Private Banjo 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).
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)
Thanks.... Mike