Jam Class Orientation (Raleigh Wide Open)

Here’s everything you need to know about our upcoming class. Send questions to: howdy@waywardstrings.com

When and Where

What’s Provided

  • Wernick Method Student Preparation Guide (sent as a PDF via email when you registered for camp; look for the email with the subject line of “Welcome to Leslie Dare & Susan West’s Jam Class: Raleigh, NC, starting 02 Sep 2026”.

  • A fun time of bluegrass jamming! 

What to Bring – Music-wise

  • Your primary bluegrass instrument that you intend to play during the class. Since this session is only 2 hours long, it’s probably best to stick to just one instrument.

  • Instrument stand – aside from your instrument case, the safest place for your instrument is in an instrument stand, and not propped up against a chair or otherwise out where it could be in harm’s way.

  • Picks, capo (guitars, banjos, dobros), and digital tuner.

  • Music stands are NOT needed. We will provide music stands that will be shared when we break into jam groups. A stand can be used by the person leading a song who may need the song in front them, but otherwise we have a “no music stands” rule because we want folks to learn to play by ear.

  • Recording device. The voice memo app on your smartphone is a good option. There will be several opportunities that you may want to capture for future reference – a great song, some jamming instruction, harmony parts, and the list goes on.

What to Bring – Otherwise

  • Whatever beverages and snacks you’d like to have for yourself.
  • Clothing layers to accommodate changing temperatures.

What to Expect

  • Our goal – at the end of the class, you will have:
    • More confidence in playing bluegrass music with others
    • Experience in playing of bluegrass standards
    • The building blocks needed to successfully lead a song in a jam

  • The class will cover:
    • The role of each instrument in a bluegrass jam
    • How to lead a song
    • How to follow songs you’ve not heard before
    • How to “fake” a solo
    • Jam etiquette
    • …and more

How to Prepare

  • Make a list of everything you intend to bring based on the information provided above.

  • Practice the basic chords – G, C, D, and A – and changing between them on your instrument(s).

  • Start becoming familiar guitar chord shapes; this is a very useful jamming skill for everyone on all instruments. See this guitar chord shape chart.

  • Check out the location and make sure you know how to get there.

  • Listen to some bluegrass music so you can start soaking it up! Try the Bluegrass Album Band on Spotify, or Bluegrass Junction on Sirius XM (Channel 62).