Banjo Cruise Workshop Details | Banjo Workshop Curriculumn | Faculty

Your Host and Instructor - Ross Nickerson

Ross Nickerson is the director and instructor on the Banjo Cruise.
Ross Nickerson has recorded with some of the top names in Bluegrass music. He was recently released on a compilation CD called Ultimate Banjo that included banjo legends, Earl Scruggs and Sonny Osborne. Ross recently appeared on stage with The Riders in the Sky and The Oak Ridge Boys and has picked with and appeared with many of the best banjo players in the world including Earl Scruggs, Bela Fleck and Ralph Stanley. Ross’s CD Blazing the West has won many awards including being named by Country Music Television as one of the top ten CDs to pick up. Ross's newest CD is called Let's Kick It that features hard driving traditional Bluegrass Banjo with Ross’s own personal touch. Accompanying Ross on the CD are members of the well known Bluegrass Band

Ross Nickerson has always enjoyed sharing his knowledge and helping others to learn to play the banjo. He has written and recorded over twenty Books and DVDs on how to play the banjo including The Banjo Encyclopedia, "Bluegrass Banjo from A to Z". His many years of experience teaching privately and traveling the world to hold group workshops has helped him gain many unique insights into the common obstacles facing banjo students today. He has listened to his students, seen the challenges they face, understands what students are craving for and always delivers his practical, focused instruction in a personable and easy to follow manner.
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Banjo Cruise Student Comments:

.....Hi Ross.,
I write to thank you for the effort you put into teaching at the recent Caribbean Banjo Cruise.  For me, it was spot on.  The emphasis on basics is exactly what I needed.  I was almost ready to give up trying to improve given the non-stop frustration of being unable to get through a memorized tab as soon as anybody was listening even though I had played it hundreds of times.  So the emphasis on the process of improving technique and having a rational approach to learning new material has already made a significant difference in my playing.  Also a new look at rolls.  i had always counted them as 12312312- now it is 1+2+3+4+.  This explains why I had so much trouble with chord changes or melody changes in mid-measure. Charles Hodge

.......Hi Ross: I just wanted to send you a note of appreciation for your direction during the Carribean Banjo Cruise this year.  You have driven me to ascend from my plateau of mediocrity and move forward in my journey to learn the banjo. You gave me a whole new vision on the correct way to practice and how to efficiently work out a new song.  Prior to you straightening me out, it was clear that I was learning the banjo backwards, which led to much frustration and my inability to gain much progress.  Many thanks for your patience and understanding and your undivided interest in helping others to be better musicians.  You are a true teacher!"  John Glassman Russell, Kansas