Beginning Clawhammer Banjo
- Acoustic
- Americana
- Bluegrass
- In-Person Classes
- Instrumental
- Old Time
THIS IS AN IN-PERSON CLASS
Have you always wanted to learn to play the banjo? Look no further! “Clawhammer” is a distinct, driving style of banjo most commonly associated with American old time music. The unique combination of melody and rhythm make clawhammer banjo the perfect style to play solo or in combination with other instruments and voices. Clawhammer banjo is a living, breathing style defined by numerous artists including Rhiannon Giddens, Steve Martin, Ralph Stanley, Abigail Washburn, Bob Carlin, and Dave “Stringbean” Akeman to name a few.
This 5 week course offers a song and tune based approach to learning the banjo. Students will learn new techniques through common repertoire. No previous experience playing the banjo is needed!
Open to all! Students will need a capo, notebook, and recording device – the one on your phone works great.
Class Schedule
Tuesdays: Sep 15, Sep 22, Sep 29, Oct 6, Oct 13
Time: 6:30–7:45pm ET
Location: Passim School of Music, 26 Church Street, Cambridge, MA (Classrooms are located on the second floor; unfortunately, there is no elevator.)
Ages: 18+
Please Note:Pre-sales are highly encouraged! Online sales end 2 hours before the class begins. A minimum of 4 students is required for the class to run. If canceled due to low enrollment, you will be notified and receive a full refund.
Maxfield Anderson
- Bluegrass
- Roots
Maxfield Anderson is an American roots multi-instrumentalist, teacher, writer and music director, currently living in Somerville, MA. As an artist, Maxfield aims to bring new light to honored traditions and to share the joy of making music with others.
Growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Maxfield’s home was filled with an array of musical styles. After years of playing violin, his attention was taken hold by bluegrass and western swing fiddle, quickly leading him to discover the mandolin. He moved to Boston to study mandolin and American roots music at Berklee College of Music. Additionally, Max is a proficient guitar player, and after a year of isolation, finally broke down and added clawhammer banjo to the repertoire.
Teaching music has always been a big part of Max’s artistry. He believes that traditional music is an excellent vessel for understanding an instrument and finding your own voice as a musician. Teaching at Club Passim since 2020, Max has taught group courses in Beginner & Intermediate Mandolin, Bluegrass Ensemble (co-taught with Trevin Nelson), and Intro to Tune Writing. He also offers private instruction on mandolin, fiddle, guitar, music theory, and tune writing out of his home studio.
In addition to performing and teaching, Maxfield recently wrote and music directed the ‘Homegrown Stringband’ roots trio at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, OH. The trio performed authentic bluegrass, folk, and old time string band music throughout the summer season of 2022.
Maxfield graduated from Berklee College of Music with a BFA in Music Performance. He is an active gigging musician in the Boston music scene, and has toured throughout the Northeast playing listening rooms, ball rooms, bar rooms, back rooms, front porches and festival stages.
