ICL: Beginning and Continuing Banjo, March 31 – May 19

Course Instructor Ken Sampson

This class welcomes beginners and those who want to move on to the continuing or intermediate level.  For beginners we will follow Scrugg's style lessons beginning with Banjo Parts Description, Basic Rolls with the Picking Pattern and several Chord Structures. Students will have the ability to play several simple songs by the end of the session. For students who have been through the beginning session we will begin to play more complex songs with more complex Right Hand Picking Patterns as well as learning the fret board and Left Hand Banjo Picking Shapes. 

Required materials for this class include a Five String Banjo, Banjo Tuner, Banjo Finger Picks, Music Stand and an Instrument Stand.

Retired From ExxonMobil after 35 years primarily in Southeast Florida. Married to Peggysue Sampson. We have 5 children between us with 9 Grandchildren from 8 months to 18 years old. I bought and kept a Banjo under my bed for well over 10 years, occasionally picking it up to learn how to play since there are no Banjo Instructors in SE Fla. When we retired and moved to Blairsville in 2010, we were told about Oasis. I signed up in 2012 and learned to play. After 1 of our instructors retired from there another player and I took over. I started teaching the beginner class and he took the intermediate one. When he retired about 3 or so years ago, I began teaching both levels and continue to do so today. I also play in 2 separate Jams every week and have taught myself to play a Dobro.

Over the last 3 years, I have played Banjo but mostly Dobro (we do have another Banjo player) for our band which is the Wilderness Pickers. We perform at Reece Museum every month as well as the Old Court House in Blairsville twice during the summer months. We also play at retirement homes as well as both days at the Heritage Festival in Blairsville.