Banjo Teacher
Whats better than a banjo? Nothing. If you’ve already got a banjo and a front porch, you’re halfway there. It’s amazing how quickly playing the banjo can put a smile on people’s faces (and I guarantee that many will start doing a weird dance for no reason).
You’ll make everyone around you happy, trust me. We can learn overhand (clawhammer, frailing, thumping . . .) or fingerpicking styles.
Skill Level
Beginner to advanced
Style
We’ll start the bum-ditty rhythms of old-time banjo using easy songs like Cripple Creek and Old Joe Clark. I’ll also show you how to fingerpick along with songs which can sometimes be more useful in band settings. Once we’re comfortable with the rhythms and basic songs, we will delve into complex melodies and fiddle tunes and the repertoire I learned in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky.
My banjo-playing influences are John Haywood, George Gibson, and Hilary Hawk.
Price
$45 - 30 mins
$60 - 1 hour
My Banjo Journey
Although its stereotype is country or bluegrass, the banjo has a rich history that can be traced back to the Caribbean and with playing styles going back to West Africa. Now, it’s played in many genres including Irish, classical, and Béla Fleck has shown us we can push it even further.
I began playing the banjo as music director for Shakespeare companies (long story, we can discuss it during a lesson) and it’s since become my great love. After taking lessons from Hilary Hawk in New York City, I traveled down to Eastern Kentucky to study with the great John Haywood and his teacher, George Gibson. Currently, I’m in the midst of a years-long journey through the US, Caribbean, and West Africa, tracing the banjo back through its history.
