Jam Camps FAQs
DISCOUNTS GENERAL
QUALIFICATIONS PREPARATION (general) |
RE INSTRUMENTS
SPECIFIC CAMP QUESTIONS |
DISCOUNTS
Possible discounts for less common instruments
I noticed on your site it said to inquire about discounted tuition for less common instruments. Could you tell me what the tuition for mandolin would be?
The discounts happen mostly when we are short on signups from people playing a particular instrument. It takes a while after signups are open to tell which instruments we're short on (fiddles and basses most often), but at that point, discounts and scholarships are based on need, to reduce the obstacle of finances that make it hard for a player to attend. We've been known to give deep discounts in the last few weeks when we are really short on basses, for example (kind of like airlines filling flights). In some instances, a highly motivated person short on money, or two people in a family will receive a needed discount regardless of the number of signups on their instrument.
Pete Wernick
GENERAL
Ronnie writes,
Anyway, could you give me more details on what you cover during the week? A typical day's schedule would be very helpful.
Ronnie,
On the first morning, I'll give some orientation, and right away we'll start jamming as a large group. We'll begin with 2-chord songs in G and do some 3-chord ones too, at easy tempos. If you've never jammed before, this first session will get you going. Everyone will be invited to sing verses, take solos, and show their stuff... or just work on following along. Keeping it together and keeping it fun will be the main goals.
The first part of each morning and afternoon will be classroom-style with instruction on such topics as: keeping rhythm, following chord changes smoothly, jam etiquette and typical behavior, how to avoid “train wrecks” and awkward moments, learning chord changes and melody lines as quickly as possible, faking solos when you don’t have a prepared one, kicking off and ending songs, how to play your best under pressure, picking keys and using capos, the chord number system, harmony singing, finding jams in your home area, and a lot more!
The second half of each morning and afternoon we'll break into small jam groups. You'll be in some where the ability levels are about equal, and some where they're not. Since both situations are typical, you'll get a variety of useful experience. During these sessions, I and my assistants will circulate from group to group offering guidance and pointers.
At most of my jam camps, the last day of the camp is also the first day of the festival, and I'll have the campers join me in playing an all-class number for the festival audience that evening. Part of that afternoon will be spent in preparation.
Pete Wernick
Does the price include everything? what about lunch? materials etc...?
The price is just for camp tuition for the three days. Lodging and meals are on your own. Orientation materials and some important handout sheets are sent upon registration, along with driving directions and accommodations info. Songbooks and other learning materials will be available for purchase.
Pete Wernick
How much individual instruction do you usually have?
Tim writes,
How much individual instruction do you usually have? Is it more for beginners or people like me that can already play but want to advance? What kinda stuff do you usually teach? You're my favorite banjo picker and I would really like to learn some of your methods.
Tim,
I'm flattered! Thank you.
This will be a jam camp (not a banjo camp), aimed at helping people who are just getting into jamming or want to. They tend to be pretty inexperienced players, though there is definitely a spread in skill levels. Sometimes more experienced people like yourself come, and I do what I can to give pointers and otherwise help them as well. The teaching doesn't focus much on banjo skills or on any one instrument, though good instrumental work is an important goal. Often we concentrate on keeping the groove, getting good tone, and playing with sensitivity to the group's sound. So we do teach general musicianship, and sometimes we find it's easiest to teach that when we get to hear people playing in small groups, as we do at the camp.
Pete Wernick
Are friends and family allowed at camp sessions?
My wife is wanting to know if she can come and watch while I am in camp?
As far as the classroom-type stuff, that's for paid participants only. Observers during the small group jamming, that one's hard to call. She would have to go lightly. No problem during the after-hours jamming, but the daytime jamming in small groups is also instruction time, and observers may not be appropriate, depending on the circumstances.
I have some friends in the area that won't be attending the camp, but would like to get in on some after-hours jamming if possible. Is that all right?
What everyone does after-hours is on their own time, and I hope everyone gets a chance to jam with whomever they want! I have no problem with additional people coming by in the evening, as long as they add to the jamming, and don't try to take it over or other bad etiquette.
Pete Wernick
QUALIFICATIONS
Requirements for Bluegrass Jam Camp
(these are the same basic requirements as for all elementary jamming)
- You must be able to tune your instrument accurately, in a minute or two, with an electronic tuner.
- You must be able to follow on your instrument, chord changes on simple songs using only G, C, D, and A chords. This means readily recognizing those four chord forms as played on a guitar, and being able to quickly change between those chords on your instrument, while maintaining any simple regular rhythm pattern.
- If you don’t have a tuner, Pete’s favorite easily-affordable one is sold under the name Meisel or Intelli (not Intellitouch). It’s a square, clip-on tuner with a clear green screen, and is sold for $25-$30 by many music stores and online suppliers.
- Pete’s DVD Slow Bluegrass Jam for the Total Beginner presents 17 songs using only G, C, D, and A, at minimum bluegrass tempos. The guitar chords are shown on screen for easy following. All four chords are shown on all 6 of the instruments played by the band on the video. This can be ordered from www.DrBanjo.com for $30 plus shipping. Playing along with this video will build your confidence!
Age and skill levels for jam camp
Susie from Montreal writes,
What are the average age and skill levels for the jam camp?
Susie,
Average age is hard to guess, but at different jam camps we've had age ranges from under 10 to well over 70. All ages are welcome of course. Typically a fair proportion are over 50, and usually not too many people under 20. For each camp, I don't know until I get there. I really don't consider it much of a factor in my teaching,
As for skill level, again, all skill levels are welcome. The only prerequisite is the ability to change smoothly and quickly between simple chords like G, C, and D. Again, I don't know the skill levels until I get there, but typically there are quite a few who have never or only rarely jammed. The camp is designed for them. But often some more skilled players show up, and they generally fit in quite well, with the understanding that when jamming with the less skilled, they need to keep the songs easy and the tempos moderate.
Some jam time is with different experience levels mixed, and some is with the groups more matched by skill level. Both of these kinds of situations can happen in real life, so we give each person a chance at each. I offer personalized comments to everyone at the camp, with their experience level taken into account.
Pete Wernick
Is it more for beginners or people like me that can already play but want to advance? I pick banjo.
This will be a jam camp, not just for banjos, aimed at musicians who are just getting into jamming or want to. People who come tend to be pretty inexperienced players, though there is definitely a spread in skill levels. I can't say how the mix will be until I hear everybody, though we ask relevant questions on the registration form, and that gives us a hint as the signup comes in.
Sometimes experienced jammers come, and I take them into account in my teaching. The main help I can provide is when they're jamming and I (plus any of my assistants, generally pro musician/teachers) can provide evaluation and pointers to the people in the jam group. There is a "breakout" time, when each teacher teaches their specialty instrument simultaneously in small hands-on groups. Otherwise, the teaching is not really about specifics on particular instruments, though good instrumental work is an important goal. The most productive subjects are: keeping grooves, getting good tone, using the melody in solos, and playing with sensitivity to the group's sound.
Pete Wernick
Regarding ability to take solos
I can play six of the songs on your Top 106 so it looks like I've got a bit of work to do...while anxious about doing well, I am looking forward to participation in the camp.
No one has to play solos if they can't. It sometimes happens that someone who can play a solo at home has some trouble doing it in a jam. My Bluegrass Jamming video gives a taste of what that takes, and some of my Top 106 list songs are on that video. I recommend the video (DVD or tape) as it gives a head start on the camp. Rather than being concerned about soloing, it will do more for you at this point to learn the chords to more of the Top 63, and the words to some of them.
Pete Wernick
PREPARATION
How should I prepare for jam camp?
John writes,
Do you have a specific set of tunes that will be covered? I saw your list of 63 tunes - but will you condense this down to 12 or 20 or 30 for the Jam?
John,
Your request is quite reasonable, but in fact, there is no specific set of tunes to be covered. The idea is to teach people how to deal with typical tunes they have not played before. Learning to deal with unfamiliar tunes is a skill that's needed at all jam sessions in the "real world" of bluegrass jamming.
We do make a point of asking campers to come to camp with a few songs they are willing to try in their small group jam sessions. That's to make sure those jam groups don't run dry of material right away. It's appropriate for people to bring good songs when invited to jam, and what you all end up with is sort of random (though I make sure all songs are pretty playable for inexperienced players). So people would learn the songs you bring and you'll learn theirs -- or at least learn to follow along. That's how bluegrass jamming works, worldwide. "Preparation" is not expected, other than bringing a few songs, practicing chord changes if necessary, etc.
If a person has trouble singing in tune, they are welcome to bring song sheets with words, for songs they like and can follow along on.
Pete Wernick
Should I buy training DVD's or books to prepare for camp?
Brian writes,
I'm thinking of buying your 2 DVD's to prepare for Gettysburg. Should I get a book as well?
Brian,
One of the best things you can do now is try to learn repertoire of songs. So I would recommend my Bluegrass Songbook, and another good one called the Bluegrass Fakebook. Using the lists that I've sent you, I suggest you practice singing some songs you like, to where you know what keys you like to sing them, have verses committed to memory if possible, and maybe even have a kick-off solo break on guitar worked out to start the song off.
Pete Wernick
What songs should I practice beforehand?
There are no specific songs to practice. Song selection depends on what songs people bring. You'll want to practice up a few that you can present in a small group setting, where you know the chords and can do the song (in-tune singing not required) with the words in front of you. Most of the songs you'll be doing will be new to you, and the skill you'll be learning is "how to pick up new songs quickly".
What other advice can you give for preparing for camp?
Brian writes,
I play guitar and am learning from Steve Kauffman's intermediate flat picking book and Orin Starr's Bluegrass licks book. I'm looking for some advice to prepare over the next 6 weeks.
Brian,
Those books are likely to help you in the "homework" part of your learning, but to prepare for jamming, one of the best things you can do is to try to find the melody of a song (that you can hum) on the neck of the guitar, trial-and-error style, and then fashion a solo based on that melody. That is real bluegrass musicianship, and the books can help you by providing you some ideas for how to embellish the melody. You might even learn from the books an actual solo or two for particular songs, and then hope "that song" will actually come up in a jam. But learning a solo or two like that has a different payoff if you practice lifting licks from one solo and putting them in another. When you can do that fairly spontaneously, it will improve your ability to "fake" a solo at a jam.
Enjoy your practicing, and see you in May
Pete Wernick
Can you suggest a good tape recorder that you recommend for use at the camp?
Good question, as I ask everyone to bring a recording device. There are cheap ($30-40) models by Sony or whoever that work all right for camp-type purposes. A pretty good external microphone (ask at a store that sells mics, could be Radio Shack) would help get a better recording than the cheap built-in one on the recorder. It would be good if the mic were small and picked up sound clearly from 15-20 feet. Something decent should cost well under $100. Lots of choices. You should be able to try it out in a store before you buy it. You'd need the recorder and fresh tape.
Another alternative is the mini disk player, which is more pricey but makes a much better recording and has the advantage of quick access to any part of the disk. It requires a separate mic (and speaker or headphones).
Re banjo preparation - How much preparation is needed?
I received your jam camp orientation package today. After looking it over I am wondering if I am getting on board a bit late. I know two songs that I can play, Worried Man and Bile Dem Cabbage Down and I have never sung either one, I am not even sure what the words are! The only person that has ever heard me play banjo is my wife and son, and I rarely play when they are around. If you think I should wait a year and be better prepared I will. Your thoughts?
Jeff
Jeff,
The info packet tells people how to prepare, assuming they have time to prepare. The prep is not necessary, just recommended. The requirements of the camp are spelled out, and if you meet them (can tune your instrument and play 4 chords) you qualify and can get a benefit from the camp.
You would be better prepared for next year if you took this year's camp. The practicing you've done thus far (learning two songs by tablature only) is not good prep for jamming. I would say you should have started by working on different skills, but at the camp I make it clear what sorts of practicing are most beneficial, and you'll get a chance to work on them.
Right now, you might try seeing if you can keep a simple standard roll such as TITM repeating while you change chords between G and D7. If that goes well, try using different chord changes. This is not a necessary skill, but if you can do it, it will be very satisfying to use in as accompaniment behind songs.
The camp itself can benefit you a lot as it will bring you face to face with what it takes to actually play music with others, and you will get a chance to do exactly that, for a few days. You can fit in just chording along. We keep it about as easy as it can possibly be (start with a bunch of two chord songs). Be assured there will be others there with zero jamming experience and confidence.
RE INSTRUMENTS
Paul D writes,
My wife has started "dabbling" in the fiddle. She hasn't progressed much yet, but still working. What would you say that she needs to be able to do in order to get the full advantage of attending this year with me?
Paul,
Note the advertised requirement "able to change smoothly between simple chords". A fiddle doesn't exactly chord, but a fiddler needs to be able to follow simple chord progressions, and be aware when the song is on a G, or on a D, etc. That allows for playing of correct backup notes for either bowing or "chopping", and if she ventures a lead, using licks that are most easily categorized by what chord(s) they go with.
Important: For bluegrass jamming, it is not really sufficient for a person to know only how to play tunes and lead lines. This is where bluegrass and other kinds of music differ: All instruments are expected to play *backup*, for which there is no printed music available. You just have to watch (the guitar player's left hand) and listen for chord changes, and play something appropriate, even if it's a single note for each chord. So it's important for fiddlers to know what the different notes are that go into a G, C, or D chord, and to get to them quickly and smoothly. It's actually ok if they just hit the root notes, G, C, and D, and that is a basic workable place to start.
Aside from that, a new fiddler would benefit a lot from being able to find melodies by ear. It's fine to start slowly and haltingly, but after a while it should come more quickly and accurately, and that's a great place to be when the camp gets going, so that she can try faking a melody in a jam now and then. To start that, suggest some favorite songs that she could hum, and the likely key (G or A works for many). If you can sing the song slowly and play guitar while she tries, that could really help get her going. Watch out, though, husbands and wives don't always match up so well as pickers when one is ahead of the other one. Just being encouraging is the best thing, especially if she's sensitive to criticism.
I hope to see you both at the next camp!
Pete Wernick
Fiddle notation or tab at camp?
Christine writes,
I recently found a site that offered fiddle tabs and that has really made a huge difference in my playing and in my rhythm. Is this an acceptable way to learn and play or do I need to stick to reading music notation? Which is used at your camp?
Christine,
Either way, tab or standard notation, is just fine as a way of learning solos that someone else has created. But in bluegrass jamming, people have to "think on their feet" and learn to come up with solos based on their ability to follow chord progressions with notes that fit in the chords, and put in melody notes or pre-learned "licks" where they can. So we actually don't use written notation at the camp at all, but work on developing ear skills. Since you are already a singer, you probably can already find melodies by ear, and that's the kind of thing we encourage at the camp. Since we keep the tempos nice and slow, learning to solo this way gets a chance to happen at an easy pace, and there are lots of chances to try solos on good but simple bluegrass songs.
You've probably noticed in seeing other people play bluegrass, that people are not playing from paper. Nor do they usually have from-paper solos memorized. They make do using the above methods, and that's what we teach at the camp!
Pete Wernick
Janet writes,
I am being taught to play fiddle as a lead instrument and I don't understand about chords on the fiddle.
Janet,
This is typical, if that's any comfort. We have taught the basics to a lot of fiddlers, even though neither of us plays fiddle!
Janet writes,
I thought arpeggios were just extended chords broken up into single notes the fiddle can play, and a way to beat into the brain just which notes are acceptable choices when everyone else is playing a certain chord.
Janet,
That's exactly right.
Janet writes,
But you say I need to learn honest-to-goodness chords on the fiddle.
Janet,
If I implied that, I didn't mean to. (Can you quote me where I did say that?)
More experienced fiddle players learn which pairs of adjacent strings might BOTH have acceptable notes (one might be an open string, while the other is stopped), and then you actually would have a 2-note chord.
But one "legal" note is sufficient.
Or a definition of what a chord actually is on the fiddle? None of the books I have lying around address this. I don't know whether to play double stops on the G and D strings, or on the D and A strings, or on the A and E strings, or something else entirely, and sometimes there's more than one double stop that might be used
A chord means any two or more notes which harmonize together. If you are playing arpeggios of the "acceptable notes in a chord", then any one or more of those same notes can be used. If you're playing two at the same time, that can be called "a chord".
To jam in bluegrass, you mainly need to know what notes are "acceptable" choices behind each of the chords. The choices change as the chords change.
On our Slow Jam DVD, we start out with a bunch of two chord songs. They use G and D chords. For those two chords, the acceptable notes are (for G:) G, B, or D, and (for D:) D, F#, A. So, for instance, as the song changed from the part backed by a G chord, to D chord, on the fiddle you could note a G and then an A. Or a G and then a D. Or .... a D and then a D!
When you look at it that way, the technical end is pretty simple, but you do have to keep the "acceptable" choices in mind, and as you follow the chord changes, make sure to "stay legal".
This kind of thing gets much easier the more you do it, to where after a while you can almost stop thinking about it, while still doing it correctly. That's why I strongly recommend the Slow Jam DVD for both you and your husband. The chord changes are shown right on screen, and as the songs go by, you can just follow along. The DVD has 17 standards, all played slowly, and the entire chord vocabulary is G, C, D, and A. Play along enough with that DVD, and you'll be able to fit right in at the camp, and set your sights on more than just the basics of "being legal".
If you are willing/able to try for double stops, then the trick is to find which pair of notes that are both in a chord can be easily enough sounded when the time comes. Example: For a G chord, you can just play the open G and D simultaneously. For the D chord, you can play D and A simultaneously. Those are nice easy choices, no left hand!
In case it's not spelled out in your books, the acceptable notes in a chord are: the FIRST, THIRD, and FIFTH note of the scale the chord is based on. Example, for a G chord, use the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of the G scale. Those are: G, B, and D.
Got it?
Janet writes,
Are there suggested ways to improve learning chords?
Pick two chords that are commonly played in the same song, and practice switching between them. At first, once you've made the chord, pick the strings one by one to make sure they're all clear. Then change the chord and do the same. Then back and forth, and in time, more quickly. With practice, you will definitely get it.
Pete Wernick
I teach Texas Style or "contest style" fiddling. Most of my fiddlers jam quite often and almost all also play guitar. I am not sure my kids would fit into the bluegrass perspective.
From what you say, not many of your students might find this class "for them". But it's also true that being able to "fake” solos and do tasteful backup on songs that come up at a jam is a skill that some "contest style" fiddlers might want to add. This skill is less about well-practiced technique than just getting out in a bluegrass situation and "learning how to play shortstop" where, while there are ground rules, no one really knows just what's going to happen. Depending on what sort of jamming experience a student has had or wants, this kind of opportunity might be helpful.
Thanks for writing, and best of luck with your teaching!
Pete Wernick
Tim writes,
How much individual instruction do you usually have? Is it more for beginners or people like me that can already play but want to advance? What kinda stuff do you usually teach? You're my favorite banjo picker and I would really like to learn some of your methods.
Tim,
I'm flattered! Thank you.
This will be a jam camp (not a banjo camp), aimed at helping people who are just getting into jamming or want to. They tend to be pretty inexperienced players, though there is definitely a spread in skill levels. Sometimes more experienced people like yourself come, and I do what I can to give pointers and otherwise help them as well. The teaching doesn't focus much on banjo skills or on any one instrument, though good instrumental work is an important goal. Often we concentrate on keeping the groove, getting good tone, and playing with sensitivity to the group's sound. So we do teach general musicianship, and sometimes we find it's easiest to teach that when we get to hear people playing in small groups, as we do at the camp.
Pete Wernick
Would clawhammer style banjo fit in at your jam camp?
It would fit in at the jam camp, but it's appropriate to mention that clawhammer is not the "style of choice" for bluegrass, and the reasons for that.
On one hand, any song playable in Scruggs style (3-finger picking) banjo can also be played in clawhammer style, and as an accompaniment in a group setting, either style of banjo would work. If played well and tastefully, it can sound good in a variety of bluegrass settings. As a good example, the late Merle Watson did some fine clawhammer work on Doc Watson's most "bluegrassy" record, Greenville Trestle. Ralph Stanley and others have occasionally played clawhammer style, perhaps a single song in a set, as a welcome novelty.
However, the reason the style is not normally heard in bluegrass is that, depending on what sort of clawhammer style is used (single notes, vs. more of a rhythmic strum), clawhammer banjo is not as clear and distinct as 3-finger picking is, and may either be too quiet to be heard, or else possibly "muddy" the rhythm sound that already includes a good amount of guitar and mandolin. While in informal bluegrass jam situations clawhammer may fit in easily, you will almost never hear it in a performing bluegrass band, for the reasons given.
All that said, I am happy to welcome clawhammer banjo players to a bluegrass jam camp, since their playing should fit in just fine. However, during the camp when it comes to learning soloing, they will encounter the limitation I’ve described.
Is fingerpicking guitar OK to use at jam camp?
Michael writes,
I have never used a flat pick before. Of course I will pick up a couple at my local store. However, getting used to it may be difficult. I am afraid it will sound pretty ragged.
Michael,
I understand. In fact, there are a few rhythm guitar players (including Delbert Williams, a very respected California musician), who do use a thumb pick, in the style of some of the earliest bluegrass guitar players, such as Lester Flatt and Carter Stanley. But these exceptions are rare.
I would say a flat pick is not *necessary* for bluegrass, but the standard way the guitar is played in bluegrass does *not* call for fingerpicking at all. Instead, it is typically a strong and clear bass note followed by a quick and clean (not noisy) brushed strum on mostly strings 1, 2, and 3. The idea is to have the low note, and punctuate time, not to "fill" the midrange sound of the ensemble.
Generally, people make the bluegrass guitar sound with a flat pick, but if the grip, etc. are awkward at first, you can try for the same sound with a thumbpick and maybe a single finger pick for the quick strum (not individual notes). Sorry to sound dogmatic about that, but I feel responsible for helping people to understand and learn "the bluegrass way" from me, which they then can use according to their own judgement.
Pete Wernick
How are guitarists handled at jam camp?
Ken writes,
I currently am learning guitar (about 1 year). How are guitarists handled?
Ken,
In general, guitarists are handled about the same as the other folks: You're expected to at the least, know several chords and be able to play rhythm and change chords pretty smoothly.
Beyond that, it's a plus if you can offer some songs that you sing, at slow tempos, with easy chords, preferably in G. If you can do any soloing, that's fine, but it's not expected. We are mainly about:
1. Getting people comfortable in a jamming situation, following along.
2. Teaching people how to be valuable contributors to a jam session (singing lead, singing harmony, taking solos, leading the group for a song at a time). Some people are ready for this, some not. All are welcome.
My wife Joan is a good rhythm guitar player, and both she and I will give pointers to the various guitarists regarding a good balance of sound, bass runs, etc. Not a lot of specific instrument instruction, but pointers as a person's playing relates to helping the group sound better.
In sum, you will get a good workout on your guitar, and learn some of the fine points of how to handle your guitar at a jam, building confidence as you go.
Pete Wernick
Pete, Do you expect other bass players? I ask this for two reasons. First, I don't get to talk to other bass players often. Second, three hours of hard jamming is about all my fingers can take at a time. It would be nice to take turns.
Pete: We don't expect steady playing for more than 2 hours at a time. So far, one other bass player is signed up, and we never know what to expect. Usually we're short on bass players, so I HOPE you'll sign up! Without bass players, we double up guitars, if available, in the small groups. Normally the bass players stay busy during the small groups times of day.
Connie writes:
I play the acoustical bass guitar but I also have the capability to amplify. Would this be acceptable for jam camp or does it have to be a stand-up bass.
Connie,
Amplifying will probably be necessary as the smaller "guitar" type basses are pretty quiet for bluegrass needs. No problem whatsoever playing electric bass. It's definitely an acceptable variation on the traditional standup, as long as it's played appropriately. Naturally there are limitations to where you can play, as you need to plug in your amp. Though there are battery powered amps which let you play anywhere.
Pete Wernick
My video for the mandolin is all in G, however the fiddle one has all the tunes in A. This becomes confusing at times. Should I try to learn all the songs for both instruments in mainly the key of G to be better prepared for the camp?
Learning how to chord along on three chord songs in BOTH keys is a very meaningful and appropriate skill for you to work on. Both keys are frequently used in bluegrass jamming.
Also, in bluegrass there are so many different songs that might come up at a jam, the idea is not to "learn songs", but to learn the skills to help you follow along on songs you've never played before. This is NOT the same as rote learning or reading music. It is a different set of skills. Working with my jamming DVDs will help you develop them.
Also, I find it easy to do the two finger G, C, and D chords on the mandolin but the A chord as shown is pretty difficult. Do I need to be learning other than the two finder G, C, and D chords
2-finger chords will get you by, but you'll be able to control your sound better once you get comfortable on the 4-finger ones. If you get started now, you'll probably have it by November. It's hard at first, and may seem impossible, but don't give up. Change between the different chords and see how cleanly and fluently you can do it. Eventually, being able to make chord changes quickly *without looking* will get you where you want to be.
Camp Prep for Novice Mandolin Players
By Mark Roberts, former jam camper, Argyle, TX
In bluegrass mandolins provide the back beat or off beat. This is done with the mandolin "chop." It's not hard. You make a chord - say G - and then strum it but just as it starts to ring you let you fingers up just a little on the strings, dampening them and the sound. You get a nice snare drum chop sound.
That's your job: to keep the band in rhythm with your chop. The bass player will play ON the beat, and you will play the OFF beat. Boom-chick, boom-chick, boom-chick. You're the chick.
Guitars do both the Boom and the chick. Fiddles, banjos, resonator guitars sometimes hit the chick, but the mandolin virtually always does.
Playing on the off beat is a little different. It is very easy to roll over to the on beat and it requires some practice to stay on the off beats. If you can't do it you should work on this relentlessly until you can. This is the single most important preparation you can do so you need to work on this until you can do it. I'm not kidding. You've got to be able to chop on the off beats. Get a metronome and set it at a slow tempo. Hold a chord. Beep - Strum the CHOP - Beep - Strum the CHOP. If you can't chop in between the beeps slow it down till you can. Then work on it until you can do it faster.
If you can't do it you may want to try playing the G string (furthest from the floor on your mandolin) ON the beat and then chopping. This helps a lot of mandolin players. They play G string, then CHOP. In effect, they are playing boom-chick, boom-chick - playing "both parts", as the guitar does. Work on this. This is what the mandolin does when playing rhythm in bluegrass.
You also should work on changing chords as you chop. You need to be able to smoothly and quickly change from G, C, and D chords. Get the song sheet and use it. Play boom-chick, boom-chick, boom-chick as you sing the words in your head and then smoothly, without breaking tempo, shift to the next chord and keep right on boom-chicking in rhythm. The better you are at this the better you'll do at Jam Camp. Don't worry about anything else. Don't work on fiddle tunes or solos. Just work on your chop chords.
By the way, I knew some two-finger mandolin chords and thought I'd just use those. Wrong! You can't make that nice mandolin "bark" with only two strings chorded. You need to use the full chords that fret all the strings if you want to be a bluegrass mandolin player. [However, if you can switch quickly between the 2-finger chords, it's acceptable to use those. But practicing the full chords is worth the effort.]
If you can chord chop your way through the songs Pete sends at a good pace (like 80 bpm) then you're ready for Camp.
If you can't chop and chord and you aren't getting it on your own then order Pete's Slow Jam DVD. It contains a ton of songs and gives you plenty of slow songs to work on your chop. I bought one at the Camp and it is a huge help. Get one before Camp and you'll be just that much better before the Camp starts.
SPECIFIC CAMP QUESTIONS
A recent and important question regarding the upcoming Grey Fox jam camp:
Andrew writes,
Is the jam camp at the same spot as the festival? And if so, are you allowed to setup a tent up on the hill at that time?
The camp is at a firehouse right down the road from the festival entrance. No special festival or camping privileges come with admission to the jam camp. We do all get on the main stage late Thursday afternoon after the camp is over and play a couple of songs en masse.
No one is admitted to the festival site until noon Wednesday. There is a nearby farm where people will may rough camp for a small fee as early as 7 days ahead, and form a line to enter the festival Wednesday. For more information: mazurjohn1@sbcglobal.net.