.

[Dan in NH]

I wasn't going to before Jam Camp, but today I swung by the store and bought some light gauge strings. Now I have to figure out what to do with my stockpile of 11s. Sue, Valerie, do either of you use D'Addario 11s? What about Primetone picks? Do you use them, or want to give them a try?

[Sue Rieter]

See you Friday, Valerie. I'll be the old, fat guy with a beard. Which in my experience won't narrow things down any at all.

[ValerieK]

I typically use GHS Silk & Steel on my Girouard - 11,16, 26, 40. I have Primetone as backup to my BlueChip - Primetones are excellent.

[Sue Rieter]

I typically use GHS Silk & Steel on my Girouard - 11,16, 26, 40. I have Primetone as backup to my BlueChip - Primetones are excellent.

Valerie, I look forward to meeting you and maybe checking out your Girouard.
Dan, I have D'Addario nickel bronze light (10-38) strings on my SOL and generally use a Wegen pick with it - I've got primetones as backups, too. I use mediums on the F2, but have a small stack of them.

[Dan in NH]

Looks like we should have decent weather for this coming weekend. I’ll be bringing some sunscreen & Deep Woods Off. I’ve also laid in a supply of strings, pics, wire snips, mandolin size winding tool, and a variety of hats for all occasions & moods.

Only one folding chair, though.

[Charles E.]

I am sure you know but never use Deep Woods Off on your picking arm, it will eat the finish right off your instrument if it comes into contact with it.

[Sue Rieter]

I'm personally bringing an Insect Shield tee shirt and sweatshirt. No Deet for me, even if I didn't have an instrument in hand.

[dhergert]

I'm personally bringing an Insect Shield tee shirt and sweatshirt. No Deet for me, even if I didn't have an instrument in hand.

Yes, at festivals when jamming at night, when the bloodsuckers are out, I wear a light black long sleeve shirt, black scrub long pants (which are also very light), and since I'm bald on the top, a light black cap. I wear glasses and I'm heavily bearded so my face usually gets by without bites. I'm sure I look like a Santa Clause infiltration specialist, but I generally don't get bit.

My first experience with deet was about 45 years ago, and it partially melted the lacquer on the back of the neck of a banjo that I had just completed a few months earlier. Fortunately the lacquer was thick and I was able to rub it out so it looked like new again. But I've never used any bug spray or lotion since then, and I stay away from people who do.

I'm glad you're going to the Wernick session, I hope you have a wonderful time!

[Mandobar]

An interesting alternative to spraying stuff on yourself

https://nantucketspider.com/products...ers-pack-of-78

[Dan in NH]

So I had a great time at Jam Camp. There were about 15 mandolin players there, including coaches. As far as I could tell I has the only one who used a Tone-Gard.

[Sue Rieter]

Best musical experience ever. I met Dan and Valerie and saw several other mando cases with Cafe stickers on them.

The people were extremely welcoming and considerate of novice musicians. I felt encouraged and supported to stretch and take risks the whole time. The very first breakout session, I lead a song (Amazing Grace). There were a group of people that took me under their wing, and I made some new musical friendships that I think are going to be lasting.

My SOL received admiration and I listened to someone much better play it, and it sure sounded good.

The camp was Wernick method on Friday, and Wernick combined with Fiddleheads Acoustic Jam Camp (25th year) the rest of the weekend. So D,C,G,A were not enough chords after the first day . This caused me consternation at the first slow jam, that plus the fact that I am not there at recognizing what chords the guitar players are making was my big challenge. But I just focused on doing what I could, and getting out of my comfort zone whenever I could, and it was fine.

The workshops on Saturday and Sunday were a mixture of Wernick method and other topics. I ended up picking and choosing. One experienced musician encouraged me to take a workshop on moveable chords that was labeled "intermediate". Ignore the label, said he, that's information you need to have. He was right, it was a great introduction! I also went to a session on soloing on pentatonic scales, and I did it! Super simple and basic, but I didn't pass. Saturday afternoon everyone grouped into bands and Dan and I were together playing the blues (Howling Wolf - "Built for Comfort"). The coach was awesome about arranging something us novices could do, and I had my first experience standing up on stage. (When you mess up, just don't make the face )

Today I went to a class on harmony singing and it was so fun. Toward the end they asked for volunteers to stand up and do the three parts, and I went up and sang the lead part. Now I want to learn more about this.

I sort of wish I signed up for the open mic and played one of the tunes from last winter's Matt Flinner Old Time 101. It would have been cool.

I stayed in a cabin and slept (if you can call it that) on a bed shaped object. That was not so awesome. Everything else was great!

Dan, I saw at least one other Tone-Gard.

[Don Grieser]

Sue, great report and glad you and Dan had such a good time and great positive experience playing music with others. Sue, how did your recorder work out for you?