Hi Gang,
I wanted to pass along a question I just got from someone thinking about joining us at IGC 2017. We have had similar questions in the past and there are some old threads with answers but I figured it was time for an updated set of thoughts from the TG Community.
Is IGC For Beginners Thread
Thanks,
Neil
Hey TG Folks ….
Just read about the guitar camp and have a question for you. Just how good do you need to be to attend? Is it something that an intermediate (at best) player can attend without being totally intimidated and overwhelmed? It sounds like a lot of fun, but I wouldn't want to hold others back in group lessons and/or feel out of place all week. Just being honest!
Thanks for your reply!
A Question For IGC Alumni
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dottmcse85630
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- Joined: Wed Jun 04, 2014 7:41 am
- Status: Offline
Sign up NOW, don't wait. Take it from a beginner.
My first IGC camp was 2016, I was just a beginner, I still think of myself as a beginner still and I am going back to camp.
Certainly there are many players who attend that are pro's. But don't let that stop you, there is so much you can learn from watching and listening.
I was so impressed by how welcoming all the "veteran" campers were.
Was it worth it? YES
My abilities and level of playing skyrocketed after camp.
So don't hesitate sign up right away. Then at camp jump right in, you'll quickly become an active participant.
Dennis
My first IGC camp was 2016, I was just a beginner, I still think of myself as a beginner still and I am going back to camp.
Certainly there are many players who attend that are pro's. But don't let that stop you, there is so much you can learn from watching and listening.
I was so impressed by how welcoming all the "veteran" campers were.
Was it worth it? YES
My abilities and level of playing skyrocketed after camp.
So don't hesitate sign up right away. Then at camp jump right in, you'll quickly become an active participant.
Dennis
I am happy to say that I have made it to all four International Guitar Camps (IGCs), which automatically prevents me from saying anything bad about the event without looking foolish. I am now considering myself an Advanced Beginner, hoping to some day become a Master Beginner before too very long. What you will get at the camp is a group of Effective, Understanding and incredibly Talented instructors who honestly have your best interests at heart, an ability to understand most issues (physical and mental) and an awesome amount of patience with whatever difficulties you bring to camp with you. You will also meet the greatest group of fellow students, as I am sure that there will be many coming back again (as will I) who are supportive, willing to stay up all hours of the night to play alongside you and when all else fails, will share a glass of whatever to drown any self-perceived embarrassment you may feel at your first attempt at an open mic.
What probably won't happen is that you will return home as Robert Johnson reborn, this isn't that crossroads. Playing guitar well is more the effort that you put towards it, but that effort should be made much more effective by participation with others sharing a similar goal than by hesitating to do so.
--tom
What probably won't happen is that you will return home as Robert Johnson reborn, this isn't that crossroads. Playing guitar well is more the effort that you put towards it, but that effort should be made much more effective by participation with others sharing a similar goal than by hesitating to do so.
--tom
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auntlynnie
- Posts: 38
- Joined: Mon May 14, 2012 5:31 am
- Status: Offline
I hope many others will chime in here, and I'm glad a couple of self-described beginners have already posted.
I'd call myself an intermediate player, but no matter what your level, IGC has many benefits.
1) Playing with others is wonderful for improving your skills. There are many, many three chord songs that we all love to play and do so (several times over, I'm sure) and even if you can only just manage the chord shapes at the beginning, the push you get from trying to keep up will surely help you improve.
2) There's lots of casual jamming, people sharing songs, showing each other how to play songs and you will always be welcomed and included.
3) Will you feel a little bit unsure? Of your playing, probably. But unsure of being included - no! I think you will feel welcome within the first ten minutes.
4) Performing - NOT required. The first year we only had one open mic. And most people asked for more and so they increased the opportunities for doing that. If you want to see what that feels like, the teachers (Neil, Vanessa, Dave, Doug, resident vocalist Corina, and many others) are willing to accompany you. I recall a beginner a couple of years ago, who I rarely saw even pick up her guitar, but she wanted to know what performing would be like, so late, late one night she got on the stage with a couple of teachers and did a song or two. She certainly looked happy about the experience. But don't let all the talk about Open Mics scare you away.
5) For me, camp is a time and place to play music with others. I don't get that so much at home, so I'm like a kid in a candy shop. And I think this is true for many others.
I hope you'll decide to attend camp. You won't be sorry.
Lynn
I'm including a video I made about IGC 2014
I'd call myself an intermediate player, but no matter what your level, IGC has many benefits.
1) Playing with others is wonderful for improving your skills. There are many, many three chord songs that we all love to play and do so (several times over, I'm sure) and even if you can only just manage the chord shapes at the beginning, the push you get from trying to keep up will surely help you improve.
2) There's lots of casual jamming, people sharing songs, showing each other how to play songs and you will always be welcomed and included.
3) Will you feel a little bit unsure? Of your playing, probably. But unsure of being included - no! I think you will feel welcome within the first ten minutes.
4) Performing - NOT required. The first year we only had one open mic. And most people asked for more and so they increased the opportunities for doing that. If you want to see what that feels like, the teachers (Neil, Vanessa, Dave, Doug, resident vocalist Corina, and many others) are willing to accompany you. I recall a beginner a couple of years ago, who I rarely saw even pick up her guitar, but she wanted to know what performing would be like, so late, late one night she got on the stage with a couple of teachers and did a song or two. She certainly looked happy about the experience. But don't let all the talk about Open Mics scare you away.
5) For me, camp is a time and place to play music with others. I don't get that so much at home, so I'm like a kid in a candy shop. And I think this is true for many others.
I hope you'll decide to attend camp. You won't be sorry.
Lynn
I'm including a video I made about IGC 2014
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tjwatson10167
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- Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2014 6:48 pm
- Status: Offline
IGC 2017 will be my 3rd Camp. I was anxious for first camp.....I think its only natural. Ability is not a pre-requisite for IGC. No matter your experience you will be welcome with helping hands, big smiles, and genuinely great people. I've had so much fun, met great people, and through all that, improved my playing. . Like I said earlier, Ability is not a pre-requiste....
You get exposed to so much. IGC is pretty much tailored to anyone. You'll enjoy it.
As for Tom's comment --- "What probably won't happen is that you will return home as Robert Johnson reborn, this isn't that crossroads. Playing guitar well is more the effort that you put towards it, but that effort should be made much more effective by participation with others sharing a similar goal than by hesitating to do so."
I never felt that my talent improved to Robert Johnson status.....There were a couple of morning at IGC I truly felt like Jose Cuervo...or Johnny Walker.
Hope this helps,
Ted
You get exposed to so much. IGC is pretty much tailored to anyone. You'll enjoy it.
As for Tom's comment --- "What probably won't happen is that you will return home as Robert Johnson reborn, this isn't that crossroads. Playing guitar well is more the effort that you put towards it, but that effort should be made much more effective by participation with others sharing a similar goal than by hesitating to do so."
I never felt that my talent improved to Robert Johnson status.....There were a couple of morning at IGC I truly felt like Jose Cuervo...or Johnny Walker.
Hope this helps,
Ted
My advice is if you're able to go sign up now and don't hesitate a second longer. The students at camp are at all levels; some are very new beginners, some are amazing guitarists with a huge repertoire who perform regularly and most people fit somewhere in between. Whatever level you are you'll have a great time. Neil, Vanessa, Dave, Doug and Jim are incredible teachers (I feel like I've missed someone...). Their classes are really informative and fun and you have the chance to get one-on-one lessons with them too; priceless.
On top of that, you'll be hard pressed to find a more welcoming and friendly group of people. one of the great parts of camp is getting the chance to spend time with other people who love music, love playing guitar, love learning and improving their skills and basically have a bunch of similar interests. And are extremely supportive, interesting and fun to be around.
This response might go on for a while.
One thing you definitely won't get through just learning on-line is the chance to perform and play with others. Basically you can do as much of this as you like. There are heaps of opportunities to get up on stage, alone or with others; there's many a late night jam where you can play yourself or just be inspired by listening to others; you can play during the day; you'll be able to work up collaborations with people too which is a lot of fun, a great experience and a great way to get to know people better.
On top of all of that, last year the lodgings were good, the grounds were really nice, food was great. Etc. and by the looks of things this year's venue is likely to be even better.
There's heaps more to rave about, for instance Neil, Nani and the whole Hogan family are simply wonderful and besides being extremely friendly and welcoming, they go above and beyond to make the camp a great experience; including special and delicious cookies.
I could go on and on. In fact after camp I wrote up a raving report which is here if you'd like more.
http://www.totallyguitars.com/forum/159 ... novel.html
I'm absolutely sure that you'll have a great time and take away fabulous memories, some new insights and new inspiriation to improve and a bunch of new friendships.
Do yourself s favour and sign up now before the spots are all gone.
Have some fun for me.
Michele
On top of that, you'll be hard pressed to find a more welcoming and friendly group of people. one of the great parts of camp is getting the chance to spend time with other people who love music, love playing guitar, love learning and improving their skills and basically have a bunch of similar interests. And are extremely supportive, interesting and fun to be around.
This response might go on for a while.
One thing you definitely won't get through just learning on-line is the chance to perform and play with others. Basically you can do as much of this as you like. There are heaps of opportunities to get up on stage, alone or with others; there's many a late night jam where you can play yourself or just be inspired by listening to others; you can play during the day; you'll be able to work up collaborations with people too which is a lot of fun, a great experience and a great way to get to know people better.
On top of all of that, last year the lodgings were good, the grounds were really nice, food was great. Etc. and by the looks of things this year's venue is likely to be even better.
There's heaps more to rave about, for instance Neil, Nani and the whole Hogan family are simply wonderful and besides being extremely friendly and welcoming, they go above and beyond to make the camp a great experience; including special and delicious cookies.
I could go on and on. In fact after camp I wrote up a raving report which is here if you'd like more.
http://www.totallyguitars.com/forum/159 ... novel.html
I'm absolutely sure that you'll have a great time and take away fabulous memories, some new insights and new inspiriation to improve and a bunch of new friendships.
Do yourself s favour and sign up now before the spots are all gone.
Have some fun for me.
Michele
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familyman4
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:29 pm
- Location: Arizona
- Status: Offline
To whom it may concern:
I cannot say that I am any kind of an expert when it comes to guitar camps. The only official guitar camp I have attended in my life is IGC, year 2 and year 4. I wish that I could have made all 4 years but circumstances beyond my control prevented me from that. Yes, I will be at year 5 (IGC2017).
From what I can gather, this is the way a guitar camp should be managed and ran. Classes for learning with great instructors, plenty of free time for practicing, jamming, enjoying the company of fellow musicians that gather for a few days to totally immerse themselves in the craft that we call guitar. Not to leave out another important aspect, the friendships are truly priceless!!!! All skill levels are welcome, you can learn a lot from people who have more experience than you might have, but chances are very good that someone else will learn some new skills and ideas from you as well. No pressure, just good fun!
See you in August!
Bart
I cannot say that I am any kind of an expert when it comes to guitar camps. The only official guitar camp I have attended in my life is IGC, year 2 and year 4. I wish that I could have made all 4 years but circumstances beyond my control prevented me from that. Yes, I will be at year 5 (IGC2017).
From what I can gather, this is the way a guitar camp should be managed and ran. Classes for learning with great instructors, plenty of free time for practicing, jamming, enjoying the company of fellow musicians that gather for a few days to totally immerse themselves in the craft that we call guitar. Not to leave out another important aspect, the friendships are truly priceless!!!! All skill levels are welcome, you can learn a lot from people who have more experience than you might have, but chances are very good that someone else will learn some new skills and ideas from you as well. No pressure, just good fun!
See you in August!
Bart