sethlael - Posted - 08/04/2009:  10:36:07

I've been playing odd styles for a few years now and just found the new album by Bela Fleck. I would love to learn how to play like this. Dose anyone know of any educational material or have any advice, scales, rhythms to study, way to break down the music to learn it better?

Thanks

www.myspace.com/slackjawyokels

slowdeath - Posted - 08/04/2009:  10:40:24

Yea i'd like to play like Bela too.

Regards,

Matt

www.myspace.com/slowdeathandloneliness

slthames - Posted - 08/04/2009:  10:52:21

I have a Bela Fleck dvd that I won't be using.If you want it ,tell me how to get it to you.

sethlael - Posted - 08/04/2009:  10:58:23

That would be great. I've got a little down time and would love to have some material to dive into.

www.sethlael.com

claybanjo - Posted - 08/05/2009:  06:45:40

You might find something here at : >http://alternativebanjo.com/
> http://www.bopjo.com/music.html

"Seldom turns out the way it does in the song" RH

Edited by - claybanjo on 08/05/2009 07:01:21

banjoken - Posted - 08/05/2009:  12:07:31

That dvd is great, but it is not anything like his throw down your heart stuff. That dvd is his older stuff, but as I said, still good stuff!

DIV - Posted - 12/01/2009:  09:24:03

I wish I could have Bela be my banjo instructor. But then again, I would be a HUGE disappointment to him!

jkmacman - Posted - 12/01/2009:  14:14:26

Last week I checked out the DVD. It was pretty intense.

IMHO you can enjoy playing the banjo at any level. That's why it's such an awesome instrument.

Like the dude asked how do you get to carnegie hall (my hs garduation was there), but more or less practice.

Dick Parker - Posted - 12/06/2009:  22:08:44

You folks are more knowledgeable than I about five-string styles, but I simply was awed by Bela Fleck. We saw "Throw Down Your Heart" at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis, after which Bela gave a short talk, answered questions and played a pretty long piece in that African-inspired style. I think he's a genius, and he seemed to be a pretty nice guy.

tfaux - Posted - 12/11/2009:  19:05:13

Do what Bela did before the trip--immerse in African music.
I see that you're in the Bay area. There is a lot of African music around you: drumming, dance, and instruction of all kinds. Join a drum circle with an African teacher & get a sense of how different rhythms sound played against each other. Then adapt it to the banjo.

You might check out John Miller Chernoff's book "African Rhythm and African Sensibility." He gives a good sense of what it takes for a non-African musician to become involved in African music.

Bela is a genius, of course, with technique that makes your eyes water. But if you learn the principles of African music-making, there is a lot that is accessible, and the banjo is well suited to it.

Tom

mahoney67 - Posted - 02/14/2010:  19:20:00

I saw Bela in Lawrence, Kansas Sat night. The throw down your heart tour. It was an unforgettable experience.