An 8-week experience for beginning banjo players
Learn banjo. Make friends. Have fun.
The Beginner Banjo Journey is an 8-week group program designed to help new players build real musical skills, become more confident on their instrument, and begin playing music with other people.
You will learn alongside other beginners following the same carefully designed curriculum, with plenty of support, encouragement, laughter, and opportunities to make music together.
Two banjo styles. A wide world of music.
The Beginner Banjo Journey is open to students learning either three-finger Scruggs-style banjo or clawhammer banjo. You can learn both if you want.
Each style has its own techniques, but both share the same essential musical foundations. You will receive guidance for your chosen style while learning timing, rhythm, melody, listening, and ensemble skills that apply across the instrument.
We will also explore a broad range of genres and applications for the banjo, including bluegrass, old-time, folk, Americana, country, and other acoustic traditions and creative expressions. The goal is not to lock you into one genre. It is to help you become a flexible, capable musician who can use the banjo in many different musical settings.
What you will learn
- Comfortable posture and relaxed technique
- Chords, rhythm, timing, and groove
- Right-and left-hand techniques for your chosen style
- Three-finger rolls or clawhammer fundamentals
- Playing melodies and learning songs
- Playing by ear
- Listening and playing togethe
- Effective practice habits
- Musical confidence and independence
From the beginning, you will be making music, not just practicing exercises. The program is designed to help you enjoy the process and look forward to picking up your banjo.
Why learn together?
Music is more fun when it is shared.
Learning alongside other beginners gives you motivation, accountability, encouragement, and regular opportunities to practice the skills that matter when playing with other people.
- Learn with people who are at a similar stage
- Play together every week
- Build confidence in a welcoming environment
- Celebrate progress together
- Receive individual guidance within a group setting
- Have fun and become part of a musical community
Everything included
Six live group sessions
A structured curriculum that builds your skills week by week alongside your fellow students. These sessions combine instruction, guided practice, playing together, and opportunities to develop timing, listening, and confidence in a supportive setting.
Two one-hour private lessons
Two one-hour individual lessons give you personalized feedback, help reinforce what you are learning in the group, and address your specific technique, goals, and challenges.
Practice tracks
Tracks and supporting materials that help you practice timing, rhythm, songs, and ensemble skills between sessions.
Lesson recordings
Review each lesson, revisit important concepts, or catch up if you miss a session.
Resource library
PDFs, reference materials, exercises, song resources, and other tools to support your learning.
Community access
Connect with your cohort, ask questions, share progress, and become part of the growing PlayReady Music community.
Graduation event
Celebrate the end of the Journey with a relaxed group music event alongside fellow students and members of the PlayReady Music community.
Priority enrollment
Graduates receive priority enrollment in future Learn to Jam Journey cohorts.
Join the PlayReady Music community
The Beginner Banjo Journey is more than an eight-week class. It is an entry point into a larger musical community where you can continue learning, playing, and connecting with other musicians.
Learn to Jam Journey
The 12-week Learn to Jam Journey helps musicians of different acoustic instruments develop the confidence and practical skills needed to participate in real jam sessions.
Circles
Circles is the ongoing PlayReady Music community where musicians continue learning, jamming, building friendships, and growing together.
When the Beginner Banjo Journey ends, you will not be left wondering what comes next. You will already have a musical home and a clear path forward.
Who this is for
- You have always wanted to learn banjo
- You recently bought your first instrument
- You have taken a few lessons but want a more structured path
- You want to play with other people instead of always practicing alone
- You enjoy bluegrass, old-time, folk, Americana, country, or acoustic music
- You want a supportive, encouraging, and fun learning environment
What’s Included
Your enrollment includes six live group sessions, two private one-hour coaching sessions, lesson recordings, practice tracks, the downloadable resource library, community access, the graduation event, and priority enrollment in the Learn to Jam Journey.
If you are ready to build real banjo skills, play with other people, and have fun becoming part of a musical community, the Beginner Banjo Journey is for you.
Total Tuition: $800