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LESSONS

(Scroll Down to Learn More About Our Teachers)

Instruments We Teach:

    *  Guitar  *  Banjo  *  Fiddle  *   Mandolin   *

      Adults and Children   *  Beginners through Advanced

      We have been offering lessons here at Bucks County Folk Music since we opened in 1966 and, from the beginning, we have had instructors that not only know how to play well, but also know how to teach well.

      Our lessons are tailored to each individual student and we do not use "cookie cutter" approaches.  Our teachers will talk with you and work to develop lessons based on what you wish to learn and what will work best to get you there.  You will learn more quickly and, more importantly, with more enjoyment.

      As your lessons continue, you and your teacher will continue to collaborate on your progress and your goals.

      Most lessons are 1/2 hour, once a week, private instruction, $30 per lesson, payable month-to-month.  (Bluegrass Banjo is 1 hour every other week, $60 per lesson).

      Please Contact Us to learn more or to sign up to begin your lessons.

      Meet Our Teachers:

      John B. - Fiddle

      John teaches Fiddle for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Students

      John has been playing fiddle for over 40 years, has taught privately as well as conducted group classes, and can teach beginners Old Time, Cajun, and Bluegrass, OR can teach beginners through advanced Irish.  John has also played professionally for a number of years hosting sessions, ceilis, and concerts.  He plays in the traditional Irish style with early and solid influences in the Sligo style.

      Some of John's teachers have included John Vesey, Eileen Ivers, Kevin Burke, and Martin Hayes.

      John recognizes that the fiddle is a challenging instrument and will help you get started or continue on your fiddle journey.


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      Dave Z. - Guitar

      Dave teaches Guitar for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Students.

      Dave started playing the guitar at an early age in the 1970s and has since been exploring bluegrass, country, southern rock, and blues styles.  He has played guitar and mandolin with acoustic music bands in western Pennsylvania, Arizona, Texas, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.  Since moving to the Philadelphia area he has either filled in with, or been a member of Without a Paddle, Deep City Healers, Bovine Social Club, Blue Roots, Vintage Drive and Hilltown.  You'll also find him at many of the local bluegrass and folk jam sessions playing guitar and mandolin.

      Dave's approach to teaching is straightforward.  He works with students to define a goal and assesses their current playing level.  Once these two things are clear, Dave and the student agree on a lesson plan outline that will help the student acheive their goals.  Upon attainment, students set the next level goal to continue the pursuit of growing proficiency on the instrument.

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      Bob S. - Bluegrass Banjo

       

      Bob teaches Scruggs and Melodic Styles on the 5-String Banjo for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Students.

      Bob started teaching banjo for us way back in 1987 and is still going strong! Bob believes anyone can learn to play banjo simply by taking small steps, having patience and playing slowly. He is currently with the bluegrass group Hilltown (not to be confused with the town) and has performed multiple times at A.F.B.A. festival, NEPA bluegrass festival, O.A.T.S. bluegrass festival and at the famous Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.

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      Mike H. - Clawhammer Banjo

      Mike teaches Clawhammer Banjo for Beginner and Intermediate Students.

      While Mike enjoys playing many different instruments, clawhammer banjo is his passion.  He learned to play from his old time mentor, Tom Malle and Mike believes learning and playing clawhammer banjo should be passed from one person to the next in the old time tradition.

      Outside of teaching you'll find Mike jamming at the AFBA Festival in Wind Gap Pennsylvania, and the Appalachian String Band Music Festival in Clifftop, West Virginia where he continues to learn and teach new songs.

      Mike currently plays in the old time string band the Burnt Mills Highballers.  The band also hosts an old time jam every third Wednesday of the month at the River Rat Club in Point Pleasant, Pennsylvania.

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      Steve A. - Mandolin

      Steve teaches Mandolin for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Students.

      Steve first picked up a mandolin at a gathering back in 1983 after a friend told him to try one, as there were already three banjo players among the group and no one was playing mandolin. Little did Steve know that this suggestion would lead to a 30+ year love affair with playing mando.

      Mainly self-taught, Steve has worked his way from almost being a banjo player to performing as an accomplished mandolin musician in multiple groups, including the bluegrass group Hilltown who has opened for The Steep Canyon Rangers and has regularly performed at Wind Gap, O.A.T.S., and A.F.B.A. bluegrass festival. Steve has also shared the stage with musician Tom Hanway and also plays Old Rock, Americana, Folk, and Irish.

      Steve believes that everyone has their own unique voice when it comes to playing an instrument. One of his great joys is helping folks discover and bring out that “voice” in their playing.

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