michael starkey
Edinburgh
I’m Michael Starkey. I’m an experienced music tutor offering lessons for 5
string banjo and acoustic guitar in Edinburgh, Scotland. These are for
individuals and groups of all ages and abilities who maybe don’t know how to get
started with their playing; feel stuck with where their playing is at; or are
looking to hone their skills further by developing specific playing techniques.
I help musicians (and aspiring musicians): Get their playing off the ground by
learning the basic skills needed to begin making music Appreciate their existing
skills and build on these by offering advice and ways to move forward with their
playing Gain confidence making music with other people Develop techniques
specific to old time clawhammer banjo playing, fingerpicking folk and
country-blues acoustic guitar and acoustic guitar accompaniment for traditional
folk music My reasons for teaching: I believe that music has had a very positive
impact on my life. I started playing as a young teenager and have always been in
bands and going out to gigs and sessions since. For me, it’s a good way to spend
time with other people but also with myself. I find that when I’m playing, I’m
less likely to be worrying about other things. A bit later on, I came across
clawhammer banjo and old time stringband music and got obsessed. I found that
there weren’t that many people to play with or learn from where I live so I
decided to take up banjo teaching. I like to travel in the US, learn from
musicians there, pickup new tricks and tunes and then bring them back over here
to share. My experience: I am a full time musician, teacher (and gardener). I
had my first guitar student when I was a teenager. I work with individual
students from my home in Leith and also teach group classes for the Scots Music
Group in Edinburgh. In recent years as a community gardener I have worked in
therapeutic horticulture with people struggling with their mental health and
with individuals with Autism. I’ve also worked as a tree planter. I play in a
number of different bands, have toured and gigged across the UK and have made a
number of recordings. I also co-host a weekly old time music session in
Edinburgh. Check out my personal website – michaelstarkeymusic.com to see and
hear my latest projects. Get in touch….. If you are interested in banjo and/or
guitar lessons then I’d like to hear from you. Please use the contact form or
have a look at the other pages on the site to find out more about banjo lessons
or guitar lessons. There is also a page with some field recordings and more
information about old time music. I’ll leave you with this clip of fiddle player
Jeri Foreman and myself playing the old-time tune, Five Miles of Ellum Wood.
