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Guitar Gambia 5:470:00/5:47
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Alive in Spain 3:170:00/3:17
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Guitar Zambia 5:470:00/5:47
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Blackbird 1:580:00/1:58
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0:00/2:27
Banjo Tuition
5 String Banjo Tuition from my home teaching studio in Hazel Grove, Stockport, online via Skype/Zoom or in the comfort of your own home via my mobile teaching service.
I teach the following banjo styles:
Bluegrass 3 finger
The most popular banjo style - the one most people associate with the instrument and the one I usually teach beginners.
Folk 'frailing'
A strum/brush style - mixed with loose fingerpicking, often associated with folk songs and folk instrumental music.
Old time 2 finger
A style associated with civil war era banjo, using just the thumb and index finger of the right hand.
Contemporary 4 finger
This is basically right hand classical guitar technique on banjo. People who are familiar with Bluegrass style sometimes like to explore this approach.
Classic Banjo
A fingerpicking approach used to play the many 1000s of Waltzes, Marches, Polkas & Ragtime tunes composed for the instrument in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This is a very niche style, making a comeback and it's the only one where you are required to learn to read music. It's often misunderstood as being 'Classical Banjo' when in fact the music played are the popular tunes of the day.
Whichever style you choose, I teach Absolute beginner to advanced levels. Most of my banjo students begin learning with me from scratch. All ages welcome.
The banjo is a fascinating instrument. At least in this country, it's seen as one of the more radical musical instruments you can learn. In America, Bela Fleck gave the banjo a sophistication in the 1990s and now a new generation of players - such as Nora Brown and Rhianna Giddens - are transforming the instrument into something far more subtle than the old 'duelling banjos' stereotype.
A good banjo player truly stands out in any social or musical situation and learning to play it is a rewarding 'road less travelled' that you won't regret taking.
The general consensus is that the banjo is more difficult than guitar in the early stages but after a few months it becomes easier than guitar to make real progress.
In addition to learning solo banjo music, we will work together to bring your playing to a level and confidence where you can jam with other musicians.
I'm passionate about teaching the banjo in a way which encourages you to partake in real music-making with good technique, musicality and rhythm.
Lesson Rates:
£18 for 30 minutes
£24 for 40 minutes
£36 for 60 minutes
Mobile Lessons (In Your Home):
£24 for 40 minutes
£36 for 60 minutes
I travel within a 10 mile radius of Hazel Grove.
Rik Roberts on Banjo
Lesson Cancellation Policy
Lessons cancelled with less than 24 hours-notice are charged at the full lesson price.