Posted by wallflower on Saturday, August 26, 2017
Just back from week one of Nimblefingers Bluegrass and Oldtime camp. It is such a fun camp and I learned so much. I took intermediate clawhammer banjo with Chris Coole and reallly related to his style of teaching. Camp gave me a pickup of inspiration just when I was feeling I would never get better. Class is intense and meets twice a day. Between class there are optional workshops so it was music overload but in a good way. Instructors and other students were especially encouraging.
Besides banjo, my class choices were "Expanding Song Repertoire", "Tunes from the Northwest", "How to hear basic chord changes", "Intro to writing Instrumental Music", "Make space for bass", "Ukes Unite" and, "Fingerpick guitar from scratch". Most interesting for me was learning about the upright bass. I had never toughed one let alone had the opportunity to try to play one. I even learned how they slap it. Very cool experience even if I don't plan to buy a giant bass (I admit, I considered it right after class).
I must add that the instructor concerts alone are worth the price of admission. Not only are they good but the venue is intimate and a professional soundman made sure we heard them at their best. He also worked the student concerts and the dance music. --Yes, we danced and you ain't seen nothin' like a contra dance called by Steve Roy.
This camp is all around a great experience. I laughed alot, played music, danced and enjoyed being with some of the best people around--musicians new and old.
1 comment on “Can't say enough good things about Nimblefingers!”
dbrooks Says:
Sunday, August 27, 2017 @5:04:43 AM
Carol, it indeed sounds like a great camp. I have enjoyed Chris Coole for a while as well and am currently revisiting some of his tunes. Enjoy your growth with the banjo.
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