The banjo is ideal for playing chords and it’s easier than many instruments for learning to play the melody… and it’s fun! This class is for learning basic techniques on the right and left hands and helping them work together with your brain. We will start playing tunes and songs ‘by ear’. We will begin with a few essential tunes that encourage players to practice phrase-by-phrase, in order to memorize and “know” a tune. Tips will be given about how to join in jams or in an ensemble. Later in the week, the class will fit the melody within the strum pattern, and we’ll try out various banjo tunings. Handouts & online materials will be shared to help understand tablature and to have follow-up resources. Bring a banjo, a capo, a strap and a tuner … ring, ring the banjo.