What Do I Teach?
I specialize in Monroe-style bluegrass mandolin, old time Appalachian, ragtime, string band blues, ensemble, and solo playing styles. I have played and taught Irish music as well. I have taught individuals, groups, workshops and camps and can work with any age of student.
Where: I live in Sandstone, MN, but can make arrangements to come to you. Ask me!
Times: Flexible day and evening hours
Skype: Got a computer, a webcam, and a fast internet connection? I can teach you online! Sure, it’s not quite as good as in person, but it works and it gives you a great deal of flexibility. I work with you live, one-on-one. I send lessons, mp3 files, sheet music, and other teaching aids through email. I bill through Paypal: quick, easy and secure. Call me (320-245-6799) and I’ll fill you in on the details.
What Do Others Think?
I am a student of Fred’s. I have recently begun to learn Mandolin from this very versatile player.
To explain the quality of this instruction I first have to give you a brief bit of information on myself.
I have played guitar for many years , never was really good at , not a lead picker by any means but I could do some chording and rhythms. Played banjo for a few year and about the same with it. I have several stringed instruments that I chord on, but I have always wanted to be reasonably good at one of them . I don’t read music but can read tabs, sort of. I have taken lessons over the years by instructors who followed the standard: “Do this lesson then the next lesson” etc. I think this may be a wonderful way to learn for some people especially beginners so they learn the right way to do things and don’t have to relearn them years later. Unfortunately I found that type of lesson boring because we were covering ground I already knew.
Then I get a mandolin and I started hearing for the first time what a beautiful instrument it can be when in the hands of someone who knows their stuff. That’s where Fred comes in! He knows his stuff!! He spends time getting to know what your goals are and then delivers what you need. He never talks above your knowledge level yet at the same time doesn’t dummy up your lesson. I know some of the lessons he has prepared for me has taken way more time then he has ever charged me for, and probably more time then I have spent practicing them (sorry Fred!). If you’re a beginner, or intermediate player or even a very advanced player Fred can teach you something! He is a very encouraging and talented instructor and if you want to learn Mandolin he will take time to find out where you want to go on that instrument. Truly a great teacher.
JK
Here’s a very kind letter from a music camp where I taught mandolin in August, 2009
