Seeking old-time banjo teacher in NYC

Subject: Seeking old-time banjo teacher in NYC
From: JWB
Date: 06 Oct 09 - 04:53 PM

Fellow 'Catters,

My daughter has, bless her, decided to learn clawhammer banjo. She had a week of lessons from Richie Stearns at Meadowlark Music Camp in August, and is looking for an instructor to work with in the greater NY area. She lives in Norwalk, CT, and comes to the City regularly for boyfriend purposes (Washington Heights), so a teacher based in Manhattan would be ideal.

I would be much obliged for any suggestions and leads.

Many thanks,

Jerry

Subject: RE: Seeking old-time banjo teacher in NYC
From: Mark Ross
Date: 06 Oct 09 - 06:39 PM

Get in touch with Jack Baker at the Fretted Instruments School of Guitar
& Banjo. He teaches Scrugg style, but he can put you in touch with frailing teachers.




http://www.frettedinstrumentsnyc.com/

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Seeking old-time banjo teacher in NYC
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 06 Oct 09 - 07:27 PM

Roger Sprung is a legendary banjo player (all kinds, bluegrass, old-time, progressive, anything) and is also known to be an excellent teacher. He teaches at his home in Newtown, CT, and also does one day a week at his studio in Manhattan.

http://rogersprung.com/

In fact, I'm producing a show called Banjo 101 on Oct 16 in Branford, CT which includes Roger and 3 other banjo players (Frank Shaw, Joel Schiavone and Kevin Fontaine). Here's some of the writeup I put together for Roger's portion of the press release:

Roger's musical roots go back to the folk music scene of Washington Square in New York's Greenwich Village in the 40's and 50's. He has recorded more than 48 albums, and his three classic Progressive Bluegrass LPs are now available as CDs from Smithsonian Folkways along with later recordings. He has recorded with Doc Watson and numerous others, played with Woody Guthrie, Jean Ritchie and Willie Nelson, recorded for Moses Asche, toured with Kay Starr, and appeared on TV in the 1960s on Cajun Country and The Jimmy Dean Show. He has been featured at outdoor concerts at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.

Roger currently teaches banjo and related instruments at his studio in Newtown, CT and in NYC, and performs with his band The Progressive Bluegrassers along with Hal Wylie, his music partner of over 25 years. In 1970, at the Old Time Fiddler's and Bluegrass Festival in Union Grove, NC, Roger Sprung was awarded the trophy for World Champion Banjo Player. In 2009, he was honored at the Pioneers of Bluegrass celebration in Owensboro, KY for his contribution to bluegrass music.

Highly recommended.

Subject: RE: Seeking old-time banjo teacher in NYC
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 06 Oct 09 - 08:20 PM

Barbara is right.

You can not get anyone better than Roger Sprung.

SOL

Subject: RE: Seeking old-time banjo teacher in NYC
From: Mark Ross
Date: 06 Oct 09 - 09:40 PM

Roger is great, but I've never heard him play anything but Scruggs 3 finger style.


Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Seeking old-time banjo teacher in NYC
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 06 Oct 09 - 10:39 PM

He definitely can do clawhammer, drop-thumb, you name it. We were just with him this past Saturday night at a jam and he does it all incredibly well.

Subject: RE: Seeking old-time banjo teacher in NYC
From: JWB
Date: 07 Oct 09 - 10:33 PM

Thanks for the leads, Mark and Barbara. I'll pass them on to my girl. I wish I was free on the 16th for the Branford concert -- sounds terrific.

Mark, I live in Amherst, MA, where is located the Fretted Instrument Workshop, a great little store. I doubt it's any relation to the one you mention, but the name caught my eye.

If anyone else has ideas and suggestions don't hesitate to jump in here.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Seeking old-time banjo teacher in NYC
From: GUEST,Robin Greenstein
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 08:36 PM

hi there, found this thread by accident. Did your daughter find someone to work with?

If not, please check out my website. I teach old time and I'm on the Upper West Side.

Regards,

Robin Greenstein

www.robingreenstein.com