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Larry Kernagis

Mt. Juliet, TN

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.

Email Larry
“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.”
Today
larry kernagis

Weekend Jam Camp

Holiday Inn Express St. Louis Airport 13615 Riverport Dr, St. Louis

Register now for Larry's camp!

  • All bluegrass instruments welcome
  • No jamming experience necessary
  • You will be jamming in the first class!
  • Friendly, encouraging, knowledgeable teaching
  • Hands-on learning in large and small groups
  • Gentle tempos! Mistakes expected!
  • Music/tab reading not needed or used
  • Singing not required, but encouraged and taught
  • Soloing not required! “Faking” solos taught

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 - be able to:

  • Tune your instrument and
  • Change smoothly between G, C, D, and A (or the notes that work on bass and fiddle)
larry kernagis

Weekend Jam Camp

Vintage Lakeside Inn 41076 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake

Register now for Larry's camp!

  • All bluegrass instruments welcome
  • No jamming experience necessary
  • You will be jamming in the first class!
  • Friendly, encouraging, knowledgeable teaching
  • Hands-on learning in large and small groups
  • Gentle tempos! Mistakes expected!
  • Music/tab reading not needed or used
  • Singing not required, but encouraged and taught
  • Soloing not required! “Faking” solos taught

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 - be able to:

  • Tune your instrument and
  • Change smoothly between G, C, D, and A (or the notes that work on bass and fiddle)
larry kernagis

Weekend Jam Camp

Holiday Inn Express 8353 Murphy Dr, Madison

Register now for Larry's camp!

  • All bluegrass instruments welcome
  • No jamming experience necessary
  • You will be jamming in the first class!
  • Friendly, encouraging, knowledgeable teaching
  • Hands-on learning in large and small groups
  • Gentle tempos! Mistakes expected!
  • Music/tab reading not needed or used
  • Singing not required, but encouraged and taught
  • Soloing not required! “Faking” solos taught

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 - be able to:

  • Tune your instrument and
  • Change smoothly between G, C, D, and A (or the notes that work on bass and fiddle)

Jam Class @ Pickin’ in Parsons Festival

Five River Camp Ground 750 Walnut Street, Parsons

.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_686617-f3, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_686617-f3{font-style:normal;color:#cc0000;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_686617-f3 mark, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_686617-f3 mark{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;} Taught by Larry Kernagis using the Wernick Method Parsons, WV at the Pickin' in Parsons Bluegrass Festival Five River Camp Ground, 750 Walnut Street, Parsons, WV 26287 Wednesday 4-6pm, Thursday and Friday 9am-Noon Tuition: $110 onsite, $95 in advance, or $50 per session Festival admission required. $50 deposit reserves your spot; 50% refundable for cancellations more than one month in advance. You will be sent the full set of of student materials as soon as … Read More

larry kernagis

Bluegrass Jam Camp

Creekside Lodge 2716 Soco Road, Maggie Valley

Register now for Larry's camp!

  • All bluegrass instruments welcome
  • No jamming experience necessary
  • You will be jamming in the first class!
  • Friendly, encouraging, knowledgeable teaching
  • Hands-on learning in large and small groups
  • Gentle tempos! Mistakes expected!
  • Music/tab reading not needed or used
  • Singing not required, but encouraged and taught
  • Soloing not required! “Faking” solos taught

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 - be able to:

  • Tune your instrument and
  • Change smoothly between G, C, D, and A (or the notes that work on bass and fiddle)
larry kernagis

Weekend Jam Camp

Creekside Lodge 2716 Soco Road, Maggie Valley

Register now for Larry's camp!

  • All bluegrass instruments welcome
  • No jamming experience necessary
  • You will be jamming in the first class!
  • Friendly, encouraging, knowledgeable teaching
  • Hands-on learning in large and small groups
  • Gentle tempos! Mistakes expected!
  • Music/tab reading not needed or used
  • Singing not required, but encouraged and taught
  • Soloing not required! “Faking” solos taught

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 - be able to:

  • Tune your instrument and
  • Change smoothly between G, C, D, and A (or the notes that work on bass and fiddle)

Weekend Jam Camp

Smoke House Lodge 844 West Main St, Monteagle

.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_686617-f3, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_686617-f3{font-style:normal;color:#cc0000;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_686617-f3 mark, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_686617-f3 mark{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;} Taught by Larry Kernagis using the Wernick Method Monteagle, TN at the Smoke House Lodge 844 West Main St., Monteagle, TN 37366 Friday 5-9pm; Saturday 9am-4pm; Sunday 9am-2pm Tuition: $275 $25 discount for Larry’s returning students! $75 deposit holds your spot; 50% refundable for cancellations more than one month in advance. You will be sent the full set of of student materials as soon as you register. Special room rate for campers is only $119/night … Read More

Weekend Jam Camp

Residence Inn Phoenix Mesa 941 West Grove Avenue, Mesa

.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_686617-f3, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_686617-f3{font-style:normal;color:#cc0000;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_686617-f3 mark, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_686617-f3 mark{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;} Taught by Larry Kernagis using the Wernick Method Phoenix, AZ at Residence Inn by Marriott 941 West Grove Avenue, Mesa, AZ, 85210 Friday 6-9:30pm; Saturday 9am-4pm; Sunday 9am-1pm Tuition: $275 $25 discount for Larry’s returning students! $75 deposit reserves your spot; 50% refundable for cancellations more than one month in advance. You will be sent the full set of of student materials as soon as you register. Register Tuition: $275 $25 discount for Larry’s returning students! $75 … Read More

Weekend Jam Camp

Melbourne, FL Melbourne

.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_686617-f3, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_686617-f3{font-style:normal;color:#cc0000;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_686617-f3 mark, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading_686617-f3 mark{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;} Taught by Larry Kernagis using the Wernick Method Melbourne, FL at Holiday Inn Express West Melbourne 2255 Coastal Lane, Melbourne, FL 32904 February 2-4, 2024 Friday 6-9pm; Saturday 9am-4pm; Sunday 9am-2pm Tuition: $275 $25 discount for Larry’s returning students! $75 deposit holds your spot; 50% refundable for cancellations more than one month in advance. You will be sent the full set of of student materials as soon as you register. Register Tuition: $275 $25 discount for Larry’s … Read More

Weekend Jam Camp

Hampton Inn & Suites Navarre 7710 Navarre Parkway, Navarre

Register now for Larry's camp!

  • All bluegrass instruments welcome
  • No jamming experience necessary
  • You will be jamming in the first class!
  • Friendly, encouraging, knowledgeable teaching
  • Hands-on learning in large and small groups
  • Gentle tempos! Mistakes expected!
  • Music/tab reading not needed or used
  • Singing not required, but encouraged and taught
  • Soloing not required! “Faking” solos taught

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 - 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)