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britcarfan - Posted - 03/24/2024: 13:23:03
I know this is banjo related but wasn’t sure what would be the best to ask it in. If mods want to move it please do.
I’ve had my banjo for several years and really haven’t learned to play.
Looks like I may have some extra cash this summer and have thought about signing up for the camp. Curious if anyone has been and if it would be a good place for a beginner to get inspired or would I be money ahead to do something online or dvds.
Thanks
Edited by - Texasbanjo on 03/25/2024 04:22:03
Texasbanjo - Posted - 03/24/2024: 14:15:12
I've never been to that camp, but I went to Camp Bluegrass for several years and always learned something and got better playing banjo. I presume the Midwest camp is just as good and you'd learn something new that would help you.
I'll let others who have been to that particular camp say more and I'll move this thread to the bluegrass forum where I believe it belongs.
If you don't play bluegrass, let me know and I'll move it to the appropriate forum for your genre.
Edited by - Texasbanjo on 03/24/2024 14:16:55
britcarfan - Posted - 03/24/2024: 14:48:27
Your allowed to go to move around to different sessions but I’m more interested in clawhammer.
Keith Baumann - Posted - 03/24/2024: 15:03:11
I have been an instructor at Midwest Banjo Camp for 7 years now and here are my thoughts on wether attending would be worth it. Yes the classes would be extremely useful to someone like yourself. The camp is very careful in programing its tracks for various levels of players. If you take the beginner track, you cane assured it will be at the appropriate level. As stated, you are free to jump into any other class at any time during the camp.
That being said, there are so many other reasons to attend a camp like this beyond the class time alone. First off you get to hang around with some world-class players who are always open to chatting with campers. You also get to experience a pretty amazing faculty concert. Also it is a chance to become part of a community of like minded students and that can be a real inspiring experience. Lastly, the jams which are faculty led each day and presented for every level of player. I hope this info is helpful to you. If you do attend, definitely come by and say hello to me.
banjobrewer - Posted - 03/25/2024: 02:52:04
I’ve been twice. Like stated above, the concerts are worth the trip alone. Both times I met quite a few new friends that I actually will run into at other events. Meals are fun for the socials. Lastly the instructors are top notch.
pmiller510 - Posted - 03/25/2024: 06:45:04
I would definitely say go!!! You will get tons of information that will be with you for years. BUT, the biggest thing is the inspiration to play and get better: good faculty and lots of other folks who are friendly and ready to help. It's definitely worth doing.
britcarfan - Posted - 03/26/2024: 06:53:15
If the stars and planets align themselves correctly I think I’ll sign up to go.
hofstbr - Posted - 03/26/2024: 08:36:29
I'd echo the comments that it''s definitely worth going to. I went last year for the first time ever as a beginner. I would recommend that you at least spend a little time trying to learn some basics - hand positions, basic chord positions, etc... The camp will help you fine tune that and much more, but if you have a rudimentary familiarity with the basics, that will go a long way to enhancing your camp experience.
Old Hickory - Posted - 03/26/2024: 09:54:47
quote:
Originally posted by britcarfan
Curious if anyone has been and if it would be a good place for a beginner to get inspired or would I be money ahead to do something online or dvds.
I "attended" the online/virtual version of MWBC in 2021 and had a great time. I consider myself an advanced player and I got something out of just about every session. I had signed up for, and was seriously looking forward to, the 2020 live camp which, of course, ended up not happening. 2021 had most or all of the same planned content and teachers.
One thing I like a lot about this camp and the others under the Elderly umbrella is their advance publication of the session-by-session program. You can look at the full curriculum for your level of ability in your area of banjo interest and decide for yourself whether it's material that can be of benefit to you. Does it address what you believe you need to learn? Is it too far above where you are now, so you might not understand it? Is it at a level you've already passed?
With all these words as background, now to your question: "Would be a good place for a beginner to get inspired or would I be money ahead to do something online or dvds?"
That really depends on where you are and what you need.
In your opening message you said you "really haven't learned to play." My question is: How literally do you mean that? Can you play nothing? Not even a basic stroke? Not a single song? Are you still an absolute beginner?
If so, then of course MWBC can be an inspiration. You'll hear some great players in live performance. You'll be exposed to some of the best group instruction available anywhere -- some of which might even make sense to you. You'll see and hear other relative beginners and perhaps be inspired by their progress.
If inspiration is the main thing you want, then go to camp and have a great time.
But if you mean you literally cannot play anything and want to learn, then look at the planned curriculum for "Old-Time Novice" and try to determine whether you can learn something in the short and compressed time at camp or if it will all be beyond what you need right now.
That last part being said, I think each of my camp experiences -- in-person and virtual -- has included exposure to concepts I couldn't apply right away and instead slowly began to make sense and work their way into my playing over time. So this could be the case for you, too.
My point is: I'm not going to tell you to go to camp or stay home. I'm just asking you to be clear on what you're looking for if you go: Is it inspiration so you'll come home ready to learn and progress? Or is it knowledge, skills, and technique you can apply immediately to your learning and playing?
A good camp offers all of that, for players ready to receive it.
Good luck.
