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About A Weekend of Bluegrass Jamming Skills
I remember the first time I went to a bluegrass jam. I had played Texas fiddle for all my life. In Texas jams, one fiddler at a time plays through multiple tunes, and at the bluegrass jam I couldn't even wrap my mind around what a circle jam was.
The repertoire was similar, but also different in important ways: there were improvised solos with some new language, and lots of singing songs that I'd never heard, plus every instrument in the circle got a solo. I played some jazz too, but it had little to nothing in common with what I was hearing around me. How could I be so experienced and have no clue about this genre? I remember feeling a bit amazed -- and motivated to learn what I needed to join a bluegrass jam.
The bluegrass community is one of the largest acoustic music circles out there. Between bluegrass festivals, bluegrass jams, and bluegrass bands, it's one of the best places to find musical connections. That's why we've put together A Weekend of Bluegrass Jamming Skills.
Learn how to bridge the gap between what you already know, be it Fiddle School tunes, Texas fiddle, or classical -- and leave with a repertoire of tunes that will fit into bluegrass jams worldwide. Classes will also focus on "crossover tunes" already in Fiddle School and Texas style fiddling.
There will be three groups of fiddlers based on level of experience with improv: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Oh, did I mention that you'll also get to learn about chopping? Yeah!
--Katie Glassman
Registration is OPEN!
The Location
A Weekend of Bluegrass Jamming Skills will take place on Zoom.
We look forward to creating a musical connection with you, no matter how near or far.
See you on Zoom!
The Staff
Our camp instructors and staff are world-class!
Fiddle Instructors
Katie Glassman, Celeste Johnson, and Natalie Padilla
Bluegrass Vocals
KC Groves
Tech AManager
Julian Oliver
SPECIAL Saturday Night Guest Speaker
TBA
What Our Campers are Saying
"The online weekend is one heck of a good time!I really enjoyed the content and getting to know all the people attending. I am definitely a better fiddler today than I was last Friday!"
- Eric M.
"It's an incredible value considering all the material and saved money for travel and accommodations.
We got top-notch teachers with a heart for sharing their passion and the opportunity tomake connections with friends I'm sure we'll know and love forever.
It was well organized, and in all ways supportive, encouraging, and fun-fiddling!"
- Mary K.
I am SO happy today! I have many new things to read about, listen to, and practice. I sure know a lot more than I did prior to camp (and I know there is still so much more to learn). My fiddle world grew a lot this weekend - my cup is very full!
- Laura B.
Registration Opens Friday, November 17 at 8 AM MT
A Weekend of Bluegrass Jamming Skills
CAMP SCHEDULE:
All times listed in Mountain Time
Friday
2:00 Camp Sound Check
2:30 Camp Welcome*
3:00 Bluegrass Radio
Hour*
4:00 Break
4:15 Core Class #1
5:30 Dinner & Social Scramble
7:00 Jam Session*
Saturday
10:00 Coffee & Songs
10:30 Break
10:45 Core Class #2
12:00 Break
12:15 Bluegrass Vocals*
1:30 Lunch Break
2:30 Song Fiddle Fills
3:30 Break
4:00 Bluegrass Coffeehouse*
5:30 Break
6:00 Interview with a Fiddle Legend... Stay tuned*
Sunday
10:00 Coffee & Songs
10:30 Break
10:45 Core Class #3
12:15 Women of Bluegrass *
1:30 Lunch Break
2:30 Guest Teacher*
4:00 Bluegrass* Coffeehouse
5:30 Camp Closing *
Overview & Level
Advance Preparation - For Full-Time Campers
Once you're signed up, we build the classes, and customize your learning materials. We always consider your special requests while building these materials.
January 2nd, each class will receive their learning materials to prepare in advance.
• Katie's Bluegrass Library of jam tunes - learning videos of essential tunes with bowings that make them play easily (For Full-Time Campers Only)*
• A Weekend of Bluegrass Jamming Songbook
• Coffee & Songs/Bluegrass Vocals Songbook
• Katie's Radio Hour Playlists
At this online camp, you'll learn and jam tunes from our teacher- compiled Bluegrass Songbook. Step-by-step you'll gain techniques and tools and take your playing at bluegrass festivals (and jams) to a whole new level.
Get personalized feedback, play your fiddle all weekend, and leave the camp with musical gains you can keep building on.
Students will be divided into three groups based on experience and level.
Level 1 class (2 years or more of fiddling experience)
Level 2 class (4 years or more of fiddling experience)
Level 3 class (8+ years experience on fiddle + experience improvising)
All fiddle students will also have the opportunity to study bluegrass vocals with our surprise guest teacher – stay tuned for this announcement.
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What You’ll Get from this Camp:
* If you like to jam, this camp is for you!
* Guided preparation for camp (minimal prep for part time campers) with curated songs, a listening playlist, and core concept videos sent to you in advance (your prep will be released January 3rd).
* How to kick off a Bluegrass tune with authentic fiddle parts
* Step-by-step building blocks for Bluegrass jamming
* How to sing Bluegrass tunes
* How to play Bluegrass fills behind a singer
* Learn 3+ jam-ready Bluegrass tunes so you can have more fun at jams & festivals
* Katie's Bluegrass Classics Radio Hour playlist
* An evening interview with a Bluegrass great
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Classes and Events
Start: Friday, February 9th at 2:00 PM MT
End: Sunday, February 11th around 6:15 PM MT
There will be breaks, meals, and downtime.
All events apply to full day campers.
**Applies to half-time campers.
• One core class with each instructor. Each teacher will present a different aspect of bluegrass jamming - standard fiddle tunes, how to kick off singing songs, how to build a break, how to fill behind vocals - as well as concepts to help you feel comfortable at different types of Bluegrass jams.
• Coffee & Songs - Rise and shine with our morning sing-alongs with special guest vocal teacher... Stay tuned...
• ** One elective with each instructor - Topics include: Bluegrass Classics Radio Hour, Women in Bluegrass, How to Play Bluegrass Fills behind a Singer, Bluegrass Vocals
• ** Jam Sessions - Enjoy jamming out of our Bluegrass Classics Songbook at the camp jam (don't worry, everyone is muted but the instructor).
• ** Evening Interview - A Fiddle School tradition, we'll bring in a well-known artist/legend to speak about their personal story as a musician.
• ** Bluegrass Coffeehouse - We can't wait to hear you play at this casual event. Each student gets 4 minutes to perform the song/tune of their choice. You can do Bluegrass, Country, Cowboy, Western Swing, or fiddle tunes. It's all about sharing your music!
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Pre-Camp Survey (Important!)
Upon registration, you'll receive a pre-camp survey link. This is very important for us. We teachers use your responses to guide our entire camp curriculum and personalize a curriculum just for you. Thanks in advance for filling this out.
Registration Information
Registration Opens
Friday, November 17th at 8 AM MT
Register by November 20th at 11:59 PM MT to receive:
• $50 off (Fiddle School members only)*
• FREE pre-recorded Jamming Skills I & 2 webinars
Registration Options Include:
Full-Day Fiddle Camper
$700
Half-Day Fiddle Camper
Ideal for fiddlers in faraway time zones.
$375
*If you are a Fiddle School member, you will receive an email on 11/17 with a discount code.