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Weekend Bluegrass Jam Camp

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Taught by Fred Staunton & George Welling using the Wernick Method*

Pickerington, OH at Violet Baptist Church

8345 Blacklick Eastern Rd., Pickerington OH 43147

September 10-12, 2021

Friday 4-8pm; Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday 1-4pm

Tuition: $170

Friday dinner and Saturday lunch included. $10 off if you register by Aug 15. $50 deposit holds your spot. 50% refundable for cancellations more than one month in advance.

Each student must submit either proof of COVID vaccination or a negative COVID test dated no earlier than 72 hours prior to start of camp.

All Wernick Method classes will be conducted either outdoors or in very well-ventilated indoor spaces.


Fred Staunton was first taken by bluegrass in 1980 while attending the Skyline Bluegrass Festival in WV, seeing and hearing John Hartford and the Osborne Brothers. Twenty years later he was playing electric and acoustic guitar in a worship band at church.

George Welling has played guitar and bass, and sung lead and harmony with various groups over four decades in over a dozen states. For fifteen-plus years he has taught bass, rhythm guitar and singing in Bluegrass Kids Academy classes at the Gettysburg and Delaware Valley festivals. He’s also played in big bands and led the Western Swing group the Oklahoma Twisters. Having recently moved to Ohio, he’s now active hosting and promoting bluegrass jams in the Columbus area.

Fred and George’s students say:

“Fred promotes a welcoming and friendly atmosphere where players can relax and have fun making music together.”

“George is an effective teacher and jam leader whose humble confidence is infectious and reassuring. He inspires me and pushes me beyond my comfort zone.”

“Fred is an excellent and supportive teacher and he always made the class fun, interesting and informative.”

“George’s open and friendly personality, his musicianship, and his organizational skills helped me regain my interest in playing music at jams.”

“I learn something new every time. Fred makes learning fun.”

“A gifted singer, guitarist, and bass player, George creates a hospitable and instructive jam.

“Fred is good at bringing the best out in people and a kind and encouraging way.”

“Whether we’re performing, teaching a room full of kids, or just jamming, I can count on George to be upbeat, encouraging, funny, and full of musicianly wisdom.”

* Wernick Method Classes teach real bluegrass jamming!

  • All bluegrass instruments welcome
  • No jamming experience necessary
  • You will be jamming the first class!
  • Friendly, encouraging, knowledgeable teaching.
  • Gentle tempos! Mistakes expected!
  • Music reading not needed or used
  • Singing not required, but encouraged and taught.
  • Easy 2- and 3-chord songs, slow speeds.
  • Soloing not required! “Faking” solos taught.
  • Understanding, low-pressure, time-tested teaching
  • Intermediates welcome, and given added challenges
  • Hands-on learning in large and small groups
  • 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
  • Ear skills taught and emphasized, as in real bluegrass
  • Group and individualized instruction on backup skills

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.

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