John Boulding — Mount Airy, NC, USA

More About Me

I've been playing banjo almost 40 years and have over 30 years experience as a professional player and over 20 as a teacher teacher. Ive played with Wyatt Rice and Santa Cruz, Johnny and Jeanette Williams Band, Hershel Sizemore, Piedmont Grass, The Shady Grove Band, None Of The Above, Rain Check, The Severts,Atomic Roots, Rich In Tradition, and many other bands. Im also an active studio session player and have played on over 150 projects and sessions..blah,blah. So now you know too much about me. I'm glad to get that stuff out of the way <grin>.
My background in teaching began through music stores and eventually transitioned over to lessons in my own studio. About 7 years ago I discovered the internet and the ability to use it for teaching. As far as I know, I was one of the first teachers to use this technology for online lessons. Not that it matters, but hey, a small' horn toot' can be fun. This new technology really has revolutionized the way folks learn to play and it makes the world a smaller and closer community.
Those internet lessons began as audio only, using Yahoo and Paltalk. The ability to host videos came available to me around 2006 with the introduction to Skype, the free online video chat program. The quality has improved with each new update to Skype and I am now able to broadcast in HD and use excellent condenser mics. With good connections and computers, the student and I have an almost 'being there' experience.
Using the internet means I've had a wide range of student locations. Some of these include:Germany, Ireland,Scotland,Sweden,Iceland,The Bahamas, Great Brittan, Mexico, Brazil,South Africa,Australia, Canada, Thailand, Hawaii and most every state in the U.S. The internet really has made it possible for players in any country to connect and learn.
Ive also been fortunate to have been among the first teachers to do online 'chat room workshops', as a group setting. These were conducted through Jim Pankey's "Banjo Lounge" group/site, and the concept has since moved to this site. Kudos to Jim for his idea. Ive now conducted a few of them here on the Hangout and it has grown to include nationally known teachers.
My method of teaching has evolved through the years and is always an ongoing process to try and be a better teacher. Using tabs of solos, a pat on the back and a 'see you next week' is not the method I use. My goal is to help players develop ear skills and to train their ears and mind to absorb the feel and sound of Bluegrass banjo. Listening to the classic players and great players of today is of prime importance in my mission statement, as a teacher. I want my students to learn some basic theory, as it applies to playing banjo, learn some key, fundamental Scruggs concepts and ideas and to be able to play backup, as well as solos.
My method for rank beginners is centered on learning Back-up, so that they can begin to join jams or play along with some easy bluegrass songs as soon as possible. Learning solos is actually the easy part of playing this instrument, as it only involves memorizing note patterns. But learning backup required ear skills,thinking about where,when and what to play, and adapting to your musical environment. My goal is to make a well rounded, knowledgeable player who does not just mimic without grasping what is happening, or who regurgitates tab but never really 'gets it'
Tab for me, is best left for players who have moved beyond the basics and who have developed some decent ear training. I do not use tabs for rank beginners, but do offer it to those who I feel understand its proper use as a learning aid. Above all, I want the student to learn and understand, but also have fun!
Lastly, but most important of all, I need to thank Earl Scruggs for everything Ive ever done with my banjo. All the things mentioned here on this page, all the accomplishments, would not exist without Earl blazing the pathway and providing the genius. Thank you Earl!

You can contact me through my Homepage here, my website www.note-ablerepair.com or by phone: 336-789-8370. Thank you very much.