Kara’s Music Lessons
Kara Barnard’s Music Lessons and Workshops
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About Kara Barnard’s Music Lessons
Teaching music is my passion. I thoroughly enjoy students at all levels. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or a professional musician you have your own unique emotional and physical challenges to overcome in order to achieve your goals. It is my job to find a method that works best for you. I will ask you to have patience with yourself as we take this journey together. I will require you to be gentle and kind to yourself. I can help you with your instrument as long as you understand what it takes to fully overcome your personal obstacles.”
Teaching music is my passion. I thoroughly enjoy students at all levels. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or a professional musician you have your own unique emotional and physical challenges to overcome in order to achieve your goals. It is my job to find a method that works best for you. I will ask you to have patience with yourself as we take this journey together. I will require you to be gentle and kind to yourself. I can help you with your instrument as long as you understand what it takes to fully overcome your personal obstacles.”
Kara is one of Indiana’s most sought after instructors, teaching all styles and levels of guitar, banjo, tenor banjo, dulcimer, mandolin, and octave mandolin in her Brown County, Indiana studio.
With a current roster of over 50 students, there are rarely openings. However arrangements can be made to schedule master class sessions or to be put on a waiting list. If Kara is unable to work you into her schedule, she has several great instructors to whom she can refer you.
Great musicians aren’t always great teachers! If you have any level of discomfort with your current instructor you’re likely in the wrong place.
Interested in Kara Barnard’s music lessons and workshops? Please contact Kara for scheduling/booking information and fees.
Lesson Cancelation Policy
Good communication regarding your schedule is a must. All students are charged for same day cancellations. Each student gets two excused cancellations per year. After the second cancellation, students must pay for all missed lessons.
Musicians that have studied with Kara
Ann McWilliams;
Dino Codalata, Birdmen of Alcatraz;
Paul Holdman, Larry Crane Band, Jennie DeVoe Band & Carrie Newcomer Band;
Troy Seele, Ma Kelly, Sindacato, Iced Earth;
Frank Dean, Sindacato;
Jennie DeVoe;
Johnny Richards, Myrllen’s Coat & The House Marys;
Clinton Page, Page Family;
Mikel and Arminta, Blaq Lilly;
Will Stockwell, solo;
Rebecca Lynn, Rebecca Lynn Band
John Lortz, Lortz and Holly;
Diane Porter, The Lost Brothers;
Laura Connallon, solo;
Dionne Ward and Mandy Miller, Kindred;
Ken Wilson;
Rick Hedrick, Reel Time String Band;
Chris Bryan, Reel Time String Band;
Dan Bilger, White Lightning Boys;
Jeff Owens, MC AXE and Firecrew;
Jonas Schrodt, solo;
George Blair, various jazz and Dixieland bands
Kara’s Instruction Book Videos
Each set of instructional videos on the “Kara’s Music Books” YouTube Channel is its own playlist. Use the links above to get there quickly.
If you find yourself on the main YouTube channel for Kara’s Music Books for some reason, you’ll see all the videos for all the books. To find just the videos for your book from there, click the “Playlists” tab.
Kara’s Advanced Dulcimer Arrangements
(and In-Person Lesson Videos)
Kara’s Workshops for Festivals and Conferences
Since winning the 2022 National Mountain Dulcimer Championship, Kara performs and teaches at dulcimer and traditional music festivals all over the country. Below is a list of teaching workshops Kara can offer at your festival or conference.
Mountain Dulcimer:
- Tuning, Timing, and Tablature for the Reluctant Beginner
- How to play the mountain dulcimer in any key
- Embellishing Songs with Hammer Ons, Pull Offs, Slides, and Fills
Guitar:
- Guitar Theory: Learning the Tools You Need to Navigate the Fretboard
- Playing Scales and Chord Progressions in any Key with and without a Capo
- Fingerstyle Basics
- Flatpicking 101
Banjo:
- Banjo 101, Intro to Chords and Rolls
- Advanced Banjo, Moveable Chord Theory, Intro to Scales, and Playing Up the Neck
- Beginning Melodic Style
Mandolin:
- Mandolin 101, Intro to Chords and Scales
- Intermediate Mandolin, Moveable Chord Theory and Scales
- Advanced Mandolin, Fiddle Tunes and Cool Riffs to Embellish Them
