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Basic/Early Intermediate Jam Camp

Name: Basic/Early Intermediate Jam Camp
Start: 2026-08-24T00:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-08-28T23:59:59-04:00
Location: Silver Bay YMCA Conference Center

Aug 24 – Aug 28

Taught by Harry Gambrill using the Wernick Method

Silver Bay, NY

Silver Bay YMCA Conference Center, 87 Silver Bay Road, Silver Bay, NY 12874

Monday-Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm

Tuition: $525

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Camp Descriptions & Qualifications

Scholarships Info

Camp Video

Photos and Student Comments

Tentative Schedule

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$30 off if you register by December 31. Deposit of $150 holds your spot; 50% refundable for cancellations more than one month in advance. Scholarships available; and band discounts available.

As soon as you register you’ll receive our Student Prep Guide with links to our 116 Bluegrass Jam Favorites Playlists. A digital copy of our JAM Songbook will be emailed shortly thereafter, and you’ll also get a hard copy of the book at your class if you don’t already have one.

Please use this link to reserve your accommodations at Silver Bay. As you plan your travel, keep in mind that camp runs Monday through Friday. Many students arrive Sunday to get settled and informal gathering. Friday night includes a teacher concert, and some students choose to stay until Saturday.

Two Concurrent Camps

Basic/Early Intermediate Jam Camp

Qualifications	Basic/Early-Intermediate (this camp)	Level 2 Camp
Overall	Ability to change chords smoothly between G, C, D, A (or the notes that work on bass and fiddle)	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
Tempos	60-95 beats/minute	Ranging over 100 beats/minute (if not sure you can handle that speed for soloing, please check)
Singing	Please try! Song leading is especially valued	Ability to sing generally melodies accurately is expected. Harmony singing is taught daily to those who can learn and usually “hold” a harmony part
Soloing	Minimal “placeholder” soloing taught, and acceptable; more advanced soloing taught but not required	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.

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	Basic/Early-Intermediate (this camp)	Level 2 Camp
Performing	No performing expected	Performance opportunity (expected but optional); some performance coaching; extra coaching available for bands
Night Activities	Attendance welcome at all nighttime activities	Open to participate in open mic and karaoke

Both camps will have the same hours. Sunday evening following dinner is an (optional) 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 May 20 and applicants will be notified by May 27.