More About Me
<p>My name is Jeff Whittington. I grew up in Charlotte, N.C.<br />
and begin playing the banjo in 1969. I was very lucky and<br />
met Garland Shuping who was teaching banjo and vocals<br />
at the time. Garland took me under his wing and I began<br />
playing bass fiddle in a band or two that he was involved<br />
with. Garland taught me all that he could and left the area<br />
to play with the Bluegrass Alliance and Jim and Jesse.<br />
I stepped up to the banjo position in the local bands and<br />
teaching banjo in Charlotte.<br />
That led to playing the Grand Ole Opry and Ernest Tubb<br />
Midnight Jamboree. This led to a job as a<br />
staff musician on the ( Dueling Banjos ) Arthur Smith T.V.<br />
Show. I began playing the pedal steel in 1972 and along<br />
the way added the guitar, mandolin, dobro, hammer<br />
dulcimer, mountain dulcimer, harmonica, etc. and<br />
used this variety to establish myself as a session musician in the<br />
the Charlotte area.<br />
My brother and I went to hear the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in<br />
1972 and ended up jamming with John McKuen on several<br />
occasions. He asked me to show him quite a few licks that<br />
J.D. Crowe used with Jimmy Martin on songs like Walkin<br />
Shoes and others. He was preparing for a project later to<br />
become the Will the Circle be unbroken album. John in<br />
turn showed me some classical banjo. Great times !!<br />
I now do a one man show around the Charlotte area using<br />
the instrumentation above. I am fortunate to do about 140<br />
presentations a year for all types of functions.<br />
I recently dropped some instruments at John Boulding's<br />
shop. He convinced me that I should be teaching and so,<br />
I will be doing some instruction via Skype and in person. In person seems to be the best when possible.<br />
The method I will use is the way I learned; quick, concise,<br />
and to the point. No gimmicks, just the fastest way to get<br />
you up and running. So many instructors miss the fundamentals of good solid knowledge of the right and left hand.<br />
Earl Scruggs brought many of us to the banjo. Later came<br />
the driving styles of Crowe, Dillard, Emerson and the great<br />
pickers of the 2nd generation. That is the style that I play the most.<br />
Earl Scruggs foundation with added syncopation and drive.<br />
I look forward to helping you in your journey with the<br />
banjo.<br />
My best ability as a teacher is helping you learn how to teach yourself. That is the true secret of learning how to play what you desire.<br />
<br />
Please check out my sample videos on YouTube.<br />
<br />
Jeff Whittington Demo ( 1 thru ?- posting each day ).<br />
<br />
<br />
Jeff Whittington<br />
704-788-8413<br />
jdw57@windstream.net
</p>
Comments
Jeff can wear out any instrument he picks up (makes me mad,lol) and is a super cool guy to boot. I hope folks take advantage of the opportunity to take lessons. - Banjophobic
Thank you John for encouraging me to begin teaching again. I will be posting some more songs that will be featured in my lesson plans.
Thanks again John !! - Jeff Whittington
I'm a complete beginner and I took an online lesson with Jeff and learned more in an hour than in months of fooling around with books and YouTube. He analyzed what I had already learned and then corrected some bad habits that I had already developed, and gave me a ton of homework until next time! Jeff is a very effective teacher and great guy. I would encourage anyone to give him a try, I think you'll be satisfied! -Matt (flyinbanjos) - flyinbanjos
Jeff is a excellent teacher. Gives great advice and instructions on how to get the most drive and sound from the banjo. Looking forward to his Skype banjo lessons. - br1
Jeff is one of the banjo greats and a fantastic teacher. He listens and has great insight into what a student is missing. Well worth one or many lessons! - JohnWaters
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