Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Virtual Mandolin Cabin Camp: January 27, 2026!

#1

Now available! Gold Pick members received a coupon code for a $25 discount via email on December 30 and on January 20. BECOME A MORE COMPLETE MANDOLIN PLAYER, SESSION 2! Session 1 camp is NOT a prerequisite for this camp.

This time around, we’re going to “ring scales out for all they’re worth!” You will emerge from this evening more confident in your instrument, and more excited to pursue it! Check out the links to resources and the Troubleshooting Guide below that will help you prepare!

Click HERE for all the details on the sessions and to register!

To help you prepare, check out any lessons centered around the G Major Scale. Here are a few:

G Major Scale Study
Jamming In G
All About Scales

Please note that these lessons above are available in full to all Gold Pick members. If you are not a Gold Pick member on my banjo, guitar, & mandolin lessons site banjobenclark.com, you can sign up for a free 7-day trial called a Silver Pick membership HERE. That will allow you to unlock up to three lessons.

I will be using the tune Golden Slippers in G as my example. David will be using Clinch Mountain Backstep in A, and Wayne will be using God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen in Em.

Not available for the live camp on January 27th? No worries! The event will be recorded, and we’ll send you the link after the event is over.

-Banjo Ben
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TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

**If you experience any technical issues during the live event, read the comments below!

Video Quality Issues/Freezing Video

  • You can select the gear icon in the bottom right of the video and change the quality. 1080p is the highest resolution. The higher resolution, the higher speed internet is required. Therefore, if you are experiencing blurry video, try selecting a lower resolution.
  • If the video starts to buffer or freeze, it may be your internet connection. Give it a few seconds and if the problem persists, refresh the page. If the internet speed is on our end, we’ll work to correct that as able. Watch the chat for any messages from an admin.

Audio Issues

  • If you can’t hear the audio, try listening to something else on your viewing device to verify it is in fact the live video that has no audio. Playing another audio source can verify it’s the output settings on your device and not the live stream. If other sources play audibly, there is a speaker icon in the video frame that can be muted. Make sure you’ve not muted the volume! If the problem persists, leave a comment to make sure you are or aren’t the only one experiencing audio loss!
  • If using headphones, some devices require you to change the “Sound Output” settings in your device. The default in this setting is typically your device speakers, so if you are using an external audio device, ensure you have selected the proper output setting.

Live Stream Interruption or Disconnection

  • We live in a crazy world, folks. Sometimes our connection to you can be cut due to severe weather, alien interference, or other rare circumstances that find themselves occurring in East Texas. If you lose the stream at any point, try refreshing the page and/or rebooting your internet connection. If the event is down on our end, we will email you a backup link. Keep your email handy and watch out for a new link if this does happen. We don’t believe we will have to utilize this process, but we have a good plan if so!

Remember, always ask yourself “is it me?” when you experience an issue with your connection, video quality, or audio. Sometimes a simple refresh of the page or a quick device inspection on your end can save you a headache. That being said, please feel free to leave a comment on the event chat feed! We want you to have the best experience possible, and someone on the chat may have experienced what you are experiencing.

Also remember, this entire event is being recorded. So, if you experience an issue with your equipment or internet speeds, you’ll be emailed the entire recording in the coming days.

  • If these steps do not resolve your issue, please text us at 615-512-6549.
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#2

How would you suggest one prepare for the camp, to get the most out of it? For the in-person camps, there was a jamming-tune list, which I know would not be of use here. However, are the instructors planning to work through tunes that it would be good for us to have in our heads, or are there (for instance) lessons that Gold-Pick members might find useful to review beforehand? Thanks very much. I want to use January to do the work to get as much out of the virtual camp as I can. Margaret

1 Like
#3

Hi Margaret! Wayne mentioned that it’d be great to at least review the G major scale in 1st position, since all three instructors will be discussing tunes that are based on the notes of that scale.

Check out any lessons centered around the G Major Scale. Here are a few:

G Major Scale Study
Jamming In G
All About Scales

Ben will be using the tune Golden Slippers in G as his example. David will be using Clinch Mountain Backstep in A, and Wayne will be using God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen in Em.

I’ll PM you Wayne’s tab for God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen as well.

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#4

So excited! I got so much out of this last year!

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#5

@BanjoBen
Just purchased this virtual camp for my daughter Hali for her 16th birthday (Jan 15). She is actually taking lessons with your sister Penny:) I know she will be thrilled to take part in this! Are you fine with a parent listening in during the evening?

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#6

You bet! Gonna be a fun night, @amber.micahbowman!

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#7

I did, too - was great fun, learned a ton, and very much appreciated having Ben, David and Wayne all in one “location”! Wouldn’t miss it.:+1:t2::+1:t2:

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#8

To prepare for the session, begin listening to the following songs (in various contexts) so that you’re really familiar with the melodies.

  • Golden Slippers (key of G is preferable)
  • Clinch Mountain Backstep (almost always in A)
  • God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Also, be familiar with the G major chord up and down the neck…here are some to help:
G Major Scale Study
Jamming In G
All About Scales

1 Like
#9

@BanjoBen - bit of a technical question for the 27th - in the vein of an embarrassment of riches, we have tickets on that night for Mike Marshall with the Meyers.

I know the sessions will be recorded (-very- grateful for that!) but is there any chance of having the chat captured and posted as well? Those are often helpful during such streams.

Thanks much!

#10

Wow, that will be a great night!

I’m sorry, I don’t believe I’m able to record the chat. I’ll check.

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#11

Very excited to be a part of the Mandolin Camp! I have been playing about 6 years and am continually looking to improve my playing.
Marilyn

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#12

Hi, I hope I’m not in over my head. I’ve only been playing the mandolin for 2 months using the Golden Pick lessons (beginner level). I can play a 2 octave G scale in the first position (and an open G chord.). Did I bite off more than I can chew? Any recommendations or advice about how a beginner can best take advantage of the cabin camp would be greatly appreciate.

Best,
Walt K

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#13

Hey Walt, I’m proud of you for signing up!

Yes, there will be a lot that we cover that will be beyond you. That is OK! In fact, I think it’s a wonderful thing. The best way to take advantage is to not let yourself become discouraged and remember that you’re going to grow into everything we’re talking about.

There absolutely will be much taught that is immediately applicable to you, as well. This will be an evening that you can revisit every few months and get a whole other level of instruction. Just watch with excitement, ask questions in the chat where you have them, and buckle up…gonna be fun!

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#14

Thanks Ben.

#16

RE: saving chat on Tuesday’s Virtual Mando Camp

Looks like you are using Vimeo for the stream tomorrow.

Sooo - Vimeo doesn’t have a way to autorecord chat window - however, if chat is enabled in the event settings, beforehand/during the stream, it “should” appear as part of the recording.

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#17

Hi! Looking forward to joining the camp tomorrow! I just made a free account. I couldn’t access the videos. Where do we find the music or is the workshop not using music?

#18

I do have the chat enabled, yes. I’ll see what I can do :slight_smile:

#19

Howdy @dkonyk! I’m excited as well! There is no music to access ahead of tonight’s broadcast. I did have some member lessons that I recommended to my Gold Pick members, but they’re not an absolute prerequisite. I do encourage you to review the G major scale before this evening if you’re able.

Also, if you want to preview some songs we’ll work on, listen to the following wherever you stream music:

#20

I going to be watching the recording of the session but I’m looking forward to that. We have a church group meeting tonight.

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#21

Decided kind of last minute to join, but I’m looking forward to it!

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