North Carolina Banjo Clinic to be held in Asheville, Nov. 13 & 14

The North Carolina Banjo Clinic, a two-day banjo instruction intensive, will be held in Asheville on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13 and 14.

From the event website:

Times & pricing:

• Dates: Friday November 13 & Saturday November 14, 2015.
• Doors open at 8:00 am daily.
• Regular 2-day clinic price is $295.00 (beginning October 2.) Early-Bird pricing at $275 if paid in full by October 1.
• Daily Rates: Friday @ $150.00. Saturday @ $150.00.
• Clinic Deposit: $100 holds you place. (Enjoy Early Bird rate if paid by October 1, 2015.
• Payment terms: Cash, check, or credit card. (We accept all credit cards. Phoning in the number is fine.) Register now.

Class information:

• Classes are offered in Scruggs, Old Time/ Clawhammer, and limited Melodic-style banjo.
• Instructional sessions range from one hour and fifteen minutes to an hour and a half each.
Class schedule
• Friday evening, the building will remain open late for those who want to jam.
• 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.
• As always banjo setup will be offered all day Friday by Tom McKinney and part of the day on Saturday by Warren Yates. Please schedule banjo setup with us beforehand.
• You are free to record and/ or video your clinic classes.

Levels of instruction:

1. Novice: Start from the ground up. No experience.
2. Beginner: Limited experience. May know a few tunes, primary chords, and rolls.
3. Intermediate: Experienced. Possibly in a band, can jam, understands the basics. Seeks more consistent sound and timing. May have trouble finding the melody.
4. 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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

5. 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.