The Banjo
I welcome you to an insightful blog for, and about the fretted instrumentalist. My blog focuses on the banjo, guitar and mandolin. These three instruments have been a part of my life for many years. Music is my passion and to pass on the knowledge I have gained in 40 years of studying, performing, playing and teaching each instrument, is not simply an avocation or a career; it is a responsibility.
The Guitar
A good instructor understands that education is a life-long process. A good musician should understand that acquiring knowledge of music and an instrument requires a long-term commitment. That is what makes music education such a thrill. It is both challenging and rewarding. To become an accomplished musician requires patience, commitment, and dedication. You must practice daily and you must recognize that the rewards you earn through practicing will gradually accumulate over time.
The Mandolin
Let’s explore the banjo, guitar and mandolin from both the teacher and the student’s point of view. Whether a Fretmentor blog entry consists of a music lesson, a historical reference or a general interest article on one of these instruments, I am confident that you will find something of interest to complement your personal desires as a musician. So please provide your input and feedback often.
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www.fretmentor.com
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 have attended my first session of Fretmentor’s Bluegrass Class as an observer. I’m very excited about enrolling in the next class. I will continue to blog my progress but only the positive stuff.
I always accentuate the positive. My goal is to be a very good Fiddle player. I will start with
the Mandolin. And here we GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dave
When I took lesons from you. Mainly the Banjo I owe you a great bit of gratitude for heading me in the right direction, both on learning and the buying of a better Banjo than a Gibson RB250.
Little did I know what a difference in the sound of the Stelling.
Things are slow up here in Vero but I still dust off all my stringed instruments every now and then. and have no regrets of buying them Thank you
Dave keep up the good work.