Beginning Old-Time Mountain Banjo – Frailing & Clawhammer Fun!
Grab your banjo and get ready to make some serious front-porch magic!
Deep in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, old-time banjo players developed a rollicking, infectious style called frailing (or clawhammer). It’s that unmistakable “bum-ditty” bounce that mixes rhythm and melody in one hand while your right hand dances like it’s telling a story. It’s the sound of square dances, moonshine stills, porch jams, and campfire sing-alongs – and now it can be YOUR sound!
This course is built from the ground up for total beginners – even if you’ve never touched a banjo or read a note of music in your life. Zero music-reading required (we use easy-to-follow banjo tablature instead).
Here’s what you’ll walk away with:
*All the classic old-time tunings (yes, we’ll retune that banjo and it’ll feel like unlocking secret levels)
*The legendary “frailing” strum that makes the banjo sound so alive
*Cool left-hand tricks like slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs that turn simple tunes into foot-stomping masterpieces
*A bunch of fun, classic old-time tunes you can play right away (think “Cripple Creek,” “Cluck Old Hen” and more)
*Basic chords so you can back up fiddles or jump into any jam session
*Simple music concepts explained in plain English – no theory overload, just the stuff you actually need
By the end, you’ll be surprising your friends (and yourself) with authentic mountain banjo sounds – perfect for playing solo on the porch, joining an old-time jam, or just grinning ear-to-ear because it feels so darn good to play.
If you’ve ever wanted to make music that feels like a hootenanny in your living room, this is your ticket. Come frailing with us – your banjo has been waiting its whole life for this!
Meet Fritz Schuler, your friendly guide to the world of folk music! A former elementary school teacher, Fritz has shared his love for folk guitar, banjo, and mountain dulcimer through the University of Wisconsin’s Continuing Education program for nearly 30 years at UW-Fox Valley in Appleton. His passion for teaching has also taken him to UW Centers in Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Green Bay, West Bend, and Manitowoc, as well as The Golden Ring in Manitowoc, where he’s inspired nearly 2,000 students to strum, pick, and play with joy.
Fritz’s enthusiasm doesn’t stop there! He’s brought the rich history of American folk music to life through mini-courses at high schools, teacher in-service programs, and even a master’s class at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan. Plus, he’s shared his expertise with music teachers through a “Folk Instruments in the Classroom” class at Silver Lake College. A performer since the mid-1960s, Fritz’s love for traditional American folk music shines through in every note. Come learn, play, and share the joy of music with Fritz!
