Jack Baker'sFretted Instruments School

Fretted Instruments School is a New York City institution dedicated to the art of acoustic fingerstyle guitar and banjo. Founded by Jack Baker in 1970, the school has spent over five decades teaching students of every level — from first-time beginners to seasoned performers — in the rich traditions of American folk music.

The curriculum covers a wide range of styles and instruments: Bluegrass Banjo, Clawhammer Banjo, Acoustic Fingerstyle Folk Guitar, and the legendary Chet Atkins thumb-picking style. Beyond technique, the school also offers instruction in Music Theory, Improvisation, Ear Training, Mandolin, and Fiddle — giving students a complete musical education rooted in the fingerpicking tradition.

Fretted Instruments School is for anyone who has ever felt the pull of acoustic strings — curious beginners, intermediate players looking to deepen their repertoire, and advanced musicians seeking a master-class environment. Lessons are offered in-person in Manhattan and online to students worldwide.

Jack Baker has been described by The New Yorker as operating "The Juilliard In Its Field." His image is preserved in the New York Historical Society photo archive, and his arrangements and tablature are enjoyed by guitarists and banjo players around the world through this website's free Music Archive. The school remains committed to keeping American fingerstyle traditions alive — one lesson at a time.

"Deeply rooted in American musical heritage since 1970."