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Teaches Lessons:
In Person
Styles:
Clawhammer and Old-Time
Levels:
Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Teacher Since: 1992
Pricing: free - sliding scale donation
Listing Created: 11/18/2011
Listing Updated: 11/19/2011
More About Me
--- If you have a banjo, you can learn how to play it....
Learning how to play to Old Timey Banjo is so much fun!
~~learning to play the banjo is a journey, not a destination~~
I have been playing music for over 25 years and I love to teach people how to play banjo! I collect old banjos and enjoy teaching and learning about banjos.
I have successfully taught beginners and have helped advanced players learn new ideas in the style of Claw Hammer banjo & Knockdown banjo.....
From learning how to tune your banjo to figuring out complicated finger patterns.....and jamming with a fiddler & band ......I may be able to get you to the "next" level.
I have a web site: www.banjofrailer.com where you can hear me play banjo and ALL the music is free to download. The banjo is a great American instrument and I feel the music should be available to all. Rooted in the African American history I try and approach it from the banjo's early story. The banjo's colorful biography is something which I feel are the basic threads of our history. The banjo is a combination of many, many cultures....
Philosophy of Teaching: I do not typically charge for lessons. Yes, I usually give free lessons. It traditionally takes two or three meetings for a few hours to get someone started and ready to play on their own.... We can use tab, our ears, and recordings to get you started. I have a great sensitivity for banjo music. I believe in assimilation. I try and teach the basic mechanics of the frailing / clawhammer / knockdown style so you can begin to grasp the knowledge it takes to develop the skills needed to "play that banjo!"
The banjos alluring sound is easy to appreciate and with some time and proper instruction can be learned in a short period of time if there is dedication and practice. It is truly a wondrous instrument to play !
History: I was a youngster when the "Folk Revival" occurred int the 1970's. I had many opportunities to hear first hand -much of the music as a grade school child. Much of it stuck, too! By 16 I was playing both guitar and banjo...I quickly decided I would focus on the ethereal quality of Old-time music and its roots.
I love music from the 1930' and 1940's ... I have been guided by: Bruce Molsky, Mac Bendord, Ray Alden, Dan Levenson, and many others......
I play banjo because it is refreshing and satisfying to just sit around playing tunes on a old banjo. You can enjoy this enchanting instrument too.....
I also can do workshops & motivational banjo talks.
I am a New York Sate Certified Teacher.
contact me: banjofrailer@musicin.org
You can find me on youtube as "knockdownbanjo" or see my web site: banjofrailer.com
