Taught by Larry Kernagis using the Wernick Method*
Maggie Valley, NC at the Creekside Lodge
2716 Soco Road, Maggie Valley, NC 28751
October 8-10, 2021
Friday 4-9pm; Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday 9am-2pm
Tuition: $250
$25 discount for Larry’s returning students! $50 deposit holds your spot. 50% refundable for cancellations more than one month in advance.

All students are asked to reserve their rooms immediately after registering by calling 828-926-1301. Ask for the special $20 Jam Camp discount, valid until August 30.

Larry Kernagis was raised during the folk revival era of the 60s, cutting his chops on Flatt & Scruggs and the Kingston Trio. Eventually, he became a banjo instructor at the famed Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. Larry has led Bluegrass jams at festivals across the country for the past 30 years. He now employs his banjo, guitar and vocal skills entertaining with “greengrass” Celtic group Def Leprechaun.
Larry’s students say:
“Larry was an excellent instructor. Patient and kind, he brought the music to life and gave me the tools to do the same.”
“Larry encouraged us to try and get beyond our fears and try different things. He is very patient.”
“When I was young I was a classically trained violinist, but Larry taught me to play music with the other half of my brain…It’s been a great experience.”
“I really feel like I improved and am now able to jam with almost anyone.”
* 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.
Click any photo to enlarge.

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