Jan. 25 - Feb. 15: Explore Clawhammer Banjo Tunings with Molly Tenenbaum

Explore Clawhammer Banjo Tunings

Molly Tenenbaum

$150

Four Saturdays, Jan 25, Feb 1, Feb 8, Feb 15

1:15 PM – 2:30 PM

Dusty Strings, 3406 Fremont Ave N

Maximum Enrollment: 16

Registration & Refund Deadline: Wednesday, January 22

There’s more to life than G and Double-C! Some of the most intriguing and atmospheric sounds of the banjo arise from the many tunings that are possible on the instrument. Each week we’ll explore a tuning and some of its variations, and learn a tune or two to get you started on a repertoire in that tuning or tuning family. Along the way, we’ll cover tips for tuning faster and more easily. Among the tunings I hope to cover: Open D (f#DF#AD), Last Chance (fCFCD), Classical C (gCGBD), and Cumberland Gap aka “Old G” (pitches are relative!), and maybe variations on Double-C. Written handouts and links to source recordings will be provided.

Skills needed: Students should be somewhat comfortable with basic frailing, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides. Familiarity with G or Double-C tunings is helpful: even though we won’t be in those tunings, they are good starting points for getting to the tunings we’ll explore. You’ll also need a spirit of play and adventure as we twist those pegs up and down. Wonder whether this is the right class for you? Contact Molly at mtbenny at gmail dot com.

What to bring: What to bring: 5-string banjo in playable condition, tuner, capo, recording device (phone or other), paper and pen/pencil. Extra strings just in case: I don’t think we will break strings, as we usually tune lower rather than higher than usual, but if your strings are old, they could be getting brittle at some of the stress points, and anyway, new strings tune more easily than old ones. Besides, one should always carry extra strings. Don’t know what gauge to get? Dusty Strings staff can help.

About the Teacher: Molly teaches old-time clawhammer banjo (also called “frailing” or “overhand” style). A banjo teacher since 1987, Molly guides students to be independent players and learners, emphasizing old-time traditional repertoire from diverse sources. She deeply loves old-time music and is always excited to get students involved in the music and the community. Molly has been playing old-time banjo since she was a teenager and has since performed around the Pacific Northwest with bands including The Queen City Bulldogs and Dram County. She’s taught locally and nationally at camps including American Banjo Camp, Augusta, and The Festival of American Fiddle Tunes.