Fun Songs for Clawhammer Banjo with Molly Tenenbaum

This class builds on beginning-level skills and gives you a repertoire of fun songs to play on your own or in jams. We’ll also learn tips for playing while singing and for adjusting the key or tuning to suit your voice . Each week we’ll be in a different key/tuning (G, C, Sawmill) and learn 2-3 songs that work well there. We’ll accompany songs with chords and basic rhythmic patterns, and build melody lines for use between verses. Lyrics and song sheets will be provided, as well as links to source recordings for further learning. Skills Needed: Advanced Beginner/Early Intermediate. Note from the teacher: Students should be somewhat comfortable with basic frailing, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and with making some notes and basic chords. No need for fancy voices! Come as you are, ready to play and enjoy. Wondering whether this is the right class for you? Contact Molly at mbtenny at gmail dot com. What to Bring:5-string banjo in playable condition, tuner, recording device (smartphone or other), paper and a pen or pencil. 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.