CLAWHAMMER BANJO WORKSHOP
For my banjo class at Miniera this year, I would like to focus on 2 topics that I think will be very interesting and hopefully inspiring to explore.
First, I’d like to show you all some less commonly played old-time jam tunes, many of which I’ve learned from a friend and old-time mentor of mine, Earl White.
Second, I’d like to explore something that I feel is unique to Clawhammer, which is rare tunings. The Clawhammer technique lends itself well to open tunings, and there are some really interesting modalities you can get in tunings other than the standard tunings.
My general philosophy of teaching involves opening up the space to conversation with students about what they’re inspired by, and trying to help facilitate learning and diving into those things that they’re inspired by.
In old-time music, which Is what I know best, there are the fundamentals and there are the tunes, so this is what I focus on.
This year, rare tunes and tunings will be the main topics, but I encourage everyone to follow their inspirations, and am more than happy to do my best in guiding the students in that learning journey.
The workshop is open from 5 participants on
Victor Furtado
Victor Furtado is a 24 year old clawhammer banjo player whose innovative playing style and unique sound has earned him many accolades including the prestigious Steve Martin prize for excellence in banjo and bluegrass.
Born in Virginia and spending his childhood summers at fiddlers conventions alongside his 8 older siblings, Victor grew up in a musically rich environment. Victor took to learning clawhammer banjo at age 9. With an untamable addiction to the banjo, a wide array of musical influences and being mainly self taught, he was quickly rising on scene as a skilled and exciting banjo player.
Victor has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, Woodsongs Old-time Radio Hour, and performed alongside the likes of Nate Leath, Billy Strings, Mark Schatz, Noam Pikelny, and Jake Eddy to name a few.
Victor has released 3 of his own albums and most recently released an instrumental album with Jake Eddy.
You can catch Victor performing, teaching, and sharing his unique style of playing all around the world, or in his home town of Nashville TN.
MinierAcustica 2025 © All Rights Reserved