With almost 40 years’ experience, teaching 5-string banjo on a one-to-one basis, in books, magazines, DVDs, and at group workshops worldwide, Leon Hunt must be one of the most experienced banjo tutors working today.
Equally at home with absolute beginners right up to ‘coaching’ established musicians, for specific projects (or even just out of a musical rut), Leon endeavours to take into account each student’s requirements, aspirations, and learning style, tailoring sessions accordingly. This is all done in a relaxed, fun, and informal manner.
“One of only a very small handful of international 5-string banjo players to truly make a mark on what is otherwise an almost exclusively American musical landscape.”
- Bela Fleck
“Leon has become known both in the UK and in the USA as an extremely creative and superb musician [...] He has had a tremendous influence on banjo players around the world”
- Greg Cahill
“Leon transcends the seeming technical and stylistic limitations of the banjo, bringing jazz, rock, Celtic, and classical influences together in a unique blend.”
- Tim O’Brien
“(Leon) can play the daylights out of a banjo - not only bluegrass banjo, but also in a number of styles and genres. He has spent years encountering and conquering the technical problems of playing, and it shows every time he plays… Leon hasn’t just studied technique, or tunes[…] On top of it all he is an excellent and concise communicator”
- Ron Block (Alison Krauss & Union Station)
Student Testimonials
“I enjoyed a week with Leon at ‘The Sore fingers Bluegrass Camp’ several years past; and, to put it simply, I actually learned some music. He would take time to set down in front of each student to make sure the scale, technique, etc. was internalized. I’ve been to many workshops; and, while I certainly enjoyed hanging out with all the great players, none worked for me as well as Leon Hunt.”
Ed (Doc) Cullis (Hixson, TN)
“Three years on, I'm extremely pleased I chose to start and continue my lessons with Leon. His years of teaching, playing, performing and recording plus extensive writing on mastering the banjo all contribute to relaxed, friendly, supremely confident and capable tuition.
I have the feeling of being able to access this genuine knowledge, long experience and playing subtleties from the very top, which for the banjo would not be possible to get elsewhere."
Stephen Shoebridge
“I found that a workshop with Leon Hunt was more beneficial to my playing than a whole year of practice. A great teacher and inspirer”
John Dowling (2003 Winfield Banjo Winner)
“I discovered Leon when looking for online banjo lessons. My only regret is that we do not live in the some time zone. For every class I have to do a bit of math. Otherwise he is all that a teacher should be; experienced, patient, encouraging, funny, with a profound love for and knowledge of the music.”
Angeliki Sourdi (Greece)
I've been learning with Leon for about six years now, having fortnightly lessons throughout that time. His teaching style is versatile, and we've covered a wide range of topics—from building my repertoire of tunes to exploring music theory, which has really helped me understand how music works rather than just how to play it. Leon is a great teacher: knowledgeable, patient, encouraging, and always happy to adapt lessons to suit my interests and goals. He’s also a genuinely lovely bloke, which makes every lesson enjoyable. Whether you're just starting out or looking to develop your playing further, I'd recommend learning with Leon.
Andrew Jackson
Your First Lesson
If you’re new to the banjo, here’s a little primer to get you started. It will set you up with the basics; how to properly hold the banjo, how to tune it, what picks to get (and how to wear them) etc etc. Taking care of these preliminaries will help you get the most from your first lesson with Leon.