Rich Stillman - three finger banjo for bluegrass and other styles

Rich Stillman

3-finger banjo for bluegrass and other styles

Banjo was not my first instrument, but after more than thirty years of playing it has become a passion and a profession. In addition to my experience with Scruggs-style bluegrass banjo playing, my background in classical piano and fingerstyle guitar contributes to my playing style, choice of material and approach to teaching the banjo. It has also brought me numerous contest wins: New Jersey bluegrass banjo champion in 1993, New England bluegrass banjo champion in 2002 and 2003, and six-time winner at the Lowell Fiddle and Banjo Contest through the 1990s.

Teaching

I am a long-time teacher of three finger banjo at all levels. Thanks to teaching techniques I have developed over the past several years, I have a very high rate of success teaching beginners from eight to seventy, and I can also help more advanced players quickly improve their technique.

Over the coming months, I will be building a banjoteacher Web page with tips, advice and a teaching blog.

Performance

I joined my first bluegrass band in 1976. Since then I've formed, led or played in more bands I can count - currently Southern Rail and Adam Dewey and Crazy Creek. In addition to my work as a freelance studio musician, I've recorded with these bands and three other regular performing bands, WayStation, The Jersey Travelers and The Bogus Family.

In addition to bluegrass I've performed in a number of other styles. You can watch my video of Aaron Copland's Hoedown, played with a local high school orchestra in May 2007.

Click here for my upcoming performance schedule.

Studio recording

In addition to my regular performing, I have recorded with New England artists in a number of different styles. I work hard with artists and their existing studio tracks to make sure the banjo fits the rhythm and style the artist intends.

Click here for a list of artists I've worked with.

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