The hustle and bustle of the big bluegrass gathering in Nashville.
Famous musicians and the not so famous ones roam the Sheraton Music City Hotel and are known to play with us regular folks too. There's plenty of shows on the main stage (gotta buy your tickets) along with all the up close and personal jamming all around. The whole hotel is alive with music. There's plenty of vendors, luthiers and organizations to keep you endlessly engaged. Look out or you may end up bringing a new banjo home with you!
Nashville TN - SPBGMA
One Day Mini Camp Friday - January 26, 2024
Friday all day 10-6 - in our private suite #2134
Sheraton Music City Hotel
Tuition $125. Click to pay deposit ($50.00) via Square.
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What it's like:
It's the big jammers' paradise event of the year at SPBGMA (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America). That's where you can hang out with famous pickers and regular folks like . . . well the rest of us. It's the big deal of the winter season with shows, band contest, performances, luthiers, food and lots of jamming. Jamming is everywhere from the lobby to the elevators to hallways, and stairwells, behind closed doors and open ones too!
We've reserved our own deluxe suite where we can jam in private. That way we can learn together without prying eyes and ears. We'll get the kind of instruction and hands on experience that will give us the confidence to play music in jam sessions wherever we go. Read on and you'll see.
Sometimes our professional level friends pop in for a visit and play some songs, teach a breakout session and hang out a while.
We'll spend the day together getting insight, skills, instruction and lots of rubber on the road experience all in our private group. All the facets of jam camp are here from song leading and following to "faking" a solo, how to make your best contribution, finding that melody, singing harmony too. Lots more. We can cover some topics more and probably others less but we'll have fun doing it.
Small Groups
The way bluegrass is supposed to be played.
We'll arrange small groups for you according to skills, interests, instruments, singing to get you the best ensemble experience. Sometimes we’ll mix groups so you can jam with a variety of people. We’ve reserved our deluxe suite again this year. When we need breakout space we’ll just keep the SPBGMA tradition of jamming in the hallway alcove. Maybe a talent scout will recruit you to play the Grand Ol' Opry!
Large Group Instruction . . .
happens periodically as the occasion calls.
Especially first meeting of camp and typically mornings but other times too. These sessions are for everyone to get on the same page together. There we can set a theme, a principle or topic that we’ll pursue further in our small groups.
Breakout and Topical Sessions
Mixed groups according to topic like:
Finding melody - Faking a solo when you don't know or haven't practiced the melody - Leading a song or following one. Singing and also Harmony singing - Instrument specific breakouts - Pick up notes - Fills - tone, timing and technique - Learning strategies - How to find your key(s) - capos and transposing. Who knows what will come up. We can't always hit everything but some things we always get to work on.
Tuition: $125.00
Lodging is separate. The Sheraton is kinda pricey but there's plenty of good deals close by.
Click here to pay deposit ($50.00) via Square.
You may also register for our Free Jam Demo
Saturday (the next day).
Arrange your lodging with the Sheraton Music City Hotel or one of the many other hotels nearby.
Gilbert Nelson
aka Dr. Jambo
Gilbert Nelson is your host. He leads jammers to green pastures. A passionate player and teacher of the music. Gilbert can hone in on where you're at and guide you in ways to break forth with more knowledge and pathways to improvement. He knows how to bring out the best in you and he leads jam camp by example with inspiration, energy, and insight.
Leigh Nelson
aka General Leigh
Affectionally known as "General Leigh" Leigh is Gilbert's "backup brain" She's part musician, part organizer and problem solver. Leigh knows jamming. She's a master with gentle and knowledgeable instruction making learning fun. Leigh plays Bass Fiddle, Guitar, Mandolin and she's learning banjo now. She’ll even sing for you if you’re nice.
We love the Wernick Method
A common sense approach to getting musical fun and success in bluegrass jamming.
You'll be jamming in the first 5 minutes. We use Pete Wernick's time tested methods to get you understanding, how to techniques and plenty of action in a friendly circle of people just like you.
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