Title: Banjo, Guitar, and Home Recording/Production Instructor
Skill Level: Beginner - Intermediate progressive 3-finger and old-time clawhammer banjo. Guitar with focus on open tunings and fretboard mapping
Additional Skills: Music Production, Music Technology
Availability: Virtual

Songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, poet, and producer Tanner Bingaman plays writhing folk from the hills of Appalachia via guitar, banjo, & harmonica. Tanner's songs are an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink gumbo, with explorations ranging from poignant punk melodies to rapturous and uncanny instrumental meditations, oftentimes finding himself perplexed by the task of coming down from yet another improvisational meandering. Tanner prefers barefoot walking and once saved the family dog from a rattlesnake.

Tanner has been happily featured on NPR stations throughout Pennsylvania, and he has shared stages with some of his favorite songwriters including Charlie Parr, Darrin Hacquard, and Sam Bailey. In 2021, Tanner was awarded Emerging Artist of the Year by the Susquehanna Folk Music Society, and in 2023, played his first international show with his New Zealand family of musicians (the Pakipakis), raising funds for flood-relief efforts on the North Island. In 2024, Tanner released the first full-length album from Tanner Bingaman's Pretty Big Garden, "Everything & Nothing" and was awarded Best Americana Artist by the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame.

Tanner is currently playing shows all over the U.S. and Canada, touring in support of the projects Tanjo & Crow, Dustin Dale Gaspard, and Tanner Bingaman's Pretty Big Garden. The debut album, "Everything & Nothing" from Tanner Bingaman's Pretty Big Garden is now available on limited edition vinyl, CD, cassette, and streaming everywhere.

“I’m constantly drawn in by the honesty, humor, impressive musicianship, and disarmingly unique songwriting that runs through the core of a Tanner Bingaman performance.” - Peter Winter Lee, Executive Director of SFMS

— Susquehanna Folk Music Society

“Mifflinburg, PA's finest export.” - Tyrus "Heelers" Watson (producer)

Teaching:

Below is a non-exhaustive list of the things I am happy to study and mentor with students, as well as general skills that can be useful to have some guidance on before you dive in too deep all by your lonesome:

• 5-string banjo (fingerstyle, clawhammer, old-time, and progressive styles)

• 6 and 12-string guitar (standard and open tunings)

• Fretboard mapping (the CAGED system, for example)

• Learning by ear

• Improvisation and jamming

• Concepts and creative exploration (this stuff is the most fun to teach and learn, in my opinion, and has been invaluable to me to learn from peers, giants, and even non-musicians over the years)

• Home recording and production

• Self-management as an independent artist (affordable recording options, video production, copyright, registration, releasing music, band management, booking, etc.)

I spent a lot of years trudging through teaching myself by ear,  watching (and trying to imitate players in) live concerts and recordings on the 'tube, studying intently at shows, and picking things up at the occasional open jam or festival workshop. I have been lucky enough to brush shoulders, share stages, or pick up tips from some of the best such as Bela Fleck, Charlie Parr, and the late great Anthony Hannigan. I have been perhaps even more lucky to become close friends and collaborate with songwriters, players, and producers I truly admire (this list is far too long to write out here, but I have some amazing friends whose music I am happy to introduce you to). I have gotten to the level of creative playing, songwriting, production, and exploration that I am currently at through a lot of consistency and the gentle hand of friends and mentors helping guide me along the way.

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A few more things to note…

I am a happy endorser of Deering Banjos and can offer my students exclusive discounts on Deering banjos and products.

Occasionally someone approaches me that would enjoy lessons but cannot afford them. If this is you, please reach out, and let's see what we can do. On the other hand, if you would like to sponsor a series of lessons or host a workshop, feel free to reach out as well.

Have something you're interested in studying? Have some general questions? Submit an inquiry below to tell me a little about yourself, as well as what you have in mind.

Stay kind out there,

Tan