💪 Also giving online lessons for at-home learning!
For over 50 years, students have shared their experiences at the Fretted Instruments School. These are just a few of the 257+ testimonials from our guestbook.
Jack Baker, no question about it. He's a veteran of many music scenes and has been teaching for a long time. He's a fascinating guy, too; there aren't too many bluegrass players who knew Miles Davis and John Coltrane.
Jack Baker, no question about it.
Quora — "Who is the best Banjo Teacher in New York City?"
It's been forty-six years since, while wandering the streets of Greenwich Village, I happened to notice the sign for the 'Fretted Instruments School of Folk Music.' I wasn't really out looking for guitar lessons, but I decided to walk through the door, and now, from the vantage point of the decades that have passed since then, I realize what a big impact walking through that door has had on my life.
You were the best teacher I ever had, and each lesson was fun and informative. Music has been a significant part of my life for many years, and you were instrumental in making it so.
Cannot imagine working with anyone else. Jack's a cool cucumber, a banjo master and he has the best tabs in the known universe. Music teachers are a dime a dozen, but few are like Jack Baker, a guru/therapist/one-man hootenanny!
Jack is a gifted teacher -- patient, attentive, encouraging, and kind. He is incredibly knowledgeable, not just about banjo but about a range of music and other areas. A 'musician's musician', having collaborated with a number of major music artists, he also is very much a teacher, welcoming of beginners like myself and skilled at pinpointed ways to improve and move forward in learning, all in a supportive way. My lessons with Jack are a highlight of my week.
I have taken up banjo playing (clawhammer) after a 30 year hiatus. Jack is a wonderful teacher, lovely music for lessons, makes me feel good about playing. I highly recommend his style of teaching.
I took lessons from Jack Baker in the very early Seventies. He taught me everything I know about 3 finger picking. I have the tablature he handed out to this day.
Originally from NYC and a member of the bluegrass club of NY. I Play with the 'Yankee Rebels' Bluegrass Band. Used to jam most Sundays on Wash Square, sometimes with the incredible Jack Baker.
Knew and played blues harp with Jack in early 1980s. Both among the greatest experiences of my life. Thanks, Jack!
Jack, I put down the banjo for a long time and just recently picked it back up. So happy to see you are still around and providing the best tabs I have ever found for 5 string banjo. U Rock!!
I've taken lessons from Jack for several months now and he is an excellent teacher. Whether you are a beginner wanting to learn basic strumming or advanced techniques, Jack's use of tablature makes learning songs quick and easy. I found I could learn new songs almost immediately without having to decipher standard musical notation.
Jack is a superb guitarist and teacher. What I especially like about Jack's teaching methodology is the use of tablature for learning songs. It's clear and makes it easy to learn new material quickly. Jack's personality and manner make each lesson enjoyable and rewarding.
I had a wonderful time working with Jack. He is the most patient and knowledgeable guitar teacher I have ever encountered. His encyclopedic knowledge of music and songs is astounding. I learned more from three lessons than I expected to learn in six months.
I am an accomplished, professional jazz and rock musician. I hired Jack to teach me fingerstyle and clawhammer technique. He is extremely skilled in both. He's also a great guy and very patient as a teacher. I absolutely recommend Jack for lessons on the acoustic guitar and banjo.
Jack is extremely skilled in fingerstyle and clawhammer technique. He's also a great guy and very patient as a teacher.
Jack is by far the best teacher I have come across. He doesn't over-complicate things. He is very patient and really knows his stuff. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
Jack Baker is an excellent instructor. He is patient, knowledgeable, and teaches in a way that suits beginners and more experienced players alike. Since beginning lessons with Jack six months ago, I have made significant strides in my playing. He is wonderful!
Great resource and great teacher! I took lessons from Jack for about 6 months. I found him to be a patient, knowledgeable, and supportive instructor. Jack's website and tabs are second to none.
After many years of being away from the guitar, I decided it was time to pick it back up. Jack is teaching me and it's wonderful. He makes learning fun and I always look forward to my lessons.
Jack is an outstanding teacher. He has the ability to teach at different levels and the tablature method of teaching makes learning much easier. Highly recommended!
Jack Baker is a master of the guitar and banjo and an excellent teacher. His system of using tabs makes learning very efficient. After several lessons, I was able to play full songs, which would have taken much longer with traditional notation.
His system of using tabs makes learning very efficient. After several lessons, I was able to play full songs.
What a wonderful teacher Jack is! He is patient, kind, and very knowledgeable about music. I look forward to my lessons every week. Jack has a gift for making complex things simple and enjoyable. His website and teaching materials are exceptional.
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