Introduction to the Banjo
Beginner
Tuesday or Thursday with Chris Walz or Matt Brown
80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members)
For anyone attracted to the 5-string banjo but not sure which style to try first, this is for you!
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.
21st Century Banjo Repertoire
Advanced
Tuesday with Matt Brown
80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members)
Learn to play some of your favorite contemporary songs on the banjo!
Clawhammer Banjo 1
Beginner
Tuesday with Dan Mulvihill
80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members)
Begin by using chords to strum simple songs with a technique known as frailing.
Clawhammer Banjo 2
Intermediate
Thursday with Steve Rosen
80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members)
Go beyond the basics with Clawhammer techniques such as drop-thumbing, while playing more challenging songs and fiddle tunes.
Clawhammer Banjo 3
Advanced
Tuesday or Thursday with Steve Rosen or Dan Mulvihill
80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members)
Develop stronger left and right hand techniques in frailing and drop-thumb using hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides.
Mixolydian Grooves & The Banjo
IntermediateNew!
80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members)
Music of Ireland & Puerto Rico
IntermediateNew!
80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members)
Summertime Clawhammer Blues
IntermediateNew!
80 minutes · Once a week for 8 weeks · $202 ($192 members)
Round Peak Clawhammer Banjo
WorkshopAdvanced
Saturday with Matt Brown
90 minutes · Once a week for 1 week · $25 ($24 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
$288 for 30 minutes ($278 for members)
$416 for 45 minutes ($401 for members)
$536 for 60 minutes ($516 for members)
Session & Registration Dates
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
8-week lessons: 09/03/2018 – 10/28/2018
Monday 07/16/18: Re-registration for current students begins
Monday 07/30/18: Transfer registration
Wednesday 08/01/18: Open registration
Teachers
Click for teacher profiles and schedules
Dave Bragman »
Banjo, Guitar
Matt Brown »
Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar
Jonas Friddle »
Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar, Mandolin, Ensembles, Band Coaching
Ed Holstein »
Guitar, Banjo
Michael O'Toole »
Guitar, Ukulele, Fiddle, Banjo, Mandolin, Theory, Improvisation
