Banjo lessons: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What banjo lessons is

A banjo teacher shows picking patterns, rolls and chords in styles such as bluegrass or clawhammer, and tailors lessons to the number of strings you play. People book banjo lessons to join a jam, learn a specific style or get past a picking pattern that keeps falling apart.

Signs you need it

  • You want Scruggs-style rolls for bluegrass but cannot get the pattern to flow
  • You own a five string banjo and are not sure whether to pick with fingers or a pick
  • Your right hand loses the rhythm in the middle of a roll
  • You want to learn clawhammer for old-time tunes
  • You want to play with others at a jam and need to keep up with the tempo

What the pro does

  • Asks whether you have a five string, a four string tenor or a plectrum banjo and tailors lessons to it
  • Teaches the basic roll patterns for bluegrass or the clawhammer strokes for old-time style
  • Shows how to hold the banjo and where to place your picking hand
  • Works through standard chords and how to change between them in a tune
  • Builds the timing you need to play at a jam with other players

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Five string, four string tenor or plectrum banjo, since each needs different patterns
  • Bluegrass, clawhammer or other style focus
  • Teacher experience with the style you choose
  • Lesson length and how many lessons you book each week
  • Whether the teacher comes to your home or you travel to a studio
  • Picks, a capo, a tuner or a tune book you need to buy

What a written quote should spell out

  • Which banjo type and style the plan is built around
  • The number and length of lessons and whether they are private or shared
  • The cancellation and makeup policy for missed lessons
  • Which tune books or accessories you must buy yourself
  • Whether lessons are in person, at your home or online

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Which banjo do I need, and do you teach five string, tenor or plectrum?
  • Do you teach bluegrass rolls, clawhammer or both?
  • Which tunes will we work on first, and how do they match my level?
  • How will you help me keep time at a jam?
  • If the student is a minor, do you run background checks, and what is your policy on parents in the room?
  • What should I do about finger soreness when I start?

Red flags

  • Teaches a single style and says every banjo player must play it
  • Pushes you to buy a premium banjo before showing you the basics
  • Ignores your banjo type and teaches patterns that do not fit it
  • Does not explain how they check your timing or your roll

What you can do yourself

You can tune the banjo, learn the names of the strings, and practice slow picking with a metronome. Leave neck, bridge and head adjustments to a repair shop rather than changing them yourself. Hire a teacher when a roll keeps breaking down, when you want to learn a specific style, or when your picking hand hurts.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to teach banjo lessons. Check with your state or local licensing agency if you are unsure whether a teaching business needs a registration.

Banjo lessons questions

Do I need my own banjo to take lessons?

Yes. Bring the banjo you plan to play, and ask the teacher whether your type fits the style you want.

Should I learn bluegrass or clawhammer first?

It depends on the music you want to play. Tell the teacher which jams or tunes you are aiming for so they can recommend one.

How do I book a banjo teacher on infinibell?

Describe the lessons you want, including your banjo type, style and level. Pick the teachers you want by name. Only the teachers you pick see your request, and it is free for you.

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