The North Carolina Banjo Clinic

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Times & pricing:

Dates: Friday November 11 & Saturday November 12, 2011.
Doors open at 8:00 am daily.
Regular 2-day clinic price is $325.00 (beginning October 2.) Early-Bird pricing at $285 is in force until October 1.
Daily Rates: Friday @ $175.00. Saturday @ $200.00.
Payment terms: Cash, check, or credit card. (We accept all credit cards.)
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Classes are offered in Scruggs, Old Time/ Clawhammer, and Melodic-style banjo.
Instructional sessions range from one hour and fifteen minutes to an hour and a half each.
Class schedule
The Friday night Banjo Concert and jams last into the evening.
What will you need? Bring a 5-string banjo, picks, capo, extra strings, a wire music stand, and writing material.
(We highly recommend electronic tuners.)
Depending on schedule, private lessons will again be available both days with the instructor of your choice.
You are free to record and/ or video your clinic classes.

Novice: Start from the ground up. No experience.
Beginner: Limited experience. May know a few tunes, primary chords, and rolls.
Intermediate: Experienced. Possibly in a band, can jam, understands the basics. Seeks more consistent sound and timing. May have trouble finding the melody.
Advanced: Serious players. Can play up to speed without sacrificing technique, tone, or clarity. Ready for new ideas and an individual style. Seeking a professional sound.
Our instructors

Class Overview:

Novice BGB: For students new to the banjo, our Novice Class is a continuos 2-day study that begins with banjo basics and works toward the goal of having all students play a tune before the clinic ends. Among other topics; picks, holding the instrument, essential accessories, basic maintenance, string tuning, reading tab, anchoring the right hand, picking rolls, primary G chords, hammer-ons, pull offs, slides, and timing will be taught. This is a tabulature and written information class.

Beginner BGB: Beginner Banjo is a continuous 2-day class. Topics will include developing listening skills, overcoming obstacles, practise routines, developing better left and right-hand coordination, more intricate rolls, left-hand technique, runs, a touch of chord theory, how-to produce better tone, elementary backup techniques, timing, and a few kick-offs and endings. (2) Song Study sessions will be taught in the Beginner class. Arrangements for both songs will be basic. Students are expected to know the primary G chords, how to tune, basic rolls, and a few songs. This is a tabulature and written information class.

Intermediate and Advanced Classes: More advanced topics will be covered in these clasess. I/A students are encouraged to switch between Intermediate and Advanced Sessions if topics seem appealing. Often, the material taught can be understood and played by Intermediate players. If a class proves too technical, you are always free to switch to another class.

Alternative Picking Styles: Though Melodic-Style playing tends to be for more advanced students, the same principle as described above applies. If a class is appealing, try it. You might be suprised at how fast you catch on. Once you grasp the elements of Melodic banjo, a path opens to being able to play note-for-note fiddle tunes.

Beginner OTB: Beginning OTB class is structred to accept players new to the banjo. The basics will be covered as well as technique and tunes. This is a tabulature and written information class.

Intermediate OTB: Climbing a level above beginner OTB banjo, Intermediate OTB will focus on improving chord and drop-thumb (right hand) technique while exploring the rich tapestry of Western North Carolina OTB tunes. Several regional OTB tunes will be taught. Students are expected to know the primary G chords, how-to tune, basic right-hand technique, and a few songs. This is a tabulature and written information class.

The 2010 North Carolina Banjo Clinic has moved to the Newbridge Baptist Church in Asheville. The result, more and bigger rooms, all with grease boards.
The Friday night instructor concert and jam will happen five minutes from the church at the Four Points Sheraton in downtown Asheville.

As we respond to all email clinic inquiries, if you email us and do not receive a response, please call. Thank you.