Clayton's Visit to Banjo Heaven

Sunday night I returned from the weekend I spent at American Banjo Camp. It was an amazing experience! I learned much more than I thought I would, and I came away with a new appreciation for music theory.

The highlight of my trip was probably having the opportunity to take a one-on-one lesson from Pat Cloud on jazz soloing. It was very interesting and informative. Normally, the lessons there are taught in groups, but nobody else attended this particular class, so I was able to have a one-on-one lesson. It was awesome! I got to know him over the weekend, and found that he was a great person, in addition to being a fantastic banjo player. I also was able to take group lessons from other instructors such as Alan Munde, Bill Keith, and Danny Barnes. I learned so much….

Let me start with our trip there. We brought our band trailer so that we would have some room in the car during the drive there. It also enabled us to bring my Mom’s bass so that she could participate in the evening jams. She was very nervous about having to drive the trailer, because she likes to stop and accelerate quickly, and also has a habit of driving over the curb while turning corners in the Suburban. It is kind of like the way I drive, except on a slightly lesser scale. But with some practice, she did fine.

We got a bit lost on our way, but eventually arrived at our destination just in time to attend orientation. Mom and the rest of my siblings (Dad and Caleb were on their own fishing trip) went to go do other activities at that point, leaving me on my own.

 The students went through a quick orientation then went off to the first class. I elected to attend Chord Melody Soloing by Pat Cloud. It was rather interesting and I learned about how to embellish chords, and use them to play melodies. The second class I took was taught by Alan Munde. It was called Fiddle Tune Arrangements, and it talked about how to arrange fiddle tunes for the banjo. It was very interesting. I haven’t learned my melodic and single string scales completely yet, and this class impressed on me the need to learn them in order to be a better banjo player, and be able to find melodies note for note. It was a good class! 

I then went and ate supper. After supper, Mom, Camden, Clark, and I were hosting a jam with Alan Munde and Danny Barnes in a cabin. I think all of us were nervous about jamming with two legendary banjo players. I know I was somewhat petrified. I think Alan noticed this, because when I introduced myself, “Hi, I’m Clayton, by the way,” he responded with, “Hi, ’Clayton by the way.’” Throughout the whole weekend, he was cracking jokes like that. He was very funny to listen to. I think he liked messing with people.  

Anyway, the jam session went off without much of a hitch, I even remembered all of the words when I sang “Mama Tried!” I also got to witness the fantastic banjo playing of Alan Munde and Danny Barnes. Danny Barnes played guitar for most of the evening, and brought out his banjo for the last two songs. He is an amazing guitar player in addition to being a fantastic banjo player. 

I am running out of time for this post, so I will continue my story in the next one. Until then, we have a gig at a local chef’s show on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds. For more information, visit http://www.buylocalfoodinkitsap.org/peninsula-local-food-chef-showoff. We would love to see you there!  

Also, we are playing at Trinity's Heidelfest on Saturday, September 19.  For more information, visit http://www.heidelfest.com/2009/08/foooooood.html.       

Comments

[Kathryn]

First of all, I'm suprised your up and writing at 7:00, that's when I was supposed to wake up but decided to sleep a little bit more instead. I'm so glad that it was sunny for you guys. It sounds like you had a ton of fun. It's funny, I'm learning melodic scales right now too. Good thing you didn't have any sugar free gum before you sang:) The gig you have today sounds awesome - please tell me all about the food there!

[Clayton]

Well, that is the post time. I would also be very suprised if I was up and writing at 7:00! I actually wrote this the Monday after we got back. See, my predictions about your sleeping habits are coming true! So when are you going to start drinking more hot chocolate? :)

It was GORGEOUS weather! I really did have a lot of fun. That's cool that you are learning melodic scales! They are very very interesting! It's funny that you said I didn't have any sugarless gum, because I actually had to spit out the sugarless gum I was chewing in order to sing the song. That's one reason why I was so nervous....:)
I will tell about the food in my next post.