BanjoDuster - Posted - 06/27/2010:  11:13:06

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On June 15, I posted a thread entitled, “Is Back-up Taught in the 1st Year of Banjo?” To present, there’s been more than 30 responses and 800 views. On June 16, “Joemac,” posted a thread entitled, “Back-up and Beyond.” It’s already received nearly 200 responses and 3500+ views. Theses threads, especially Joemac’s, have captured a lot of interest from banjo teachers, students and others. Both threads have attracted a lot of great, substantive feedback.

As a banjo player, with a playing level buried somewhere in the novice category, I have a shallow understanding of backup. I can, however, do some basic vamping. I am sure there are first and second-year banjo players and beyond, who either desire or need to add (more) backup to their banjo lessons, daily practice routine or jam sessions.

In addition to viewing backup-related videos provided by John Boulding’s, helpful “Lick-of-the-Week series, and other learning aids found either on the Internet or in the BHO, I’ve purchased backup books, CDs and DVDs authored by other notable banjo teachers such as Janet Davis, Murphy Henry, Arthur Hatfield, Geoff Hohwald and Ross Nickerson. (Other notable teachers have either escaped me at the moment or I've yet to become aware of their contributions. Irrespective, there's a lot of excellent backup information available in the "world of banjo.)"

Several days ago, I ordered, and received yesterday, Casey Henry’s “Beyond Vamping: Fancy Banjo Backup.” I found her DVD to be very timely and useful. In keeping with the Murphy Henry teaching method, Casey does an excellent job covering popular backup licks. She does them at tempo and then slowly, with clear explanation and later guitar accompaniment (by Murphy).

Yesterday, in a short time, using Casey’s DVD, I’ve already learned a few backup licks and also corrected a lick that I had learned on my own, but lacked a little economy of motion. I'm confident that after I learn to play all of the licks covered in this DVD together in the context of a song, smoothly and with good timing, it will inspire me to delve more into backup and to revisit and more carefully review other backup DVDs in my library.

There are many ways to learn to play the banjo, including backup. To me, learning methods that employ video, such as provided by Casey Henry and others, not only help to “accelerate” the learning process, but also make it more interesting and enjoyable.

The BV:FBB DVD has taken center stage on my daily practice routine. Who knows, it may cause me to actually participate in my first jam session. Now that would really be a significant milestone for me!

Aspiring banjo players should find Casey's backup DVD helpful in their effort to learn and play backup.

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Edited by - BanjoDuster on 06/28/2010 02:18:21

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 06/27/2010:  13:40:07

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Hi Ted..

Delighted to hear that Casey's new Back-Up DVD appears to be a winner. I have had it on my shopping list since Casey announced her intent to record this.

I am a great fan of the Murphy Method I have all their Banjo DVD's. So this is a welcome addtion to my library collection.

You don't mention AcuTab in your list of Back_Up Videos.. I have Bill Evans and John Lawless teaching Back-up. Pete Wernick also has a Back-Up DVD on the Homespun Label I don't have Petes Back-Up DVD but I do have several others including Branching out 1 & 2 and they are pretty good.

As you will soon discover some posts get lots of hits other bearly make the news. The subject line is often the key to getting readers. The content fires the flame.. If it is a hot topic you'll get replies

gradelyduck - Posted - 06/27/2010:  13:44:59

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As a timely addition to this thread, I have just received a download of "The Banjo Rules Guide to Backup" from BanjoPaul. A quick scan through looks interesting and as I'm a constant, hopeful improver it will be very useful.

BanjoDuster - Posted - 06/27/2010:  14:11:02

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Tam_Zeb: I do have DVDs by Bill Evans. As I had mentioned in my original post, I'm sure that had forgotten other fine teachers. Some of the ones that you mentioned I have yet to explore or purchase. Thanks for sharing. As for the title of threads, I do agree with you about having a title that's a good hook--to capture would-be respondents. Thanks for the feedback.

Gradelyduck: Thanks for the information. I'll check it out.

GHohwald - Posted - 06/27/2010:  14:16:04

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I've been doing a lot of work in trying to figure out how to explain back up and have reached the conclusion that knowing were to put the licks and at what volume are the keys to good back up. Basically you do not want to get in the way of the singer. As part of this process I put One of Tony Rice's CDs that has JD Crowe playing, The complete Bear Family Flatt and Scruggs set of 4 CD's that has well over 100 songs played between 1948 and 1959, And a CD of the Lonesome River Band in my car. It took about 2 weeks to listen to all of these CD's and it really opened my eyes to where to play back up licks. This is a quick way to learn about back up and to improve your listening skills.

One thing that I noticed is that sometimes Earl Scruggs will play when the singer is singing which some people would consider a violation of the Back Up rules. However in each case he is either backing away from the microphone or the Audio Engineer is turning his Back Up down so that is not causing a conflict with the vocalist.

quote:

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Originally posted by gradelyduck

As a timely addition to this thread, I have just received a download of "The Banjo Rules Guide to Backup" from BanjoPaul. A quick scan through looks interesting and as I'm a constant, hopeful improver it will be very useful.

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Tam_Zeb - Posted - 06/27/2010:  14:44:24

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quote:

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Originally posted by BanjoDuster

Tam_Zeb: I do have DVDs by Bill Evans. As I had mentioned in my original post, I'm sure that had forgotten other fine teachers. Some of the ones that you mentioned I have yet to explore or purchase. Thanks for sharing. As for the title of threads, I do agree with you about having a title that's a good hook--to capture would-be respondents. Thanks for the feedback.

Gradelyduck: Thanks for the information. I'll check it out.

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Hi Ted

I guess I missed your original post but theres no harm in mentioning Bill Evans again and again there are always newbies reading these posts and it saves them the trouble of asking if a particular book or DVD is seen to be recommended... I did however note that you mention Geoff Hohwald.. Well let me just say that Geoff's DVD's are just what the newbie really needs to break into back-up..

They are well constructed lessons and very easy to follow so much so within an hour or two or sooner depending on your skill level you will be playing back up with a Top Bluegrass Band supplied of course by Geoff. Who else does that ?

I am not simply saying that cos Geoff is active in this thread.. Geoff knows how much I value his lessons in partucular the up the neck stuff that many other teachers teaching beginners seem to shy away from.