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Vocal Point
Impressions of a Very Special Bluegrass Camp
Sep-24-2001
©2001 iBluegrass.com. All rights reserved.
This month I will momentarily stray from the subject of singing (see end of this article for some vocal tips) and sneak in some impressions of a very special bluegrass camp I recently took part in. I speak of Camp Bluegrass, a yearly, week-long camp place at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas-which also happens to be the site of the world's largest college program in country, bluegrass and commercial music.
At the heart of both the camp and the music program are two extraordinary, multi-talented human beings. What's clear about them right off the bat is that they both love bluegrass, and they both love people. These two bluegrass luminaries and educators have created a diamond of a camp. At first glance, the itinerary looks fairly familiar, with daily classes in mandolin, guitar, fiddle, bass, banjo, dobro, vocal technique, and harmony. From there it moves to a variety of workshops on such subjects as "back-up" skills, sound reinforcement, songwriting, and band skills. The latter workshops give students the opportunity to break down into groups, i.e. form a band, and work up songs with the optional goal of performing them at an end-of-week student concert. Each evening there is a faculty concert, after which Joe leads a fun and well-attended "slow jam" for beginners.
On the subject of jamming, you may find some of it in the cracks and crevices of a busy, class-scheduled day. However... after the evening faculty concerts the jamming floodgates really fly open. With a zesty enthusiasm, pickers and singers spill inside and out in search of the right spot or situation. They spill into the lounges, the halls, dorm rooms and into the kitchen. It's not long before the sounds all seem to spin together, creating one big, familiar musical tapestry. The jamming "enjoyment level" is high at Camp Bluegrass.
What's so special about the camp? This calls for a "list".
"The List:"
- It's Joe and Alan. They set the tone and bring out the best in everybody. They, as well as the faculty they bring together are sensitive to the musical needs, levels and overall experience of each Camp Bluegrasser.
- It's the world class Bluegrass artists and educators that are brought in each year to form the faculty team.
- It's the family members (can you say Paula Carr) and friends who work tirelessly throughout the week to keep the well-oiled organizational wheels turning, and how their work is an obvious labor of love.
- It's the folks who attend and how they develop and foster a genuine sense of community and friendship.
- It's that Joe, Alan and the rest of the faculty and staff are Camp Bluegrassers too.
- It's the good will, good humor and many, many funny moments ranging from chuckles to down right hilarity.
- It's the ice cream social on Thursday night.
In summary, Joe and Alan have struck a magical balance between learning, lighthearted fun, and community. No wonder so many come away from Camp Bluegrass having made lifelong friends and no wonder so many come back. This camp has heart.
For more information on Camp Bluegrass see their website at:
http://www.campbluegrass.com
SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT SINGING...
Singing is an expression of who you are. As you develop vocal skills you also want to develop the sense of who you are and how to be yourself musically. >P>
On listening and emulating:
I've heard it said many times that one should never copy another's vocal style. This is true, ultimately, but I believe that copying other vocal styles has value as a learning device. We can learn things about our own voice through emulation of another's sound and can pick up good vocal "licks" and the skills to execute them. The key is to experiment with the sound of several other singers that you enjoy, to listen to the nuances, the tone, and the emotion. It's the close listening to and playing with other sounds, among other vocal pursuits, that will eventually lead to a synthesis through which your own voice will emerge.
Remember to stay true to your own voice and who you are! Mac Wiseman does not sound like Ralph Stanley. Keith Whitely does not sound like Bill Monroe does not sound like Charlie Waller. Allison Krauss does not sound like Wilma Lee Cooper. They sound like who they are!
On material:
It is very important to choose material that fits you. Look for material that motivates or excites you. Look for material that moves you emotionally and/or appeals to you aesthetically. It's part of being authentically "you" as an artist.
That's it for this month. Once again, it's been great hearing from you folks with your questions and thoughts on singing. I appreciate your interest.
So take your voice and get out there this month. You know what to do!
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