Private banjo lessons

I first picked up the instrument at the age of 41, with very little musical background. So I expected a steep uphill climb when I started taking lessons from David Jones. After working with him for a little over two years now, I have gained a great deal of momentum — the kind of momentum you do not experience on a steep uphill climb. I couldn’t be more pleased with my progress. I am gaining steady ground in technique, theory, bluegrass, and (his specialty) melodic style of playing. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned player, I can’t think of a better teacher. David offers custom-tailored lessons to get you where you want to go. He’ll even open your eyes to new possibilities with the instrument … all while building on a sound foundation of fundamentals every banjo player needs to maximize their potential.

Davey is a great player and an excellent teacher. He’s skillful, patient, and encouraging. His love for the banjo is contagious!

Since I started taking lessons from David, I have improved on my Scruggs style playing, and also have learned to play melodic banjo. Not only am I playing bluegrass, but he has also challenged me with classical pieces that work my left hand. Lessons have also included how to make various adjustments to the instrument, including; replacing strings, lowering the action, and changing the bridge. I highly recommend David for anyone wanting to improve their banjo playing skills.

David “Davey” Jones has been an incredible banjo instructor to me for nearly a year now. I live in a small town in Arizona, so being able to learn over a Zoom call with Davey has made it possible for me to learn the banjo from home. I know some people WFH, I guess I BFH. Seriously though, remote lessons made a huge difference for me in getting to pick the banjo teacher that I wanted rather than having to choose based on my location. The best part is that Davey isn’t just teaching me how to play the banjo, he has also been teaching me musical theory. I was never good at music when I was a kid, so a lot of this is new for me, but Davey is an extremely patient and very effective teacher who has really opened my eyes and helped me build a skill set from scratch. I would recommend Davey to anyone from beginner to professional. If you want to learn banjo, and want the freedom to do it remotely on your own schedule, you should contact Davey Jones.

Learning to play the Banjo from Davey has been such an enriching experience.

As a complete beginner, I started with zero musical background and quickly came to appreciate Davey's teaching style. He customizes the pacing and direction of his lessons to his students' abilities and goals, and expertly guides students through new techniques and concepts with a diverse selection of songs.

His expertise and demeanor make him and excellent instructor for beginner, intermediate, and advanced players alike and I highly recommend his lessons!

If you want to learn how to play the banjo, Davey is your man! He’s an absolutely amazing teacher and an incredible musician and (obviously!) banjo player. He breaks musical theory down into manageable chunks, and is able to provide very interesting music for me to play even at my beginning level. I have very specific things I wanna work on, and he is always willing to accommodate. Don’t hesitate if you are thinking of signing up for lessons with Davey. You will not be disappointed!!!

OUTSTANDING!! Davey is an excellent teacher. I have had the opportunity to take lessons with many nationally known banjo teachers at several banjo camps and even among the “stars” Davey is one of the best I have come across!

I am a casual player and take two lessons a month. He is always patient with my slow progress, understanding of my self-conscious playing and gives gentle but very constructive feedback.
He is also an awesome, technically advanced professional player so has lots of knowledge to share. I couldn’t ask for a better experience!!!

I am thrilled that my kids have the opportunity to take banjo and acoustic guitar lessons with Davey. Not only is he a talented musician, but he is also an amazing teacher. Both of my kids look forward to their weekly lessons with him. His ability to share his knowledge and his patience to work with my kids through any difficulties they might be having is priceless. I have seen a tremendous amount of growth in just a few short months. If you’re considering lessons, look no further.

As a brand new banjo player, Davey set me up for success from day one in his studio. He gave me advice on how to find the best instrument for me, he set up my instrument, and then started me out on rolls. Two years in and I’m playing bluegrass tunes with him, learning to play by ear, and even creating an arrangement together! He’s patient and knowledgeable about music, performance, theory, and all the technical aspects of this instrument. I continue to learn new techniques as I tackle new songs in Davey’s extensive repertoire of banjo tunes. He’s a fantastic teacher.

I've been taking lessons with Davey for about 4 months now, give or take. My experience has been great. Even before I had my first lesson, he was generous with his time and expertise in helping me pick out the right instrument. Lessons are fantastic - Davey is a patient and knowledgeable instructor. He listens to my feedback, we go at my pace, and I leave every week with a clear objective for the next session. He also sends out instructional aids (like audio files) in between sessions, and will take the time to send me feedback if I send him a link to some of my practice work on YouTube.

Davey Jones has been an amazing banjo instructor to learn from! His ability to navigate different levels of playing ability as well as various styles of banjo play is unparalleled. He shows tremendous patience and always gives tons of positive feedback during the learning sessions. I highly recommend signing up with Davey if you are interested in progressing as a banjo musician.

I started with Davey 6-months ago and didn't even know how to hold a banjo. Today, I'm impressing my family with the repertoire of songs I've learned, speeding up my rolls to a satisfying pace, and having mini-jam sessions with Davey at our lessons (which are the best part of my week). Davey's teaching technique is empathetic, student-led, and incredibly patient. He's a salt-of-the-earth guy that can teach the heck out of some banjo. Highly recommend.

Davey is really great with beginners of all ages. All that's required is a love of the banjo and the desire and commitment to learn. Davey is very patient and easy going and happy to go at the pace of his students. He is a knowledgeable and talented player as well and has a very loyal following of beginning banjo enthusiasts. Teaching seems to come very naturally to him.

Davey is an excellent teacher. He's very knowledgeable about the banjo and different playing styles. My initial intention was to only take a few lessons to learn the fundamentals but I was hooked after seeing significant improvements in just a few weeks, and here I am 10 months later still at it.

Davey is a great banjo teacher. I've been taking lessons for two years and he's been wonderful at keeping me actively learning and engaged. He keeps my interest with a mix of new songs to work on and old ones to refresh and continually clean up. Highly recommended!

David Joes is a EXCELLENT Banjo instructor (and player). As an adult student, I particularly appreciate his patience. Most of the tunes I've learned are classic banjo tunes which has been fun but Davie seems to be open to suggestions from the student. His teaching technique works well over Zoom. I'm happy I found him and will keep taking lessons as long as he'll keep teaching me!

Began lessons on a whim and am enjoying learning how to play this fantastic instrument. If I can learn, anyone can. Trust me. Davey can teach. If there was a notch beneath beginner, it would be me.

I have been taking weekly banjo lessons with Davey around 18 months now. I play intermediate level and am learning some melodic stuff. He is very personable and a great musician. I had many issues that I wasn’t aware of…. Without guidance I would be lost. Banjo keeps me sane!

In my late 60s I decided to act on a wish that I had most of my adult life, to learn how to play the banjo. Last fall I made the commitment, bought a banjo and started researching a teacher that would provide private lessons. I needed someone who could accommodate my work schedule. I decided to reach out to Davey. He assured me that I not only could learn the banjo with no previous experience but that I would learn. Davey has not only met all my expectations he exceeded them. I don’t think I could have found a better teacher.

I have no experience in playing any musical instrument. I had a banjo sitting in my closet for years and figured I would give it a shot. After the first lesson with David I was hooked. He had me playing my first song right away. I thought it might be to hard for me to learn because I work full time and have a family but the way David breaks everything down into simple steps makes it easy to learn. I am so happy I made the decision to start learning with David. I am learning new songs and techniques all the time. I look forward to my lesson every week.

When I decided to invest and take up the banjo I was a little apprehensive not knowing a thing about it or even if I could catch on. I assumed my banjo purchase would be another instrument to hang on the wall if it didn’t pan out. I was completely wrong, after the first lesson with Davey I knew this was my instrument for life. He had me playing in no time. I’ve been taking lessons now for two years Davey is patient and always thinking of different approaches if I’m not understanding something. I look forward to my lessons each week. No regrets. Davey is an awesome player, teacher and banjo tech. :)

Davey is a star! It is rare to have an opportunity to be instructed in anything by someone as accomplished as he is in banjo and as a musician. He is patient, kind, and enthusiastic. His deep understanding and understated style helps him connect with his students and convey some difficult technique.

I've only been taking lessons for a few weeks, but I have made more progress than I could have ever imagined, and it has been such an enjoyable journey! Davey is super patient, flexible, and fun to work with, even if you have no musical background whatsoever.

I have taken lessons from David for the past 18 months and he is always prepared with each lesson he gives. He is also blessed with patience to help me become a better player. What ever style or genre you desire to learn you can be assured you will be learning from one of the best teachers in the industry.

My experience with Davey has been very positive. He has the patience and the ability to sense your experience and your progress, and to take it from there. Also very encouraging. All of this belongs to a really good instructor.

David is a great teacher. He is well organized, creative about his instructions and very intuitive about working with you to improve your skills on the Banjo. I highly recommend him.

David is an excellent banjo teacher. I took lessons from him for about 5 months and progressed so much. I'd still be taking lessons from him today but I moved out of state.

Davey is awesome. If you’re looking for a banjo instructor look no further. He also has a cool cat.

Took lessons with David for quite a while. Great teacher!! Always ready for the lesson. I could clearly see improvement from week to week.

I started lessons almost a year ago and couldn’t imagine a better teacher! Would highly recommend for students of all ages and skill levels!

Taught me everything I know and then some.