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The banjo reviews database is here to help educate people before they purchase an instrument. Of course, this is not meant to be a substitute for playing the instrument yourself!
7136 reviews in the archive.
Hello everyone,
I'd like to share my learning experience with Dan Levenson with everyone. I've played guitar for 30 years (self taught) and figured I could learn clawhammer no problem since I really only needed to master the right hand stroke. However, after 6 months of trying I had little success. I couldn't keep a consistent hand position, my fingers kept shooting out all over the place and I had a ton of tension in my hand and arm.
After getting seriously frustrated, I decided to get in touch with Dan, whom I was a big fan of because of his music and I had heard nothing but good things about his teaching. Living in Canada, in person lessons with him weren't possible and I was a little leery of online lessons. But I wanted to go with someone I'd heard good things about.
I'll try and keep the gushing to a minimum, but the results I got from 3 online lessons were worth 3 times what I payed. During each lesson Dan was engaging and encouraging. He pointed out the things I was doing well and insisted he was just making small tweaks to my technique, but the changes were huge!
My hand position is much more consistent and relaxed, fingers don't move, and the tension is gone. As a result my speed has increased dramatically! I came to Dan just looking to improve my basic stroke/double thumbing but he encouraged my drop thumb technique at the same time and now I'm double and drop thumbing at a much quicker tempo!
The next time I hit a roadblock, I will not hesitate to contact Dan again. His keen eye for technique and gentle encouragement payed off huge for me! Don't be scared by online lessons. Dan's years of teaching experience make him an excellent instructor! I really can't say enough good things about my experience with him. Find out for yourself!
Overall Rating: 10
This review is for David "Davey" Jones of Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Davey is a great professional teacher and is the banjo player of the band "Frontier Ruckus."
I started learning from Davey as a 52 year old beginner with no music background. He is patient, answers all of my questions very well, and teaches according to what I need to learn at the right pace. He introduces new technique or material each week so I always have something new to work on and think about. Not only has he taught me how to play the banjo, but also taught a lot about the equipment (the different banjos, picks, stands, bridges, etc.) When it was time for me to upgrade to a higher quality banjo, Davey's advice was very helpful.
I would not have been able to navigate through the whole learning process without Davey's help. There are endless websites and videos online about learning to play the banjo, but a web page or video can't tell you if you're doing something right or wrong or answer your questions. There is a lot to learn with the banjo and it definitely helps to have a professional guide you through it.
I am a left-handed player and he is able to teach me just as well as the right-handed people.
Overall Rating: 10
I just got started with Devon Wells, and he's an amazing teacher. His enthusiasm for music and the journey of learning music is contagious!
I asked Devon to introduce me to some challenges and exercises to grow my foundation for playing banjo, since I'm very new. In two weeks I've learned a couple of songs and got introduced to techniques I'd never heard of, such as vamping, and some tricks of the trade for being able to jam along with other players.
Overall Rating: 10
Personable, organized, clear, flexible and good pedagogy. I'm learning a lot :)
Overall Rating: 10
I ran into Geoff Hohwald at the Banjo Warehouse in Atlanta. I was there getting my instrument set up (they did an awesome job). I had read his posts on the BHO and had a pretty good idea of his credentials (very accomplished) so it was really cool when he sat down with me and shared multiple tips. He was overly generous with his time and I came away with some valuable knowledge. Geoff relates very well and seems genuinely interested in me becoming a better player.
Overall Rating: 10
I went down to Atlanta for a family thing and decided to try a few banjos. I'll review that elsewhere but wanted to chime in on Geoff as a teacher. As a part of the sale, he gave me two instructional books and spent probably 1/2 hour with an impromptu back-up skills lesson that was clear and concise and very useful. I can't afford to fly down for lessons but will seriously consider one of his camps.
Overall Rating: 10
Paul is a phenomenal teacher and all around great guy. I've been taking lessons with him for almost three years now and gone from not being able to play a single chord to playing banjo in my own bluegrass band. As my skill with the banjo has progressed, the complexity of our lessons have also progressed. I still feel like I get as much out of a lesson after 3 years as I did in the first months.
Lessons are fun and laid back. Topics range from diving into the weeds on particular songs or techniques to general conversations about music theory and how chords/scales fit together on the banjo. Paul usually comes to our lessons with a plan for what we will cover but is always receptive if there's a topic or song that I'm interested in discussing instead. Often our lessons end with us just jamming which is a lot of fun.
Paul is also very connected with the music community in Ithaca, he's introduced me to some great people to play with and tipped me off to some shows I wouldn't have otherwise known about.
Overall I would highly recommend Paul as a teacher to anyone in the Ithaca area looking to improve their banjo playing, regardless of skill level.
Overall Rating: 10
Jody has been great in pushing my boundaries and very intuitive as to the kind of music I enjoy playing. For many years I have been locked into playing simple roll patterns over chords and now the whole musical language of scales has entered my world. Jody has also started me off with some jazz playing at my request. Jody is a patient teacher and excels at pacing lessons to the students ability and needs. I have also learnt some great new songs to play in my band. Highly recommend skype lessons with this guy, great value for money and time.
Overall Rating: 10
Banjo lessons with Paul were an incredible experience. Yes, it was banjo but it transcended licks and songs to blue grass music appreciation. I looked forward to each lesson. Paul was very patient and very perceptive as to where I needed more help or I was not understanding. He adapted to my learning style so I could learn more easily. As I learned more and I wanted to explore new styles or new songs, or techniques, applicable musical theory. Paul facilitated the learning process with a sense of joy and adventure. When there were parts of songs that I just could not do on a given lesson, he would circle back several weeks later and approach the problem measures after giving me a chance to practice similar but simpler fingerings. This time he would try a different approach until I was successful. I strongly encourage anyone wanting to have a great banjo learning experience to contact Paul.
Overall Rating: 10
I have been going to Bob for almost 2 years. He is the best banjo teacher I have had and that's been a few. He goes through things in detail and will record on my camera what items I need review on. He has great experience with groups and jam. He will play guitar along with you to help with timing and getting you where you need to be. Too top that off he is an excellent Luthier. He has taken my 3 banjos and brought new life to all of them. Whether head adjustment, action adjustment or trying different bridges, he wil get the banjo to sound the way you want it to. I really can't say enough about how much he has assisted me.
Overall Rating: 10
Jeff is a great banjo player and is able to teach his skills effectively. He shows great insight into what the student needs. As a plus, one cannot help but like him.
Jeff has mastered drive, nuance, dynamics and technique. I profited greatly from my time with him and hope to again.
Overall Rating: 10
Overall Rating: 6
Great teacher! Bob has worked with me for the 2015 and 2016 Pete Wernick Silver Bay Camps. Wouldn't go if he weren't there. He can teach to any level student and is both patient and supportive. Gives tons of teaching materials. Highly recommend!
Overall Rating: 10
In some ways, I feel stupid submitting a review for a world-class player and teacher, but I noticed there were none on the Banjo Hang Out. So here goes. Tony played a small venue solo show on Friday night here in Rochester at Bernunzio's and then did a nearly 4 hour group lesson the following day. There were probably 15 players and Tony. He was engaging, approachable, and as might be expected, extraordinarily knowledgeable. He interspersed awe-inspiring demonstrations with drills, tab and tricks of the trade. Tony wove the history of bluegrass, of the banjo and his history as a player into the lesson so that there was a perfect combination of how to, when to, and why to do as he instructed. He offered his thoughts on things banjo and described and acknowledged the thoughts of many others as interesting counterpoints. Every question asked by a student was complimented at the outset, answered if possible and then complimented again. He played and taught with joy and energy. If you can't get excited about playing the banjo after watching and listening to Tony and getting a little dose of his magic, you are probably 3 days dead. He also brought doughnuts!
Overall Rating: 10
John is terrific and I can't imagine anyone going wrong with him. He really knows his stuff. He listens to what I am trying to accomplish and then gives me just the right amount of new material each lesson.
I was self-taught for about a year, reading tablature, and memorizing songs, but wanted to learn to play backup with a group. John introduced me to a new way of thinking about banjo music which was exactly what I needed. He taught me chord progressions (up and down the neck, in any key, without a capo), basic licks, slides and rolls. He gave me good suggestions of recordings to practice playing along with. He got me in the practice of simply listening to what the banjo player is doing on recordings.
Thanks fo John my playing has a new energy and excitement.
Overall Rating: 10
I discovered Rick before I knew of his web site. I was surfing Amazon Prime and found his DVD and purchased it. I am glad I did. It is a fine starter in Banjo and a great way to learn. Subsequently discovered his web site and the content there. Needless to say, he is a person who has spent a lot of his personal time creating content for people to learn banjo. I am still learning but stumbled around with a few books without really getting a "hook" into banjo before buying the video and now using the information on his site.
In addition, he is fast to respond to e-mail. I sent him an e-mail with a question on a banjo and his response was fast and we had a very interesting chat about it. Could not be more helpful or friendly.
A look at his web site will also reveal he is not a one trick pony but quite the Renaissance man.
You cannot go wrong with his instruction.
Dan M
Overall Rating: 10
I've been learning from Casey Henry's recorded video lessons for about a year. Mostly her "intermediate" arrangements, which are more fun to play than the simpler arrangements I'd been learning previously from tab. I'm learning songs much faster than I used to and I leave the tabs and the music stand at home these days when I go to a jam. Looking forward to continuing with the "Murphy Method". Thanks, Casey!
Overall Rating: 10
playbetterbanjo.com. I subscribed to Ryan Spearman's "all access" subscription about two months ago and have been extremely satisfied. I'm a one year clawhammer player without a local instructor. I have benefited from other instruction....books by Ken Pearlman, Wayne Erbsen, Pete Seeger, David Holt and a couple of workshops, but had found myself in a rut. Playbetterbanjo.com allowed me to work on some remedial areas of weakness and pushed me to much better left hand skills. The tabs and video instruction are very well done. Ryan effectively uses the videos to clearly show left hand positions, an area that was holding me back.
He is also excellent about replying to email questions quickly, with detailed, personalized responses. He is as close to having a local instructor as I will find.....maybe better.
Overall Rating: 10
Just had a Skype lesson with Jeff Whittington and based on that, believe that Jeff is an excellent banjo teacher. He's upbeat, experienced, and patient. He started right off with four basic rolls and other techniques and then applied these techniques to songs. He didn't hesitate to stop me if I was not on track, and patiently guided me in the right direction. As one who taught for over 30 years, I know the difference between a real teacher, a person who successfully communicates whatever is being taught (or one who does not), and Jeff is in the former category: a fine teacher. I recommend Jeff's banjo teaching to students at any level.
Overall Rating: 10
Jeff is an accomplished player in the hard-driving bluegrass style of JD Crowe. Even though I have only had one lesson from Jeff, he came across as knowledgeable and informative. He provides a strong emphasis on tone and delivery (something you cannot get from reading tab) and is a strong believer in mastering fundamentals. Jeff would be of help to a student at any level.
Overall Rating: 9
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