Although the 5-string banjo is often associated with American music, it is now widely regarded as an instrument of West African origin. It is thought to have evolved from fretless lutes made with gourds that travelled to the Americas during the slave trade. During its heyday in the 19th century, the banjo was very popular internationally and huge numbers were made and played in the UK in classical banjo bands and even banjo orchestras. It is played in many different styles, which reflects its complex international history, but has been associated with folk music on both sides of the Atlantic for a long time. It is fun, accessible and a great instrument to start learning music on.
Banjo classes
Banjo Level 1-2 (Absolute beginners / Beginners)
Autumn term: Level 1-2
Spring term: Level 2
Please note that we only accept complete beginners during the Autumn term – there is no Level 1 class in the Spring.
The course starts with the basics of the right hand technique, introduces the three most important chords in G-tuning (G, C and D7), looks at left hand techniques (such as hammer-ons and pull offs) and towards the end of the year, introduces harder left hand chords (such as F and D major) and more complicated left-hand techniques. The year will start by assuming all students are level 1, but towards the end of the year it'll be expected that students will be at level 2 or above.
Banjo Level 3-4 (Improvers / Intermediate)
This course will assume students are familiar with the techniques covered in the levels 1 and 2 course. Learning will be done by ear but tunes will be taught faster. We will play in different keys and talk about transposition and practical music theory. Playing with others and session etiquette will be discussed more explicitly. We'll play in many different tunings (G, A, A modal, D tuning, double C, double D, F tuning etc) and cover more obscure left and right hand techniques where applicable. We'll talk about style and phrasing, accompanying and leading tunes. We'll also discuss what folk music is and where it is played. The course will respond to the needs of the people in the class and students will be encouraged to bring their own questions and ideas of things they would like to cover in the sessions.
Pre-entry level requirements
Level 1 (Autumn term only)
Complete beginners are welcome! The banjo is a great and accessible instrument to learn and over the course of this year we’ll aim to take you from completely new to playing music to being able to enjoy playing lots of folk tunes by ear!
Level 2
Students should be familiar with the basic right hand clawhammer technique and know G, C, D7 in G-tuning. Alternatively a student who is completely new to the banjo but has experience playing a fretted stringed instrument (such as the guitar) might fit into this group.
Level 3-4
Students are familiar with clawhammer style in G tuning, have a repertoire of tunes they know by heart and some experience of learning by ear. They may or may not have started to experiment with other techniques and tunings (drop thumbing, galax lick, double C, modal tuning, D tuning) although these techniques will be covered in the course.
Who leads the course?
The banjo classes are led by Ed Hicks.
Ed Hicks is one of the leading banjo players in the UK and a passionate advocate for people learning folk and traditional music. In a career spanning over ten years Ed Hicks has played banjo on a Gold Record, on a Mercury Award nominated album, on Love Cats with Rob Smith of the Cure, on the Voice UK, the Voice Germany and the Voice Kids, with award wining theatre companies (Cirque de Legume, Ramshacklicious, The Honk Project, Cockney Awkestra), on a full UK tour with electro pop pioneer Thomas Dolby and on 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' with Python Eric Idle.
Ed has played all over the UK and Europe at many prestigious venues including Glastonbury Festival, Shakespeare’s Globe, the National Theatre, Rock am Ring (Germany), The Victoria and Albert Museum and Shepherd Bush Empire. Ed Hicks was even booked to play the banjo at Marcus Mumford’s (Mumford and Sons) Wedding to Carey Mulligan and was the banjo player the BBC phoned to interview when Earl Scruggs died. Ed Hicks is a prolific and passionate teacher of the banjo.
How can I take part?
2021-22 Dates
Autumn term: 11, 18 September | 2, 16, 23 October | 6, 20, 27 November | 4 December (9 sessions)
Spring term: 8, 22, 29 January | 12, 19 February | 5, 12, 26 March | 2 April (9 sessions)
Saturday Folk Music Workshops do not run during the Summer Term.
Timetable
Banjo Level 1 & 2: 15:30–17:00
Banjo Level 3 & 4: 13:45–15:15
Fees
Termly fees: £118 | £95 concessions
Advance booking required
Concessions are available to people who are in full-time education; in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance; in receipt of Income-Based Benefit (such as Income Support, Housing or Council Tax Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Pension Credit). For concessionary rates please call the box office on 020 7485 2206. The box office is open between 9.30 and 17.00 Monday to Friday. Evidence of concession will need to be provided before the start of term by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with a copy of your supporting documentation.
Covid-19 Statement
We are continuing a phased return to face-to-face teaching and expect that all of the advertised sessions will take place in person at Cecil Sharp House from September 2021. If for public health reasons we are unable to run classes in person, we intend to move sessions online using the Zoom-based model which we have been refining since the start of the pandemic.
We are a COVID-19 Secure venue. For more information, please visit our Covid Secure webpage.
Terms and Conditions
We cannot give you a refund for any missed classes, including absence due to self-isolation.
Refunds are given only if your course is cancelled or closed early.
If you enrol on a Saturday Folk Music Workshops course but decide after the first session but before the second class that it is not right for you, you can either:
- transfer your booking to another instrument. This depends on availability; if the course of your choice is full then we can reserve a place for you on the following term.
- or have the course fees refunded to you minus an administration charge of £15 (as long as you contact us before the second class of term).
Read more about Terms and Conditions
Instrument hire
We have a limited number of banjos available to hire for a small termly fee plus a returnable deposit (subject to availability).
Hired instruments will be ready for collection on Saturday 11th September, the first session of term.
Hire fee: £24 per term
A £100 deposit is also required. This is refundable upon the return of the instrument at the end of the hire period, minus any cost involved in restoring the instrument to the original condition (due to damage incurred by the student, excluding reasonable wear and tear).
The hirer will accept liability for the care of the instrument throughout the time they are out of storage and will be expected to have suitable insurance arrangements in place. The hirer is expected to keep the instrument in good condition.
If you hire an instrument for the Autumn term only, you will need to return it on the last class of term. If you would like to keep the instrument over the holidays you will need to re-enrol for the Spring term, ensuring you pay the next term’s hire fee at the same time.
Options for booking and paying for instrument hire are offered as add-ons once you have selected the workshop(s) you would like to book onto. Alternatively, to reserve one of our instruments click here, or you can book via the Box Office in person or by telephone on 020 7485 2206.
We run Saturday Folk Music Workshops in Accordion, Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar, Melodeon Song and Ceilidh Band. Why not do several on the same day?
