Alan Munde & David Jakubiak
You know life is good when you get the chance to play music with one of the all-time great banjo players in the world. That is what we did today not far from the Atlantic Ocean.
Alan Munde, the legendary banjo player arrived for an appearance at the 3rd Annual Fretmentor Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar and Mandolin Workshop. Joining Alan on the trip was Elliott Rogers, a member of the Alan Munde Gazette.
Alan Munde & Elliott Rogers
Our first course of business was to take a short trip to the Atlantic Ocean. There, we took some photos for an upcoming article I will be writing for the Fretboard Journal. After stopping for dinner, we continued picking some bluegrass at my house.
This is just a prelude to what is going to be one special weekend workshop with Alan Munde, Byron Berline and Jim Hurst.
About fretmentor
Born in Detroit, Michigan, David F. Jakubiak has been involved in music since the age of 7, beginning as a clarinet player and then at 9 turning his attention to stringed instruments. He earned trophies in group talent competitions while a student at the University of Michigan. The instructor earned a BA degree in Organizational Psychology from the University of Michigan and a Masters in Public Administration at the University of Kansas. At college, he also studied classical music and music history.
His passion is teaching music and in performing as a musician. In addition to on-stage performances, David has played in various venues from outdoor festivals to small nightclubs. He plays, performs and teaches various styles of music, including rock, pop, blues, jazz, classical, country and bluegrass styles. He performs and teaches acoustic and electric guitar, five-string banjo, and mandolin. His styles range from Scruggs, melodic, Reno and old-time style on banjo, to finger-style and flat-picking technique on guitar, to various styles of mandolin.
For over 45 years, Mr. Jakubiak has taught all age groups, taking a personal interest in each student to ensure that they receive the attention and lesson plans that meet their needs and interests. His lessons and instructional materials place a strong emphasis on the practical use or music theory to ensure that the student understands the instrument and learns how to improvise to develop their own style. Mr Jakubiak teaches group and studio classes, webcam lessons over the internet, and individual private lessons to students of various ages. He has compiled and produced eight instructional books on CD as well as numerous instrumental arrangements.
David has written for Banjo Newsletter, a monthly publication for the banjo enthusiast and has published an article in Issue #37 of the Fretboard Journal. He is the founder of www.fretmentor.com.
To contact David Jakubiak, please feel free to e-mail him at david AT fretmentor.com (substitute the @ sign for the word AT)
I REALY ENJOYED THE WORKSHOP WITH FRETMENTORS THIS PAST WEEKEND. I WAS ABLE TO HEAR FROM HISTORYS GREAT BLUEGRASS MUSICIANS. THE CLASS WITH ALAN MUNDE WAS VERY INFORMATIVE AND I HAVE MATERIAL TO WORK WITH FROM HIS HANDOUTS. THANK YOU DAVE AND MR. MUNDE FOR YOUR TIME AND EXPERTISE. I LOOK FORWARD TO FUTURE WORKSHOPS. THANKS AGAIN!