Banjo Hangout - Playing Advice: All Other Styles Forum Feed

is DIXIE bluegrass?

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 3 Feb 2012 10:26:10 CST

Is the old song "DIXIE", the one with the line in it that goes "cause I'm from Dixie too", appropriate for a bluegrass jam? Is it Bluegrass. Now I've done it. I've gone and asked that eternal question. Is it Bluegrass?

Gene Warner

Easy Banjer Licks.

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 2 Feb 2012 19:45:45 CST

Hey BH,

Im fairly new to banjo, Currently working hard at learning foggy mountain break down, mainly getting the rolls right etc... But when I just want to have fun I do a really basic pointer finger and thumb melody pickin thing. Pretty much just pickin strings in a pattern till it sounds good. So far I have wrote one complete song with that style just using basic chords like C, EM, D7th, G. So I guess im just wondering if there are any simple yet impressive/fun to play banjo licks out there that would be good for a intermediate beginner. Thanks yalls!

HELP!is there a technique for learning individual notes on fret board

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 1 Feb 2012 11:24:25 CST

Hi,

Apologies if this is a dumb question and the solution is obvious but i seem to be all fingers and thumbs.

I've been playing for about three years now and up to now have concentrated on chords and rolls to play.I would now like to extend my playing capabilities by being able to play individual notes on intro's and also musical breaks in the middle of songs.Is there a tried and tested method of knowing where to position your left hand and fingers to get around the fret board in the most efficient way .I presume the fingering for the strings is the same as for playing rolls?

Any advice would be great.

Huggie.

blues progression for clawhammer

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:37:36 CST

Where can I find some info or examples of playing an up tempo blues progression for clawhammer banjo? Or can I?

Iron Horse Tabs

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 09:51:55 CST

Hello.....I am new to this site and was kinda digging around for some tabs and noticed this site had some older tabs but looks like the links were to old for me to pull up. Does anyone have the Iron Horse banjo tabs for the cover of the Modest Mouse song - Dark Center of the Universe? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuaOcQg-e4M

Or the tabs for the song Trailer Trash? Same band, different song.

Tenor Guitar

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:49:11 CST

I am thinking of Buying a Tenor Guitar, What i am asking is can i Play F, and D Shape 5 Chords on the Tenor Guitar. I have done it on the Tenor Banjo Tuned D G B D, an it Sounded OK. I have looked at Tenor Guitars on Line and they seem pretty small (1 octave i think) So how will 5 Chords Sound ? Thanks all.

backing up myself

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:21:18 CST

Hey I was wondering after a recent jam,I always play the melody to the song Im singing, wouldnt it be better for me to save it for a solo, and if so what should I be doing with my banjo while Im singing. BTP

Noam Pikelny on Woodsongs

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:01:44 CST

Here's the link:

http://www.woodsongs.com/showdetailspage.asp?SN=648

Video quality isn't the best but there are several close-ups of Noam's fretboard mastery. Another thousand years and I might be able to play a bar or two of Noam's music!

Enjoy!

Banjo with modern music ?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:50:01 CST

Im a beginner and I'm learning 5 string bluegrass and realise I need a good understanding of it before I can branch out and go my own way. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm not learning banjo just to play bluegrass. I was never bought up with bluegrass music and only heard of it a few months ago. The music I listen to at home is a world away from bluegrass, pop, rock, funk, acid jazz etc etc. My aim is to get to a level where I can play the banjo in company with the music I like. Pink Floyd comes to mind, some of those songs lend themselves to banjo.

I'm definitely of the opinion that I need to get a good grounding in a certain style, which will then allow me to branch out. Along and hard road I think.

A tuning (classic banjo)

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:38:11 CST

Reading through Converse is slow going for someone used to noting a
banjo in C tuning! Trying to develop a facility with real-time minor third
transposition - my brain appreciates the exercise, but short of writing
out a transposition I wonder what advice would players of the style offer
me?

I'm sure I'll gain speed reading A, but I'm not adverse to shortcut tips!

All the Things You Are - simple improv

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:49:23 CST

This is a short and simple illustration as to how to use 4 major scales to play over the changes to the "A" part of the beautiful jazz standard "All the Things You Are". My left hand is a bit off cam when I'm showing chord voicings ... sorry about that.

couldn't decide whether to put this in theory or not.

3 Latin grooves for 5 string

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:41:45 CST

these are 3 types of fingering patterns that I use when playing Latin jazz charts.

it sure ain't Earl ....

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:40:13 CST

.... but I like this sort of stuff.

Don Ross is a guitarist that plays in the style made famous by Guitarist Michael Hedges ... and bassist Michael Manring.

My daughter, Catie, learned a tune that used some of his techniques ... which I wanted to use on the 5 string.

She kindly showed the old man a couple of cool sounding tricks. :) ... so i thought I'd pass it on.

Bela Fleck, up and down the neck!

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:52:22 CST

Has anybody watched a youtube video of Bela Fleck performing a medley in concert of The First Noel, O Come All Ye Faithful, Joy To The World? My question is this: When he performs those frills all the way up and down the neck between the melodies, what is he really doing? Are those partial scales, partial chords or what? They sound great, but I don’t have a clue on how or what he is doing and I would like to try to learn and practice some of those licks and runs. If anybody can fill me in, that would be much appreciated!

-Joe

What.... more guitar-banjo?!

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:41:51 CST

Ok, I have a thing for this misunderstood and often maligned instrument. Here's
one of my tunes that I play on the guitar. With a bit of technical adjustment, I think
it can be played on the good old guitar-banjo with fine results.

#Rag on a Deering Senator.

Jazz, Plectrum/5-String, Clawhammer, and all manner of banjo questions!

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:01:49 CST

Greetings everyone,

I, like so many, have fallen madly in love with the banjo. It began about 1 and a half years ago when I got my Recording King banjo. I started down the bluegrass route and have made my way into Clawhammer playing. I love that mellow old timey sound, as well as Clawhammers place in newer folk. That said, my main instrument is Saxophone, as well as other woodwind instruments. I would like to use banjo for comping within a jazz setting. I also prefer to use the clawhammer style over picks. Plus, I would really like to learn scales and such for jazz improvising. Are there any good scale or technique books/methods for learning these skills? Would a tenor or plectrum fit better than a 5-string in this setting? And just for kicks, are there any books that teach the banjoist to play by standard notation rather than tablature?

Thanks for taking time to read my many questions! Feel free to respond to part or all of my questions.

Happy Picking,

Ryan

Bar chords !!!

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 3 Jan 2012 08:56:07 CST

Why should something in theory be easy but be so hard for me ! I make sure ive got my finger across all strings and even have my middle finger pressing down on my index and yet I'm still deadening a string or two. Is it because I'm new to it and my skin needs to toughen up ?

Please,..if ya know,...

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 3 Jan 2012 05:43:23 CST

Of ah good vidio of how to do triplets...

Would ya please post ah link...?

Tripplets..

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 2 Jan 2012 11:55:33 CST

What's tha secret...?

I think that's what im meanin is called...

Sounds like a real fast roll...while ah 2 or 3 finger pulloff is going on at tha same time..

Country Blues Anyone?

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 03:53:08 CST

Hey!

Just curious if anyone here plays some Country Blues on the five string banjo? If you do, please tell me how you go about playing it!

I've been dabbling with it on the banjo recently and can make it sound quite alright played along with recordings, but not too good by itself yet. But I'm getting there. I've been playing it both with clawhammer and three finger style. Three finger style is working a lot easier for me though.

I suppose I've been striving a bit to hard to find the alternating bass sound, that the guitar plays. At one point I even thought about building a banjo with an extra bass string so I could imitate the guitar even more, but decided in that case I might as well play it on the guitar instead. Now I'm concentrating on finding the rhythm and feel without the steady alternating bass and seeing that it really is possible, even though it obviously doesn't sound as full as the guitar. But hopefully I will become better at adding some quicker runs and fill out melodies, to make up for the loss of bass in an interesting banjo sounding way instead. If that makes sense? I really want my playing to sound banjo-ish, but still have the right feel for the music.

Also, seems most of the material I play is in C. Lately I've been listening a lot to Frank Stokes and I think he pretty much played everything out of C, with or without a capo placed somewhere. I've been playing it on the banjo out of gCGCE, gDGBD and on a few occasions gCGCD. It usually plays the smoothest out of gCGCE, but since I'm more comfortable up the neck in gDGBD, I've been using this tuning a lot too.

I'd be really interested in hearing what tunings and what right hand techniques others use! Or if you know of some other banjo player that I might find inspiring, that would be great too!

Best,

Max

Mel Bay Banjo Method by Frank Bradbury - Classic Banjo Style

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 09:15:18 CST

This method is for the classic fingerstyle of playing, and contains no tab - it is a great book for learning to read music in mostly gCGBD tuning. Mel Bay asked me to record many of the pieces, and they give those recordings away free with an online purchase. I have now updated my website to include all the mp3 files I made, 58 of them, for easy access. They might help you work through the book, and many are worth hearing for enjoyment.

Here is the direct link:

http://www.classicbanjorm.com/Bradbury.html

Feel free to download the ones you want.

Comments and questions, welcome.

Rob MacKillop

single finger fretting

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 19:57:11 CST

I probably should know the answer to this question but I don't....

When playing a tune whether it be 3 finger style, clawhammer style, etc etc.

Should the chord formation be used as opposed to using 1 finger for melody notes. ?

If yes what about the pull offs, hammer ons, and slides ?, be kind of difficult having say closed chord formations when playing these wouldn't it ?

Melding Jazz Guitar and 5 String Banjo: Not For the Weak of Heart...

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:07:29 CST

After talking about the possibility of putting my banjo next to a neighbor’s jazz guitar, with us behind our respective machines, my friend Steve and I finally got together. I’ve seen Steve and his group (which includes an incredible Vibratone player) wow audiences in Staunton VA, so I approached the experience with some trepidation. After all, I’m a banjo player, primarily clawhammer. What do we know of chords? More to the point, what do I know of chords?

Actually, I had focused on memorizing the three chord positions, F, D and Barre, up and down the neck, and after about two and a half years of constant, daily work I’ve managed to recall some of the fingerboard. I also sort of figured out minor positions, but I’ve had some trouble with anything more complex than Major 7 chords. But I decided to haul two of my instruments, a BG banjo and an OT banjo, to Steve’s house – unfortunately it is uphill which reminded me exactly how heavy banjos in hard shell cases can be…

Steve warmed up a bit on his guitar – one of those classy jazz instruments – not your average Dreadnaught to be sure.

I told him I needed to figure out some basic jazz idioms, some runs or licks or common chord positions. He decided to take me through “Summertime”, and to introduce me to some basic I, VI, II, V chord progressions – but chord progression in BG is clearly not the same thing as jazz chord progression. My fingers ached, my mind spun, and I barely was able to run a simple three finger pattern on any chord before he was pushing me up or down the neck: Dm/ Gm/ A7/Bb/ F/ Dm/ Bb/A Gm/ C /Dm.

We’ve resolved to meet once a week, and to work on a tune a week – that might be really optimistic. I tend to be an immersion learner, and generally stick with a tune for a 1 to 3 month period. We’ll see.

But the fun didn’t end there. I told Steve that for the heck of it we ought to see whether there’s any applicability of basic clawhammering capabilities to jazz. So I unholstered the open back, and ran through what I knew of “Summertime” in a basic claw pattern. Surprisingly, to me, and astoundingly from Steve’s perspective we were able to make it work. I had to slow down, and he had to make some compromises (apparently, moral ones) before we could fuse clawhammer and jazz standards but what we produced at least in this first instance worked surprisingly well.

And then, to add icing to the cake I suggested we see whether some of the bluesy modal type tunes in clawhammer might lend themselves to some jazz guitar work. I slowed down and exaggerated some of the “jazz” aspects I thought I heard in Cluck Old Hen, Kitchen Girl, Abe’s Retreat (that one might have been a bridge too far…) and Steve figured out how to apply his jazz guitar prowess to these tunes, to tease out their jazz flavor, and to work alongside what I was doing on the open back.

This is going to be fun.

Any tips, guidance, warning notices, suggestions, or observations that might help me avoid bringing embarrassment to myself and, by extension, the universe of banjo players, would be sincerely appreciated.

Have a great holiday,all.

Lew

World-Wise Banjo in NY, RI & MD

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:25:29 CST

I'll be doing a short east coast tour in January:

Jayme Stone's Room of Wonders
Jayme Stone (banjo) | Andrew Downing (cello) | Rob Mosher (horns) | Andrew Small (bass) | Nick Fraser (drums)

Jan 6 92Y Tribeca, New York, NY | http://www.92y.org/tribeca/index.aspx
Jan 7 Music at Lily Pads, Peace Dale, RI | http://musicatlilypads.org/
Jan 10 WNYC Soundcheck, New York, NY | http://www.wnyc.org/shows/soundcheck/
Jan 12 Lincoln Center, New York, NY | http://new.lincolncenter.org/live/index.php/atrium
Jan 13 Strathmore Mansion, North Bethesda, MD | http://www.strathmore.org/

Two-time Juno-winning banjoist Jayme Stone makes music inspired by traditions from around the world, bridging folk, jazz, chamber and world music. His latest album, Room of Wonders, explores music from Norway, Sweden, Bulgaria, Brazil, Italy and North America. The repertoire includes a movement from Bachʼs French Suite, a Moorish sword-fighting dance and Stoneʼs lush, edgy originals.

Stone thrives on unexpected inspiration: Japanese poetry, Brazilian literature, instruments he found while traveling in remote Malian villages. He finds it with influences as diverse asAnouar Brahem, Bill Frisell, and Toumani Diabaté. His Juno Award-winning albums, most notably Africa to Appalachia, both defy and honor the banjoʼs long role in the worldʼs music, turning historical connections into compelling music.

website: http://jaymestone.com/
videos: http://jaymestone.com/videos

"I take back what I said about Jayme Stone."
STEVE MARTIN

"The Yo-Yo Ma of the banjo."
GLOBE AND MAIL

"This is what the future of the banjo sounds like."
SONGLINES

"Stone's banjo playing is a source of limitless creative expression."
NO DEPRESSION

Tunings and scales question

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:47:37 CST

Hi fellow Banjo lovers! I've been checking out this site for a while and finally made an account. I started playing banjo in May and now my banjo is pretty much my boyfriend.

I've been teaching myself with a little help from friends I meet along the way, and the internet (banjo hang out! and youtube) I love playing clawhammer style, but I haven't explored any other tunings besides open G. Lately I've been teaching myself finger picking, and learning different major and minor scales. I've played classical flute for many years so I'm applying what I know from that and music theory to figure out the different major scales and relative minor scales.

My uncertainty is whether or not it makes sense to learn all the different scales in open G tuning, or if it makes more sense to learn them in a different tuning. Or if perhaps it makes sense to learn them in open G and also in other tunings. If I play, say an A scale in open G tuning, it works fine for finger picking but when I play it clawhammer style it sounds weird because the other strings resonate in G even if I'm not hitting them.

I'm really enjoying learning just by playing the instrument, and I've been combining finger picking, clawhammer and some strumming and picking combinations that sound cool to me. Any and all suggestions are welcomed!

Practise procedures ?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 07:28:24 CST

I know that sounds a bit formal, but I'm getting at is do people have set ways of practising, ie, set time and place each day or just as and when they feel the need where ever they be ?

Paul

Finger tremolo techniques HELP NEEDED !

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 06:51:51 CST

Mike Moss is a member both here and on the http:// classic-banjo.ning.com, the Classic Banjo site. He recently posted a video demonstrating Sostenuto or two finger tremolo. This technique was very popular in banjo playing of the early 1900's but seems to have disappeared (or 'gotten forgotten!) It gives a superb effect of two banjos playing together, one accompanying the one playing the melody.

I would like to find out more about this method of playing and am looking to compile articles demos etc to make available for download. We can't let a superb technique like this disappear for good!!!

Can anyone help please? I know that Joel Hooks has experimented with the technique using single finger... any suggestions Joel?

TWO FINGER TREMOLO VIDEO TUTORIAL

Ian,

thereallyniceman

Right hand fingering for doublestops in 6/8

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:16:05 CST

What would be your way of playing the following pattern in 6/8 rhythm?
(In the tempo which excludes the option of doubling the right hand finger.)
Imagine you play the doublestops on the 1st and 2nd strings.

Classical guitar approach with MIMIMI:

--0-0-0-0-0-0--
--0-----0------
  M I M I M I
  T     T

Drop thumb approach without MIMIMI, but with cross-overs of RH fingers:

--0-0-0-0-0-0--
--0-----0------
  M I T M T I
  T     I

Or something else?

Mirek

Jim Mills "In The Mood" ~ Glenn Miller

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:11:17 CST

Hey guys,

Check this out!

In The Mood

~Craig

I wonder if someone could tab this out, and Jim is definitely kickin' ass in this vid! Goes to show you, Jim is not always all Scruggs, all the time!

Pat Cloud Pos #2 #5 LH Fingering

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 06:15:47 CST

Hi Guy's

Just started working on Pat's book Key to the five string banjo today and I am really struggling to get my head round the fingering on Positions #2 and #5. I have no problems getting the flow with the other three positions It's just those two, I am just not sure how best to finger the strings and just fumble my way through these. In particular moving from the second string to the first and back again.

How do you finger those patterns ?

Tone when playing "guitar style"

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 9 Dec 2011 07:05:05 CST

It is my firm conviction that most of tone quality that comes from any musical instrument

it attributable to the technique of the player. A quality instrument is an enabling device,

in my view. This point was first made clear to me when I was a teenager studying classical

guitar at a conservatory.

How and with what we set the strings in motion has a tremendous influence on tone. For

classical guitar, Segovia style, it was the shape and finish of fingernails, the knuckle from

which the finger would swing and the way the finger did - or did not - follow through the

swing. It all made a difference!

So now, after years of playing old-time clawhammer style banjo on steel strings, I sort of

discover the classic banjo style. This has largely to do with the recordings made by BHO

member Rob MacKillop. Listening to Rob play, I hear something in the style I have not

heard before. Or, maybe, I simply wasn't ready to hear it before! I have never been

inspired by "fast and loud" - my reaction to that is usually quite the opposite. But tone and

expressive musicianship stops me in my tracks - and Rob's playing has brought my

attention to the style.

So, I've swapped out the D'Addario steels for Nylgut classic on my old Little Wonder

conversion and put on a 1/2" ebony tipped, three foot bridge to replace my heavy Moon.

Paying attention to my right (picking) hand, I find that I can produce both pleasant and

"uninspiring" tone. Too much of those fingernails that I maintain for guitar playing

contributes to a bright, crisp sound I don't care for. So, as I tentatively file my nails

down lower and lower... I look for other ways to improve the tone.

I've considered buying a new banjo. Move up from an 11" rim to a 12" rim. Yeah - that

sounds like fun! Maybe something from the turn of the last century by a well known

American manufacturer. But once that thrill wears off, I'll be back focusing on what

really matters in creating tone.

Maybe swap out the bridge on my LW for one of those two foot maple "classic" bridges. Or

maybe try some Sands strings... how about replacing that frosted Remo with a Renaissance?

So much hardware... so little time. I'm sure others have walked this path. Care to share

and ideas and suggestions? Sound samples would be great too!

Using a Martin Backpacker for Busking...

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 7 Dec 2011 17:38:38 CST

Hi, thought I might ask for a little advice here. I will be going on a few backpacking trips about a year from now, and in order to make things simple I need to keep what I bring to a minimum. I play guitar and banjo, and will probably busk a little if I have the time along the way.

I need an instrument that will do double duty as guitar and banjo. A normal guitar is too big and a banjo is too heavy (plus I can't play all of my repetoire on it, unless it's a six-string). So I was thinking of the getting a little Martin Backpacker and swapping the low A to a high G when I feel like picking instead of guitar playing. The body seems small enough to sound kind of like a banjo/guitar hybrid anyway.

Anybody have experience with these little guitars? They seem to have good reviews, sound good, are well-built etc.

But I'd like to know about volume levels (how quiet will the environment have to be for people to hear my playing?) and durability for traveling.

Plus, if I manage to save some extra cash this Christmas, I was thinking of ordering a set of vintage tuners and a bone nut/saddle with the guitar to make it more "vintage" and improve the sound a little.

Thanks.

Congrats to Rob MacKillop on his Mel Bay Book on Classic Fingerstyle

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 5 Dec 2011 13:23:10 CST

Nice looking piece of work.

See:

http://www.melbay.com/product.asp?ProductID=22172BCD

Interesting new style of Banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 2 Dec 2011 10:01:44 CST

I've been playing Banjo with a slap style somewhat in the essence of Less Claypool of Primus. I'm not tooting my own horn here, I'm just looking for some feedback as I have not been able to find this style anywhere. http://soundcloud.com/wolvesinthewoods

christmas music...generally.

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 2 Dec 2011 07:47:08 CST

I'm not entirely sure what I'm looking for but I'm asking anyway. I really despise commercial christmas music, including just about every christmas album anyone has ever produced regardless of how good their other material is. That said, I'd like to learn some more obscure, maybe older, melodies that are associated with christmas, or other winter solstice type holidays, from North America or Europe. My hope is learn some tunes you rarely or never hear on typical christmas albums. its a topic i know nothing about and thought maybe someone here does...

I read music fine so if there are violin or piano books or other books that can be recommended that would be fine too...I guess a website with free scores would be best.

any ideas?

thanks

Key to the five string banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 2 Dec 2011 01:47:12 CST

Are you using Pat Cloud's book & CD. - Key to the five string banjo ?

From what I have read, I understand Pat's book essentially covers the Pentatonic Scale, the Use of Partial Chords in Five Locations on the neck, is described as a Home Improvisation Workshop and from what I can gather does not rely on TAB although some TAB is used to explain some lessons. Essentially an Ear Training Exercise to Speed the Learning Process.

I would be very interested to hear about your experiences of using Pat's Home Improvisation Workshop.

Did the home workshop meet your expectations?

How long have you been using it and have you learned much from it or does it sit on your bookcase gathering dust?

How does it compare with other TAB and Learning by Ear teaching methods does it inspire you to want to learn more?

Essentially I am looking for a tool that will inspire me to sit down and learn the Pentatonic Scale, gain a better grasp of the fret board, something that will broaden my knowledge of Music Theory and assist me to learn Improvisation

Lower Down Tunings

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 22:52:59 CST

I have been down tuning down my Ome banjo even further this month - from Double C down past Double B, down to Double A# (B-flat), and even further down to Double A for some tunes. Likewise going down from standard Open G tuning down past Open F# to Open F - and even occasionally Open E. (I am also low tuning the other tunings I use.)

Yes, I like the deep low sounds. Since I don't play a long neck banjo, I have had to replace my regular gauge strings (10,12,14,22w,10) with heavier gauges to maintain adequate string tension. The GHS 160 set seems to work well: (11,13,16,26w,10). Not all tunes/songs work equally well this low tuned - but a lot do. The ear adjusts. Singing is a bit easier low for me - when singing is required. (singing for me is somewhat like taking medicine - somewhat unpleasant medicine - but I find banjo tunes often go with lyrics - and what are you gonna do - keep silent?)

Help in getting ready to play the banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:34:03 CST

Hey ;everyone im a musician thats been playing the drums for about 3 years mostly hardcore metal type music and I just recently been playing the guitar and go with a more rock / country style on it. Ive been playin it for about a month now and are interested in learning the banjo for bluegrass and possibly other types of music... what should I work before I get a banjo. Any comments would be helpful .

Carolina Star

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:19:30 CST

Can someone please tell me what the Chords/Chord Progression is for Carolina Star

Thanx

ukulele banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 10:35:00 CST

Hi, I cant find any Ukulele Banjo stuff on the Forums. Does anybody play Banjo Uke Mike Duthie.

Pete Seeger Music

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 12:55:04 CST

Though I love bluegrass and cCeltic music, there's part of me that's an old folkie. I just love Pete Seeger music. As a beginner, I'm hoping to start taking music lessons in January. I hope that my teacher can help me learn some Seeger songs.

I have a question - does Pete Seegar have his own playing style? I notice that he often combines picking and strumming.

Any other Pete Seeger fans out there?

Recommendation for classical style

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:16:17 CST

I play fingerstyle guitar and old-time banjo. I'm thinking about learning some
of the fingerstyle, so-called classical repertoire for the 5 string banjo and I'd
like to find an instrument that would work well with Nylagut strings. Something
that would speak with good volume and balanced tone. A wider nut and string
spacing than present on my old-time banjos would be nice, too. Under $1k in price.

Any recommendations?

Christmas song for church....

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 06:22:44 CST

Our choir director asked me to play a Christmas song on the banjo on the 30th...
I agreed to do it, yet I don't know a single Christmas song on the banjo yet!

Anyone have any suggestions on where to start?
Have any tab/tef that would be appropriate?
I'm hoping for something traditional with enough latitude for some scruggs licks....maybe some melodics too.

Thanks!

Thumb+index pinch on the same string in pattern picking?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 02:06:08 CST

I have just posted this question to http://www.acousticguitarcommunity.com/forum/topics/thumb-index-pinch-on-the-same-string

Edit: And also to http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=233807

The archived discussion at http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/174721 was related to expressive single note picking, now the context is pattern picking - alternating thumb plus IM doublestops on the on-beats or off-beats. Kind of adaptation of Jerry Reed "claw" pattern (where "claw" means uppicking with two fingers, not downpicking).

Any guitar player here with some know-how to share?

Thanks

Mirek

www.mirekpatek.com

Why do you pick the banjo?

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:16:45 CST

I grew up in a non-bluegrass environment and most of my playing is grounded in church and country music.

I liked hearing the different players,but never had a desire to follow one player's style.
When I figured out the picking,I already had a bunch of experience from other sources (on the flatpicked banjo) and it has been a very interesting combination for me,making it much easier for me to step across musical boundaries.

I guess I play to try and find out where it doesn't fit.

Melodic style Banjo Songs or Books?

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:38:22 CST

Great Forum. Hi everyone Rich Freeze here from Plymouth WI. I'm Looking for Beginner Songs in the Melodic style of 5 string banjo. If anyone has any suggestions Please let me know either here or you can e-mail me at rfrizzle1@hotmail.com Right now I'm working on Red haired Boy by Mickey Cochran and I got it memorized, spent about a eight days on it. Had toget my counting and timeing down better. Thankyou.to everyone for any suggestions and help.

Rich Freeze

How is good musical taste learned?

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 7 Nov 2011 13:19:35 CST

I think it's by exposure to tasteful players and singers.

Something about how the correct balance of tone,dynamics and rhythm gel.

Is good taste learned and becomes just "what feels right"?

Seems like there has to be some kind of "agreement" between the performer and the audience.

I mean,if the performer claims to have "good taste" in playing and the audience doesn't agree,was there any?

Banjo Fingering Help

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 6 Nov 2011 13:38:20 CST

Hello,

I am new at playing the banjo and I am having a difficult time pressing the strings during chords and not having the pads of my fingers press on other strings. Can anyone help me with advise?

Thank you!

harmonica with banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 6 Nov 2011 06:55:45 CST

i have been jamming with a guy that plays blues on the harmonica but i am trying to persuade him to try a few banjo tunes ,

has anyone tried orange blossom special with harmonica and which arrangement would you recommend , i would like to try bill keiths caravan has anyone tried that

does anyone jam with a harmonica player could you recommend a few tunes,any clips on youtube would be very much appreciated

cheers

Stephen

CD collections of classic banjoists?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 5 Nov 2011 20:04:12 CST

Are there any? Any recommendations?