More About Camps
Multi-day intensive-but-relaxed instruction focused on how to jam
Camps are full-immersion for two or more days, a good way to instill learning in a short time
Camps tend to draw students from a wide region, to be together for a weekend
Understanding instruction on following and leading songs, faking solos, backup skills
No music or tab, no prior experience required but must be able to switch smoothly between G, C, D, and A chords
Experienced players welcome, will be given skill-appropriate challenges
All bluegrass instruments, all ages
All Camps
More About Weekly Classes
Weekly sessions with intensive-but-relaxed instruction focused on how to jam
Weekly classes draw from a smaller area, so nearby jammers can meet
Weekly classes allow students to practice up and prepare between sessions
Understanding instruction on following and leading songs, faking solos, backup skills
No music or tab, no prior experience required but must be able to switch smoothly between G, C, D, and A chords
Experienced players welcome, will be given skill-appropriate challenges
All bluegrass instruments, all ages
All Weekly Classes
More About Festival Classes
Daily sessions (typically 2 hours each) teaching the basics of informal bluegrass playing
Small coached groups
Walkups welcome or pay in advance for discount
Understanding instruction on following and leading songs, faking solos, backup skills
No music or tab, no prior experience required but must be able to switch smoothly between G, C, D, and A chords
Experienced players welcome, will be given skill-appropriate challenges
All bluegrass instruments, all ages
All Festival Classes
More About One-Day Classes
Intensive-but-relaxed instruction focused on how to jam
Individually coached small group jams with experienced, low-pressure teaching
Understanding instruction on following and leading songs, faking solos, backup skills
No music or tab, no prior experience required but must be able to switch smoothly between G, C, D, and A chords
Experienced players welcome, will be given skill-appropriate challenges
All bluegrass instruments, all ages
All One-Day Classes
| Qualifications | Level 1 Classes and Camps Basic / Early Intermediate | Level 2 Classes and Camps Intermediate / Advanced |
| 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. |
| Performing | No performing expected | Some camps may provide a performance opportunity (expected but optional); some performance coaching; extra coaching available for bands in some camps |
| Other | Intermediates welcome, and given added challenges. Level 1 camps present a lower challenge than a Level 2 camp in levels of skill and speed, allowing an experienced player to take a more prominent role in the Level 1 jam groups. |
Level 1 Camps
Level Weekly Classes
Level 1 Festival Classes
Level 1 One-Day Classes
| Qualifications | Level 2 Classes and Camps Intermediate / Advanced | Level 1 Classes and Camps Basic / Early Intermediate |
| Overall | 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 | Ability to change chords smoothly between G, C, D, A (or the notes that work on bass and fiddle) |
| Tempos | Ranging over 100 beats/minute (if not sure you can handle that speed for soloing, please check) | 60-95 beats/minute |
| Singing | Ability to sing generally melodies accurately is expected. Harmony singing is taught daily to those who can learn and usually “hold” a harmony part | Please try! Song leading is especially valued |
| Soloing | 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. | Minimal “placeholder” soloing taught, and acceptable; more advanced soloing taught but not required |
| Performing | Some camps may provide a performance opportunity (expected but optional); some performance coaching; extra coaching available for bands in some camps | No performing expected |
| Other | Intermediates welcome, and given added challenges. Level 1 camps present a lower challenge than a Level 2 camp in levels of skill and speed, allowing an experienced player to take a more prominent role in the Level 1 jam groups. |
Level 2 Camps
More About Festival Camps
Much like our regular camps, but held just prior to or during a bluegrass festival
Camps are full-immersion for two or more days, a good way to instill learning in a short time
Camps tend to draw students from a wide region, to be together for a weekend
Understanding instruction on following and leading songs, faking solos, backup skills
No music or tab, no prior experience required but must be able to switch smoothly between G, C, D, and A chords
Experienced players welcome, will be given skill-appropriate challenges
All bluegrass instruments, all ages
Festivals Typically Including a WM Camp
Grey Fox Festival
MerleFest
Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
All Festival Camps
Unique Options
In addition to our standard options, our teachers sometimes offer a Wernick Method class or camp with a unique focus or at a unique venue. Examples:
Holiday classes: learn to play seasonal songs bluegrass-style
Cruise camps: held aboard a cruise ship, often with a bluegrass band in residence
Destination tours: Wernick Method instruction and jamming during a tour in a fun locale
Ukulele-only classes: uke players learn about bluegrass jamming
Jam with the Pros: Level 2 instruction with a Wernick Method teacher teaming up with award-winning bluegrass band Nu-Blu
Unique Camps & Classes
Aaron Farris1 upcoming event
Alan Epstein1 upcoming event
Angel Chantel1 upcoming event
Bianca Bentz1 upcoming event
Brian Bauer2 upcoming events
David Abramson1 upcoming event
Debbie Wagner1 upcoming event
Denise Radtke1 upcoming event
Fred Staunton & George Welling1 upcoming event
Gilbert & Leigh Nelson1 upcoming event
Gilbert Nelson2 upcoming events- Gilbert Nelson & Pete Wernick1 upcoming event
Glenn Reynolds1 upcoming event
Harry Gambrill1 upcoming event
Ira Gitlin1 upcoming event
Jay Anderson & Amanda Mullen1 upcoming event
Jenny & Matt Richardson1 upcoming event
Jenny Peters1 upcoming event
John David10 upcoming events
Jon Lundbom1 upcoming event
Kevin Greer1 upcoming event
Larry Kernagis11 upcoming events
Leslie Dare & Susan West1 upcoming event
Leslie Dare, Jodi Harbin, & Susan West1 upcoming event
Martin Gilmore1 upcoming event
Mike & Gail Thomas1 upcoming event
Pete Wernick2 upcoming events
Petr Brandejs1 upcoming event
Pierre Bastide1 upcoming event
Russ Holder1 upcoming event
Sam Stuckey1 upcoming event
Scott Hopkins3 upcoming events
Tom Woodley1 upcoming event
Trevin Nelson4 upcoming events