Banjo Lessons - Charlottesville

Mr. Kris Brooks (formerly at Picker's Supply in Fredericksburg) is a highly experienced Bluegrass banjo instructor in Charlottesville, VA offering lessons online via Teams for beginner to advanced students.

Styles include: Scruggs, Stanley, honky-tonk (J.D. Crowe), modal (Sammy Shelor, etc.), and soft-grass (i.e. Alison Kraus' "softer" music). A proven teacher with an excellent approach and professional teaching method (by ear & by tablature). Ability to adapt to each student's needs and appropriately address strengths & weaknesses.

Get started right, take it to the next level, learn how to jam, expand your repertoire/styles, or just clean up your playing. Great tips for practicing correctly. Brooks is one of the absolute best instructors on the east coast!

(References for all levels provided.)

$35 per lesson. (Online lessons via Teams)

Please call (434) 295-2587
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Mr. Kris Brooks: Banjo Teacher/Instructor/Lessons – Charlottesville, VA

…one of the absolute best banjo instructors on the East Coast.

- The Teacher
- The Students
- Testimonials

The Teacher

Playing banjo since 1980: Bluegrass Gospel band, soloist, countless
jam sessions, Bluegrass band banjoist/vocalist

Teaching publicly/privately: Classical music instruction since 1994
Bluegrass banjo instructor & Bluegrass band coach since 1998

(I am also a Bluegrass composer & researcher/writer.)

Layman’s approach vs. professionally trained musician:

I taught myself the banjo & learned to play by ear, so I can easily relate to my students’ struggles at all levels of play – an invaluable insight for any teacher. In other words, I know exactly what you’re goin’ through (‘cause I went through it, too!) and how to get you through it. Yet I am also a professionally trained classical composer (I write music for full symphony orchestra and have had world premieres in Europe), so if any student needs or desires something explained in terms of music theory, well, that won’t be a problem. My range of musical knowledge and experience enables me to find an individual’s best-suited path to understanding a musical idea, concept or principle. (We all don’t come to the same point of understanding by following the exact same route. There are many roads to understanding, and it’s part of my job to find which road is best for you.) Finally, I’ve taken the time to really think things through when it comes to teaching banjo, and, I think, you’ll find it shows in the way I teach and in my self-produced Bluegrass Banjo Instruction Booklet/CD which my students use in connection with their lessons. There is also my Classic Banjo Tunes booklet/CD of tabbed-out banjo instrumentals… really fun stuff. Oh, did I mention that learning to play the banjo is a whole lot of fun?!?


The Students

Acceptable Student Age Range: 10 to 100

Students’ Starting Experience:

- brand-spankin’ new (don’t even know how to put the finger picks on)
- been playin’ for 30 years
…and everything in between

Typical Student Goals I Accommodate:

- play ”Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” for my daughter at bedtime
- pick Cripple Creek or Foggy Mountain Breakdown (etc.) sittin’ in the ol’ rocking chair
(you provide the rocking chair)
- jammin’ with some of my Bluegrass friends on the weekends
- goin’ pro (play in a professional Bluegrass band)
…and everything in between


- - TESTIMONIALS - -
(Many thanks to all for the kind words.)

CURRENT STUDENTS (Charlottesville area):

A little over a year ago, I began my journey of learning to play the banjo. The first call I made to an instructor was to Mr. Kris Brooks. I had no previous musical experience and after speaking with Mr. Brooks on the phone about my goals, discussing what I'm looking for and hearing the details of his teaching style, I booked my first lesson. At the time, my initial interest was just learning enough to jam with a few buddies occasionally. However, Mr. Brooks has taken me much further than expected in such a short period of time. He has developed a system of teaching that not only teaches you how to play, but how to practice correctly and how to build upon fundamentals as you progress. His method of teaching is proven time and time again if you follow his guidance. Mr. Brooks helped me reach the point of playing along with my buddies within 4 months. Since that time, I've progressed and played in local jams, at family gatherings, and in front of numerous larger audiences. Mr. Brooks also has the ability to teach several different styles of banjo, which is a bonus for me. While I am an Earl Scruggs fan, the Stanley Brothers and Ralph Stanley spark my interest the most. Mr. Brooks is able to implement both styles of banjo into my playing. I am thankful that I have Mr. Brooks as an instructor as well as a friend and I would recommend him, without hesitation, to any person from beginner to advanced, that wants to learn or improve their playing.

-Steve Morris (upper-intermediate banjo)

I am a beginner student that had taken approximately 1 ½ years of banjo lessons prior to coming to Kris. My previous instruction provided me with general knowledge of three finger style banjo, some rolls and chords as well as learning specific songs/arrangements. Although I learned some songs and gained a generally understanding, I became a little frustrated and felt like I was progressing slowly. After my first lesson with Kris, I knew it was very different. He immediately teaches you how to practice correctly so that you don’t continue to make the same mistakes. He has developed a methodical approach that has been very efficient and effective in developing essential skills. His lessons incorporate not only technique and concepts, but aural training as well so that you can start playing music right away. Additionally, he constantly assesses your progression and ensures that the foundation is being laid for future development.

-Matt Nisley (beginner banjo)


Kris Brooks is one of those rare teachers who not only has command of his craft, but has the unique ability to communicate to a student the skills required to play the banjo. Kris meets the student at their level and guides them at a pace with which they are comfortable. I've been extremely satisfied with my progress, and look forward to picking up the banjo every day!

-Keith Stevens (upper-intermediate/advanced banjo)


I’ve been under the watchful instruction of Kris Brooks for just over 2 years now. I find his teaching very methodical with each advancement carefully planned. Kris has a clear program for productive practice techniques that once mastered, and provided the student allots adequate practice time, is a sure formula for advancing on this difficult instrument. The true value of his simple learning methods for productive practice time cannot be understated! He is also an accomplished musician and composer, who continually demonstrates the progression to follow in order to master both hands, chord shifts, accompaniment, licks, and breaks by ear, but also knows how to make the twang sing mellifluously. Working with Kris has simply taken the frustration out of 3-finger bluegrass banjo allowing me to advance at a pace I didn’t think possible.

As an accomplished sports coach, I know that practice doesn’t necessarily make perfect, but well designed practice drills do. Kris has sagely developed the shortcut that puts all his students immediately on the road to learning with the opportunity to accelerate no matter how accomplished they are. He encourages all of his students to be the best player they can be and instinctively knows how to overcome the hurdles we all encounter along the way. I feel very fortunate to have Kris as my mentor and I’m certain no one could go wrong under his guidance.

-Scott Neese (almost upper-intermediate banjo)


I have been taking lessons from Kris for two years now and thoroughly enjoy it. Kris does an exceptional job of tailoring each lesson to the individual student.

-Dave Norford (advanced banjo …and then some)


I highly recommend Mr. Brooks as an instructor. If he is able to fit you into his schedule you should jump at the chance to take lessons with him.

-Danis Williams (lower-intermediate banjo)


I just wanted to write a quick note about Kris Brooks as a Banjo instructor. I think it would be hard to find a person who knows more about the history and origins of Bluegrass music, and this knowledge translates into his ability to understand and teach Bluegrass banjo.I can say that these are the first music lessons I have EVER taken in my 36 years of life and I have never played any instrument even while in grade school. Kris was able to start basic enough as to allow me to grow and develop my skills at a natural pace and enable me to progress at my own rate. He is understanding of how hard it is to pick up a new instrument and he grasps the natural habits and tendencies that novices can have. I would say I have progressed from a true zero (musical knowledge and ability) to a beginner in one or 2 lessons, and the transition to intermediate is fast a fluid. I am still taking lessons from Kris and enjoying my growth in music.

-Dr. Tripp Stewart (beginner banjo)


FORMER STUDENTS (Charlottesville area):

Our son Zachary took banjo lessons with Kris for 4 years. He started as a beginner needing a lot of work. Kris's thorough teaching of many styles of bluegrass and his practice methods are just what Zach needed. Teaching from his home giving “one-on-one” lessons made Zach feel more relaxed and able to focus. Kris saw Zach's potential early on and had a plan in place for him to work towards. In March 2009 Zachary landed the banjo position with Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain at 17 years old.

Many thanks to Kris for his time and effort. We would recommend lessons with Kris Brooks for anyone wanting to learn to play banjo the right way.

-Kerry and Trisha Gilmer
(parents of Zach Gilmer, professional banjoist …congratulations again, Zach!)


I never thought that I would be capable of playing the banjo like “those guys” on stage, but learning from Kris (one of “those guys”) took me all the way from my first roll, to playing advanced licks I never dreamed of being able to pull off. Kris’s methods of teaching are much more than just telling you where to put your fingers and pick – he really gives you an understanding of the “why” and the “how”, so that you will be able to take any song and figure out what is going on musically and then join in.

I would definitely recommend Kris to anyone thinking about learning, and even to advanced players who want to clean up their picking. My lessons with Kris were definitely a highlight of the week!

-Gordon Giuliano (advanced banjo …and then some)


Kris Brooks taught my teenage son banjo for several years and I sat in on the lessons. Not only is Kris exceedingly proficient at playing the banjo but he is a wonderful teacher who
enthusiastically shares his passion for the instrument. Kris has a great sense of humor and he is a warm, caring individual who establishes a great rapport with his students. I recommend
him highly and without reservation.

-Tom Stumpf (parent of Eric Stumpf, upper-intermediate/lower-advanced banjo)


Kris Brooks is an excellent teacher and a great instrumentalist. He has created a system of instruction that develops the student’s technical skills while providing sufficient material at each level to enable the student to have a satisfying bluegrass experience. He fine-tunes his teaching approach to both the particular technical weaknesses of each student and also to their interests. When selecting a banjo teacher I would recommend Kris Brooks.

-Elizabeth Phillips (almost upper-intermediate banjo)


My son Joe took banjo lessons from Kris Brooks a few years ago, and I would recommend Kris' structured approach to teaching the instrument to any parent looking for a positive and effective music teacher for their child. Kris teaches music with attention to detail and technical discipline, which is the way I wish I had been taught. While using a highly structured approach, he is personally accessible and genuinely interested in the student and their progress. He is absolutely dedicated to passing on the songs, traditions and wisdom used by banjo masters, and I have thoroughly enjoyed playing music with my son as a result. Kris certainly was a great influence on Joe's (and my) musical outlook. I highly recommend Kris Brooks as the best banjo teacher in the area.

-Ralph Edwards (parent of Joe Edwards, upper-intermediate banjo)


FORMER STUDENTS,etc. (Fredericksburg area):

(from email) Joe Emond and I are both still pickin’. In fact, we’re having fun with a garage band (yes, we get together in a friends garage) that gets together whenever we can (sometimes weekly – sometimes monthly – depending on how busy everyone is). We’ve got a couple of banjos and guitars, a mandolin, and a stand-up bass (Joe’s wife). She’s also trying the Dobro occasionally. No fiddle yet, although I try to saw it once in a while. But we have fun trying anyway.

Glad to hear that you’re still teaching. You were very good at it, I thought.

“Kris Brooks not only teaches you how to play, he teaches you how to continue teaching yourself to get better.”

-Mike McCoy (upper-intermediate banjo)


(past testimonials)

I have been taking lessons from Kris thru PICKER’S SUPPLY, Fredericksburg, VA for the past two years. I have found his teaching techniques to be individualized, well organized, thorough, and very meticulous. He is knowledgeable of the music itself, and plays it with ease. He knows how the musical passages should sound, and rapidly critiques his student’s progress, always precisely pinpointing problem areas and identifying correction techniques. The Bluegrass Banjo Instruction Booklet, which he wrote to complement his teaching methodology, is a complete framework of Bluegrass Banjo playing mechanics and music theory. He knows about banjo set-up, and has helped me keep my Stelling Virginian sounding great. Kris also takes his teacher/student involvement out of the classroom, providing helpful hints at numerous jam sessions that we have attended. This has helped me greatly with ear training and with the mechanics of group playing.

-Jesse East (intermediate/advanced level banjo)


The [Bluegrass band] coaching skills of Kris Brooks extend far beyond demonstration and advice. Kris covers all aspects of theory, practice and performance, following tradition of legendary bluegrass bands. Our band advanced to a remarkably higher level in a matter of four months, thanks to Kris Brooks’ expert instruction. The dedication and discipline that he has maintained have now become part of my own; as a result, I have better practice habits, I continue to learn more easily, and I have discovered how to truly listen.

-Lynn Healey (Bluegrass band guitarist/vocalist)


Kris’ musicality is infectious. He teaches in a straightforward, logical manner so that the technical stuff of banjo playing becomes musical and the music becomes logical and understandable. With Kris you see the whole picture, not just the targeted banjo exercises you find in books; his lessons are all about music.

-Bill Jubett (advanced banjo; Fredericksburg area college student)