Cincinnati, Ohio · West Side
Bluegrass Banjo Pickin’ Lessons
Scruggs-style 3-finger picking. Beginner, intermediate and advanced. Private, one-on-one, hands-on from the very first minute — no clawhammer.
$45 per hour, flat rate · 1 or 2 hour slots · every two weeks
Teaching bluegrass banjo is truly my passion
If you have the love for bluegrass music and this instrument, you are in the right place. There is nothing more rewarding than being able to teach and see a student progress.
Most of my students start as beginners — even folks who have never played any instrument before. Your nose does not get stuck in a book or confusing tab either. All training is hands-on from the first moment you arrive.
Play by ear, sight read, or work from tablature — I have many different types of teaching materials, aids and methods to get you going. There simply is no substitute for one-on-one, in-person instruction. We’ll get you rolling from day one.
Sound like you?
- Startin' from scratch?
- Like bluegrass?
- Have a banjo but never played, and always wanted to?
- Getting (or got) your first banjo?
- Got the bluegrass “itch” and wanna learn how to scratch it?
Then come ready to play — you can learn the banjo.
Rates & how lessons work
$45
per hour, flat rate
Compared to conventional lessons at $30 for a half hour, that’s 15 minutes free. Most students book two-hour sittings at $90 — a great value.
Private, one-on-one
No classes, ever. Lessons run in 1 or 2 hour slots and are scheduled every two weeks so you have time to practice between sittings.
Where we meet
I teach at my home on the west side of Cincinnati (White Oak area, Jessup Road near Gaines Road) where all the teaching aids and materials live. I will travel at a slight additional cost.
What students say
“Banjo lessons with Matt are so much fun. He is a great teacher and I highly recommend him to anyone interested in learning bluegrass banjo. He is very responsive to how quickly you are able to pick things up and is so enthusiastic about the instrument. He has great learning aids and provides notes and other tab-like sheets to help with practice at home. He is very generous with his time and will stay with you longer than your lesson time if you're up for it! Thanks Matt.”
“Matt exudes a passion for pickin' and clearly enjoys sharing his love of the banjo with others. I have been thoroughly enjoying my lessons with Matt and would have no reservations recommending him to anyone wanting to learn bluegrass music and how to play the banjo.”
“Matt has been teaching my (now) 12 year old son to play the banjo for the last two years. He has made incredible progress. Matt is always an enthusiastic teacher and has instilled a real love of the instrument in my son. He is a great teacher.”
“Matt is a great teacher, we hit it off right away. He always pushes me to do more than I think I am able to do but he keeps it fun. I highly recommend him!”
“I'm a complete beginner - no previous playing experience of any kind. I've been working with Matt for about 9 months now and I'm much further along than I thought I would be in this amount of time. If you are interested in playing the banjo give Matt a call - you will be pickin' and grinnin' quickly!”
Cancellation policy
Lessons that have to be rescheduled require a 48 hour minimum notice.
Missed, skipped or chronically rescheduled lessons will require a monthly payment arrangement up front, and no further pay-as-you-go will be extended.
I understand your time is valuable, as is mine. Reserving a lesson slot means I’m expecting you to be present and prepared — I have willingly put aside my life to accommodate you. Sometimes issues arise that cannot be avoided and people have to reschedule; that’s normal. I just ask for ample notice.
As with all musical lessons, you must be dedicated to practice.