A Novice Bluegrass Banjo Workshop with KEITH BILLIK

Saturday , January 20, 2007
01:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: Elderly Instruments
workshop ($40.00)

Have you enjoyed the unique sounds of the banjo? Have you thought you'd like to learn to play but never took the first step? You got a banjo for the holidays but don't know a thing about it? If so, this workshop--intended for novices who know little or nothing about the 5-string banjo--is for you.

The 5-string banjo, most commonly used in bluegrass music but highly adaptable to numerous other genres, is a uniquely American instrument, although it evolved from Africa. After sharing a brief history of this bold or brassy, sweet or sassy instrument, Keith will show you how to hold it, proper posture and hand positioning, how to wear the picks, and more. He'll teach you the essential building-blocks of the bluegrass playing style: right-hand roll patterns, basic chord shapes, and fingering.

Keith will also provide hand-outs for your future reference (and to help you practice) and explain how to read tablature. You'll play your first bluegrass standard--with your fellow students, in a comfortable group workshop environment--before the workshop is over. Plus, Keith adds, he'll share "secrets to achieving good timing and technique."

We don't doubt that: Keith has excellent credentials. He has been a musician for most of his life, playing saxophone and piano before discovering the guitar in high school. During college the banjo became his "instrument of choice" after a friend gave him a cheap ol' banjo.

Influenced by bluegrass, rock, jazz, and world music, Keith has mastered three-finger {also called "Scruggs style') banjo in numerous musical contexts. He also performs on guitar, upright bass, piano, sax, lap steel, and other instruments. He played with the bluegrass bands Hot-Toe-Mitty and The Hop-Ups, he's in demand as a sideman on Michigan's live music scene, and he has contributed to various studio projects.

A conscientious, friendly and patient instructor, Keith has taught all levels of banjo to all ages for six years. He has also coordinated (with Elderly mandolin instructor Alan Epstein) several Elderly Bluegrass Ensemble courses, which gather students into a makeshift band to learn how to arrange and perform bluegrass music.

No prior playing experience is necessary. Bring a 5-string banjo, picks, and a tuner if you have one. (Elderly staff can help you choose these essential accessories, and if you're buying a banjo or other instrument, Keith--as Assistant Manager of Elderly's showroom--can help you find the best value for your budget.)

Here's an accolade from student Bob Ashbaugh, who has taken private lessons with Keith and also attended the Bluegrass Ensemble Workshops: "Keith is one of Michigan's finest banjo players who has students learning and having fun at the same time. His ability to use the whole fingerboard is an outstanding ability every banjo player should strive to achieve. Whether individually or in a group he makes each person feel special about their experience in learning how to play the banjo."

Check out recordings we carry featuring Keith Billik