Jim Miller
About
I have been playing and teaching stringed instruments including mandolin for the past forty years. I taught individual lessons at East Tennessee State University in the Bluegrass, Old Time and Country Music department as well as group lessons in an after school program for many years. I have taught at week long music camps including Kentucky Music Week, Dulcimer U, John C Campbell Folk School, and The Swannanoa Gathering. In addition, I have done many workshops at music festivals and retreats.
I approach teaching from the perspective of the student. I find out where they are on their instrument and where they'd like to be, then tailor the lessons accordingly. In a group setting, I move slowly, giving students ample time to absorb the material and ask pertinent questions. Each lesson begins with a review of previous skills, then moves on to new material. When learning a new tune I first play through it, then break it down phrase by phrase, building on each section until the tune is covered. Any difficult sections are repeated as necessary, and students are given time to "noodle" around on their own until they are comfortable with it. Finally, the tune is played together at a slow pace several times.
Group Class Now Enrolling
In addition to the one-on-one lessons that can be booked from this page, Jim Miller is offering a group class titled Old-time Mandolin for the Young at Heart. This class starts February 15, and is presented in collaboration with the John C. Campbell Folk School. Learn more and sign up here.
I hold a Masters Degree in Elementary Education and have completed course work for an Instrumental Education certification from East Tennessee State University. I am retired from teaching fourth grade at Cloudland Elementary School in Roan Mountain, TN. I am also a retired adjunct professor in the Bluegrass, Country, and Old Time department at ETSU.
I have compiled several self published mandolin books including the following: 30 Old Time Jam Tunes for Mandolin, Celtic Mandolin, Carter Family Songs for Mandolin, Folk Songs for Beginning Mandolin