I was asked this question from the mom of a possible student. She was wondering if her 6 year old son was too young to start guitar lessons. In my opinion, children can start learning and understanding music as early as 5 months old. One of my friends is the director of Music Together / Colombia Ridge here in the Camas/ Washougal WA area. We've had quite a few conversations about early musical development in pre schoolers. She and Music Together believe that there is music inside all of us,...

I am asked by a lot of beginning banjo students which book to purchase. I recommend Alred's Teach Yourself to play Banjo.. But choose me as your banjo teacher. It's very easy to comprehend and I like the way the book is laid out. It talks about bluegrass, claw hammer, and frailing in a way that is easy for the beginning student to understand Taking banjo lessons is fun. and for some people, it's actually easier than starting guitar lessons. The chords are often one or two finger,...

The summer is a great time to learn a new instrument...5 string banjo has become my favorite. It's very easy to learn, and there are a few good instruction books I use when I teach. My lessons cover: bluegrass or Earl Scruggs, frailing or claw hammer style, and the Woody Guthrie folk style. I teach music theory with my banjo lessons, so you will know why the chords are, they way they were written. Understanding the Circle of 5ths will open your improvisational skills. I use some IPad...

Yes... Music theory can be challenging to understand. What's with all of the sharps and flats? The Nashville number system? What do you mean by the "tonic?" Will this make me a better musician? The short answer is yes! By taking music lessons, whether its guitar, piano, banjo, mandolin or voice, understanding the " why & how " of music will make your playing easier. And you will be able to jam aka improvise with others. Maybe you are a songwriter, and you can't find that " magical" chord...