Chicago, IL Banjo Lessons

"I've been teaching Banjo for 15 years and my students have gone on to develop a deep love of Banjo , study country, folk, Irish traditional and bluegrass music and more! Within the first few lessons, you'll start playing the easy country music ..you'll be able to play like a pro! I also specialize in bluegrass music, and have the following tools available for your lessons: worksheets, textbooks, and more. I love working with students of all experience levels and espero contar con su presencia!"

I've played guitar since I was eight years old and various other stringed instruments for several years. I love the banjo sound and played a bit on my original album Heliotropism. I'd love to help novice players get their feet wet with the instrument, strumming and plucking away at their favorite songs.

When you sign up for banjo lessons, you will begin by learning the basics of the instrument including proper holding and playing position, tone production, rhythm, first position notes,basic chords and notation. Once you get the basics down, you will learn how to play your favorite songs regardless of style. All of this can happen within the first 4-6 months of playing.

I teach all styles, including Clawhammer and Scruggs. Currently I play Banjo in local bands The Como Avenue Jug Band, Four Pints Shy, and The Brian Just Band.

I'm a very eclectic banjo player and play everything from bluegrass and folk to classic rock and jazz covers. I can teach a solid technical background while also giving students a strong musical base to build upon.

I am a 5 year banjo player and teacher and studied at the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music. I can teach bluegrass, folk, or country banjo.

There are many ways to cultivate your musical skill whether it's visual, kinesthetic, or auditory. Let's find out which way works best for you!

Most schools do not offer the flexibility in learning styles necessary for you to find your ideal way of processing new information, whether it be visual, auditorial, kinesthetic, memetic, right brain/left brain, etc.

That's why I'm here! I pride myself on working with each individual student on the subtle ways that they learn and form healthy habits. If you have any questions about my teaching styles or methods please ask!

A little more about me:

I have over 10 years of guitar experience, studying under Jazz heavyweights Corey Christiansen, Oteil Burbridge, and Dan Miller. I pride myself in putting my students needs and wants above all else. I wish to impart a love for music onto my students that can only be cultivated by the bond a teacher and their student share, let us learn and grow together!

I became interested in clawhammer banjo while teaching guitar at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago in the late nineties. It is a ton of fun to play and I soon got hooked. My background as a multi-instrumentalist gives me a unique perspective on clawhammer and I use this technique not only to play/teach Old Time, but other musical styles as well.
Please note that I ONLY teach clawhammer and not 3 finger (Scruggs) style. Available to ages 13 and up.

I teach a 3 finger style of Banjo playing and how to read, hear, and play music. I teach you how to play the chords, read the tablature and play by ear.

s incredible as touring and performing can be, I have a huge passion for teaching banjo too. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an advanced player, it’s important to me to show you that banjo is not just a bluegrass instrument, but an incredibly versatile conduit to EVERY type of music.

Though I mostly teach three-finger style (from beginner to advanced lessons), I teach the occasional clawhammer lesson as well. We can talk about anything you’d like– I maintain the importance of keeping lessons personal and only going in the direction you want.