KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- She taught herself on a Sears, Roebuck & Co. banjo at 15. Nine months later, Anna Uptain Denison was picking the stringed instrument in a gospel group. Now 30 years into playing, Denison is passing on the "old-timey" bluegrass sounds to students in her adult beginner class offered at Pellissippi State Technical Community College in Knoxville, Tenn.The students scrunch their faces as they read the music and play "Go Tell Aunt Rhody" with Denison chanting: "2-1-4, keep going; let's keep the rhythm."Denison -- also a porch picker at the Museum of Appalachia in Norris, Tenn. -- is laid-back in her teaching."I know it's hard to get those fingers moving. But you really need to claw your hands to get those strings on this line," she tells the class of middle-aged men and two young, female Pellissippi State students."If you need to cheat to get to the right string, that's fine by me," said Denison, who wants her students to have quick success. "If you miss a note, just keep going."Jaime Norris, 24, said she won't stop until she "gets it down." To make sure up-picking, an old style of playing, and the more popular bluegrass style stick after the eight-week course, Denison offers continuing lessons and jam sessions.Interest in the instrument gets piqued after movies like "O Brother, Where Art Thou?," said Denison of banjo playing."When there is a resurgence in mainstream culture, then you see the interest grow tremendously," she said.But it wasn't a movie that got Jack Martin signed up for the class. Martin, already a bass player for a Southern Gospel group, bought a banjo three months ago and just wanted to learn how to play."It drives me nuts at times, but I am determined to learn," said the Powell, Tenn. resident, who also plays the guitar.At 66, Martin said, "You're never too old to learn."(Contact Chandra Harris-McCray of The Knoxville News Sentinel in Tennessee at www.knoxnews.com.)
Self-taught banjo picker shares her knowledge
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