I got a phone call one time from my friend who was in charge of a fiddle fest before covid shut them down for a time, to see if I could teach a mando session at the fest. I jumped on the idea. I had 8 students and planned to teach 2 tunes. It was a real treat for all of us. I handed out tab sheets for each tune and we all learned a couple new tunes.
I was there for the first time and I must say this is the best camp I have experienced. But then I have liked many others as well. Just so much fun and nice to be around so many pickers.
This is great. Swannanoa Gathering is an awesome thing. I would add that finding a weekly jam and committing to it will help to develop ones playing especially if you record the tunes at the jam, go home and learn them and return ready play one or two.
I sat in on a bluegrass jam, completely by chance, about a month ago, and on an unusual instrument: tenor banjo. It was only one tune (“Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms”), but I didn’t wreck the sound and I didn’t embarrass myself. Really, it wasn’t that different than a jazz jam (and I have played mandolin at a jazz jam): Listen, react, try to fit the song.
All levels are present. But it's helpful to know all the basic chords and maybe a few simple fiddle tunes. Everybody is quite helpful and there are some beginner classes.
I wanted to attend at least one camp but took sick during the event. My fiddle group is okay, but other than kids, is full of fiddle snobs. Jam rules are at least one fiddle on stage, and when there are 6 to 10 at one time, it makes it too much. I didn't even mention guitars. My good/best fiddler friend from 2019 had passed away and I lost interest, plus everybody played the same dozen tunes. I had picked up maybe 45 or 50 "newer" tunes that nobody was interested in, so I said screw it. It was a very depressing turn of events. My mando playing annoys my family so I don't play much anymore except in spring or summer on nice days. It makes me sad.
Sadly, my experience of jams has been very disappointing & dispiriting. At the last one I went to, someone suggested a song and I thought ‘Cool, I know this one’…this chap began the song then started playing so fast that he couldn’t sing quick enough to keep up with himself 🙄 I’ve not given up hope of finding two or three like-minded individuals to jam with but there are a lot of pretentious chumps out there 😟😢
Cheers man! I'll be teaching at Swannanoa for the first time next week!!
I like John Reischman's chop chord tip.
I really liked the sound of the mandolin the last woman was playing. Thanks for the video.
What an amazing bunch of folks to hear from...and everything from "don't be afraid" to "emphasize the low notes in the chop chords"!
Looks like such a fun camp - really hope I can make it sometime soon! Thanks for the video :)
I got a phone call one time from my friend who was in charge of a fiddle fest before covid shut them down for a time, to see if I could teach a mando session at the fest. I jumped on the idea. I had 8 students and planned to teach 2 tunes. It was a real treat for all of us. I handed out tab sheets for each tune and we all learned a couple new tunes.
I gave Mike Marshall a lift in my car some years ago. Such a lovely guy. He bought me coffee in a cafe. He has his Loar with him.
I was there for the first time and I must say this is the best camp I have experienced. But then I have liked many others as well. Just so much fun and nice to be around so many pickers.
This is great. Swannanoa Gathering is an awesome thing. I would add that finding a weekly jam and committing to it will help to develop ones playing especially if you record the tunes at the jam, go home and learn them and return ready play one or two.
Great stuff here…. And really fun to watch. Thanks to all the players for sharing
Great video and great advice from great players! Thank you so much, David, for sharing!
This is perfect! A friend of mine is going to his first jam this weekend, and this advice from top players is just what he needs.
What epic footage, playing and advice from a good chunk of the living legends of mandolin. Thanks for all you do for mandolin nerds David! GD⚡️AE
Great tips! Now if I could just make the jam go in slow motion. My mind is way behind.
Nice video. This was actually quite encouraging.
Great stuff man!
Very helpful
I sat in on a bluegrass jam, completely by chance, about a month ago, and on an unusual instrument: tenor banjo. It was only one tune (“Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms”), but I didn’t wreck the sound and I didn’t embarrass myself. Really, it wasn’t that different than a jazz jam (and I have played mandolin at a jazz jam): Listen, react, try to fit the song.
The bluegrass style madolins are far superior in tone and playability to the bowl back mandolins. I wonder why anyone still uses them.
Any camps out in the northwest?
Where is this I've been looking for something like this for a long time. Most jams I go to are more folk oriented, and few mandolins.
David. How do I learn about the type of gatherings in this video? If I knew about these I'd make the drive from Georgia
Swannanoa gathering happens every June/July up near Asheville. It’s great fun and I think there’s a link in the description to their website
What's the song in the intro? Sounds killer
Why would anyone be hesitating to be in a jam with those guys?
I'm that guy. I'm constantly told that I " get in my own way ".
David, what skill level are the students at the gathering? I'm a novice, but would still love to attend next year to absorb all of that knowledge!
All levels are present. But it's helpful to know all the basic chords and maybe a few simple fiddle tunes. Everybody is quite helpful and there are some beginner classes.
I wanted to attend at least one camp but took sick during the event. My fiddle group is okay, but other than kids, is full of fiddle snobs. Jam rules are at least one fiddle on stage, and when there are 6 to 10 at one time, it makes it too much. I didn't even mention guitars. My good/best fiddler friend from 2019 had passed away and I lost interest, plus everybody played the same dozen tunes. I had picked up maybe 45 or 50 "newer" tunes that nobody was interested in, so I said screw it. It was a very depressing turn of events. My mando playing annoys my family so I don't play much anymore except in spring or summer on nice days. It makes me sad.
how bout when someone sits RIGHT in FRONT of you so that you can't see other players and refuses to move? jam circles can be cliquey.
Sadly, my experience of jams has been very disappointing & dispiriting. At the last one I went to, someone suggested a song and I thought ‘Cool, I know this one’…this chap began the song then started playing so fast that he couldn’t sing quick enough to keep up with himself 🙄
I’ve not given up hope of finding two or three like-minded individuals to jam with but there are a lot of pretentious chumps out there 😟😢