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Welcome to The 2010 North Carolina Banjo Clinic

Times & pricing:

Class information:

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 and Reno-Style playing tend 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. Of course, Reno-style playing was developed by the Banjo Master, Don Reno. Don's son, Don Wayne Reno will be teaching this wonderful and very useful style of Bluegrass Banjo. The road to playing arpeggio-cascading-style banjo goes through what is called Melodic banjo. Once you grasp the elements of Melodic banjo, the path opens to being able to play note-for-note fiddle tunes.

  5. One-on-one banjo is just that. Terry will be holding (4) non-structured classes to provide students with one-on-one attention on any banjo subject that they can think of. Use this time to develop better pull-offs, slides, hammer-ons, kick-offs, and endings. Or, if you have a banjo question about something that you just can't get a handle on, ask Terry.

  6. Jamming skills will be taught each day. Terry and Cindy Baucom, along with a few other instruments, will be holding class on jam etiquite, when to play and when not to, and appropriate banjo backup. When the questions and teaching ends, the jamming begins.

  7. Song Study: Entire sessions will be devoted to exploring individual banjo songs. Reno, Melodic, Old Time, and Scruggs tunes will be covered. These are tabulature and written information classes.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. We encourage all students to bring recorders or video machines. Teaching materials (tab and related information) will be distributed in "Tablature and written information classes," as well as in Song Study classes. Though many of the more advanced BGB sessions will also rely on written material, there is no guarantee that everything covered will also be repeated in writing. To get it all, record your classes.

Here's what's new for 2010:

The 2010 North Carolina Banjo Clinic brings more options, more Song Study, and more November fun for everybody. Here's why:

  1. We've added Reno and Melodic-Style banjo instruction to the mix. Don Wayne Reno and Ned Luberecki have joined our staff to teach these wonderful bluegrass banjo styles.
  2. Balsam Range will perform our Saturday night concert at Burnsville Town Center. (The cost for Saturday night concert tickets is not included in base clinic rates. Purchase concert tickets separatly when registering.)
    Balsam Range's website
  3. "Song Study" - instrumental tunes - will be integrated into each class level of instruction. The songs taught in each class are tailored to that level of playing. More advanced tunes will explore new twists and turns on old standards.
  4. Master technician Tom McKinney will be performing bluegrass banjo setup all day on Saturday. As banjo setup will not include changing heads and strings, please change those items prior to submitting your banjo to Tom. Should you wish to change bridges, Tom will handle that for a parts-only fee. If demand warrants, we will also offer BGB setup on Friday.
    (If you want your banjo setup on Saturday, don't forget to indicate so when you register).
  5. Warren Yates, builder of the Ron Stewart Signature Yates Banjo, will be on hand (Saturday only) with the Yates banjo. Come visit Warren and try one out.
  6. On Friday Night, Students will be encouraged to perform with instrumental backup. If you would like to perform, schedule your time when you register on Friday.
  7. Terry Baucom will be available for one-on-one instruction. Refer to the schedule.
  8. Jam session classes will be held both days. Refer to the schedule.
  9. We've got clinic gear! Shirts, bumper stickers, and hats. Order on your registration form.

General information:

As we respond to all email clinic inquiries, if you email us and do not receive a response, please call. Thank you.

Student Quotes & The North Carolina Banjo Clinic on You Tube:

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Our Sponsors

Thank you to the following sponsors for generously supporting our work at Village Productions. Please remember them when purchasing music-related accessories, instruments, books, and recordings.

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