Private Banjo Lessons
Weekly Lessons
If you are interested in taking private lessons, I'm presently taking on new clawhammer banjo students at my home in Harrisville, Utah (just north of Ogden).
Note: If your schedule won't allow you to take weekly lessons, or if all my available lesson slots are full, you might want to consider taking an occasional extended lesson/workshop. I have more information on this option posted at the bottom of this page.
I have been a private banjo instructor for over twenty years. In that time I have developed teaching methods covering all of the techniques needed for a student to become an accomplished clawhammer player. A visit to my clawhammer page will give you an idea of the number and quality of my teaching materials and arrangements.
After my students master the basic techniques, we begin studying "Arrangement Development"; the art of arranging music. My goal is to get my students to that level where they can take any song and create their own banjo arrangement from scratch. No musician should have to rely on another player's arrangements (tablatures) forever!
The cost of a 40 minute private lesson is 25.00. Take note that most instructors just teach 30 minute lessons but I have found this to be inadequate. I teach Tuesday through Thursday in Harrisvile. (I also teach Mondays in Salt Lake but it's almost impossible to get into one of these lesson spots as they are filled by long-time students.)
If you are interested in lessons, you can check my teaching schedule by clicking here.
If want to sign up for one of the available slots, contact me by e-mail at bluesage@relia.net
or by phone at (801)782-0534.
You can download a copy of my lesson policies sheet (pdf file) by "right clicking" (Windows) or "ctrl clicking" (Mac) here.
As far as I know, I'm the only instructor in Utah who specializes in the clawhammer (frailing) style of banjo. Because of this, I have students who travel great distances to take lessons. Before you sign up for lessons, consider the driving time it will take to get to my studio and decide if you are willing to clear that much time from your schedule for lessons. Here is the approximate driving times from various locations in our area:
From Ogden: 5 miles (10 min)
From Roy: 12 miles (15 min)
From Brigham City: 20 miles (25 min)
From Layton: 20 miles (25 min)
From Bountiful: 34 miles (38 min)
From Tremonton: 34 miles (38 min)
From Downtown Salt Lake: 45 miles (50 min)
From Sandy: 55 miles (1 hr)
From Malad, ID: 67 miles (1 hr, 10 min)
Tooele: 73 miles (1 hr, 15 min)
From Orem: 83 miles (1 hr, 20 min)
From Evanston, Wyo: 83 miles (1 hr, 20 min)
From Provo: 86 miles (1 hr, 30 min)
Single Lesson/Workshop
If you are learning clawhammer banjo on your own, you might consider taking an occasional "coaching" session. I've had a lot of players asking for single, intense, one-on-one lessons and have decided on a format for these requests.
On Wednesdays and Fridays (my days to work on the website, banjo tabs, band promotions, blog, etc.), I'll be scheduling a few "coaching sessions" at my home in Harrisville. The cost will be 150.00 per session. They will differ from my regular lessons in the following ways:
They will only be available to those who are already playing some clawhammer banjo (those just starting out should wait until a regular lesson slot opens up). Participants must be able to play at least a couple of clawhammer pieces from memory.
These sessions will run from 1 1/2 to 2 hours, and possibly even longer (regular lessons last 40 min.). I need plenty of time to evaluate the student's playing technique and come up with appropriate corrective exercises if needed.
I expect those participating to bring some sort of recording devise, preferably a camcorder. Digital or tape recorders are also acceptable.
Participants should come prepared with as many questions as possible! These can relate to technique, music theory, arranging for banjo, or specific tabs you might be working on (if not mine, than make sure you bring the tab(s) with you).
To schedule at lesson (or workshop), contact me at: (801)782-0534.
Thanks.... Mike