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Clawhammer Banjo

Save the picks for the bluegrass class.

Clawhammer Banjo is used in old time music. The tunes are both easy and repetitive. It's exciting to build your way to playing in an old time band in which banjos, fiddles, mandolins, and guitars play with energy for cloggers and partner dancers. When you advance, you can branch out into more complex repertoire: French Canadian, Fiddle Tunes of the Midwest, and other specialty classes.
How is clawhammer played?
It is played by rhythmically rapping your right hand downward (as if knocking on a door) and plucking the string or strings along the way. Your right hand's index finger brushes against the strings and then the banjo head underneath the strings, and combined with your thumb catching the uppermost string, you get the trademark rhythmic sound of clawhammer.

Introduction to the Banjo

Beginner

Monday or Tuesday with Chris Walz or Joshua Guy

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

For anyone attracted to the 5-string banjo but not sure which style to try first, this is for you!

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Clawhammer Banjo 1

Beginner

Tuesday with Dan Mulvihill

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Begin by using chords to strum simple songs with a technique known as frailing.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Clawhammer Banjo 2

Intermediate

If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager John Huber with your contact information.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Clawhammer Banjo 3

Advanced

Tuesday or Thursday with Steve Rosen or Dan Mulvihill

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Develop stronger left and right hand techniques in frailing and drop-thumb using hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus or Online

Abstracting Fiddle Melodies for Clawhammer Banjo with Cameron DeWhitt

WorkshopIntermediateNew!

Saturday with Staff

90 minutes  ·  Once a week for 1 week  ·  $35 ($30 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Banjo 2

Intermediate

Monday with Joshua Guy

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Banjo 3

Intermediate

Monday with Joshua Guy

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Clawhammer Banjo 2 Repertoire

Intermediate

Wednesday with Steve Rosen

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $248 ($228 members)

Location: Online

Clawhammer Banjo Workshops with Michael J. Miles

WorkshopIntermediate

Monday with Michael Miles

75 minutes  ·  Once a week for 1 week  ·  $25 ($23 members)

Michael presents his compelling arrangements with the kind of detail that demystifies complexity and establishes pathways for students to arrange their own works.

Location: Online

Clawhammer Gym: An Exercise Routine To Whip The Right Hand Into Shape with Jonas Friddle

WorkshopIntermediateNew!

Saturday with Jonas Friddle

90 minutes  ·  Once a week for 1 week  ·  $30 ($25 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Woody Guthrie for Clawhammer Banjo

IntermediateNew!

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 4 weeks  ·  $124 ($104 members)

Private Lesson Options

Our private lessons like our group classes run in 8-week sessions, however, you can begin private lessons during any week in the session. Please call our customer service folks at 773.728.6000 to register as private lesson availability is based upon individual teacher schedules.

Lessons are scheduled weekly, for 30, 45 or 60 minutes, and are available every day of the week at our Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park locations. Our experienced and professional faculty will work with you to develop an individualized program that helps you achieve your musical goals.

Stop in at either location or call the front desk at 773.728.6000 to register.


8-week Session Prices

$336 for 30 minutes ($326 for members)

$480 for 45 minutes ($465 for members)

$616 for 60 minutes ($596 for members)


Session & Registration Dates

8-week lessons: 03/04/2024 – 04/28/2024

Monday 01/29/24: Re-registration for current students begins

Monday 02/12/24: Transfer registration

Wednesday 02/14/24: Open registration

8-week lessons: 04/29/2024 – 06/23/2024

Monday 03/25/24: Re-registration for current students begins

Monday 04/08/24: Transfer registration

Wednesday 04/10/24: Open registration

8-week lessons: 06/24/2024 – 08/18/2024

Monday 05/20/24: Re-registration for current students begins

Monday 06/03/24: Transfer registration

Wednesday 06/05/24: Open registration

8-week lessons: 09/02/2024 – 10/27/2024

Monday 07/15/24: Re-registration for current students begins

Monday 07/29/24: Transfer registration

Wednesday 07/31/24: Open registration

8-week lessons: 10/28/2024 – 12/22/2024

Monday 09/23/24: Re-registration for current students begins

Monday 10/07/24: Transfer registration

Wednesday 10/09/24: Open registration


Teachers

Click for teacher profiles and schedules

Jonas Friddle »
Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar, Mandolin, Ensembles, Band Coaching, School Partnerships

Michael O'Toole »
Guitar