Taught by Leslie Dare & Susan West using the Wernick Method*
Raleigh, NC at Community United Church of Christ
814 Dixie Trail, Raleigh, NC 27607
Wednesdays, October 13 – November 17, 2021
6:30-9pm each Wednesday
Tuition: $195 for 6 sessions
$10 off through September 15; $10 for family members; discounts can be combined. $50 deposit holds your spot; 50% refundable for cancellations more than one month in advance.
Leslie Dare & Susan West have found great synergy in working together to teach others the essentials of bluegrass jamming. Both grew up with music but after being musically inactive for many years, both joined the bluegrass community through their experiences at camps run by Pete and Joan Wernick, re-discovering the joys of music later in life. Leslie plays guitar and Susan plays mandolin, bass, and guitar. They are both active in the Raleigh, NC-area jamming scene, including regular participation with the Raleigh chapter of the Handsome Ladies.
Leslie and Susan’s students say:
“Susan and Leslie’s warm & welcoming teaching style helped me do something a little scary in each class which made me a better player.”
“The most enjoyable learning experience I have ever had.”
“I feel so much better equipped to jam now. Y’all are the best!”
“Leslie is a talented, welcoming leader who makes jamming fun for everyone, regardless of their level of proficiency.”
“Susan West and Leslie Dare are the best group music instructors I’ve ever experienced. I went from feeling nervous/uncomfortable about taking breaks and improvising, to feeling confident and capable.”
“Leslie and Susan were so organized and helpful. They do a great job of gently urging a student to try something new. I learned a lot and had a great time.”
* Wernick Method Classes teach real bluegrass jamming!
- Hands-on learning in large and small groups
- No jamming experience necessary
- You will be jamming the first class!
- Friendly, encouraging, knowledgeable teaching
- Gentle tempos! Mistakes expected!
- Music/tab reading not needed or used
- Ear skills taught and emphasized, as in real bluegrass
- Singing not required, but encouraged and taught
- Soloing not required! “Faking” solos taught
- Intermediates welcome, and given added challenges
- All bluegrass instruments welcome
- Learn many bluegrass standards
- Full ground rules and etiquette of typical jams
- How to lead songs and how to follow new songs
- How to find melodies, fake solos, sing harmony
- Group and individualized instruction on backup skills
- Understanding, low-pressure, time-tested teaching
Do you qualify? It’s easier than you may think!
If you play guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, bass, or dobro… you can be part of a bluegrass jam.
Only requirements:
- You must be able to tune your instrument (electronic tuning devices welcome) and
- change smoothly between G, C, D, and A. (Fiddles and basses need to know which notes work with which chords)
For more info or to send payment in the mail, email office@letspick.org.
Click any photo to enlarge.
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