Beginners even pre single note, are very welcome at Jam Camp.
A lot of our return campers are those who came to camp with dismal single notes, dismal tone. So we start from trhe ground floor up in the instructrion, reviewing the fundamentals of tone. We break into small groups based on level.
Included in the price is a phone consulation with me in which...by coaching...I get you playing a single note correctly on 2 draw. Many times in this consultation, I can also get you bending.
Then, you have the time between the consultation and the camp to internalize what I taught you in the phone lesson.
I have only been to one jam camp and I had been playing long enough that I was already playing single notes and bending, but I did't really know too much about how to fit in and play with other instruments (jamming!) and was pretty insecure about my playing. I still have a long way to go but I got a whole lot better and also a whole lot more excited and motivated. I will now be going to St. Louis for the next camp and I am really excited becuase I know what to expect. What I saw in Dallas was that there were players of all abilities from those who could not play a singe note to those that were really wailing. The great thing about it was that there were classes for everyone-from raw beginners up where everyone felt part of what was going on and improved a bunch. The coaches and other jam campers were all very supportive and no one was put down-only encouraged! All I can say is that the sooner you go to jam camper the sooner you will be given the tools and support to get even better. You will leave with enough study material, both written plus your notes and even audio cd's to keep you studying and learning for a long time. To sum it up, I would encourage anyone who plays or wants to play to go to jam camp, plus it is just a lot of fun playing (everyone jams) for three days, hanging out with some really great people!
The fastest way to get you going (and keep you going) is to get Jon's "Rock n' Blues Harmonica Book and CD" I started about 3 years ago at the tender age of 50, and it really got me playing in no time. Of course the difficult stuff might take a little more time but that's with everything. Besides learning how to play in different positions (musically of course, not sitting down and standing up etc) Jon also teaches you all the basics about bending, scales, octaves, riffs, improvisation, playing solo, playing with a band and everything else you need to know. (before I started playing I thought that an octave was a kind of chocolat bar):weirdface:
As far as Jam Camp concernend, you should drop Jon a line or perhaps if he reads this, he will leave a comment for you, but it's my understanding that if you can play a single note, you are ready for Jam Camp. I personally haven't attended any (I really wish I could though) but I've read all the comments (with envy) about Jon's Camp at various forums, and there hasn't been anybody who regretted going. The opposite is true, everybody gets so pumped up, motivated and satisfied about their improvements that they can't wait to go to the next level (next camp).
Hi, I just downloaded 40+ Little Walter tunes and have decided that at age 47 its' still not too late to pick up a harmonica for the first time and actually try to learn to play it. My question is this: I have never played a note in my life and I'm wondering if I should do some serious reading/self-teaching before I'm even ready to attend a Jam Camp this soon or if there's teachers designated for ABSOLUTE beginners like me. Any advice is most appreciated. Thanks!
