Comments from Recent Jam Campers:

Date: October 2006

Here are my comments on the Copake, NY session. As a measure of progress, I'm now playing regularly with 3 jam groups in the Albany NY area. The number was zero before jam camp.

-Jim H. (NY, 06)

Soundbites:
"I did things for the first time that I've been trying to do for years."
"Jam camp was intense, demanding and really fun."
"I learned a lot, and learned how to learn more."

Before jam camp: low confidence, jam-shy, aimless and unfocused practice After: high jam-readiness, high confidence, jam sessions are much more fun

As one data point, I can't learn from tab

• learning from tab takes much, much longer
• not really internalized, easily forgotten
• you can get the tab and not get the tune
• several levels of abstraction:
• numbers on paper -> fingers on frets & strings -> sound I'm trying to get

Jam camp demonstrated a good approach:

• Get the melody in your head
• Hear / learn the chords
• Learn to play the basic melody, or play around it, by applying Pete's chord shapes and Tim O'Brien's arpeggios
• Build the tune and a break from there.

Good aspect of jam camp: how to discover and work on your weak points

• in my case, a pretty good left hand from playing old time
• decent right hand from lots of rolls practice
• relatively little shyness, from OT group and contest playing

My weak points:

• not a good ear
• know relatively few jam-ready tunes
• slow to pick up new tunes
• less knowledge of the neck than I would like
• not a good singer
• probably others I'm not aware of

Things I would like to get out of future jam camps:

• How to build an appealing break
• This would probably not have been appropriate for most of the July group in Copake.
• How to relax when you're playing
• Technique: how to play a better chop

One impressive demonstration:

• Pete briefly describing a new piece to Ira, in chord numbers, then immediately playing it at high speed, then playing it **on stage** shortly after
• as if to say, "Here's how the pros do it."

Comparing jam camp to "hang out with musicians" education sessions:

• e.g. cruise, which I've never been on, probably much less effective
• At banjo camp, which I have attended, it's much harder to make progress. Most of the professional staff, other than the Doctor and Mike Kropp, show up and share whatever is on their minds that morning.

Other things I liked about jam camp: The posters -- Hot Rize appearing with Monroe

• my personal favorite: "Decide what you won't settle for"

For assistants, it's hard to see how you could get anyone better than Ira. He was helpful and encouraging, and obviously a solid pro. He helped me out with right hand technique, instrument set-up, and other things too numerous to mention. His expertise is solid in its own right, and a good supplement to Pete's.

Went Back For a Second Jam

The Post-Jam Camp Progress of a Texas Banjo Player

I attended the Jam Camp in Argyle, Texas last month. I was the rank beginner with cheap banjo that you tightened the head on at the end of the last day. Anyway, just a short followup note.

The camp was very "beginner friendly" and a great confidence builder. The technique you taught about listening to the song, picking out melody notes and including them in your rolls is working good for me insofar as it holds my concentration much longer than trying to memorize tabs from a songbook.

Also, I had never sang a "lick" in public in my life and I led our group in the "group performance" on the last day. OK, so it wasn't that good, but a tremendous personal leap of faith.

The postscript is that I have a friend that has been involved in several local Bluegrass groups, is in between right now, invited me over the week after the jam camp to see what I had learned - there was one other player there- we jammed all afternoon - went back for a second jam with the same guys all yesterday afternoon. So, at the end of the jam, my Bluegrass buddy says, "Not bad, let's work up a song list and in a couple of months go do the local nursing homes!" Whoa...big stuff!

You said the first rung of the ladder is very close to the ground - it is. Thanks for helping me to that first rung. By the way, emphasize to your students that the 2nd rung of the ladder is just as close to the first as the first was to the ground, etc. Just get on the ladder!

-- G.C. Richardson, TX (TX 07)

"I've been playing (guitar) a lot since the last Merlefest jamcamp. Your "Bluegrass Jamming" DVD has made all the difference. I have even been brave enough to join Sunday parking lot jam sessions. That's what it's all about."

-- J.M. (NC, 04)

"Unreal! Went fantastic, had a total of about 23 musicians, had a couple drop-ins just like a jam. Our purpose was to show a jam and we got it. Room filled and pretty much stayed that way. Most fun you can have with your clothes on! Audience went nuts for the jam.

Pete, thank you so much for helping to open this chapter of our lives. I tend to be a good organizer of events, but the camp gave me the incentive to grab hold of this area. I don't know how long it might have taken for me to test these waters, but I am in them and the water is fine."

-- Bill, (RI, 04)

It's been three weeks, but I'm still on a high from your Bluegrass Jam Camp in Gettysburg. To put it mildly -- it was absolutely fantastic! My banjo playing has improved immeasurably since Camp -- even my wife has noticed. I am now actively looking for other jammers.

In class you mentioned to find folks in area to jam, to start jams up etc. Well, I might have gone a bit overboard, but I talked a local restaurant into hosting a bluegrass jam. Today was the first one, we had close to 80 people turn out, including 7 from Jam Camp. Great success."

"Thank you very much for coming to California and teaching the Jam Camp! I was definitely a closet picker. But thanks to you I am happily out of the closet playing with others at church and school already! Joan, you really helped me to feel good about singing! I have never been able to sing on key before! It was great to be able to work with you and see that it is possible!

Before the camp, I was always very nervous to play around others. Since camp, I have played 2 times already, once in front of 120 kids and along side a great guitar player and the other time in a folk group of 15 musicians in front of the Sunday congregation at church. Both times I played with confidence and without fear! It was great!"

-- K.G. (CA, 05)

"Today I spoke with the manager and assistant manager of my apartment complex about starting a slow bluegrass jam. Both were enthusiastic and encouraging. The monthly newsletter will be distributed to all apartments and will carry an announcement about bringing the instruments out of the closet. Attending Jam Camp has given me the courage and the enthusiasm to start this."

-- B.D.

"I gave Bridget Allen a diamond ring in the middle of a music jam at her Christmas party on Dec. 22. The jam was going on during the party with several guests participating. I was able to get Bridget up front for a few minutes to sing Christmas carols, and we paused for a presentation. The Christmas bag with the box was passed among our children and then to me. I said a few words and presented it. She was quite surprised. We then put a guitar in her lap, and she and I played and sang, "Your Are My Sunshine" with the guests joining in. I think that will be our song since that event. I appreciate the news shared via the emails. The ability of Jamie to write such interesting reportage should be shared with a much larger audience as I too believe she has literary talent. The jam scene in central Pennsylvania is growing. Pete's information about closet players is becoming a prophesy. There are so many of us, and often we are so close. We are often saying "I didn't know this person played." We are everywhere, and in this area there are so many jams that I cannot possibly attend a third of them. My son, David, has started to play a fiddle, and Saturday night I walked in to a jam in Mill Creek, one of two jams within 300 yards of each other, and I was pleasantly startled by seeing him playing in the jam. I think he is hooked. Best wished to all Jamcampers for the new year. Keep the dialogue coming in the emails."

-- R.P. (12/30/02)

"I am still walking on air since the workshop. I want to thank you both again for such an outstanding experience as a participant in the workshop. I learned so much and gained so much confidence with my bass-playing. I found myself in a jam with some rather experienced players Saturday morning and though they played pretty fast, I was able to muddle along OK. And it was great to meet these local people. You bet I'll be staying in touch with the "chick band" members. Maybe we'll be in a band workshop in the future!

I also wanted to say that I bought your duet CD and have been listening to it nonstop. It is a wonderful album. Joan, your voice is fabulous--what an inspiration.

All in all, I can't thank you enough for offering this workshop. It has inspired me so much. I look forward to many weekends filled with music."

-- S.V. (Brookdale camp 03)

"Jam Camp 2002 was my "initiation" to jamming. I'd taken guitar lessons for a few months, and had been trying to teach myself the basics on the fiddle (with lots of help from my dad, who can play just about anything that has strings!). During camp, it was a struggle the first day, just to get my instruments out of their case - I was terrified to play in front of anyone! By the end of the week, I was having such a great time that I'd forgotten about the fear of making a mistake! Everyone was VERY patient and encouraging, telling how they felt the first time they tried jamming, and helping me learn at my own pace....without their support, I would never have made it to that "first rung of the ladder," (as Pete describes it).

After camp, I started jamming on Sat. nights at our local Ridgeway Opry - it's mostly open mic, except for a couple of short sets by the house band (The Possoms & The Blossoms), and a longer set by a featured band about once a month. Well, it happened that the fiddler with the Possums was having some health problems, and while he was recovering they asked if I'd like to pinch hit for a couple of months. They also needed someone on harmony vocals, so I jumped at the chance. We played at a nearby festival (actually got to open for Country Current - no pressure there!), a coffeehouse, and some private parties, as well as the regular Sat. gig at the Opry. There's no way to tell you what I learned and how much I enjoyed those two short months. It was another example of something I would have never experienced without Jam Camp!"

-- G.F.

"What a week I had...learned a lot and jammed a lot and gained new self-confidence armed with Pete's time-tested bag of tricks and techniques. Open mics, here I come!"

-- S.H. 02

"Last year was my first year at Jam Camp. I drove down from NY listening to bluegrass songs and trying to cram as many as I could into my poor brain. I was SO nervous. I was sure I wouldn't play well enough or sing well enough for this group. Either that, or I would commit some horrible breach of jam etiquette. Let me tell you, however, I hadn't been in the first jam for more than two minutes when I knew that everything was going to be OK. I was in heaven! This is the most appreciative, affirming, laid-back and fun group you'll ever meet!! And, we produced some darn good music together!!!"

-- S.S.

(later, after being asked to join a good group:)

"I want you to know that the experiences I had last year at Jam Camp helped get me to this place. I was a good singer and an adequate guitarist before Jam Camp, but I am much better now. I attribute a lot of that to the encouragement and affirmation I received at Camp, from both you and the other participants. In addition, that brief moment on stage and being so well received by the audience, was a turning point for me. There's nothing like cheers and applause, I guess.

I know I've told you before how much Jam Camp meant to me, but I want to tell you again in the context of this development. I'm flying high...still can't believe my incredible good fortune. Here's to another great year!"

-- S.S.

"I was so awed and inspired by the almost evangelical spirit of Dr. and Nurse Banjo that I returned to my home and organized a jam group. Everyone is invited to the Folly Beach Bluegrass Society Jam Night at The Pelican every Thursday night at 7:30. Our first jam was a raging success."

-- Jamie 02

Dear Pete and Joan,
I'm back here in Arlington, VA struggling to readjust to the routines of my "normal" life, but I couldn't let any more time slip past without dropping you a line to express my most sincere gratitude for all the work you both put in to make the jam camp experience the best it could be for myself and all the campers. I enjoyed so many personal milestones and creative highs during the week, that when my friends ask me "how did it go" or "what did you do" I hardly know where to start. Obviously, none of it would have been possible without you. I'm really in awe of the generosity of spirit you showed this week in your commitment to spreading the joy of making music. It was a beautiful thing to see your clear pleasure at group of adult learners singing harmony for the first time, or a musician taking their first out-of-the-closet solo. On the more personal level I very much appreciate the kindness and support you both gave to me over the course of the camp. You've touched me in a way that won't soon fade away. Needless to say, I'm definitely on the bus now.

-- R.H.

5/2/03

Dear Fellow Jam Campers,

I have enjoyed reading the correspondence among the jamcampers. This morning I spent a good bit of time listening to the tapes I made last week--of smaller jam groups, of Pete's individual instructions to us banjo players, of Pete's and Joan's singing with the whole group backing them up. The quality of the taping is not great at all, but as I listened and played along, I felt as if I were right back there again. There was a lot packed into those few days. As I review it all, it is amazing. The week was a great experience in lots of ways...learning to jam with others, the excitement of hearing us all playing together, making real live honest to bluegrass music, and getting to know some really wonderful and supportive people. I think what I appreciate most of all is the genuineness of Pete and Joan. In addition to their being amazing musicians, they are just the most gracious and approachable people. The atmosphere of community and learning they afforded us was complemented by Beth's work with our groups and Andy's very gracious hospitality on Wednesday night. It was just a really incredible week. Thanks for your letting me be part of the Jam Camp with you. And thanks to Pete and Joan for all that they do for us music lovers. I hope I will be able to participate in Jam Camp again.

Sincerely,
-- R.S.

"I attended Merlefest Jamcamp in 2000 and still look back on those days as my "breakthrough" in jamming...a step across a threshold that has now lead to the main way that I spend my freetime. I now jam at least once and sometimes twice a week! The very first successful actually "rolling along" jam that Pete had me into made me cry because to be able to jam was something I had deeply wanted for a very long time. THANK YOU SO MUCH PETE!! It only gets better, more satisfying and more FUN!"

-- C.S.

"It sounds like overstatement, but Jam Camp has been a life-changing experience for me. The Baitshop Boys and all the fun we've had together simply wouldn't have happened if I hadn't caught the fever at that first camp. It must be very rewarding for you to see that others in the group are having the same experience."

-- T.S. NC 99-03

"My wife gets so excited when she can learn some of these tunes after such a short time playing.

Some of you may remember my oldest daughter playing one song with us at the Holiday Inn jam. Now my youngest has the bluegrass bug. She will be 6 this week and she wants a bass."

-- B.M. (NC, 03)

"I got more from the first day of Jam Camp than I expected for the duration."

-- F.S. (NY, 03)