Thursday, February 12 in Raleigh, NC
Wayward Strings is pleased to host Jodi Harbin (Powell, TN), a career musician who teaches mandolin, banjo, guitar, and bass. She was the founder of the Colorado bluegrass band, Lonesome Traveler, and has continued her involvement in the bluegrass community after moving to the Knoxville area. She now performs with several groups including The Savage Hearts, and with her husband Tim Harbin. Working with Steve Kaufman at his camp every summer has exposed her to a wide range of teachers and teaching materials on all the bluegrass instruments.
Beginning Clawhammer Banjo
Thursday, February 12, 2026
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Community United Church of Christ (Raleigh, NC)
Tuition: $25
This workshop will focus on clawhammer banjo as the rhythmic heart of old-time music, perfect both for beginners and those building their groove.
Minimum Qualifications
- Basic knowledge of how 1, 4, 5 chords work
- Own or can borrow a banjo. Any 5-string banjo will work; it does not have to be a clawhammer-style banjo. Several loaners are available for the workshop.
What You’ll Learn
We’ll start with the “bum-ditty”, proper hand and body positioning, and left-hand techniques like hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides. Participants will work on tunes in open G and double C, emphasizing steady rhythm, playing by ear, and group jamming for a supportive, fun environment.
“Beyond True Beginner” Mandolin
Thursday, February 12, 2026
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Community United Church of Christ (Raleigh, NC)
Tuition: $25
This workshop will elevate your bluegrass and old-time playing beyond the basics. Perfect for mandolin players with some experience who want to refine their playing, learn new licks, and leave ready to tackle faster tempos and more complex arrangements.
Minimum Qualifications
- Basic knowledge of how 1, 4, 5 chords work
- Familiar with essential closed mandolin chord shapes
- Comfortable playing easy, basic melodies.
What You’ll Learn
We’ll dive into essential techniques like double stops, movable chord shapes, and adding variations to melodies, while exploring how to create fluid solos and backups on classic tunes. Participants will work on ear training, improvisation ideas, and jamming strategies to build confidence in group settings and develop a more dynamic groove.
Interested but have questions? Contact us at: howdy@waywardstrings.com