Taught by Rick Sparks using the Wernick Method*
Merrill, OR at the Lost River Bluegrass Festival
Merrill Civic Center, 363 W. Front Street, Merrill, OR 97633
July 10-11, 2021
Saturday and Sunday, 9am-Noon
Tuition: $65 for 2 sessions, or $35 per session
$10 off if you in register in advance; festival admission required. $35 deposit reserves your spot; 50% refundable for cancellations more than one month in advance.
Assisted by Karen Roemmich
All Wernick Method classes this summer will be conducted either outdoors or in very well-ventilated indoor spaces.
Rick Sparks is equally at home playing banjo, guitar, mandolin, dobro and pedal steel guitar, and singing either lead or harmony. He has developed a reputation as an outstanding teacher on all of his instruments, with over 30 students currently under his wing in his home base of Reno, NV — as well as traveling throughout the west and southwest presenting Wernick Method jam camps.
Rick’s students say:
“Rick got us to make music together by the end of the first class–it seemed miraculous to me.”
“Great class, Great fun!”
“Rick is so patient and generous with his time and expertise.”
“Rick did a superb job of teaching a mixed group of mostly beginners (I am one) and intermediate musicians to jam.”
“You know how to put people at ease!”
“Rick’s gentle yet persuasive nature is perfect for managing a jam class.”
* 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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