Feb 5 – 26: More Jam Tunes for Clawhammer Banjo with Molly Tenenbaum

Four Thursdays, February 5, 12, 19, 26

7:45pm – 8:45pm

Dusty Strings 3406 Fremont Ave N

Maximum Enrollment: 16

Registration & Refund Deadline: Saturday, January 31, 2026

Mixed levels - from beginning to intermediate. Learn a selection of tunes that many old-time players know and that you are likely to hear at jams. The more of these tunes you know, the more you’ll be able to join in and play along; besides, these tunes give you skills for learning future tunes on your own. Each week of class focuses on a different key/tuning (G, A, D, and C or Modal), and covers as many pieces as we can in the time, usually two tunes. Each tune will be offered with simpler and more complex options for players of varied experience. If you’ve taken this class before, know that I’ll be teaching different tunes this session than the last time I offered it.

Skills Needed: Basic frailing (the “bum-ditty” pattern) at a medium speed, ability to play through a tune you know well several times at an even tempo (slow is fine), the G tuning  with the C and D7 chords, and the Double-C tuning with the C, F, and G chords. Drop thumb is optional, but convenient. The class will review these things, but only briefly before we focus on repertoire.

What to Bring: 5-string banjo in playable condition, tuner, capo, recording device (smartphone or other), paper and a pen or pencil. Need to rent a banjo? Dusty Strings has an affordable rental program. Please call (206) 634-1662 or come to the shop between 10:30am – 6pm as rentals are subject to availability.

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.

*Most classes and workshops are geared towards late-teens and adults. Younger learners will benefit most starting with private lessons.

If you have any questions about group classes, or the school in general, don’t hesitate to contact us at (206) 634-1662 or music@dustystrings.com.