Old-Time Banjo Program

We offer four levels or tracks of instruction in clawhammer style banjo: Novice, lower intermediate, upper intermediate, and advanced. Another common name for the style is “frailing.” Over the years, it has also been known as stroke-style downpicking, knocking, and rapping. Reflecting the interests of our faculty, we also offer classes in various kinds of old-time fingerstyle banjo (see below).

The Novice Track

The Old-Time Banjo Novice Track in old-time banjo is for students who are just starting out on the instrument, and have with well under one year’s playing experience. Recognizing that students just getting underway have unique learning requirements, we offer a course of instruction designed to impart both needed skills and effective practice-attitudes.

Lower Intermediate Level

The lower intermediate level is for those players who are above the novice level but are still in the process of mastering basic techniques. The focus here is overwhelmingly on acquiring the skills you’ll need to grow as a player. Our best guess is that students who have been playing between nine months and two years will feel most comfortable here.

Upper Intermediate Level

This level is for students who have been playing at least two years. Classes in this track are not necessarily technically demanding, but they generally require that students have considerable familiarity with the instrument.

Advanced Level

These challenging classes give our instructors the opportunity to offer students the full depth of their expertise and experience.

Old-Time Fingerstyle

Although most of our old-time banjo classes focus on clawhammer, we usually offer at least a few classes in old-time fingerstyle, including various 2-finger, 3-finger, and hybrid varieties. To see what the old-time fingerstyle offerings will be for our 2025 Camp, check out the 2025 schedule when it’s posted in mid-to-late December.

Note: You do NOT have to sign up in advance or make any special arrangements to attend any particular instruction level. Once you’re at Camp, you are completely free to make class selections as you please.

Bluegrass Banjo Program

We offer four levels or tracks of instruction in bluegrass banjo: novice, lower intermediate, upper intermediate, and advanced.

The Novice Track

The Bluegrass Banjo Novice Track is for students who are just starting out on the instrument, and have with well under one year’s playing experience. Recognizing that students just getting underway have unique learning requirements, we offer a course of instruction designed to impart both needed skills and effective practice-attitudes.

Lower Intermediate Level

The intermediate level is for those players who are above the novice level but are still in the process of mastering basic techniques. The focus here is overwhelmingly on acquiring the skills you’ll need to grow as a player. This track is for students who have been playing between nine months and two years.

Upper Intermediate Track

This level is for students who have been playing at least two years. Classes in this track are not necessarily technically demanding, but they generally require that students have considerable familiarity with the instrument.

Advanced Track

These challenging classes give our instructors the opportunity to offer students the full depth of  their expertise and experience.

Note: You do NOT have to sign up in advance or make any special arrangements to attend any particular instruction level. Once you’re at Camp, you are completely free to make class selections as you please.

Old-Time Fiddle Track

Although this is primarily a banjo camp, we offer a full time Appalachian-style fiddle track with considerable appeal to serious fiddlers. Erynn Marshall is our primary fiddle instructor for 2025. Some fiddle classes will be taught by Joseph Decosimo and Adam Hurt.

Level of Instruction: Because there is only a single fiddle track, instruction will almost certainly geared to an intermediate level. This is a good place for old-time fiddlers with at least a couple of year’s experience to burnish their skills and make their playing sound more authentic and professional. Classical violin players and fiddlers who play music from other traditions will find this program a good introduction to old-time fiddling.

Important Note. We do NOT have a program that teaches basic violin skills; you probably need at least a year or two of experience on the instrument in order to take full advantage of our program. Although we can’t get you started on violin, we can teach authentic fiddle style and help make you a better fiddler.

Also Note. You can get a sense of our program by checking out the fiddle offerings on the 2024 Schedule. The 2025 schedule will be posted by mid-to-late December.

SBC’s Guitar Track

SBC offers a full program in flatpick guitar. The focus is bluegrass accompaniment and soloing, but we generally also feature a couple of classes in other aspects of the instrument. Tim May is our principal guitar instructor for 2025. Some guitar classes will be taught by Paula Bradley, Michael Miles, and Alan Munde.

Level of instruction. Because there is only a single guitar track, instruction will almost certainly geared to an intermediate level. Students should probably have at least one year of playing experience. In practical terms, this means that you should be able to handle a flatpick and change relatively comfortably among the most common basic guitar chords.

Important Note. The SBC Guitar Track is NOT for total beginners. You should have at least a year or two experience on your instrument to take full advantage of our program.

Also Note. You can get a sense of our program by checking out the guitar offerings on the 2024 Schedule. The 2025 schedule will be posted by mid-to-late December.

New This Year! SBC’s Mandolin Track

SBC now offers a full program in mandolin. The focus is on using the instrument to play in both old-time and bluegrass contexts. Carl Jones inaugurates our mandolin program as principal instructor for 2025. Some mandolin classes will be taught by Tim May and others TBA.

Level of instruction. Because there is only a single mandolin track, instruction will almost certainly geared to an intermediate level. Students should probably have at least one year of playing experience. In practical terms, this means that you should be able to handle a flatpick and change relatively comfortably among the most common basic mandolin chords.

Important Note. The SBC Mandolin Track is NOT for total beginners. You should have at least a year or two experience on your instrument to take full advantage of our program.

Also Note. Since the program is brand new, you won’t find any mandolin classes listed on the 2024 Schedule. The 2025 schedule – with all mandolin class topics included – will be posted by mid-to-late December.

We always feature a number of classes that don’t fit into our regular tracks. In the past, our special class offerings included topics on ukulele, bass, singing, and banjo set-up. To get the idea, check out the special classes offerings on the 2024 program schedule. The 2025 schedule will be posted by mid-to-late December; note that the number of special offerings on the schedule usually increases as we get closer to the start of Camp.