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

New player looking for advice!

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:18:51 CST

I just picked up my banjo this week. I've never played before and play no other musical instruments. Right now I'm learning from a book and from stuff I find on youtube. So far I'm learning some chords but so far nothing I do "Sounds like a banjo".

What are some good videos or sites to visit for beginners?

Anyone have advice for the best things to work on first and how to progress?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom shared!

Jason

Dust Bowl Children

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:15:44 CST

http://youtu.be/z9GvHSF0JYc

I am hearing this as a standard forward roll with some syncopation and plucking. Does anyone know if this is correct?

Thanks in advance,

Dwayne

D-Tuners Books Videos

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:04:49 CST

Hi Guy's

Looking for some books and or videos on D Tuners.

I have Murphy's and Jim Mills DVDs and Earls Book and I know about John Boulding''s vids seem to recall seeing a thread about a book from years back that came with a cassette tape....

Much appreciated

Video Lesson: Key of D ideas for modal tunes

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:33:57 CST

I made a quick video this morning that discusses some rolls and licks you can play out of standard tuning (fifth string spiked to A) on modal or bluesy sounding songs like "Man In the Middle" and "Man of Constant Sorrow." I posted this in response to another members question asking for ideas for the key of D but wanted to make sure everyone could take a look if they wanted. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCIBMDlEpT4

Key of D

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:22:10 CST

I would like to learn licks for the key of D. That is, when I spike/tune my fifth up to A, what are some standard or useful licks? Do you know of any resources?

Been working on 3-2 pull offs

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 23 May 2013 05:59:11 CST

Two weeks ago I had a lesson with Charles Wood. He was very insightful and encouraging.

The very first thing he told me to work on was my 3-2 pulls. I had been doing push offs essentially to try to get that sound. He showed me how to pull the middle finger on my felt hand through the pull off and into the 2nd string.

He showed me how he does it and it has so much snap and clang!

So, that is all I have been practicing for two weeks. I feel like I am getting closer. Here I am:

New to the forums - New to the banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:27:29 CST

First off let me say Hi, I've been looking at this forum for quite a while and it is easily the most active and informative one that I have found.

anyway, I have just started learning how to play (pretty much a complete novice) and I just have a few questions.

1-I have got some metal finger picks but I can't get on with the metal thumb pick at all and have to keep switching back to the plastic one that I have, the sound just sounds much clearer and I find it easier to strike the strings with it. Is this common or should I try some different picks?

2-how important is a strap because at the moment I am playing without one and trying to get used to playing in a different position to how I play the guitar is pretty strange, how much benefit do you gain from using a strap? Does it make much difference in stability/positioning?

3-strumming...is it possible to strum whilst wearing picks? If so how the hell do you do it I'm finding it near impossible at the moment haha

4-my banjo was bought for me about 12 months ago by a friend for my birthday, its not the best or most expensive by any means, at the time I was learning the keyboard so all of my efforts went on that which is why it's only now that I am putting serious effort into the banjo, but upon rest re-stringing it the action is pretty shocking, I have the bridge in the correct place but the strings are so high off towards the bottom of the fret board it is impossible to play anything below the 6th fret, is there any easy way to remedy this?

cheers for any responses

banjo in church

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:44:27 CST

not meaning to start a "religious" thread...but anyone playing banjo...particularily Scruggs style fingerpicking, on a regular basis in a "non-blugrass" music oriented church? I've played guitar in contemporary servoces and not so contemporary in church for about 20 years, but have never taken the banjo. In the Bible we are to "praise Him with the strings"....Psalm 150, I believe.

Any rate, it appears most of the pickers I run into are God fearing people, but if they've played in church, has been as a special occasion or as a guest.

Sublime What I Got Banjo Lesson

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:05:32 CST

Hey whats up banjo bros! Its been a minute since i posted new material i am busy right now with the excitement and anticipation of my son being born. I am a first time father so this has all been a huge learning process. Anyways i still need to find time for my love of music and each day that my banjo and/or guitar gathers dust i shed a small tear lol. With all that being said this is my interpretation of Sublime's "What I Got" enjoy!

http://banjobro.com/2013/05/22/whatigot/

Chucking and Vamping

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 22 May 2013 05:54:57 CST

I'm thinking they're the same thing. Am I correct?

Arm rest on the head of the banjo .

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:59:43 CST

When i praticing and learning to play a song the inside of my arm cut into the arm rest on the banjo head . Does anybody have any advice on how or what i can do to keep from hurting the inside of my arm while i am picking. I saw one person had put some foam rubber there on the arm rest, but want that drown out the sound or interfere with the sound ?

D-tuner on 1st string, how do you tune?

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 21 May 2013 04:03:46 CST

I have Keith tuners installed on my new banjo. I use them more for switching between G and D-tunings than for D-tuner instrumentals and I like them a lot. I have noticed that I practice tunes in alternate tunings much less because of the retuning. Now that changing tuning is a matter of seconds, I do that far more. With tunes in Drop-C I still have to retune the 4th string with the ordinary tuner and I wonder whether I should get another pair of Keiths for the 1st and 4th strings in order to tune the 4th string down to C easily. However, I can't imagine any use for the 1st string D-tuner. I know there are some 100% D-tuner instrumentals without any fretting but to me those are more of an oddity than a reason to get a D-tuner. So what do people having a 1st string D-tuner use it for?

Backing-up Ballad of Jed Clampett

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:46:16 CST

One of the songs that I'm planning on suggesting to play in a jam at an upcoming bluegrass festival is "Ballad of Jed Clampett." Here's my question: is it acceptable to play the lead quietly (like Earl does in the recording) when backing someone else up, or should I stick with playing the chords? I've always wondered about this since Earl plays the lead instead of chords.

Big Thanks to Glenn Miller - Picker's Academy

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:57:05 CST

I'm reposting because the original thread got corrupted and couldn't be displayed properly.

I just want to share something...

I started learning banjo 3 1/2 months ago... (after 2 failed attempts 5 and 7 years ago). I remember thinking back in February of this year (when my learning was slow and arduous)... MAYBE if I stick with it and practice every day for a couple of years, I can get good enough to play Foggy Mountain Breakdown!

I tried one of the only teachers in the area a while back, and I just didn't click. He jumped right into playing songs without a lot of theory and foundation work (which is what I ended up needing to make things make sense for me).

I also tried a few books and CD/DVD combos from some well-known professional players and teachers... but my progress was too slow and it lacked something.

About a month or so ago, I found Glenn Miller's Picker's Academy http://www.pickersacademy.com here on the BHO. I signed up and started working through the first 3 courses... This was the foundation that I needed.

Glenn's teaching style along with showing both hands and Tab on the screen simultaneously, plus practice MP3s played at various speeds really helped me a lot to learn and figure everything out. The courses worked for me and gave me the skills and foundation I needed to start playing songs and have everything start making sense.

A few nights ago, I played Foggy Mountain Breakdown (first break) for the first time ever. I actually played it pretty well too (about 110 bpm) and my son's nurse shouted from his room... "Hey that's Foggy Mountain Breakdown! It's sounds really good!"

I've already learned the 2nd break (up the neck), albeit slower... but it's coming along.

Please note that Glenn's in the process of building up his new website and converting his lessons and materials from his old website, but it's coming along nicely and everything's getting improved. I gave some suggestions to make the video and audio lessons work on the iPad and iPhone and he made it happen.

If you don't have access to a teacher, or want to learn inexpensively at your own pace, it's worth the nominal fee he charges. Check him out... http://www.pickersacademy.com

Thanks Glenn!

P.S. I have no affiliation other than being a student on his site, but I just wanted to thank the folks at Picker's Academy for helping me get past my mental obstacles to learning to play my banjo!

RE: Big thanks to Glenn Miller

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:11:32 CST

RE: Big thanks to Glenn Miller.

Thanks for posting. but it seems BHO is not able to fix the BHO post. Please send your e-mail about this to Eric.

RE the coupon code from that post.

the code is Qws73ned it gives you a $40.00 discount.

Free SOM Song Of The Month. http://pickersacademy.com/index.php/s-o-m

Playing sitting down versus standing up as I learn.

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:19:43 CST

I've been playing 3-4 months now and practice on a chair in the kitchen. I use a strap for support, but the banjo is on my lap and slightly tilted so I can see the neck and head.

I tried playing standing up last night, but the banjo is now completely vertical and I can't see the frets anymore. I had a very difficult time playing because I'm still needing to see "some" of the positions for chord change. My fingers know where to go but I need to sometimes check visually for accuracy.

Am I starting a bad habit learning to play with the banjo on my lap slightly tilted? Should I change learning playing position now before they get ingrained as a bad habit?

Or should I just enjoy playing for what feels comfortable now while I learn the basics and foundation skills?

Thanks for the input and advice.

Advice: Playing many hours standing up...

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 19 May 2013 20:21:45 CST

Hi folks,

I am looking for a little advice...This weekend I am going to play a festival with a lot of playing on the street. In years past, I have taken my open back banjo (no problem, it's light), but this year I am bringing my RK-80; an 11 lb. monster. When playing with the RK-80, my shoulder will get sore going a 2hr gig, let alone playing many hours on the street. I have a Lakota Leather strap, which is great, but it doesn't stop the pain from coming after awhile. Any advice? Thanks so much!

my summer project - starting over

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 19 May 2013 20:03:14 CST

I've come to the conclusion I need to "start over" picking the banjo. I need to pay more attention to the left hand because I tend to rest my fingers low toward the fret board when I'm not fretting the string. Sometimes a buzz comes out, and I'd love to get rid of those buzzes. Second, I need to eliminate pick noise. I think if I pay attention to the way my picks are fitting, I'll eliminate a lot of that, but turning my wrist clockwise will help too. Third, I need to practice more. I've lost speed. My timing on speedy tunes is really nasty right now. Finally, I pick soft, loud, medium volume.. what ever the song needs. But my medium and soft pickin' lacks the timing accuracy that I can pull off when I pick loud.

So there's my summer project.

Learning to play all over the fretboard, how?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 19 May 2013 11:36:45 CST

I've been playing mostly old time music on my banjo and very little bluegrass, but I've recently took another interest into Scruggs style and I want to learn how to play all over the fretboard. I have questions though..I know most guitar players learn pentatonic scales when starting out but do most banjo pockets bother with these scales? Is scales something I need to learn on Scruggs style or does the chord structures and chord inversions play more into being able to play up the neck?? Any and all advice would be helpful, Mm

List of public domain songs?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:18:23 CST

We've been told emphatically by a Farmer's Market that we can only play public domain songs. Since we haven't played for them before, we want to be sure to abide by their rules. Is there someplace we can find a list of public domain bluegrass and bluegrass/gospel songs? If ASCAP and BMI want us to comply with their rule of playing only traditional music why don't they put out a list of tunes so we can? Or have they and I don't know about it?

How close to the bridge do you play?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:10:33 CST

In learning 3 finger I have not spent a lot of time in considering the sound my banjo makes as far as how close to the bridge. Part of what makes the banjo so cool is the different sounds you make depending on how close to the bridge you play. From mellow to bright.Sometimes when I hear a certain tune I am trying to figure out the sound and how bright or tinny it sounds.(you can call it what you like, I don't know the correct word for this)

So I am curious, mostly to old timers who have played for many years, how close to the bridge do you play? Do you change with the tune you are playing, or does the position just become habit.

Playing in key of F ???

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 18 May 2013 06:22:32 CST

I am supposed to play in church this Sunday with a quartet that wants to sing " Where the Roses never Fade' in the key of F.

I am still learning my way around the banjo, my brother is playing guitar with us and said we can capo at 3 and start in D ? Any alternate ideas? Starting in D at capo 3 makes the 5th string sound wacko to me.

Thanks in advance for any advice....

Hearing picks on the head

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:26:26 CST

So I'm breaking a bad habit- I learned to pick bare-handed but now play with picks, and they no longer feel unnatural (progress!). I recorded myself on my iPad tonight using SoundCloud and was surprised on playback to hear how noisy (to me) my thumb pick was against the head.

How common is this? My iPad was about 6" from me while playing. Would I hear your thumb pick if I held a mic 6" from your banjo?

backup rolls

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:28:48 CST

Hi folks.

Maybe a stupid question... Is there one roll that I can use for every song or tunes?

what roll is best for play along with?

//BBB

Big thanks to Glenn Miller at Picker's Academy

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:13:30 CST

I just want to share something...

I also tried a few books and CD/DVD combos from some well-known professional players and teachers... but my progress was too slow and it lacked something.

I've already learned the 2nd break (up the neck), albeit slower... but it's coming along.

If you don't have access to a teacher, or want to learn inexpensively at your own pace, it's worth the nominal fee he charges. Check him out... http://www.pickersacademy.com

Thanks Glenn!

P.S. I have no affiliation other than being a student on his site, but I just wanted to thank the folks at Picker's Academy for helping me get past my mental obstacles to learning to play my banjo!

Chord Changes for Fox on the Run

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:59:13 CST

I'm working through chord changes to songs in Dr. Banjo's terrific Bluegrass Songbook, and am looking for the chord changes to Fox on the Run (due to copyright restrictions in 1976, only the words could be included). I don't need full tablature, just the chord changes. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Callus phobia

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:47:02 CST

I just accquired my first 5-string yesterday and I'm determined to get started. When I was really into mando a few years back I managed to get some useful calluses going but I remember it as a slow and painful process, and it's left me wondering if anybody here has any useful tips and tricks for building calluses as quickly and painlessly as possible, in the cheapest way possible as I'm on the unemployed-20-something-hoodlum budget...

I found an archived thread about this topic from 2007 that recommended vinegar, and also using a light touch. Figured I'd revive the topic and ask if anyone had more information on these things, or other ideas.

Technique Questions

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 15 May 2013 06:29:27 CST

I was watching the following video of a Rob Bourassa Bluegrass lesson. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP31xrg05No&list=PL83F206E1C5BBFB17

He's clearly the real deal, but I have some questions as a beginner.

1) He talks about planting his pinky on the first string behind the bridge. After playing with it, this is more comfortable for me and allows me to play faster than planting on the face of the banjo. Are there any down sides to planting the pinky on the string behind the bridge like this?

2) He's playing BG on an open back. I know there's no law against this, but my question is, what works better: Playing Bluegrass on an open back or OT on a solid back? This could be useful information as I'm learning both styles.

bluegrass bands that dont have a banjo

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 14 May 2013 20:23:51 CST

Im looking for bluegrass bands that dont have a banjo to check out on youtube. I think it would be fun and useful to pick along with my banjo, I could be the missing link, but I may not get to take a lead lol....at least I could play backup!

Maybe some early Bill Monroe stuff?

I feel like I'm stuck

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:29:48 CST

So hey everyone, its been a while since I checked in! I still don't have enough time to practice but I'm making a lot of progress, I can now play cripple creek pretty effortlessly, and I'm almost done on Clinch Mountain Backstep! (Big shout out to http://rickmckeon.com/banjolessons.html his website has been a huge help and those are the versions of the songs I'm using). However I'm having trouble with two things, I'm having trouble changing chords quickly, and having trouble working up to speed, especially with foggy mountain breakdown, (what I'm working with now).

Also, I did an impromptu recording for my friend on a video project she made, there are a few dead strings, and I did it all in one take, but hey give me a break it was 4am :P.

she may have looped some things a few times.

Have mercy on me, I'm still learning lol.http://vimeo.com/65699243

Tony Trischka Tunes & Techniques DVD Booklet

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 14 May 2013 04:02:48 CST

Hello hello

I just bought a second hand copy of the Bluegrass Banjo: Tunes & Techniques DVD and I've just discovered there's no booklet on the disc, it must be an old one. Does anyone have a digital copy of the booklet? Not sure if this is in the right forum, but I'm sure it'll get moved if it should

Thanks all

Rob

Adjusted Arm Rest

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:31:02 CST

Hi All,

Just something I felt I should share. I recently received a new banjo and I noticed that the middle finger on my picking hand was striking the string with the pad portion of my finger. I had not had this problem in the past. After watching in the mirror and looking at my old banjo, I made an adjustment to the arm rest, raising it about 3/16" (similar to the arm rest on the old one). It dramatically helped my pick strike without consciously changing the arch of my wrist or fingers.

Jason

guitar player with an observations/question

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 12 May 2013 18:52:17 CST

Yes, guitar players are obsessed with their tone, but banjo players seem to hit it out of the park with the elusive search for tone..... and having a quality instrument is a given in the equation. I don't disagree with that. But while some of the great [elec?] guitar players may use the same model guitar and rig, they can sound so completely different from each other. Generally this is attributed to the player, their technique and the "sound" is really in their fingers. This also seems to hold true with well known acoustic players as well. I "seem" to see this to a lesser degree with banjo music. The type of banjo and its' selected parts...ie, bridge, tailpiece, tone ring...etc... seem to play a huge role..yet the sounds between players is much "closer"...if that makes sense.. The one BIG exception I hear though is that although everyone "seems" to want to emulate the Scruggs style (if you're playing 5 string bluegrass), no one really sounds like Earl...so the "fingers" DO hold true in this instance. Even on a similar banjo that Earl may have used. Beyond that and down a couple of levels of ability, the differences seem to be more a blur.

So....getting the right equipment....I see this with guitar players A LOT... .. but it APPEARS many beginning to intermediate players are really focusing more on whether they should own a Stelling, a custom Hatfield, an old Gibson, or whatever the preferred brand. I am blessed to own a nice Deering Sierra and realize that if I can't make that banjo sound good, it's because of me. The "sound" in my opinion is in my fingers and picking style, and I can't blame anything on the banjo at this point. Maybe in another "10,000 hrs" of practice I can!

so....I guess the question... any truth to this thought or am I just a goofy guitar player?? ;-)

Any rate, jumping back into pickin with both feet, loving this forum and hope to "up" the learning curve.

Thanks for reading!

Can you take skype lessons if Murphy Method is hard for you?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 12 May 2013 09:49:49 CST

There is a lot of advice here to take banjo lessons as the best thing to improve your playing (besides going out and playing with others). So, for that reason, I have tried some banjo lessons, just finished another one. I took a lesson a while back with one of the esteemed people here and just took a lesson with a top picker who ran around with one of the best, before he retired. When I was younger, I took guitar lessons for maybe eight years. When learning to play electric guitar- shred metal- tab was an accepted thing. I learned all of my speed metal guitar with tab and by listening to the recordings to know what it should sound like. When I used to take the guitar lessons, the teacher would write stuff out in a lesson book- either scales, chord progressions, licks, whatever it was. As a result of all of this, I became a pretty decent shred guitar player.

With banjo, there seems to be more of a "play these strings, put your finger here" kind of approach, ala Murphy Method. This approach makes me crazy and frustrates me so much during a lesson that I get a headache. I have difficulty memorizing all of the stuff when someone is teaching me like this. We end of spending a half-hour or hour going through something, and then at the end, I won't have it memorized. I can have a tab in front of me and learn it instantly. I can even see a tab and "hear" it in my head without playing it (this is something I have been able to do with sheet music for years). Even listening to a recording without tab and slowing it down and playing it is less frustrating to me- I'll tab it out myself for future reference.

As far as memorizing things- I teach math and physics. My classes are an hour long. I teach everything off of the top of my head and can teach the entire year's worth of math or physics right now, with no notes, etc. I have professional degrees and have functioned fine in life, do great on tests that require memorization, etc. But, this thing with "put your finger here, play this string" really is difficult.

With that said- should I be taking Skype lessons, if yes, are there any teachers who don't use this method to teach? Should I just use tab books? I have found "watch and learn" with the tab and mp3s really useful. I don't need to use videos that go along with those things. The lesson material that doesn't do this, I have a hard time with. I have a great video that teaches things with no tab, and it also frustrates me to no end.

Does anyone else here learn with tab but not with the Murphy style method? If so, have you taken lessons? With Skype or live? With who, if you can pm me a recommendation. Thanks! (If anyone does have a similar learning style- the best resources I have used have been the Geoff Hohwald "wach and learn" videos with the tab and mp3s, Sean Ray's session book/kickoff book, Jack Hatfield's backup book, Earl's book, and the tabledit files on BHO that many of you have generously supplied).

Also, for those of you without teachers, how have you created a plan for yourself to maximize your practice time?

Did old Nellie have spikes installed?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sun, 12 May 2013 07:21:30 CST

I was just wondering if or more likely where Don Reno had spikes on old Nellie? Just curious. Thanks in advance.

Playing in other keys out of G tuning with no capo?

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 11 May 2013 19:01:00 CST

How do you go about learning to.play key of C, D, F, etc without capoing? I can mess around within closed chords, I'd like to learn leads. Any recommended videos or websites?

Todd

Banjo School Tony Trischka

eric@banjohangout.org — Sat, 11 May 2013 06:30:13 CST

Hello

I am a Scruggs/Crowe style player and am thinking about branching out a bit. I also have worked out most all Reno tunes.

Anyway I have been looking at the Banjo School that Tony has on line.

I appreciate your thoughts on this .I have used most all the Tony Trischka books from many years ago.

He is the greatest and a wonderful person. Anyone here a member of his school ?

Travis in Ky

T I or M

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 10 May 2013 05:06:34 CST

I am coming from playing guitar for 24 year to banjo, a technique shock for me, so far I been mainly practicing rolls and getting to a point to changing chord while playing the rolls

knowing scales I would know playing the G pentatonic would be the following notes

On these notes how would I know whether to use my T, I, or M to pick,? some are obvious but some in the grey area

------------------------------0----2---------
------------------------0---------------------
-------------0----2--------------------------
--0----2-------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------0----

Taping right hand?

eric@banjohangout.org — Fri, 10 May 2013 04:47:32 CST

I've been trying to improve my right hand technique, mostly trying to relax my hand/ wrist/ arm whilst i'm playing as it's started getting painfull to play. The thing is, I don't plant my pinkie just my ring finger which gives me enough stability but when i get to a tricky part or when i'm playing fast my pinkie sticks out (like a member of the aristocracy drinking tea), this is by no means intentional it just does that, and i think this is part of my problem as its increasing the strain in the right wrist. Today i had the idea of taping my ring and pinkie together at the last knuckle to keep them both planted comfortably, and it works, sort of , the problem is now is that it feels like begining all over again, stumbling around all over the place. Has anyone else out there tried this or know of any other solutions?

Thanks

Bob

LOTW 5/8/13 Pentatonic Templates Part 3

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 9 May 2013 15:04:40 CST

Here's the next video. In this one we'll look at adding chord tones (color tones) from the chords in the progression, to the basic pentatonic melody pattern.

FMB Suggestion

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 9 May 2013 04:12:21 CST

I've been working on Foggy Mt. Breakdown for a couple of months now. (The high parts are what have been really tripping me up.) As anyone soon realizes from watching pickers play the song, no two people play it exactly the same. Not even Earl plays it the same way twice. I've been trying to get through a video lesson provided by an online banjo instructor but part of it just didn't roll very well for me. So I thought "How did Earl play it?" It turned out that Earl's lick was easier than the teacher's.

That got me to thinking, "Why am I doing any one persons version of FMB?" So over the last couple of weeks I've scoured the internet looking at numerous versions of it, and now if I get to a part that I'm just not "up to speed on" due to my inexperience and/or talent, I shop around till I find someone playing it in a way that I can currently handle. I've so far strung together 4 different artists. :-) There's no law against it. I haven't had the banjo police show up and confiscate my instrument. I'm having fun and making progress. I can always go back later as my skills increase to learn the more difficult versions.

Just an idea for my fellow beginners out there.

Lady of Spain

eric@banjohangout.org — Thu, 9 May 2013 03:22:31 CST

Trying to learn this tune in C. There is some new things here that I haven't done.Looks like it is going to take a while.

JD Crowe's kickoff to Molly and Tenbrooks

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 8 May 2013 13:18:10 CST

I messed around a bit this morning and learned Crowe's kick to Molly and Tenbrooks. I think its one of the finest kickoffs I've heard.

I play it slow enough you might be able to get a few details.

http://youtu.be/-y6-d39MIaY

Cheers.

CD with vocals for beginner classics

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 8 May 2013 09:05:43 CST

I want to find CDs with vocals for old classics like Jesse James, Old Joe Clark, Amazing Grace, Worried Man Blues, Cripple Creek, etc., so I can get the melody in my head. I can play the tunes' leads (slowly), and I'm trying to get backup chords into my head without having to memorize and count every measure. I'm thinking that if I get the lyrics into my head that I can begin to hear when a chord change is coming up. So, does anyone have any CDs that they could recommend? Thanks.

Picks

eric@banjohangout.org — Wed, 8 May 2013 07:50:24 CST

I used old National picks for years. I have tried everything from dunlops to Ernie Ball to Shelor, Kyser, Pro-Piks, etc, etc. I have some Gene Elkins stainless picks i shaped from Gene's blanks. best-sounding, most comfortable picks ever... I lost one a few weeks ago. I had them in my jeans pocket while working in the bee yard and apparently lost it while pulling something out of my pocket. Meanwhile, I went back to my last set of favorite picks, a set of highly-polished, perfectly-fitted National NP 2's. No comparison. I will be in the barn today, finding another Elkins blank to shape ASAP. Greg Boyd sells the already-shaped Elkins picks, but those are too short and rounded to my liking.

Clawhammer at BG festival jams?

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 7 May 2013 20:27:36 CST

Hello!

I live in Oklahoma and play clawhammer banjo. There are a lot of BG jams around the state, but not too much of an Old Time scene.

What can I expect as a clawhammer player if I show up at a BG festival/jam? -(most of these are small town, weekend, outdoor jams that focus on BG, country and gospel)

Also, I have a brother who plays mandolin(much better than I do banjo) and can play every song I know, who will attend most of these with me.

Should I expect to just bumditty in the background? or find a fiddler and start my own circle with my bro? just jump in and participate to my ability level?

I e-mailed 2 of my local events with the same questions basically, but its been about a week and still no response...

I'm still a novice with not much jam experience, but I have around 35-40 songs I can play well enough, I'd love to jam more and learn even more songs!

Tuning down

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 7 May 2013 19:47:09 CST

Just got my new Deering John Hartford banjo from Janet Davis Music. Wonderful banjo. As is usual with a great new banjo I can't seem to put it down. The first thing I did was have a set of strings made up like Hartford's (0.012,0.024 wound ,0.020 wound, 0.014, 0.012) and tune down to E flat. I just love the sound of the bass strings in that tuning. I am playing "Lorena" and "Old Time River Man at present". Will be learning more songs soon.

I tuned my Gold Tone OB250LW (also wood tone ring, poor man's John Hartford) down to B flat and am learning The Kruger Brothers "Forever and a Day".

I have just recently started tuning down and just love the lower tunings, particularly the bass notes.

A musical newbie

eric@banjohangout.org — Tue, 7 May 2013 17:36:15 CST

Hey all,

So I am new to this forum and am excited to participate in it. I have been interested in picking up a banjo and learning to play for some time now, but I think I'm coming from a real handicap. I have not played any instruments really, ever. So I'm looking for some advice that will help carry me through the rough starting of trying to figure it all out and wondering why my fingers are in so much pain... lol.

Also, I'm confused about whether I should be playing a left-handed or right-handed banjo. Normally I'd suspect this is a simple thing, but I write left-handed, and do pretty much all other things right-handed. I do notice, however, that whenever I subconsciously play air-guitar, :) I tend to strum with my left-hand. I however, have tried playing guitar before and it was always a right-handed one. I'm confused...lol. Any thoughts on which I should learn on? Or rather, how does one figure out which is the best one to play with?

Thanks so much,
Chris

well....banjo isn't like riding a bicycle...

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 6 May 2013 19:33:23 CST

I started back in 2003 and took lessons for about a year+...and then continued on for another year or so. Felt I really hit a road block and musical situations changed that my guitar playing took center stage playing at church, etc. I played less and less banjo until I realized it's been a couple years that I haven't picked it up.

Any rate... giving another round and THIS time going to keep the ring finger down, as last time, it was just the pinky. I "kinda" fingerpicked on guitar and used the ring finger, so I wasn't so concerned about it with the banjo and had enough people tell me there are plenty of great players that don't anchor the ring and pinky...

I've recently been playing enough that I can begin to tell that both fingers planted is the way to go...BUT

it is like starting over again. I mean I can't even come close to where I was back in 2005. I kinda half kick myself for not sticking with it..as it would be 10 years now...but playing guitar for close to 50 years has really filled in the gap.

I don't know....the bug is hitting hard again...looking at good banjos again (I've got a Sierra, quickly upgraded from a Goodtime Special... back when). I look at my Sierra and it is even setup great, Price tailpiece, Eliite Z bridge...and I even put in my own spikes... but that seemed like 20 years ago and I don't even remember what I did.

Oh well... time to study the forums again and enjoy Springtime and outside practicing again.

BUT WHY is it so hard? My two years seem like they didn't even count ;-(

Take The Hand Rail

eric@banjohangout.org — Mon, 6 May 2013 18:15:47 CST

Here's an interesting analogy. When walking up some stairs you can "take the hand rail." Not that you need it, but it gives you some stability and helps with your balance. It's the same thing when resting a finger on the head of the banjo. You feel a little more secure and have a sense of place.

Rick