The North Carolina School of Traditional Music

Banjo Lessons

Mark teaches the following banjo styles:

• Old-Time Clawhammer Style ~ Popular all over the Piedmont and Mountain areas of the South for centuries, this style utilizes a down-striking technique to create a beautiful blend of melody, rhythm, and drone. This style is great for playing fiddle tunes or for song accompaniment.

• Early Banjo/Minstrel Banjo ~ This style, popular between 1830's and the 1860's, is similar to clawhammer but utilizes some really cool extra techniques. As far as we know, this is the oldest documented banjo style, and was the style of the Civil War Era.

• Bluegrass/Three Finger Style ~ A newer form of banjo playing based on an up-picking style that became popular in the 1940's under the influence of Earl Scruggs and others.

     Below are some videos of my banjo playing.