• Watch & Listen to 116 Jam Favorites!
  • Get Jamming Info
  • Jam Store: Videos & More!
Wernick Method
  • For Jammers
    • Find a Class
    • Work on Jam Skills on Your Own
    • FAQs
    • Watch & Listen – 116 Jam Favorites
    • Jam Resources
    • About Camps and Classes
    • The Jam Store
  • For Teachers
    • Roster of Wernick Method Teachers
    • Become a Wernick Method Teacher
    • Help for Bluegrass Teachers
  • See All Classes and Camps
  • For Jammers
    • Find a Class
    • Work on Jam Skills on Your Own
    • FAQs
    • Watch & Listen – 116 Jam Favorites
    • Jam Resources
    • About Camps and Classes
    • The Jam Store
  • For Teachers
    • Roster of Wernick Method Teachers
    • Become a Wernick Method Teacher
    • Help for Bluegrass Teachers
  • See All Classes and Camps

Home »
Loading view.
  • No events currently scheduled

  1. Events
  2. Melissa Bragdon Caron

Melissa Bragdon Caron

Scarborough, ME

Melissa Bragdon Caron is a versatile fiddler and music teacher, classically trained and having studied music education. Since moving to Portland in 2003 she has been teaching and playing fiddle, including with the Jerks of Grass bluegrass band. Melissa helped develop the 317 Main Community Music Center in Yarmouth. In her 12 years there she created a curriculum focused on jamming, playing with others, and having fun.

Melissa currently teaches at her home studio in Scarborough and co-directs the New Hampshire Fiddle Ensemble, a large group of all ages and skill levels learning and performing different styles of fiddle music.

Email Melissa
Watch Melissa Play
“Melissa has a gift for teaching and playing music. She is patient, knowledgeable, encouraging and kind.”
“Melissa carries a vast knowledge of music and is easy to learn from. She lights a spark in her students that never leaves, and gave me countless opportunities to grow as a musician.”
“Melissa is incredibly talented, and gifted working with all ages. I always felt encouraged. She makes it easy, and most importantly, she makes it fun! Melissa is caring, enthusiastic, and delightful to be around.”
Today
  • Today
  • Google Calendar
  • iCalendar
  • Outlook 365
  • Outlook Live
  • Export .ics file
  • Export Outlook .ics file
FAQs
Wernick Method Classes teach real bluegrass jamming!
  • Hands-on learning in large and small groups
  • No jamming experience necessary
  • You will be jamming the first hour!
  • All bluegrass instruments welcome
  • Full ground rules and etiquette of typical jams
  • Intermediates welcome, and given added challenges
  • Friendly, encouraging, knowledgeable teaching
  • Gentle tempos! Mistakes expected!
  • Music/tab reading not needed or used
  • Ear skills taught and emphasized, as in real bluegrass
  • Learn many bluegrass standards
  • Singing not required, but encouraged and taught
  • Soloing not required! “Faking” solos taught
  • How to lead songs and how to follow new songs
  • How to find melodies, fake solos, sing harmony
  • Group and individualized instruction on backup skills
  • Understanding, low-pressure, time-tested teaching

Read More About the Wernick Method

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)

Practice Jam Skills at Home!

17 songs, just 4 chords and SLOW tempos. This video will help you prepare for your first jam class. Read More

Watch a class...

..and hear what students and teacher say! Watch Now!

Pete Wernick

("Dr. Banjo"), originator of Banjo Camps and Bluegrass Jam Camps

Pete Wernick has created a method based on his years of experience teaching jamming. Wernick Method teachers are certified by Pete based on knowledge of bluegrass, teaching ability, and proper use of the Wernick Method. Pete's Full Bio

Make friends with music, make music with friends!

About

  • Help for Bluegrass Teachers
  • Become a Wernick Method Teacher
  • What is the Wernick Method?
  • Roster of Wernick Method Teachers
  • Info for Festival Directors
  • About Our Team

Resources

  • The Jam Store
  • Watch & Listen to 116 Jam Favorites
  • FAQs
  • DrBanjo.com
  • Teacher Login
  • Contact Us

© 2023 Wernick Method