Banjo Lessons in West Village. Amazing Teachers.

Learn to play either 5-string Clawhammer-Style Banjo, or 4-string Jazz Banjo!

Clawhammer lessons will focus on technique and repertoire building, as well as general musicality.

Jazz lessons will focus on technique, style, improvisational ideas, repertoire, music theory, and rhythmic strengthening. We will also spend time listening to historic recordings of jazz banjo players from the 1920s and 1930s.

My tenor banjo (Irish tuning) teaching style consists of a fun, relaxed, and engaging student paced learning environment.
My instruction is always tailored to my student's short term, and long term goals.
My promise to you as my student is that together we will discover what it takes for you to become a proficient musician with the ability to perform in front of any audience.
My classes with you will include the following content:
• Warm up exercises
• Fundamentals
• Mindfulness techniques
• Note reading
• Tab reading
• Sight reading
• Left hand/ right hand techniques
• Burst practicing (burnout prevention)
• Micro movements/economy of motion
• Proper posture both sitting and standing
• Stage performance techniques
• Embellishments
• Improvisation
• Unorthodox techniques
• Scales and Keys
• Theory
• Fretboard mastery
• Chords (all types)
• Songwriting
• Transcription
• Memorization
• Self sufficiency

I have been playing and teaching banjo since 2006, and I'm always very excited to introduce new students to this unique instrument. I focus on the "Scruggs-style" method of playing 5-string banjo, and we'll work on techniques used in common bluegrass and folk tunes. As you advance, I'll help you in creating your own banjo solo breaks.

"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!"

Josh has been playing and performing music for over 13 years. He has achieved a bachelor's degree in instrumental music education and has experience as an instructor teaching private students and group classes for over 7 years. He has studied instrumental music education including areas of classical music, jazz, theory, history, and improvisation.

I have been playing bluegrass banjo for over 20 years, and have performed for events such as Thanksgiving dinners at hotels, folk clubs, bluegrass festivals, and fundraisers. In addition to playing and teaching banjo, I play and teach guitar and piano, with guitar being my main instrument. I am no Earl Scruggs, but I am a great teacher for beginners and intermediate players. As a teacher, I am patient, intuitive, and always tailor the lessons to fit the interests and learning styles of each individual student.