Acoustic Guitar Central: Get Ready for Camp

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Get Ready for Camp
Music camp can be the most fun you'll have all year—but not if you're getting eaten by mosquitoes or your guitar has stopped working. Take a tip from the Boy Scouts: Be prepared.

By Lissy Abraham

For many guitarists, music camp is the highlight of the year. Nowhere else can you devote so much concentrated time to playing and learning. And while most summer music camps are only a week long, the inspiration, tools, and personal contacts they provide can last all year.

Camps vary greatly in their scope and typical daily routine. While nearly all offer one-time workshops such as “Introduction to Flatpicking,” “Preventing Injury While Playing,” and “Jam Etiquette,” most camps also offer daily classes that allow you to delve more deeply into your chosen style or styles. And in some, students may spend all day in an intensive course with the same instructor and group of players. It’s a good idea to find out as much as you can about the camp’s program before you go, so you’ll know what to expect and can prepare accordingly. Other forms of preparation can help you get the most out of your experience. Here are some tips designed to keep you from returning home muttering, “I wish I’d known.”

1 Prioritize Your Goals
Think about what you want to get out of camp. Do you want to be a better jammer? Do you mostly intend to hone your techniques in a specific style? Maybe you’d like to try a new instrument? Or are you just dying for a week of musical fun? Narrowing your focus keeps you from running yourself ragged trying to do it all. If your camp doesn’t preassign you to classes, take a look at the course descriptions before you go, so you don’t get overwhelmed the first day trying to decide what to study. And don’t expect to master (or even remember) all the material you’re given; many camps overload students with material, but that just gives you something to work on the rest of the year.

2 Sleep Before Camp
Get plenty of sleep the week before you go, so you arrive well rested. Many worthwhile jams happen late at night, and you may not get much down time. You’ll probably come home exhausted, so don’t start out that way.

3 Strengthen Your Calluses and Vocal Cords
For at least a month or two before camp, play as much as you can to develop your calluses. You’ll be bummed if sore fingers keep you from participating. If you’re a singer, get your voice in shape by singing at least a half hour a day for a few weeks leading up to camp. If you can’t fit in a major musical workout, even five or ten minutes a day will help.

4 Tune Up Your Instrument
While you’re getting your body in shape for camp, don’t neglect your instrument’s fitness. If anything is loose or the action is not right, now is the time to get it fixed. At the very least, put on new strings before you go. If you’re unsure about anything, take your guitar to the local guitar shop and ask them to look it over.

5 Get a Gig Bag
You’ll be carrying your instrument from class to class and jam to jam, so make sure your case isn’t too heavy. A gig bag is your best bet. If you’re traveling by air and need to bring a hard case, pack the gig bag with your clothes and check it.

6 Bring Special Arrangements of Tunes
Most jams won’t require charts, but if you want to play more complicated tunes (or originals) with others, or if you intend to perform, bring charts of your favorite songs. If you have recordings of special songs you want to teach others, bring them on CDs, tapes, or an iPod.

7 Review Your Repertoire
Avoid having to stop and say “I used to know how to play this song” by brushing up on your tunes.

8 Write Your Name on Your Stuff
Get an indelible marker and write your name on everything you bring! You’d be amazed at what turns up in the Lost and Found after camp—from bathing suits to expensive instruments. And a packing list can help: on that last sleep-deprived day it might be the only way you’ll return home with everything you came with.

9 Be Prepared for Mosquitoes
If you’re going to a mosquito-infested area (most of North America in the summer), get mosquito repellant that does not contain DEET, which can damage the finish on your guitar. Two effective alternatives to DEET repellants are picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus. If you can’t find either at drugstores, try health-food stores.

10 Keep Earplugs on Hand
All-night music is one of the biggest attractions of camp—except when you’re trying to sleep. Even if you stay in a designated quiet area, be prepared for cabin mates’ snoring: bring a supply of good earplugs.

WHAT TO BRING
Many camps will send you a list of things to bring, but try to do a little more research. Find out before you go what the terrain is like so you’ll know the best kind of footwear to bring. Find out if you’ll be allowed to record classes and concerts. If so, bring your recording device. Ask about the kinds of music supplies that will be available for purchase. (Of course, it’s always a good idea to bring extra strings, picks, a capo, and other essential musical paraphernalia.) If you’ve made your own CDs, bring at least a few copies to trade with people, and more if the camp allows you to sell them. Other nearly indispensable items: a flashlight, a phone card, bandages for sore fingers and feet, a water bottle with carrying strap, a small folding chair, a music stand.

This article also appears in Acoustic Guitar, Issue #160

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