There is no better place to learn how to play bluegrass banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, dobro or bass than at this Wernick method bluegrass camp. Daily lessons with experienced bluegrass teachers and musicians will help you learn how to jam quickly and get right to the fun of playing music together. Classes on harmony singing, bluegrass lead singing, songwriting, soloing, music theory, and beginner, intermediate, and advanced tutorials on each bluegrass instrument culminate in fun activities like bluegrass Karaoke night, Open Mic, a bluegrass gospel Vespers, and a faculty concert.
Directed by Pete Wernick (Dr. Banjo) of Hot Rize and Austin Scelzo (Rock Hearts, On the Trail) and held at Silver Bay, NY at the Silver Bay YMCA Conference Center.
Silver Bay is a large Y Camp and Conference Center, on Lake George in the Adirondacks.
87 Silver Bay Road, Silver Bay, NY 12874
The Camp is held at an idyllic location with lakeside views, kayaks, boat rides, and a beach within just a few minutes walk. Accommodations range from cozy cabins to a 19th century restored inn. In addition to bluegrass camp each year, there is also a three day festival called "Bluegrass In Heaven" that occurs there. This video will give you a great sense for the space.
All Bluegrass Skills Taught
9am-12:30pm: Daily classes for banjo, guitar, fiddle, mandolin, dobro, bass…AND… Coached small jam groups, intermediate/advanced.
1:50-5pm: coaching on harmony singing (one coach per trio), classes on songwriting, basic music theory, practice “boot camp”, playing under pressure, stagecraft, and more!
Activities every evening: fiddle tune jam, open mics, karaoke, history, jamming, beautiful sunsets!
Organized Bands: $65 Discount for Each Band Member
For band members registering together, to work together as a band throughout the week: $65 off each member’s tuition. Bands will have opportunities to perform and get performance coaching including working with a sound system on stage (band lab), band cohesion, rehearsal guidance, band decision-making, “how to make a band work”.
Band members must first contact Pete as a group, for approval of the group members’ band discount.
Jump To:
two concurrent camps:
Qualifications | Level 2 | Basic/Early-Intermediate Camp, Level 1-1.5 |
Overall | Ample experience with bluegrass jamming; able to solo in more than one key; able to follow guitar chord changes; willing/able to lead songs; experienced using the basic chord number system and jam etiquette | Ability to change chords smoothly between G, C, D, A (or the notes that work on bass and fiddle) |
Tempos | Ranging over 100 beats/minute (if not sure you can handle that speed for soloing, please check) | 60-95 beats/minute |
Singing | Ability to sing generally melodies accurately is expected. Harmony singing is taught daily to those who can learn and usually “hold” a harmony part | Please try! Song leading is especially valued |
Soloing | Willing/able to fake passable solos in more than one key (exceptions: bass players and rhythm-only guitar players). Melody-based solos are the standard, so we try for that; ability to find melody notes by ear is expected. | Minimal “placeholder” soloing taught, and acceptable; more advanced soloing taught but not required |
Please carefully assess your qualifications to determine which camp is most suitable. If you’re not sure, write to Pete regarding your skills in these areas. We reserve the right to re-assign students between camps as needed.
Activities | Level 2 (this camp) | |
Performing | Performance opportunity (expected but optional); some performance coaching; extra coaching available for bands | No performing expected |
Night Activities | Open to participate in open mic and karaoke | Attendance welcome at all nighttime activities |
Both camps will have the same hours. Sunday evening following dinner is an informal kickoff get-together for all. Classes and coached jamming run Monday-Friday 9-5 daily, in separate but close-by locations at Silver Bay. Both camps’ students will have meals together and may arrange accommodations on-site together. |
Scholarships
Grants from our Scholarship Fund are available for any instrument in either camp, and especially for bass players in the Level 2 camp. Partial or full tuition grants may be given People under 25 and service veterans are especially encouraged to apply. To donate or apply, write to Pete.
Applicants should give their age, instrument(s) played, and experience and goals in bluegrass, and a short statement of their financial need. Applications must be received by July 19 and applicants will be notified by July 24.
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