First FridayFriday, May 4
8 & 16-Week Classes: January 8 - April 29
Registration is Open Now! »
8-Week Classes: March 5 - April 29
Registration Opens to All on January 29 »
Kids Summer Camps
Registration is Open! »
Gift Certificates · Financial Aid · Class Policies
8-Week Classes: March 5 - April 29
Registration is Open Now! »
Gift Certificates · Financial Aid · Policies · Resource Center
4544 N. LINCOLN AVE: 773.751.3398
Monday - Thursday 10:30 AM - 8:30 PM
Friday - Sunday 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
909 W. ARMITAGE AVE: 773.525.1506
Monday - Thursday 1:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Friday - Sunday 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Celebrating the rich variety of our musical community - jump on in!
Explore a World of Banjo Bliss!
Our banjo classes are divided into three main styles: Clawhammer,
Bluegrass, and Two-Finger.
If you are not sure which style to play, try Introduction to the Banjo and get a taste of all three styles in one eight-week class.
Music is more fun with others! All of our core banjo classes teach you how to jam and perform with other instruments and vocalists. Many of our ensemble classes that feature banjo players can be found here under "Country & Traditional Ensembles."
Country & Traditional Ensembles » Introduction to the Banjo | Group ClassBeginner 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members) Tuesday or Thursday with Chris Walz or Matt Brown For anyone attracted to the 5-string banjo but not sure which style to try first, this is for you! Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional · Old Time · Folk · Clawhammer | |
| 21st Century Banjo Repertoire | Group ClassAdvanced 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members) Tuesday with Matt Brown Learn to play some of your favorite contemporary songs on the banjo! Grouped with: Bluegrass · Clawhammer · Artist Specific · Two-Finger | |
| Clawhammer Banjo 1 | Group ClassBeginner 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members) Tuesday with Dan Mulvihill Begin by using chords to strum simple songs with a technique known as frailing. Grouped with: Country & Traditional · Old Time · Folk · Clawhammer | |
| Clawhammer Banjo 2 | Group ClassIntermediate 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members) Thursday with Steve Rosen Go beyond the basics with Clawhammer techniques such as drop-thumbing, while playing more challenging songs and fiddle tunes. Grouped with: Country & Traditional · Old Time · Folk · Clawhammer | |
| Clawhammer Banjo 3 | Group ClassAdvanced 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members) Tuesday or Thursday with Steve Rosen or Dan Mulvihill Develop stronger left and right hand techniques in frailing and drop-thumb using hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides. Grouped with: Country & Traditional · Old Time · Folk · Clawhammer | |
| Mixolydian Grooves & The Banjo | Group ClassIntermediateNew! 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members) Monday with Michael Miles Grouped with: Clawhammer | |
| Music of Ireland & Puerto Rico | Group ClassIntermediateNew! 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members) Grouped with: Celtic · Latin · Clawhammer | |
| Summertime Clawhammer Blues | Group ClassIntermediateNew! 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members) Grouped with: Blues · Clawhammer | |
| Bluegrass Banjo 1 | Group ClassBeginner 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members) Thursday with Chris Walz The first of five classes in the Bluegrass Banjo series that will take you through the techniques needed to play in a bluegrass style. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional | |
| Bluegrass Banjo 1 Repertoire | Group ClassBeginner 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members) Tuesday with Dave Bragman Now you've got some chords, right hand rolls, and tunes under your fingers, Bluegrass Banjo 1 Repertoire will teach tunes that will strengthen your bluegrass skills. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional | |
| Bluegrass Banjo 2 | Group ClassIntermediate 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members) If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager Ian Wilson with your contact information. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional | |
| Bluegrass Banjo 2 Repertoire | Group ClassIntermediate 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members) Thursday with Chris Walz Master advanced songs and build up the skills you have learned since Bluegrass Banjo 1. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional | |
| Bluegrass Banjo 3 | Group ClassIntermediate 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members) If you would like to be contacted when this class runs again, please email Program Manager Ian Wilson with your contact information. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional | |
| Bluegrass Banjo 4 - Earl Scruggs | Group ClassAdvanced 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members) Thursday with Chris Walz Earl Scruggs was the father of Bluegrass Banjo and this class will study the tunes from the album “Foggy Mountain Banjo”. Grouped with: Bluegrass · Country & Traditional · Artist Specific | |
| Two-Finger Banjo 1 | Group ClassBeginner 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members) Monday with Matt Brown We will start off in G tuning (gDGBD) with simple melodies in the two-finger "thumb lead" style. Grouped with: Old Time · Folk · Two-Finger | |
| Two-Finger Banjo 2 | Group ClassIntermediate 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members) Wednesday with Matt Brown We will go to D tuning (aDADE) and learn common tunes like “Soldier's Joy” and popular songs like “I'll Fly Away.” Grouped with: Old Time · Folk · Two-Finger | |
| Two-Finger Banjo 3 | Group ClassAdvanced 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members) Grouped with: Old Time · Two-Finger | |
| Two-Finger Banjo 4 | Group ClassAdvanced 80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members) Grouped with: Old Time · Two-Finger |
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 lessons: 03/05/2018 – 04/29/2018
Monday 01/29/18: Re-registration for current students begins
Monday 02/12/18: Transfer registration
Wednesday 02/14/18: Open registration
8-week lessons: 04/30/2018 – 06/24/2018
Monday 03/26/18: Re-registration for current students begins
Monday 04/09/18: Transfer registration
Wednesday 04/11/18: Open registration
8-week lessons: 06/25/2018 – 08/19/2018
Monday 05/21/18: Re-registration for current students begins
Monday 06/04/18: Transfer registration
Wednesday 06/06/18: Open registration
Click for teacher profiles and schedules
The Old Town School of Folk Music, Inc.
4544 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago IL 60625 • 773.728.6000
