campjam

1-800-513-0930

Camp Jam Locations: Atlanta, Birmingham, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, DC Area, Denver, Fairfield Houston Long Island (Hofstra U), Montreal, Orange County, Orlando, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, San Francisco Area, and St. Louis.

Playing Techniques to Stage Presence:

Camp Jam’s multi-level curriculum schools students in every aspect of playing in a real rock and roll band. From playing techniques to stage presence, Camp Jam’s variety of classes will turn the bedroom player into a bona fide rock star.

Rotating Schedule:

Camp Jam’s rotating schedule features courses that develop creativity, instrument skill, and self-confidence. Our teachers are music professionals who make a living writing, performing, and teaching rock and roll music. Students learn not only from our staff, but also from each other by developing teamwork skills that apply to all aspects of life.

Morning Schedule:

The morning schedule begins with group instruction by instrumental experts. Camp Jam Instructors are music professionals who teach and play for a living. They school students in basic theory, playing techniques, and give help to each group on difficult sections of the song they've chosen to perform. Guitarists, bassists, drummers, keyboardists, and vocalists split off from their band to join others who play the same instrument to get instrument-specific instruction.

Camp Jam Instruction draws from the Rock Solid instructional series facilitating learning and helping students understand the concepts behind the songs they have chosen to play. Every technique in the book is presented and referenced to the rock songs students know and love. Through our instructional program, students learn the importance of orchestrating parts that compliment each other.

Next comes good old-fashioned band practice... with a twist! Our volume-controlled ensemble rooms enable bands to gather around a mixer, all wearing headphones, and rehearse their tune. This environment encourages communication and allows all parts to be heard. Instructors listen in to give advice, help with difficult sections, and chart progress throughout the week.

During the morning schedule rotation, bands will also rehearse in live and unplugged ensemble before taking the big stage. On stage, each band will perform their song(s) in front of other campers, instructors and the camp director. The on-stage rehearsals give jammers valuable experience on the actual stage on which they'll be performing on Friday night. Instruction on how to use and control amplifiers, vocal microphones, and other stage gear give rockers valuable knowledge they can translate into an awesome performance

Afternoon Schedule:

The afternoon begins with more instrument instruction including open topic sessions that cover different styles, techniques and gear. Bands will also listen to recordings of their stage rehearsals. Recordings will be broken down to help each band identify strengths and areas of improvement.

The rest of the afternoon is filled with rehearsals on the big stage and classes on songwriting, improvising, ear training, and unplugged acoustic sessions.

Later in the camp week, a guest celebrity master class will focus on the importance of being an effective team member. These guys have been to the mountain top of rock, and seen the promised land every aspiring rocker dreams of! Master classes have featured Liberty DeVitto (Drummer for Billy Joel for 30 years), Ed King (Guitarist, Lynyrd Skynyrd), Ed Roland (Vocalist, Collective Soul), Peter Stroud (Guitarist, Sheryl Crow and Don Henley), and many others.

Interactive songwriting sessions help musicians tap into their own creativity, and some of the songs that have come out of these sessions surprise instructors and parents alike! Instruction in improvising and ear-training basics help players be prepared for any musical situation when they leave camp jam. There's nothing more fun than being able to sit down with any kind of musician and starting a jam, and that's what these classes are all about.

The Concert:

The Friday night concert gives students a goal to work towards, and an opportunity to experience the rush of performing in front of a live audience. Each band has it's time to shine, with all eyes and ears on them. Some bands choose to wear special stage gear, some show off new techniques they've learned just that week. Every band demonstrates the power of team work. The chance to show off the results of their hard work builds confidence and empowers jammers in all areas of their life. Not to mention how much fun it is for them to hear themselves and others play their favorite tunes! Every Camp Jam Concert is recorded and available on DVD, so everyone can go home with a lasting memory of the big night.