Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Honeing My Skills

#1

I’ve gone & done it. Signed up for a Pete Wernick jam class. It’s a two hour drive one-way and 2 1/2 hours of picking. Had the first session last Thursday & will meet for the next six weeks. 12 in the group & I’m the only banjo.
I could go on & on about how far out of my comfort zone I’m going, but there seems to be some desperation in me to get better at the banjo & everyone says “You gotta play with people.”
The singing part is really throwing me for a loop. I keep wanting to sing the rhythm notes I’m playing rather than the melody.
But if I ever bump into Headin’ Home at a festival, I would like to be able to sit in and pick with them for just one song!

Onward: Through the Fog!

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#2

That is awesome! So glad you’re doing this. :grinning:

Strangely enough, I’ve gone and done something similar…
I’ve signed up for a weekend Pete Wernick jam class that will coincide with a fiddler’s convention in a couple of weeks. It’s a two hour drive one-way in Jefferson, NC. Have no idea what to expect…but like you, trying to figure out how to put it all into practice.

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#3

Great minds think alike! :+1:

Kidding aside, I think it’s great you’re doing it. Based on my first session I can tell you to expect to play a lot, but it will be slow & easy. Expect to sing as well. For me, that’s when things get tricky!

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#4

I’m just seeing this. Our fee to jam with fans goes up by the month - so hope we’ll catch you soon. :smirk:

Just kidding obviously! Where do you live?

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#5

At the far northern end of I-81, east of Watertown NY, 30 miles south of Canada in a little village called Carthage, on the banks of the Black River, nestled between the Tug Hill Plateau & the Adirondack Mountains.
Show a little gumption and come visit in January! :grimacing::grimacing::grimacing:

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#6

Oh. That IS gonna cost you then!

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