Banjo Hangout - Playing Advice: Bluegrass (Scruggs) Styles Forum Feed

Hand placement

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 7 Nov 2009 07:17:14 CST

I've been playing about 2 months. I practice my rolls everyday with a metronome and try to adhere to the hand placement in the literature I've read. Most books say you should pick about an inch out from the bridge but that makes it really hard to plant 2 fingers and not touch the bridge or strings. It's much easier for me to move out 2 inches or so....is it any big deal or is it OK to play a little further out...I don't want to develop any "bad habits" Thanks Best time to Go fish'in or Play your Banjo is now !!

Adding rolls to fast tunes

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 7 Nov 2009 06:08:00 CST

As I alluded to in another thread last week, I've started figuring out melodies & adding rolls to the tune to 'bluegrass it up' a little. I have not trouble finding the tune (generally, but for tunes with fast lyrics, I struggle to see where the rolls can fit in. The tunes I have been trying are Waltzing Matilda & Buddy Holly (by Weezer). Is there a technique, or are these tunes simply not meant to be 'banjo'd' up..? thanks marc PS I might not reply to this thread for a while as I'm off on vacation tonight... [:)]

Banjo test - Guess which is the Helix?

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 6 Nov 2009 19:40:31 CST

I uploaded two mp3 files of a little banjo test I did. I am playing 3 songs on each banjo (I know it's not like Earl played it). One of the files is a Helix Hurricane long neck - capoed to open G. The other file is my Deering Calico open G tuning. I played at the same intensity and same distance from mike. Check them out - see if you can tell which is which? There is a slight delay before the last song on each file while I am retuning to open A. Which one is the Helix and which is the Deering? Have fun [:)] Try to overlook my poor playing... [:I] Banjo # 1 - http://www.banjohangout.org/myhangout/media-player/audio_player2.asp?musicid=14948 Banjo # 2 - http://www.banjohangout.org/myhangout/media-player/audio_player2.asp?musicid=14949

Yes I did!

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 6 Nov 2009 19:40:15 CST

There was a jam session tonight that I only went to once before. I was sort of afraid of it, because they go around the circle and you can either suggest a song or pass. Last time I always passed, but since then I practiced a lot and memorized some songs, some of which I can play without mistakes, even if people are listening. I started talking my self out of going -- I'm not good enough, I'll make mistakes, I'll get terrified, etc. But then I decided I have to go because I have to develop some courage, and besides it would be fun. So I went and I played some solos -- with mistakes but nothing terrible. I got through it, got some nice complements and wound up feeling great. So my advice is if you're afraid to go to a jam session just force yourself. Every time we do it, it will be easier and less frightening. I am not scared at my usual jam session, and now I am not scared at this one either! I played music all my life but mostly alone, so jamming the past 2 years has been wonderful for me. You really have to resist talking yourself out of going. pcfive

Practice Approach.

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 6 Nov 2009 19:20:51 CST

Ok, I have been slapping at this thing for years and years. I do some things well and others things "foggy mountain roll" I just blew right passed and developed my own thing. Here I am years later limping along. So my question for you seasoned pickers is: Do I go page to page mastering every lick and song in Mr. Scruggs book? Do I keep learning and tripping though songs I dig off Youtube? Focus on licks? Scales? My own thing?? I do not have the money for an instructor nor to much time. Maybe 45 to an hour a day due to season of life (3 young kids). I am just having a hard time staying with one thing and I am all over the place. Adult ADD? Probably but I like it all and want to learn it all. Talk to me folks, I would love to hear your feed back. The good the bad and the ugly! Blessings to ya! Mr. B Wind me up and watch me go!

BanjoAcademy Free Stuff for Scruggs pickers

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 6 Nov 2009 12:35:47 CST

New Free Stuff also check out special offer at http://www.banjohangout.org/topic/152063 this topic Capo http://www.wwbluegrassacademy.com/index.php/bluegrass-banjo/equip/79-capos New Free Stuff (Tab for I'll Fly Away) http://www.wwbluegrassacademy.com/index.php/banjo/banjosongs/161-banjo-ill-fly-away New Free Stuff 8/19/09 Free tab to will-the-circle-be-unbroken http://www.wwbluegrassacademy.com/index.php/banjo/banjosongs/169-banjo-will-the-circle-be-unbroken If your a member Of BanioAcademy I added 6 diffrent endings with tab and video. http://www.wwbluegrassacademy.com/index.php/banjo/banjo-endings If your not a member Heres some free stuff Standard Ending #1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpbjmTYLEyA [img]http://www.banjohangout.ws/banjohangout.org/storage/photos/large/7816-1353291482009.jpg[/img] NEW>>>7-16-09 Heres the new way i make lessons on the BanjoAcademy site. I have found a way to put Tab and video together so if you caint read tab you can still use the video. http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1025846945222 or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93k7G4wO2lo Old stuff http://www.wwbluegrassacademy.com/index.php/banjo/banjosongs/15-songs OR http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y0M4m1W1Dk Basic Rythem http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1021868445762 Coming up next is Finishing Bury Me Meneath the Willow and Whoa Mule Whoa 9/28/09 Banjo-Bury Me Beneath Completed 9/28/09 Foggy Mt lessons in the Earl Scruggs Book section now has videos for the rolls and the Fog licks 9/28/09 (NEW) Banjo Roll #10 9/25/09 Banjo-Bury Me Beneath the Willow New video ( nine videos total) 9/21/09 Roll section has all new videos 9/10/09 Capo Updated 9/8/09 Banjo Lesson 2 (Fog Lick = D2) Updated 9/8/09 Banjo Lesson 9 (D-Lick #3) Updated 9/8/09 Banjo Lesson 9 (D-Lick #4) Updated 9/8/09 Banjo Lesson 9 (D-Lick #5) Updated 9/8/09 Banjo Lesson 1.6 (G4 C4 D4 "G4=tag 1 and 2") Updated 9/8/09 Banjo Lesson 1.4 (Tag Lick #2) Updated 9/8/09 Banjo Lesson 1.7 (G4 C4 D4 "G4=tag 2 and tag 1") Updated 9/8/09 Banjo Lesson 1.2 (Tag Lick #1) Updated 9/7/09 Backward Roll Updated 9/7/09 Forward Roll Updated 9/7/09 Reverse Roll updated8/26/09 Lesson 9 The Hammer Updated 8/24/09 Fog Roll Updated 8/24.09 Banjo Lesson 8 Updated 8/24/09 Banjo Lesson 7 The Hammer Updated 8/24/09 Banjo Lesson 6 Updated 8/24/09 Banjo Lesson 3 Updated 8/24/09 Banjo Lesson 5 The Slide updated 8/19/09 Banjo Lesson 4 The 3 chords Updated 8/19/09 Banjo Lesson 2 The Alternating thumb Updated 8/19/09 Banjo Lesson 1 The Pinch updated 8/19/09 I just created the Earl Scruggs Book Section. This section practice MP3s of songs from the "Old" Earl Scruggs book. Im not allowed to post the tab so you will need the old book. I will be adding video lessons for those who have the book. 8/19/09 Bill Cheatum Now With Tab and Playalong MP3s 8/19/09 Black Berry Blossom Now With Tab and Playalong MP3s 8/18/09 Clinch Mt Backstep Now With Tab and Playalong MP3s 8/18/09 Cripple Creek 2 Tab Only 8/18/09 Cumberland Gap Now With Tab and Playalong MP3s and history 8/18/09 Dooly Now With Tab and Playalong MP3s 8/18/09 Down The Road Playalong MP3s (Please use the old Earl Scruggs book for the tab) 8/18/09 Foggy Mt. Breakdown Playalong MP3s (Please use the old Earl Scruggs book for the tab) 8/18/09 Hot Corn Cold Corn Now With Video and Playalong MP3s (Please use th8e old Earl Scruggs book for the tab) 8/18/09 June Apple Now With Tab and Playalong MP3s 8/17/09 Lonsome Road Blues Now With Tab and Playalong MP3s 8/17/09 Nine Pound Hammer Now With Tab and Playalong MP3s 8/17/09 Old Time Religion Now With Tab and Playalong MP3s 8/14/09 I'm just learning about all the broken links. I'll have the song section repaired in a few days, sorry for the inconvenience 8/14/09 Banjo Lesson 3 The Combining the Pinch and Alt thumb Tom And Jerry Now With Tab and Playalong MP3s 8/14/09 I'LL Fly Away Now With Tab and Playalong MP3s 8/14/09 Salty dog Blues Now With Tab and Playalong MP3s 8/14/09 Whoa Mule Whoa Now With Tab and Playalong MP3s 8/14/09 Will the circle be unbroken Now With Tab and Playalong MP3s 8/14/09 Gold Rush Now with Mp3s You play along with 8/14/09 Shady Grove Tab And Playalong MP3s 8/13/09 Banjo Standard Ending #1 Now with Video and Tab 8/13/09 Banjo Standard Ending #2 Now with Video and Tab 8/13/09 Banjo Standard Ending 1 and 2 combined Now With Video And Tab 8/13/09 Banjo Standard Ending #3 Now With Video And Tab 8/13/09 Banjo Standard Ending #4 Now With Video And Tab 8/13/09 Banjo Standard Ending #5 Now With Video And Tab 8/13/09 Banjo Standard Ending #6 Now With Video And Tab 8/13/09 Banjo Standard Endings 4 and 2 combined Now With Video And Tab 8/13/09 Banjo Standard Endings 4 and 6 combined Now With Video And Tab 8/11/09 Banjo Ending Section now has 9 varations of ending Tab Only videos comming in the next few days 7/16/09 new videos added to Bury Me Beneath the Willow Total of 8 new videos 7/2/09 Check Out www.TheBluegrassAcademy.com Check Out www.TheBluegrassAcademy.com

Help with Scruggs style

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 6 Nov 2009 10:05:16 CST

Hi I chose to learn CH instead of Scruggs, because to my ear many of the BG tunes sound the same, although they should not be. I think the problem is that in CH I can hear the melody easily, but in Scruggs it seems the melody is " hidden" in the rolls, licks , ornaments ...etc. How do I hear the melody in scruggs style, or can one make scruggs style more melodius, without the tunes losing its scruggness. Thanks.

Importance of Pick Fit

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 6 Nov 2009 06:53:01 CST

Now this may seem obvious to some, but I thought I'd point out to those having lots of questions about which picks to use, what size, etc.... the importance of finding one that fits you JUST right (or making it fit just right). I had been using the planet waves celluloid pick for quite some time, before I started having some problems whiffing at the strings. I thought perhaps I had worn it down too much, so I bought a couple different picks, and started using one of the multicolored Nationals. It seemed to fit me comfortably, and I got along ok with it (or so I thought). Fast forward a little bit, where I've started to get a bit irritated at some sloppiness in my playing that I didn't think was there (as much) before. Well, last night I decided to put my old celluloid pick back on and see what happened. I'm telling you, it made a big difference (for the better) in my playing. It fits me more snuggly than the National, and is a bit stiffer -- that combination seems to really help in my picking accuracy (including timing). I'm now thinking the whiffing problem I was having was due to hand position/technique changes and not so much due to the length of the blade. Anyway, the bottom line is, whatever pick you "pick," make sure it fits you well so you don't have yet another variable to deal with in your quest for banjo playing perfection! [8D] Dan ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I've got it made in the shade if the tree don't fall... [IMG]http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j66/ncatprof/RKlady.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j66/ncatprof/BansheeandTysonBanner4Small.jpg[/IMG]

Toronto Banjo Workshop

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 5 Nov 2009 07:58:59 CST

The Banjo-Fiddle Workshop On Saturday, November 21 from 12:00-3:00pm, fiddle and banjo greats John Showman and Chris Quinn will be conducting a workshop on bluegrass banjo-fiddle duets. There may be some fiddle players there on the day, but the large focus will be on the banjo and its role (roll) in this old-style of duet. John and Chris will demonstrate the banjo-fiddle duo style by performing, then, deconstructing various songs and tunes; Chris will focus on rolling back-up, vamping, licks, moving bass lines, chord voicings; down-the neck, up-the-neck, rhythm, repertoire, etc. etc. During the workshop, Chris and John will do Q&A with the students and every attempt will be made to address the needs and interests of all students. There will be a break about halfway through the workshop. The cost of the workshop will be $40.00. Don’t miss this opportunity for 3 hours of instruction by the pro’s on a topic all aspiring banjo players need to learn. Location of the workshop is 680 Queen's Quay West, in the Performance Space. See below for location info. If interested, reserve your space at the workshop by sending a cheque or money order for $40.00 to Dennis Draper, 27 Robin Hood Road, Etobicoke, ON, M9A 2W6. Plans are to have between 10 and 15 participants. For those planning to attend, it would be helpful to know of your “wish list” of topics to cover. Email Dennis Draper (niagara35a@yahoo.ca) or Chris Quinn (wheelhoss@gmail.com) with your thoughts. Or check into the Banjo Hangout (www.banjohangout.org) and go to the workshop forum topic http://www.banjohangout.org/topic/158984 Location of the Workshop: 680 Queen’s Quay W. is in the Harbourfront area, just west of Bathurst, south of Lakeshore Blvd, Toronto, Ontario. The Performance Space is to the immediate right inside the first door of the main entrance to the building). Parking is on the streets in the area. A map of the vicinity can be seen by clicking on the link below. <http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&sour...175&z=17> We are looking forward to seeing you there! Live Bluegrass to follow the workshop! Following the workshop, all are invited to The Foggy Hogtown Boys Saturday Matinee at The Dakota Tavern. The Dakota is located at 249 Ossington Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M6J 3A1. http://www.thedakotatavern.com Chris Quinn www.foggyhogtownboys.com

Tension, stagefright ?? Playing with others

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 5 Nov 2009 04:06:34 CST

I can practice proper finger movement and rolls, patterns, licks or whatever at home both slow and some up to speed stuff. Get me in a jam session and I physically cannot do ANYTHING I was previously practicing and fumble-futz all over the place to the point where it's embarassing and I'm not really playing anything or even having fun anymore as this problem is not 'fun'. Actually I leave the jam mad and discouraged with self. Any advice would be appreciated. Bluegrass in my blood. Now, if I can only get it to my fingers ?

How do you RELAX your right hand ?

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 5 Nov 2009 03:58:25 CST

There's the question and I read soem of the posts under 'Muscle Tension" with alot of the advice being 'relax your right hand'. Okay, HOW DO YOU DO THAT ??????? WHAT DO YOU DO ??????? I've tried breathing, thinking of something else, physically trying to 'relax' RH and arm, slowing down speed to practice or playing to absolutely no avail. Bluegrass in my blood. Now, if I can only get it to my fingers ?

LOTW Nov 4th 2009

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 4 Nov 2009 19:37:28 CST

Here's video 2, in the advanced bending series-thanks [:)] http://www.banjohangout.org/myhangout/videos.asp

difference in tone depending on pick angle

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 4 Nov 2009 15:42:50 CST

I have noticed some people like the finger picks bent almost stright up around the end of their finger and others leave them almost stright out. Will bending them make a difference in the sound of the banjo. I have tried the bent up way but my fingers don't work well with them bent up. Or could it just be some hands work different than others and need to bend the picks up in order to pick well?

Finger picks questions

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 4 Nov 2009 14:59:49 CST

Hey everyone, I'm sure this has been asked before, but I'm new here so I'll give it a try. Are there any picks that almost feel like nothings there? similar to picking with none at all? I've been playing for a few years and because the banjo is loud and I practice a lot, I've played without the picks. I'm in a family of 6 and I don't really have own area to practice. I used to play with them a lot more, but the past year or so I've avoided them completely. I avoided them a lot because I always played better without them too. My timing, speed, and overall playing is a lot better without the picks. I make a lot more mistakes with them. I never really found picks that I liked as well. I live in Chicago, and I've been to every music store in my area and they only carry dunlop finger picks and national thumpicks, or none at all. Basically I'm looking for lightweight picks so it feels like nothing is there. I've bent the picks slightly around my fingers and it has helped a bit. I don't like the bulky thumbpicks ive used either. They are too big and unnatural for me. Anyone have any recommendations for me?? Thanks a lot, Brian

Radiohead on the banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 4 Nov 2009 11:52:16 CST

They said it couldn't be done. Maybe they were right Eh! [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_USW8N5yPxs[/url] BWA Penrose,Oakville,Ontario,C

Ground Speed 4-2 Pull Off?

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 4 Nov 2009 11:21:32 CST

I've been working on Ground Speed in Earl's book for quite awhile now, and I always get tripped up by the 4-2 pull off on the 3rd string close to the end of the break. Those of you who play it that way (successfully), do you pull off or push off? I think the ring finger ends up reaching across for the 4th string after that, so I thought maybe a push off might be better/easier... Dan ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I've got it made in the shade if the tree don't fall... [IMG]http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j66/ncatprof/RKlady.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j66/ncatprof/BansheeandTysonBanner4Small.jpg[/IMG]

melody-chord distinction

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 4 Nov 2009 00:16:46 CST

I've noticed that one of the (many) big differences between me and the recordings I listen to is that the real pros manage to play in such a way that the melody seems to stand out against the rest of the rolls they're playing through. It almost sounds like 2 banjos, one playing the tune and another playing simple rolls for backup chords. When I play, the melody and the rolls are all the same volume. In fact, sometimes it takes me a few days to recognize the melody when I first start working on a song. Then it emerges slowly. Anybody have any advice as to how to practice on separating the tune from the rest of the notes? Roy Carpenter And to think of all the time I wasted not playing the banjo...

Teaching ? helping

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 3 Nov 2009 18:15:10 CST

Hi I have been asked to help a group of retired persons to learn Scrubs style banjo? I do not play this style. ( seeger style ) anyway they have been useing the Mel Bay book You Can Teach Yourself Banjo. As a group of 5- 15 they are trying to play roll chords together? I feel that this will NEVER work they have been trying this for about 18 months and as of now can never get past 2 chords due to the many finger positions!! and soon someone will miss a note or get behind. MY suggestion to them is that Scrubs style is a single string style and not a group style playing chords and that they should Let one person play rolls and the rest just should just strum the chords and rotate the Scrubs player ( Lead ) in order to sound like a group> When we try this allplaying strum chords and singing I thought It sounded good. Any sugestions?? thanks[?][?]

3-2 pull off question...middle vs ring finger

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 3 Nov 2009 18:08:05 CST

One of the weakest aspects of my playing is my 3-2 pull off (the 3 to 2 on the third string which forms part of the tag lick) I have have been putting in extra work in this department lately and It seems that I have been having more success using my ring finger for the pull off rather than using the middle. It seems to sound cleaner with more of a distinct note seperation. My question is this... If this works for me, is this a good way for me to keep practicing the lick OR am I getting into a bad habbit by not using my middle finger for the pull off? Anyone else out there grab the 3 with your ring finger rather than your middle? Any advice or thoughts on this subject would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Snap www.myspace.com/snapjacksonmusic www.myspace.com/thesecondstringquintet

Tab

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 3 Nov 2009 12:16:13 CST

Is tab bad? Alot of people say it is! I've been learning with the Murphy Method, but I'm thinking about getting into tab also. I think theres all kinds of great ways to learn, what 'bout you all? PRAISE THE LORD

thumb on first sting

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 3 Nov 2009 09:26:43 CST

I'm making more of an effort lately to use my thumb for melody notes - including the first string. Is this something done commonly, or should I just consider it a fun exercise and leave it at that? Scott

How many bpm to get your rolls up to?

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 3 Nov 2009 03:48:38 CST

Hi, this is my first post here, so please be gentle. I'm after a little guidance on how to start off learning. Got off to a bad start by scouring through the internet to get some info and have basicallyjumped in to trying to learn a song straight of (the omnipotent Cripple Creek) but found I kept stmbling at certain points. Now, thanks to one of the other posts on this website, I have decided to start from scratch. So now I've gone back to learning the rolls and trying to getting them up to speed( is this a good idea, I haven't got a clue). My question is how fast does everyone think I need to get up to before progressing on to other this i.e chord structure, licks, songs etc. I can currently get a straight forward roll (ie 521 or 531) up to about 250bpm and sounding pretty fluid but I can't seem to get to this speed whilst adding in variations, is this the area I need to practice on now and slow right back down to 60bpm? Any advice would very grateful, thankyou. P.S It's quite good that I can start again 'cos now I can start using picks instead of bare picking, takes some getting used to. Cheers, Darren.

Fifth String in Backup

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 2 Nov 2009 19:10:06 CST

Hi all, I've been trying to figure out a back up pattern that is, I am sure, going to be much simpler than I'm trying to make it out to be. What I'm looking for can be heard most clearly in Scruggs' backup on the Martha White theme song from the Carnegie Hall album. He's vamping around a bit but when it goes to D (Unless my ear is failing me) he plays what sounds like a forward roll while fretting the fifth string. For whatever reason I can't figure out how to get that sound for the life of me. It can be heard about :35 seconds into the song. Thanks for any help, ~Jacob

Learning cords

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 2 Nov 2009 10:51:38 CST

Hi there y'all been working on cords is there any advice on helping me along with them? Thought I'd throw that out there and hope. Let me thank y'all for the great advice I've got in the past!! Thx Nick[:D][:D] I already know how to grin if only I could pick !!!!!!

Back down to earth

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 2 Nov 2009 09:46:00 CST

I had my first face to face lesson today. I've been playing 3 finger for 18 months or so and I thought I was starting to get the hang of Scruggs style but there were times when I couldn't quite grasp the feeling and syncopation of a tune. I'd get somewhere near and I guess I was fooling myself that it was ok. So my tutor took me back to basics and we played "Will the circle". My timing was off. He gave me a basic tab and we went through it measure by measure, slowly. It was hard not to play the embellishments that had become second nature but, after a couple of times I played it straight. It still didn't sound as clean and... well, for want of a better word, as "authentic" as my tutor's. So we slowed it down even more. Imagine my surprise when he pointed out that I was picking an extra 5string note every so often, trying to fit nine notes in an eight note roll. It is such an obvious mistake but one I'd overlooked by playing in isolation. So now I'm back to re-educating the old memory muscles. An added bonus is that as I am now paying for lessons instead of "cadging" them off the net, I have a an investment that needs to yield a return. Definitely a lesson learnt. Time is an illusion; lunchtime doubly so. D Adams Hitchhiker's Guide

Uk Beginners Workshop scheduled for January.

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 2 Nov 2009 08:55:53 CST

This is a call out to see if there would be any interest in a beginners workshop to be held one saturday in January. .Steve Jennison and Jane Crosby, both members on the hangout have recieved enough enquiries about the small workshop already run in Derby that it has been decided that it may be time to open the doors and have a really good beginners day for all here in the UK that fancy it. There is nothing better than these get togethers, it is truely amazing what we all learn, even we are just learning roll patterns. So guys and Gals what do you say? I can take you through some stuff and we can have a question and answer session, do some quick banjo fault finding if needed and YOU guys can all get to know each other. Don't be shy, we all had to start somewhere and it doesnt matter how far along as a beginner you are or how cheap our first banjo is, simply by meeting other folk with the same frustrations and problems as you will help you greatly. I think it is a great idea, so come on UK, let go for it. Contact these two guys or myself if you get stuck and i will pass you across.......Joe joemac

Foggy Mountain Banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 2 Nov 2009 06:50:25 CST

Probably everyone knows but Foggy Mountain Banjo is back out in CD Format. I saw it at Janet Davis Music and they are discounted. Now if they will just get John Hartford's Steam powered Aereoplane. Marty

Learning concepts and research

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 1 Nov 2009 10:50:23 CST

......many thanks go your way again Angie for your "Silver Strings" ezine. Beginning and intermediate banjo students in particular may be interested in the following writing by Kelly Cole, PHD, appearing in the November/09 issue. Scroll down about 3/4 and you will find "Motor Learning for the Musician: Making Practice Efficient", it can be found here: http://www.bluegrass.cc/Ezines/2009_Ezines/Nov_2009/Nov_ezine_2009.pdf

Are Slow Jams the Real Answer?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 1 Nov 2009 06:49:45 CST

I see comments about slow jams regularly and wonder if they are the real answer for banjo players. I think that they may be ok for a short while but may turn into a crutch if stayed with too long. Any thoughts? Fast Freddy the engineer says: Throttle in RUN 8 and highball, then don't look back, something might be gainin' on ya. 73,s de K5BGZ

country blues---dock bloggs

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:34:15 CST

can anyone give me a start on this one? I'm trying to figure out chords. I've got 9 verses of the song from jim mills' CD, typed out but can I get a start on the chords? once I get the chords I can maybe figure out the melody on the banjo. Looked in all the usual web sites but no chords [:(] plenty of variations on verses but no chords after all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

The Crow

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:49:44 CST

I dunno what other players think, but i'm wary of new tunes in a traditional style. I 've been to festivals etc and heard new stuff supposedly in a tradition, but then it's been ' well we have fused this with that and aren't we so original'.....mostly it's been a disregard for the style they supposedly love and a power trip for the performers/ composers that they have the answer to move the style on. In my ordinary person's love of folky stuff, whether it be bluegrass or the irish tradtional music i grew up with, I gotta say Steve Martin has done a real good job. The tunes are new but non pretentious. As a tenor player originally, it's great to hear the irish tunes sounding so well on the 5 string. I don't dare to join in for fear of a terrible mix up of technique !! But I enjoy finding the others. Other than that terrible song about school ( he can't sing) I think it's a good album because it doesn't try to diss it's roots. Steve is a fair good player - not the best, and he has the money etc to get the best support & production - but he has put out something from the soul I think. I'll be going to the London gig in a week's time - hope it's good. Never been to a gig that has a seat before !!!lol.......... What do other people think ?

Bluegrass Jams

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:31:00 CST

I'm trying to find a Jam to attend on a regular basis. I can't seem to track any down. I live in Morgantown, WV. Anyone have any suggestions on how to find a Jam.

Strap. Around the neck or over the shoulder?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:13:35 CST

In a 1958 illustrated banjo lesson known as "Delusions Of Banjer" by John Hartford he said "Strap goes over your shoulder NOT around your neck". I've noticed in his later years he ended up with the strap around neck anyway. I'd never even seen a strap worn around the shoulder (except maybe Ralph Stanley), but I don't know much. Does anyone out there prefer to wear the strap that way? It seems like it would be a lot harder to balance and play comfortably. Dave I pick for money & I pick for free & I'll pick for you but I pick for me! ( | )===='==[::/ ^KatEyz ^Gumby

Played on stage

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:11:17 CST

On Monday I played on stage in front of about 150 people, it went great, all this practice has finally paid off, I'm getting so comfortable with this instrument I no longer dread the fumble finger syndrome. I was accompanied by a bass a guitar and a really good vocalist which really helped. Three songs, one in Db, one in B and the last in F. Played the F uncapoed. I'm really enjoying this!! Terry "Banjo, one of my favorite things to pick"

Chords for Arkansas Traveler ?

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:51:52 CST

Trying to learn Arkansas Traveler. I've got the melody part 'A' and part 'B'. What I need is the chords. Would you suggest 'G' key or 'D' key for the chords? I realywant to get this one song down (my first and only) Because if I get this one down I can jam for at least one song and go on from there. Frustrated. Tanx buddies, Bluegrassbrown

1st Corinthians 1:18 Tab????

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:40:49 CST

Would anyone have or know where I can find Tab for 1st Corinthians 1:18. Ricky Scaggs does this as a Instrumantal. Thanks

Jam O Mighty, when did the high speed era start?

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:21:04 CST

I hadn't been to an open jam session for many years. The groups I normally played with have mostley broken up so I decided I was picking too much by myself. I located and attended three different open jams in the last couple of weeks. Seems to me everything is at greater than double the orignal speed. Many years ago folks were encouraged to play somewhere near the tempo of the original song and were sort of chastized for trying to kick everything to light speed. I was talking to a friend and he said he didn't go to jams anymore due to this phenom. He said there was a name for it but he couldn't remember it. I have see advertisements for "Slow Jams" does that mean the songs (picking) is at the correct tempo

Raymond Fairchild (good Backup Vid)

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:20:14 CST

This is a good video of Raymond playing some smooth backup and close up of his hands. I really like this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aH8tH8gN0M&NR=1 Your only as good as you want

Short fingers

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:02:38 CST

So, here's my problem. I'm just starting out learning the banjo (it's long been something I wanted to learn and now I finally have lots of free time and a banjo) and am going through a particular song, but finding that I sometimes run into a problem of having fingers that are too short to easily hit notes right. For instance, in this song I'm trying to learn (Banjo in the Hollow) there's one point where I'm supposed to have one finger on the 4th string first fret, and one on the second string 4th fret--I can barely reach between those with my pinky and index finger, and can never seem to do it fast or accurately. Either I screw up the placement or one or the other finger isn't pressing down hard enough. It's really frustrating, but I don't know if this is something that will come with time (I've been practicing this song for like a week now and it doesn't seem to be getting much better) or if I'm just screwed on some songs by short fingers and should move on. What do you think? Maybe I'm using the wrong fingers (but I can't see any other finger placement that would work)?

Lessons again, me?

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:16:49 CST

I came to the banjo early on in my life, 1972 to be exact, aged 21. Things were different back then regarding material in the form of books and recordings, especially over here in the uK. Anyway, armed with what i could get i set about this great adventure with bags of gusto, met one or two other pickers by chance at local folk clubs, exchanged adresses and material, i'm sure we have all done it. Anyhow, over the years i have been lucky i guess, the banjo has proven to be my one and only musical love and i have learned to express myself pretty well through it, i have played as a pro and semi-pro for many years, i also enjoy doing beginners workshops and generally striving forward. Just recently it dawned on me that my learning drive was waining, i have been sitting back with what i know and half heartedly looking into new stuff with little interest. Time to take myself in hand. I have enjoyed Bela and Jens for a good while now and made the decision that if i wished to master some of their style ( other than what i had studied myself) i needed to be pushed. Armed with this I decided to look into taking some form of advanced lessons, NOT to learn more difficult type tunes or licks, but to have the fretboard broken down and sit a spell with a master and see his slant on things. I like to accompany and improvise, i want to walk all over the board with freedom when it comes to solo's both melodicaly and using single string, i wanted his ideas and then left to interperate them my way, i didnt want to clone with him. Well at the same time this was idea was rattling round in my head i recieved an e-mail from Jayme Stone offering tuition on a single lesson senario or in a block of four one hour slots. I went for it, met Jayme on line and we got to work. He has started to unlock the blocks i have been having with my theory and i have completed two of my four block sessions with him. Its early yet i know, but i am already well on the way to that freedom around the board and having great times with it already. My dynamics are powerful and the work syncopated....Its wonderful to be able to play as you feel, right on the note as it happens in the song or break, and lead yourself somewhere in an instant, its a new world, i dont have to hunt the tab books for that elusive new lick, i just format my own, I know I should have been doing this anyway, but for me I needed pushed and sitting with an accomplished player like he is has provided that push. If you are advanced as a player but feel blocked in with your playing i recommend you find someone and take some fresh tuition, you just never know where it will lead you.......well it works for me. joemac

LOTW Oct 28 '09. Vid 1

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:59:16 CST

Here's video 1 in a short series on more advanced string bending techniques. http://www.banjohangout.org/myhangout/videos.asp

Banjo Magazine

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:00:58 CST

Does anyone have any recommendations on a banjo magazine or newsletter to subscribe to that would offer information on playing Scruggs style 5 string banjo? thanks for any input. Dan

Jim"Willard" Spencer - Great Lakes Banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:59:27 CST

I took a banjo lesson with Jim in 1975. Great player. I should have taken more lessons but going to Ann Arbor on Saturday afternoons during football season was hard. Here he is with the RFD boys. [:)] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BesgutXishU

Increasing speed age 60+, Scruggs style

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:31:20 CST

...so I'm 63, been going at this banjo thing for ten+ years...but still not able to play fast and smooth...anyone have any suggestions for exercises that may be helpful...or maybe advice to give up and be happy with not playing fast?

A Day At The Park

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:09:29 CST

Hi Guys & Girls, Went to a park yesterday to get in some practice time - sometimes I just need to escape the people here and actually have time to work on stuff that I need to work on. Mile and half walk each way, hurricane winds, and fairly cold, but was worth it. Got in about an hour and a half, which wasn't near enough, but enjoyed every minute, and starting to resemble a banjo player after a long layoff. When I first got to the park, a little Peti Rojo flew in front of me, then landed in a tree right there, as if to say, "I'm heeeere, I flew all the way from Peru to see you". Made my day. Don't have a lot of pleasant memories of Peru, but the little guy is definitely one of them. Didn't know we had them here in Arizona. I have to wonder if somebody was trying to tell me something :) . He visited me again while I was playing, sat there and listened for a few minutes. http://www.myspace.com/imthefid

I'll Fly Away -- Church Performance

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:31:33 CST

I was just approached by our choir director about accompanying I'll Fly Away in church... THIS Sunday! I know this isn't a very difficult tune, but I've not spent time on it at all yet. Furthermore --I'll have the inevitable nerves running a muck (this will be my second such performance in my life -- the first coming earlier this year). If I go through with it, I'll be playing along with the piano (never done this before). Any advice to get ready and/or make it through successfully? Dan ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I've got it made in the shade if the tree don't fall... [IMG]http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j66/ncatprof/RKlady.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j66/ncatprof/BansheeandTysonBanner4Small.jpg[/IMG]

Novice Trying to Tab Oh Susannah

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:24:09 CST

Hello, BHOers; wmbartlett here trying to tab out oh susannah. I've found lots of tabs on the web, but they're either too hard for beginner me or they don't seem to sound like what I'm expecting, for some reason. I don't really know what I'm doing, that's certainly 99% of the problem. Here's what I'm getting from just trying to find the notes by ear: First phrase: -------------0--0-------2--0------------------------------------------0--------- ---------0-----------------------0------------------0--0------------------------ --0--2-------------------------------0--------2------------2--0--2------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------0----- -------------0------0------------0-------0-------------0------0---------------- My pinches don't line up exactly here, but I think you can see what I'm trying to do. Those notes on the fifth string (and the last one on the fourth) are right on the beat and make the rhythm. Then the second phrase is exactly the same, except that the 2-0-2 bit on the third string near then end switches to 2-2-0. Third Phrase: ------2------2--2--2------2--0--0------------0----------- --1------1--------------1-------------0--------------------- -------------------------------------------0--2-------------- ------------------------------------------------------0------ ------0------0------0------0------0-----0------------------ Fourth Phrase = First Phrase. If I was good, I could figure out some snazzy way to get into and out of the song; I'll work on that. My question is...is working it out this way according to my own ear worth doing as an exercise? And also--I wonder why the tab I'm seeing for this song doesn't, well, sound like the song to me? In particular, the Ross Nickerson version, I just don't get it at all. Thanks...wmbartlett ---Travel expands the mind--particularly if you travel to the library.

learning from the Kidd

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:34:36 CST

Just a quick note in praise of one of our members here on the hangout, some weeks ago I posted asking if anybody knew how Eric Weissberg played Duelling Banjos, well someone came up trumps with a bunch of lessons via email that have made everything realy clear to me, he is John Kuhn (aka The Kidd) and this guy is a great picker, a great teacher and, I have learned, a very generous guy with his time I dont want to cause John any embarassment here, but when somebody you have never met goes all out to help you I just think that it is worth mentionioning. So John, thank you very much indeed, I hope that one day I can help you in some way. This to me is the very spirit of the Hangout, long may it continue. spoonfed

Backup

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:27:56 CST

What's the best book/CD/DVD etc.. to learn how to play backup parts for Old Time Gospel songs? I've purchased the "Rhythm & Backup 101 Series" by Geoff Hohwald and made it through lesson 1 (Moveable Major Chords 1). Lesson 2 focuses on the G shape which I don't think my fingers were meant to be bent that way! Anyway, I was wondering if there was a book w/ tabs - Tom Dooley is a little depressing to play in Church. Thanks,

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:27:57 CST

We saw the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Fri night in Branson Mo. John McEuen was great and made playing a banjo look so easy as well as the other instruments he played also. Great concert and a great group of talented guys. I sent an email to John as to how much we enjoyed their concert and actually got a reply from him, seems like a very humble man. It made me much more thankful that I could attend and see them in person. My wife said if they'd had a show the next night she would have went to see it again. You'd think as easy as John made it look, the banjo would be a simple instrument to learn.. lOL.... Mike, Hebrews 13:2