This 4-week course will get you set on the right path for years of banjo joy and success.
Classes are 1 hour and will take place live on Zoom, Saturdays in February (6,13,20,27) at 2 pm EST.
(Note - classes are recorded, so live participation is not necessary)
Each student will get a ½ hour private “follow up” session.
Price - $100 USD
Course Description
In this class, we will look at...
- Holding, tuning, and caring for the instrument (changing strings etc.)
- Good right and left-hand technique
- How tunings and capoes work
- Chords
- playing with other people
- How to practice
- Learning by ear vs. learning from tablature
- Some awesome tunes!...and much more!
FAQ & FMS (frequently made statements)
Q. What if I have a conflict, and can’t make the class?
A. No problem. All the classes will be recorded, and you will be provided with a link, so you can watch them at any time. This also allows you to go back and review all the things we talk about.
Q. I’ve never played music before, will that be a problem?
A. Not at all. I love teaching absolute beginners. No matter what age you are, the early moments of discovery in music are some of the most powerful, and I love to be a part of that. You just need to have an open mind and be patient with yourself. We are going to start from the beginning. I’ve got you covered.
S. I’m super-shy, and the thought of being in a group lesson freaks me out.
A. Then this is a perfect place for you to start! You’ll be in the sanctity of your own private space, and nobody will be able to hear you most of the time (or ever, if that’s what you’d prefer). You’ll be able to go back and re-watch anything you didn’t get, so you’ll really be working on your own schedule.
Q. Do I need to be able to read music?
A. Nope, we will be using something called tablature, which is a method of writing music that is very easy to comprehend. I’ll show you how it works. We will also be learning to play “by ear”.
S. I’ve got no musical talent, and I am tone-deaf (my piano teacher told me so when I was 8 years old!).
A. Bull-Crud! Everyone has music in them, it’s just a matter of finding it, and building a good relationship with your instrument. Your piano teacher was a monster, probably trying to make up for some weird mid-life reckoning by crushing the spirits of little kids. Put him/her out of your mind, take this damn course, and let the fun begin!
Q. Do I need a banjo?
A. Yes you do. If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to beg, buy, borrow, or rent, a 5-string banjo. I'm happy to give you a suggestion, just drop me a line.
Q. What’s this about a ½ hour private “follow-up” lesson?
A. Sometime in March, me and you will find a mutually agreeable time to have a 1 on 1 Zoom session, so I can check in on how you’re doing, and give you some suggestions for your path forward. You will also be able to ask me any questions that may have arisen.
Q. What technology do I need to take this course?
A. You’ll need a computer, tablet or phone with a camera (the bigger the screen, the better the experience, so a phone is the least ideal)You need some internet - the faster the better, but since I will be recording the session, even if your internet is slow, you’ll be able to download the video and watch it later.
