Best online banjo courses by type (Free and paid)
Recommended to all beginners: Online Banjo Lessons with Tony Trischka
Have you been looking for the simplest way to learn how to play the banjo? Do you prefer learning privately from the comfort of your home? New banjo players and advanced banjo players alike can benefit from online banjo courses! Online music courses are great for those who want to privately gain new skills or enhance their current playing abilities.
If you have been looking for the best online banjo lessons, look no further! In this guide, we are going to cover everything that you need to know about some of the best available banjo lessons online. We have amazing course links, books, DVDs, and videos that you can investigate to further your banjo playing abilities!
In this helpful guide to the best banjo lessons online, we are going to go over which courses are available for Bluegrass banjos, clawhammer banjos, five-string banjos, and more! That way, there is something for every banjo player. This guide will also discuss some of the best online paid courses, free courses, books, and DVDs.
Do you want to learn about setting up a banjo? Maybe you are interested in playing old-time music. Or, perhaps you need to find a great online course that will teach you diagrams. From folk-rock hits and country banjo music to tenor banjo lessons and chords, there are banjo classes and courses for everyone online! Below, we will go over what you can expect from each top-rated course. That way, you will be able to more easily decide which options are best for your unique banjo playing style and needs.
Top 5 String Banjo Lessons
Want to learn the basics of playing a 5-string banjo? For new players, beginner 5-string courses are the perfect place to start! These banjo lessons can help you learn chords, strum patterns, and other basic skills needed to play a five-string banjo well.
Although there are various online instruction courses available for playing a 5-string banjo, these are some of the best paid and free resources around. Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate player, many of these lessons can be helpful and will teach you things that you hadn’t thought of. Lessons of this kind can help you gain an in-depth understanding of your instrument and how to make it sing!
Paid Courses:
These paid banjo lessons are well laid out and allow you to easily integrate new styles as you become more advanced at banjo playing. Some paid courses involve using online subscriptions while others let you download videos and MP3s for permanent use. With paid lessons, you can gain access to a wealth of resources that you can use to advance your banjo journey.
Online Banjo Lessons with Tony Trischka
Tony Trischka has created a comprehensive and definitive banjo lesson library! This library comes with hundreds of helpful online video lessons. That way, banjo students can access unlimited in-depth banjo instruction advice, tablature, backing tracks, interviews, and performances! Many of these lessons feature true bluegrass legends as well. Beginners and intermediate players can appreciate these courses and will learn essential skills from one of the world’s top banjo players.
Includes:
- Unlimited Access to Video Exchange Library
- Up to 5 Video Submissions to Teacher
- Slow Motion & Looping on videos
- 30-day challenge access
Course Requirements:
- Just starting out learning the banjo.
- Own a beginner banjo (5-string)
- Be hungry to learn and practice with your banjo
- Have your banjo finger picks ready
Unlimited
Unlimited
$105 (3 Months)
3 Months, 6 Months, 12 Months
Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Beginning Banjo with Avram Siegel
This in-depth course is a tried and tested learning method for those who want to play the five-string banjo. It comes from banjo expert, Avram Siegel. He is an acclaimed banjo player and educator from the Californian bluegrass scene. This is an ideal course option for beginners or for those coming from other instruments like guitar. It is also a good option for those who have played a little banjo already! This banjo course was converted from a DVD. As such, it is therefore in Standard Definition quality. However, this quality level is more than sufficient for teaching you many key techniques. Moreover, it has classic signature lesson information that no other banjo course offers.
Includes:
- Help with simple licks
- Guide to classic right-hand patterns
- Downloadable sheet music
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Mobile, tablet & desktop access
- Downloadable PDF with every lesson
Course Requirements:
- Just starting out learning the banjo.
- Own a beginner banjo (5-string)
- Willingness to learn and practice with your banjo
- Have your banjo finger picks ready
33
1:35
24.99
Lifetime
Beginner
Beginner Banjo Lessons Online with Ross Nickerson
With this course, you can learn to play banjo from Ross Nickerson, one of the most respected banjo instructors in the world. It offers comprehensive access to various s resources and comes at a great value. You can purchase each course as needed. There are three standard courses to choose from. It is recommended to start with Course One and then move your way through the other courses as needed. Courses are sold individually. Since you can continuously practice each course step, you can take your time and purchase the courses and downloadable course resources as needed.
Includes:
- All lessons include a close-up streaming video with split-screen close-up views
- Download and keep the videos, MP3’s and Tabs
- Tablature booklet of the examples, with written text and tips
- Easy viewing on Windows, Mac, IPad, iPhone, and Android
Course Requirements:
- Own a beginner banjo
- Be hungry to learn and practice with your banjo
- Have your banjo finger picks ready
10+
Ν/Α
$12.00-24:00
Lifetime
Beginner
5-String Banjo Lesson Books/DVDs:
If you don’t like online classes, no worries. Books and DVDs can help you learn to play your 5-string banjo. These permanent playing resources are easy to check again and again. Here’s a great book and DVD course if you want to learn to play a 5-string banjo using this method!
Banjo Primer Book for Beginners Deluxe Edition with DVD and 2 Jam CDs
The Banjo Primer Book for Beginners Deluxe Edition comes with a DVD and two Jam CDs. This course was pioneered by Geoff Hohwald. It was written for the beginning 5-string banjo student. The starter pack and book can help you learn how to play Scruggs-style 5-string bluegrass banjo techniques. This course starts off with important beginner basics. You’ll learn the parts of the banjo, tuning, how to read tabs, simple rolls, and more! Then, it helps you advance at your own pace. Either Kindle or paperback course versions are available.
Free Courses:
BANJO PLAYER’S PATHWAY
The Banjo Player’s Pathway is a launchpad that allows you to dive into 5-string banjo playing. Deering is known for making great beginner banjos! The Deering company also makes top-tier, professional banjos. Deering Banjos and ArtistWorks have collaborated with Tony Trischka to create a helpful beginners guide. This resource was designed specifically for new players. You can use this pathway to learn how to play the 5-string banjo from the ground up. This course uses many of the techniques pioneered by Banjo master Tony Trischka. You can also purchase Trischka’s in-depth course later, which is a separate course with various helpful resources.
Specifications of the Course:
- Artistworks and Deering sponsored
- Tony Trischka guides this course
- Learn 5-string banjo beginner skills
- Banjo and picks will be needed
- Techniques can be applied by right or left-hand players
Top Clawhammer Banjo Lessons Online
Clawhammer banjo is an old Appalachian-mountain style. It predates the more contemporary Scruggs style of banjo playing. Traditionally, the signature clawhammer banjo style is used to create rich, melodic patterns. Rhythmic, genuine, entrancing, there’s nothing like the clawhammer sound! Clawhammer banjo is also known as failing.
The clawhammer style is considered a great learning gateway because it covers the intricate clawhammer stroke right from the get-go. Clawhammer is also sometimes thought of as easier than bluegrass Scruggs style banjo. Once you learn clawhammer style, everything else falls into place more easily.
These clawhammer courses are highly rated by players all over the world. Some are paid, some are free. Whether you have a big budget or not, you are sure to find something that will work for you! Be sure to choose a course that interests you and seems to fit your unique style!
Paid Courses:
These paid courses come with many clawhammer resources so that you will get the most bang for your buck. You can also re-use many of these sources or become part of the greater clawhammer online community! If you are serious about playing clawhammer style, you might want to consider investing in one of these top-notch courses.
Cathy Fink’s Clawhammer Banjo
This comprehensive modern clawhammer series is perfect for those wishing to play in an authentic and transporting way. It takes you back to the old days and allows you to learn directly from leaders in the banjo playing industry! With this course, learning is easier than you would imagine! This is largely due to Cathy Fink’s engaging and hands-on educational approach. With Cathy, you will be able to start making music immediately. This is true for those with practice or flat-out beginners. If you already play guitar, you will have a jump start as well. This course implements style elements from guitarists like Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, and Neil Young.
Includes:
- Right-hand drills and right-hand basics
- First songs and new chords
- Large community and integrated resources
Course Requirements:
- Ideal for right-handed players
- Own a beginner banjo (5-string)
- Be hungry to learn and practice with your banjo
- Have your banjo finger picks ready
81
04:00
22.49
Lifetime
Beginner
Brad Kolodner’s Next-Gen Clawhammer Course
In this NextGen Clawhammer Masterclass with Brad Kolodner, you’ll study and learn 12 essential clawhammer banjo techniques and concepts. These concepts have been integrated into a greater technique and style guide. They are designed to take your clawhammer playing to the next level and then far beyond. Brad Kolodner represents the next generation of Old-Time musicians! This is the perfect choice for musicians looking to push the boundaries of the tradition while breaking away from the mainstream. Ideal for a range of players with varying skill levels, it will take you into uncharted clawhammer territory. Highly acclaimed for his delicate touch, communication capabilities, expressive style, and all-original compositions, Brad Kolodner has rapidly gained popularity and national attention for his unique approach to the playing banjo. In these lessons, you will get a breakdown of each concept in detail.
Includes:
- Large video library
- Free samples available
- TrueFire Community access
Course Requirements:
- Just starting out learning the banjo.
- Own a beginner banjo (5-string)
- Be hungry to learn and practice with your banjo
- Have your banjo finger picks ready
51
04:30
$29.99
Lifetime
Beginner
Clawhammer Lesson Books Books/DVDs:
Although video lessons are great, there are some amazing books out there to use as well. Clawhammer banjo books are great to have in your arsenal as a new player or a banjo teacher!
Music Room Clawhammer Banjo Books
MusicRoom is a provider of top-rated books on how to play various instruments. In the library of contents from this site, you can find over 30 useful books for playing the clawhammer banjo! Books like Clawhammer Banjo For The Complete Ignoramus by Mel Bay Publications, Instrumental Tutor Banjo, Clawhammer Banjo by Miles Krassen and Great Banjo Lessons: Clawhammer Style, are all great options to consider!
Great Banjo Lessons Clawhammer DVD
The Great Banjo Lessons Clawhammer DVD features eight lessons that you can watch over and over again. The techniques on this DVD represent clawhammer instruction at its finest. Each segment, taught by a true banjo master, has been carefully chosen to give you beginning and advanced instructions. As such, new and advanced players alike will learn new techniques, catchy tunes, and gain musical insights.
Free Courses:
BANJO LESSONS – by Bradley Laird
Bradley Laird offers a free How to Play Clawhammer Banjo website. This site provides you with some really great, free online lessons. These lessons are perfect if you want to get started playing clawhammer-style banjo without investing a ton of money. On the website, you’ll find much of the basic information you need to play in the old-fashioned clawhammer style.
Specifications of the Course:
- Introduction and Parts of the Banjo, tuning, and more
- Great for new clawhammer style players
- Six helpful online lessons
- Video clawhammer lessons with tab
- Free Jam Session Tune Cheat Sheets
Learn The Basic Clawhammer Stroke
Here’s another helpful free clawhammer resource guide for beginners. This is a really helpful video that lasts around 7 minutes. It uses Joff Lowson clawhammer banjo teaching techniques.
Specifications of This Course:
- Learn to strike, strum, and play
- Basic clawhammer stroke guide
Top Bluegrass Banjo Lessons Online
Bluegrass-style banjo first originated with playing innovations made by Earl Scruggs. Scruggs came onto the national scene in the mid-1940s. Bluegrass banjo playing is characterized by a flurry of brilliant, fast notes. This style of banjo playing is behind all Scruggs-style songs and many other impressive banjo compositions. For example, Dueling Banjos implements a Bluegrass Style playing technique.
If you want to learn how to play Bluegrass-style banjo online, you will quickly find that there are many awesome resources available. From books and DVDs to comprehensive online courses, anyone can learn to play bluegrass banjo with patience and dedication. Below, we have featured some of the best online Bluegrass banjo resources.
Paid Courses:
If you are serious about playing Bluegrass banjo, it may be wise to invest in paid online lessons. When you decide to choose top-quality online lessons or professional subscriptions, you will gain access to new tools and insights. Here are some of the most highly-rated paid Bluegrass banjo lessons available online.
Banjo with Noam Pikelny
With this lesson guide and course set, you will get comprehensive access to a full Bluegrass teaching website. Plus, you will be able to submit videos of you playing the banjo. You can also interact with Noam and learn how to play the banjo like you never have before! You will enjoy access to an extensive Bluegrass Library collection of videos to help you unlock your banjo playing skills.
Includes:
- Unlimited Access to Video Exchange Library
- Up to 5 Video Submissions to Teacher
- Basic, intermediate, and advanced lessons
Course Requirements:
- Just starting out learning the banjo.
- Own a beginner banjo (5-string)
- Be hungry to learn and practice with your banjo
- Have your banjo finger picks ready
N/A
N/A
$105 (3 Months)
Unlimited
Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Ned Luberecki’s Bluegrass Banjo Backup
This is a great Learning Resource for those who want to play backup Bluegrass banjo and a band. Playing backup is an important skill to learn for those who wish to jam with others! This course guide is perfect for those who want to learn to play bluegrass banjo with other instrumentalists and musicians simultaneously.
Includes:
- 35 Charts (.pdf)
- 6 Jam Tracks (.mp3)
- 35 Tabs (.gp5 or .ptb)
- Mobile application sync
- Standard notation and tabs
Course Requirements:
- Just starting out learning the banjo.
- Own a beginner banjo (5-string)
- Be hungry to learn and practice with your banjo
- Have your banjo finger picks ready
44
02:11
$18.74
Lifetime
Beginner
Ben Wright’s Bluegrass Banjo for Guitar Players
Ben Wright is a Bluegrass banjo expert with years of experience. He understands that guitar players are automatically drawn to any stringed instrument. After all, if it has strings, you are going to want to play it. That is what this Bluegrass banjo course is all about! After using these lessons, the goal is that you will be able to pick up a banjo and play it whenever, wherever, you need to. This course is designed as a guitar to banjo conversion teaching tool.
Includes:
- Access new Chord Vocabulary
- In-depth instructions
- 24 Jam Tracks (.mp3)
- 24 Tabs (.gp5 or .ptb)
- Access TrueFire’s in-depth online learning tools
Course Requirements:
- Just starting out learning the banjo.
- Own a beginner banjo (5-string)
- Be hungry to learn and practice with your banjo
- Have your banjo finger picks ready
51
02:44
$18.74
Lifetime
Beginner, Late Beginner
Bluegrass Books/DVDs:
If you want to play the Bluegrass banjo but don’t have a lot of time to watch videos, a book can be the perfect resource. There are many amazing Bluegrass banjo books out there. Have you been looking for helpful books on Bluegrass style playing? Check out this helpful Celtic Bluegrass book! It is unique in that it focuses on Celtic Bluegrass techniques.
CELTIC BLUEGRASS: BANJO
With this series of in-depth Celtic Bluegrass banjo lessons, you will be able to learn how to play your favorite songs quickly and effortlessly. You can also listen to audio files that show you how your banjo playing should sound. This book includes access to these audio tracks online, for download, or for streaming from various devices.
Free Courses:
Banjo Ben Clark Online
With this free banjo website, you can start from the very beginning with Ben Clark. This website features an intermediate banjo checklist that allows you to keep track of your progress step by step. You can also use the advanced banjo checklist as you get better at playing in this style!
Specifications of the Course:
- Great place for tips and help
- Beginner and advanced resources
- Collection of tabs and videos
Mark Wardle’s Beginning Bluegrass Site
If you are a newcomer to Bluegrass banjo playing, you will appreciate this complete guide. There are various lessons that you can follow step-by-step. Over time, beginners can enjoy a sense of accomplishment and become intermediate, and then Advanced players. This website offers dozens of free lessons with ads. To get these lessons without the advertisements, you can also pay for them.
Specifications of the Course:
- Free lessons with ads
- Purchase downloads later
- Ad-free when purchased
Not Recommended
Top Tenor Banjo Lessons Online
Legends like Jerry O’Connor play the tenor banjo! If you have been looking for a wonderful way to play the 4-string tenor banjo, you are in luck. An array of amazing online resources are out there. Tenor banjos are generally used for traditional folk music, Irish music, and jazz.
Tenor banjo playing also often encompasses the Bluegrass banjo sound. The tenor banjo was a popular rhythmic instrument used in early 20th-century dance bands! These banjos are played with a flat pick and make a unique, rich sound.
Playing the tenor banjo is different from playing other styles of banjo music. Therefore, it can be helpful to use online lessons specifically geared towards this style. Also, be sure to choose lessons that match your preferred playing style. Here are some awesome tenor banjo online resources in multiple styles to help you learn to play like a pro!
Paid Courses:
If you want to learn to play the tenor banjo the right way, it may be wise to invest in paid online courses. Paid online tenor banjo courses often include various resources, community forums, playing guides, and video submission forms. You will also have access to subscription services, audio files, and more with many online tenor banjo courses.
Irish Tenor Books/DVDs:
Having a book on the Irish tenor banjo can be helpful if you will be traveling or playing where there isn’t access to digital media. Have you been looking for great Irish Tenor Banjo books? Here are two great opinions to look into!
Absolute Beginners – Irish Tenor Banjo: The Complete Guide to Playing Irish Style Tenor Banjo
The Absolute Beginners Irish Tenor Banjo book helps you learn to play in this style easily. It features many helpful and practical guides that cover just about everything you need to know. You will learn how to hold your banjo, tune it, play many strum patterns, and more!
Free Courses:
Youtube Tenor Banjo Video
Want to learn to play the Irish Tenor Banjo for free online? Here’s a free YouTube link to help! This is a great video with some super helpful info for beginners.