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I am proud to announce this month the launch of my Wernick Method Teacher Certified Jam Classes. As you dear readers may well know, I have for some time been championing learning to jam first as a fun and fundamental way to start playing any bluegrass instrument. Great things happen when people learn to jam, because it’s fun and so involving that they’re motivated—to play more and practice more.… Read More

Zeek writes to the Forum on DrBanjo.com: In ads for your camps I’ve seen mention of segments of your teaching dealing with the “pro sound.” I’m very interested in this.… Read More

Two pickers writing last week to the Forum on DrBanjo.com asked me to share “secrets”. Well OK, but then they won’t be secrets any more!… Read More

Yes, that sounds severe. I was taken aback by that catchy phrase on a t-shirt worn by one of the nicest people I know, Scott Thile (Chris’ dad).… Read More

First, big congratulations to Steve Martin for winning the Bluegrass Grammy! From my research, this is the first time that the Bluegrass Grammy has gone to a banjo instrumental album. … Read More

What better topic for the first column of the year than one that makes a lot of banjo players squirm?

The key of D presents a number of options for banjo players, and some of the best options pierce some folks’ comfort zones.… Read More

Gary from British Columbia asks some great and typical questions:
Hi Pete, First, I want to thank you for all the encouragement you give new and developing pickers on your videos and website.… Read More

Attendees of last January’s Basic Banjo camp recently exchanged emails about their progress. Keith P. from Maryland wrote:… Read More

I along with my Hot Rize compadres will be co-hosting the IBMA Awards Show October 1 at the Ryman Auditorium. If I’m not mistaken, this means that for the first time in 20 years, a banjo player will be a host of the IBMA Awards Show. I am honored and excited to represent our music in one of the bigger bluegrass media events of the year.… Read More

I’ve been “playing in the street” since I was a teenager, going back to my pre-college summer, at the short-lived Freedomland amusement park in NY City. My folk trio played in a high-traffic spot for a few hours, and then took the coins from the open guitar case and spent them all, replacing the fluid we sweated that afternoon.… Read More