Bluegrass Banjo Sheldon Friesen

Banjo lessons, teacher, performer – Vancouver / Surrey, BC

Home

If you are interested in live online video lessons, send me a message and we can set up a schedule.

Who’s That Banjo Pickin’ Guy?

I’ve had this banjo obsession since I was young boy. When I was fourteen years old, I was able to pool all my life’s savings from part time jobs and purchase the banjo you see me playing in the picture. At sixteen years old I began teaching banjo at a local music store in the small southern Manitoba town were I was living at that time. I’m not a teenager anymore, I’m not too good looking, but not so bad as to spoil the music, and I still pick and teach.

I moved to the picturesque Cowichan Valley which runs through central Vancouver Island in the winter of 1999 with my wife and two boys. Leaving the sub-zero temperatures of Manitoba for the moderate Pacific Coast climate was a real treat and we’ve never looked back.

My wife and I owned and operated a small restaurant called ‘Heather’s Tea Room’ located in historic downtown Duncan, BC. We closed at 3:00pm when the restaurant transformed into my music studio where I taught bluegrass banjo to aspiring players who are filling the valley with those high lonesome sounds.

In the summer of 2007 my wife and I packed up once again and made the move to Surrey, BC were we are actively involved in campus life with the students of Pacific Life Bible College. On top of the great things happening on campus, I am also teaching and pickin’ banjo!

Life is good! The venue is perfect, and it is a joy to help promote bluegrass in the lower mainland. Hope you can come on down sometime and jam a little!

I’ll be waitin’ fur ya!

39 thoughts on “Home”

oilpaintingreproductionsarts on September 23, 2012 at 10:08 pm said:

Thanks for knowledge sharing

Regards
Marcus White Lisdoonvarna

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paul mailhot on August 24, 2013 at 6:37 pm said:

Hi Sheldon, picker from Bowser, BC on the island just browsing your site , what’s the banjo your playing an Ibanez Artist?
just curious
cheers
paul

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- Sheldon Friesen on August 30, 2013 at 5:31 pm said:
  
  The blond coloured banjo I’m playing is a 1970’s Conrad. My other ‘jo is Yates RS Maple that I use now for performing.
  
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Jenny on December 14, 2013 at 8:54 pm said:

Hi,

I wanted to stay in touch with you. My name is Jenny and I have a green ukulele. I know the violin and keyboards, but the ukulele is a bit different. I live in the Surrey/Newton area. Just a few lessons to get me started may be nice.

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- Sheldon Friesen on December 15, 2013 at 8:36 am said:
  
  I just replied to you by direct email Jenny regarding Ukulele lessons. Thanks for getting in touch!
  
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Teresa Sawatsky on December 5, 2014 at 1:07 am said:

My son is 13, and can’t wait to learn to play the banjo! He has been asking for a few years now, so we finally rented one, but are having a really hard time to find anyone who teaches. There are a few guitar teacher who are willing to teach some basics, but it would be nice to find someone with a banjo passion. We are in Chilliwack. Any help would be so much appreciated.
Thanks so much,
Teresa

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Sheldon Friesen on December 5, 2014 at 1:25 am said:

Hi Teresa, I’ve responded to your comment by personal email. Cheers!

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Raj on June 9, 2015 at 5:55 pm said:

Hi Sheldon! I am looking for a banjo player for a marketing event.Contact me if you are interested.Thanks.

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- Sheldon Friesen on June 9, 2015 at 7:14 pm said:
  
  I sent you an email. Thanks Raj!
  
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Ange O. on July 9, 2015 at 4:53 am said:

Hi Sheldon! I’m wondering if you have any lessons available for extreme novices? I have never played a musical instrument in my life nor understand how to read music. I love the banjo & finally bought one in May. I know there are tonnes of books and instructional videos and I am willing to do the work, but I really need someone to point me in the right direction from ground zero. I tried tuning it for the first time tonight and broke 2 strings… I am thinking the lessons one would provide children is where I need to begin. I look forward to hearing from you! Thank you.

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- Sheldon Friesen on July 9, 2015 at 5:14 am said:
  
  I responded to you via email regarding lessons.
  
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scurrie on July 29, 2015 at 10:22 pm said:

Hey Sheldon! Could you please send me some information on Banjo Lessons? I have over the past few months sparked an interest in learning. I am better at going to lessons then self teaching. I do not have any string instrument experience so any help would be great! I live in East Van and would be happy to commute if I need to, perhaps starting in the fall..? Thanks!

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- Sheldon Friesen on July 30, 2015 at 3:43 pm said:
  
  Thanks for the inquiry. Check your email for more info
  
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Bonnita on June 1, 2016 at 5:00 pm said:

Hi Sheldon, I too would like info on lessons. I am very beginner but am motivated as my family performs bluegrass at festivals and would eventually like to be part of it. Thanks

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- Sheldon Friesen on June 5, 2016 at 4:08 pm said:
  
  Thanks for your interest. Check your email. I sent you some info.
  
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Shah on June 25, 2016 at 4:24 am said:

Hello Sheldon,
I am interested in learning how to play Ukulele. I have managed to memorize a few chords, that’s about it. How much do you charge per half house lessons? And what part of Surrey are you located?

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- Sheldon Friesen on June 27, 2016 at 3:26 pm said:
  
  Please check your email for more info.
  
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Bill C on July 23, 2016 at 12:38 am said:

Hi Sheldon I’m looking for banjo lessons I’m an older guy who is tired of the piano and looking for a change. I have bought a 5 string Ibanez and am at the point that I need help. Thanks for your time.
Regards Bill C

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- Sheldon Friesen on July 23, 2016 at 7:40 pm said:
  
  Hi Bill
  
  Please check your email for my reply to your inquiry.
  
  Cheers!
  
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Lori on October 4, 2016 at 1:33 am said:

Looking for a banjo teacher

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John Wahl on January 23, 2017 at 4:53 pm said:

I am trying to learn how to play a Dobro . Can you help me?

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- Sheldon Friesen on January 23, 2017 at 8:45 pm said:
  
  Hi John. It’s always a good idea to get a good teacher. Unfortunately, I don’t play Dobro.
  
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Ron on April 2, 2017 at 5:51 am said:

Hi there, I was wanting discuss taking some banjo lessons from you if your still instructing. I really appreciate hearing back.
Thanks

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- Sheldon Friesen on April 2, 2017 at 6:19 am said:
  
  Hi Ron! Check your email, I’ve contacted you there and we can set something up. Cheers!
  
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Ron on April 13, 2017 at 4:51 am said:

Hi I’ve sent a few msg’s but haven’t heard back. I’m interested in bluegrass banjo lesson and would like to talk to you about this. If you could get back to me that would be great. Thanks

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- Sheldon Friesen on April 13, 2017 at 4:56 am said:
  
  I’ve resent my email to you. I’m using the email address linked to this post for you. Let me know if I need to use another method to contact you if this is still not working. Cheers!
  
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  - Sheldon Friesen on April 13, 2017 at 4:57 am said:
    
    Ron, you can also email me directly:
    
    shfriesen@gmail.com
Ron on April 13, 2017 at 4:58 am said:

Sorry, I just double checked and noticed that I put in an incorrect email. A bit embarrassing lol look forward to hearing from you
Thanks again
Ron

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- Sheldon Friesen on April 13, 2017 at 5:03 am said:
  
  Ok. Sent to the updated address.
  
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Lucy Shorey on July 11, 2017 at 5:03 am said:

Hi Sheldon. Looking for a ukulele teacher. Are you still offering lessons and are you available? I am new to playing this (or any instrument)

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- Sheldon Friesen on July 11, 2017 at 5:07 am said:
  
  Yes I am still teaching. Email me and we can discuss lessons. shfriesen@gmail.com
  
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James Hoglund on August 2, 2017 at 2:25 pm said:

Hi Sheldon, it seems you are the only person in the lower mainland that teaches banjo lol. Well I have always been interested in learning and I think it’s about time, I was wondering what your rates are for lessons and what you would recommend as a good entry level banjo that won’t break the bank?

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- Sheldon Friesen on August 2, 2017 at 9:48 pm said:
  
  Check your email for further info. Cheers!
  
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Tony Fenton on February 22, 2018 at 8:46 pm said:

Hi, I am wondering if I could get some banjo instruction. I played about 30 years ago and am now trying to get back into it.

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- Sheldon Friesen on February 22, 2018 at 8:50 pm said:
  
  Hey Tony, I’ve responded to you by emai!
  
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Tony Fenton on February 22, 2018 at 8:46 pm said:

Hi, I am wondering if I could get some banjo instruction. I played about 30 years ago and am now trying to get back into it.

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Jeff Brule on March 30, 2019 at 5:31 pm said:

Looking to set my fiance up with some banjo lessons.

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Renee Stroud on May 28, 2021 at 7:09 pm said:

Dear Mr. Friesen,
We’ve inherited a banjo! I am trying to determine it’s value and after viewing a lot of images online, I came across your picture. The banjo you are holding looks very similar. I was wondering g if you’d mind looking at pictures and seeing if you have any thoughts to it’s authenticity and age. We estimate it to be at least 40 years old. Please feel free to email me.

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Andrew on October 10, 2021 at 10:50 pm said:

Hi Sheldon , I’ve had a banjo for about a year now and I like to pick and play but I have no direction on how to practice to make things move forward .
I’m located in the Chilliwack river valley and was curious about your online learning .
Maybe to set up a schedule of lessons
Thanks
Andrew

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