Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/18/2013:  04:22:51

OK Murphy Misfit's

I guess it had to happen sometime, Eric has set the Barre - Pun Intended - So I'll propose a Murphy Method Practice Group. I started out with the Murphy Method over five years ago. and have worked my way though most of Murphy's lessons. I have skipped some along the way and hope to get back into these over the next twelve months.

If your a student of the Murphy Method here is a platform to share your Study and Practice sessions. I hope it will motivate you to chart your own progress, sharing your experience will surely help others that are struggling with a Murphy Lesson and hopefully Casey or perhaps even Murphy will stop by from time to time to help us ALL make the most of this great learning tool.

What are your Goals for the Month of October ?

My Goal's for the next few weeks are:

I will be working my way through the Ralph Stanley Style DVD. I worked on Clinch Mountain Back Step a few years back so I will be revisiting this one.  

The other lessons on this DVD are Man of Constant Sorrow, Little Maggie, Daybreak In Dixie, Ridin' On That Midnight Train, and How Mountain Girls Can Love I haven't studied any of these lessons so I need to set aside time to work on these..   

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Some of you might be wondering what this thread is all about and what if anything you might hope to gain from joining.

Lot's of folks do things in impulse. They marry on impulse, they cheat on impulse,  they get divorced on impulse, they buy a banjo on impulse, they join a practice group on impulse..

So just to lay out a little foundation so we all know what's what - This group is about making a commitment to YOURSELF  not to ME not to the GROUP but to YOURSELF

By joining this group your making a commitment to YOURSELF to faithfully set aside time each day to study and practice using the Murphy Method as your chosen instructional material, to set your own goals and to honestly work towards achieving them. You can spend as little as 15 minutes or as much as 15 hours a day YOU decide

If you fail to keep your commitment you are only letting yourself down. If you cheat your only cheating YOURSELF no one HERE is going to judge you.

There are no rules aside from the rules of the BHO set out by Eric. All WE ask is that you post your goals, progress and achievements on a daily basis the rest is up to YOU. If you hit a problem feel free to ask  for advice from the group. If I can help then I will gladly do so but I am not here to push you to study. This is a programme of self discipline.

 From time to time I may be inclined to post some tips.. TAM's TIP's - feel free to use them or not.

I am not a Moderator or a Teacher I am just like you a Proud Student of the Murphy Method

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I stumbled on this little bit of advice a few days a ago and posted it on another thread in response to a query about how best to use your time to manage your practice.  I think it fits well with what we are trying to do here. Hope it is of some help.

Strategies for practicing effectively

I think one of the most neglected aspects of music education deals with how and what you should practice. So often you'll hear, "...well it takes lots of practice." or "You should practice every day..." or some other such statement declaring the importance of practice. I don't disagree that practice is important. It certainly is. However, if you've got no idea how to practice your efforts won't be nearly as effective and your gains won't happen as quickly. Learning to be a better musician is learning to practice better. They're pretty much the same thing. So, what do you do? Try this.

Goal Setting

If you're not setting a goal you're not really practicing. To me, practice is working to improve your playing. Just noodling with tunes you already know is fine but don't call it practice. This is the first step in any practice session.

I've already devoted an entire post to just goal setting. You can link to it here:

chummersmusic.blogspot.com/200...ting.html  BROKEN LINK SEE BELOW #1

Learn where the fingers go

Perhaps this is stating the obvious but consider this, when you look at a page of sheet music you need to learn all the notes on that page not once, not twice, but three different ways. One for the left hand, one for the right, and one for both hands together. When you consider all those movements you'll soon realize that's a lot to memorize! If the hands don't work seamlessly in unison the music will fall apart. Don't underestimate how much time it takes to learn where your fingers go.

Go slow. Don't try to learn to much at one time. Take it in small chunks and learn them individually before you move on to the next section. Make sure you've mastered each section before moving on.

Do your homework. Make sure your finger positions are efficient and make the most sense. You need to think several "moves" ahead and choose movements that allow for the smoothest movement.

Phrase by Phrase

Once you start to memorize your fingerings you should play short phrases over and over, SLOWLY, trying to develop good muscle memory. Try to make your movements flow and feel effortless. Repeat these phrases several times. Repetition is the key. I've written another blog just on this subject. Link to it here:

chummersmusic.blogspot.com/200...tion.html BROKEN LINK SEE BELOW #2

Go slow! You can only develop muscle memory through slow patient movements. Speed is attained through control.

It's important to focus on individual phrases and not start at the beginning. Build the music up piece by piece. Once you can play phrases well try connecting them in longer sections.

Ask why

If you make a mistake don't just plow ahead, ASK WHY. This is very important. Something went wrong. Perhaps it was a bad fingering. Maybe you lost concentration. Maybe you haven't played a section over enough times. It could be anything, but you won't know how to fix it if you don't ask why.

These are just a few tips to help you on your musical journey. Practicing is a very personal and subjective thing. Your personal goals will dictate the amount of time you practice and the quality spent during that time. I hope that you'll take a deeper look at your own practice time and find ways to improve it. When in doubt consider this old nugget of wisdom, "Amateurs practice till they get it right once. Professionals practice till they can't get it wrong."

Some additional emphasis regarding playing slowly. Many pro's practice at half tempo or so in order to solidify their finger movements in terms of efficiency and making sure the music flows. Something that helps me in this regard is to "identify" those sticky areas mentally and then do not let your fingers proceed until you have your brain on board. Perhaps this is obvious, however it is so very easy to play through "sticky" areas incorrectly and sloppy, and then that is what your brain will learn. So, go slow, but again, do not let the fingers proceed until the brain has it correct. Ultimately, learning will occure much more quickly this way. Pierre Bensusan talks about this in his Guitar Book. I read it before and in other places but it doesn't really sink in, until you've wasted a lot of time and finally stopped and asked yourself, "What am I doing wrong?" Stop and analyze those sticky areas, go slow but do it right no matter how slow the brain seems at first- in a few days of focus on these areas the brain will learn- I know I was amazed when I finally followed these guidelines and then really started progressing:)

Goal Setting BROKEN LINK #1

I think one of those most important things you can do during a practice session is to set a goal. In my opinion if you're not setting a goal you're not really practicing. But what does that mean? We all want to play better and sure that's a goal, but when practicing we need to be very specific about our goals. If your practice sessions consist of unfocused noodling or replaying of songs you've known for a long time, try something different. Maybe this...

Narrow your focus

When goal setting you need to be very specific. Not just, "I want to play better." or "I want to play this song." Its better to say "I need to work on this particular passage of this song." And then stick to just that small section of song until you've improved it. Maybe you have trouble with pull-offs. Well spend your practice just working on pull offs or at least focusing on getting them right.

Maybe, you play a song pretty good but always mess at this one part in the middle. Narrow your focus to that part and figure out how to play it as smooth as you can. ONLY THAT PART. Practice only that part until you improve it.

Narrowing your focus can be like a microscope you hold over your playing. How narrow you focus it will depend on what you are working on. It can be wide and cover a large section of song or you can focus it down to just a couple notes played over and over.

Start small

Starting small applies to both your goals and how much of a song you try to bite off at a time. Mucsle memory is best learned in small bits. Therefore, its prudent to practice small sections of a song versus large swaths. Over time, your ability and muscle memory will compile and it'll be easier to play the whole thing.

Again, how small is dictated by how easy the piece is for you. Difficult pieces take LOTS of work. Don't try to force the music into your fingers. It won't work. Be realistic. How much time do you practice a week? How hard is the piece you're working on? The harder the piece, the more work you need to put in.

Go after your weaknesses

You won't get better unless you work on the things you're bad at. Maybe you're bad at lots of things. I know I am. Don't get overwhelmed, just pick them off one at time.

Set goals every practice

Its important to set goals for every practice. If you do you, you'll see consistent improvement. That's the point of practice right? To get better.

It may help to keep a journal of log of your practice routine. This will help you keep track of what you've been working on and help you chart your progress. It will also help you organize and focus your practices.

Be realistic

Everything I've read about great players, my favorite players, is that they've played forever and play all the time. Bela Fleck used to practice like 6-8 hrs a day when he was in his TEENS. Same for Eddie Van Halen, same for Leo Kottke, same for Clarence White, and Tony Rice. All these guys practiced more in a week than most people do for a many months, or years.

If you hope to play an instrument really well it would be wise to consider what the masters put themselves through to play really well. Clearly it helps your playing to play tons. However, I can assure you that an hour a day of focused goal oriented practice will improve your playing. If you've only got ten minutes use it.

Set a goal. I hope that helps.

Brad

The Power of Repetition BROKEN LINK  #2

I've recently been reading (and rereading) Shinichi Suzuki's (of the well know Suzuki Method) book Nurtured by Love. The book describes Suzuki's path that led him to develop his method of music education. Incidentally Suzuki never called this his "Method". He always referred to his style as "Talent Education." His goal was never to produce virtuoso's of the violin but virtuoso people. Here's a quote of his from the book, "I want to make good citizens. If a child hears fine music from the day of his birth and learns to play it himself, he develops sensitivity, discipline, and endurance. He gets a beautiful heart."

I couldn't agree more. I gain a great deal of fulfillment from the study of music. In essence the study of playing a musical instrument is also the study of self-control. It requires a massive amount of patience, hard work, and discipline to play a musical instrument well. It's amazingly difficult to get your fingers to do what you want them to do. You have to learn what your hands can and can't do well and learn to work with them. Everyone is different. It takes time. It take REPETITION.

This is important. Suzuki mentions it several times in his book. The power of repetition can not be underestimated when it comes to playing a musical instrument. Here's a personal example. Whenever, I perform or go to jams where I improvise a lot I find myself falling back into these familiar patterns of playing. I've practiced other licks, songs, and passages but I can't seem to play them out. Why? It's simple really. I've haven't practiced them enough. The songs and licks I play best are the ones I've played the longest. The ones I've played the most times.

Now that might seem like a no brainer but it's important to remember this when practicing. If I hope to get these new musical ideas and songs into my fingers I have to play them that much more. Repetition. I can't expect to practice a song once or twice a week and expect to play it up to speed. It needs to be constantly nurtured and worked on. Muscle memory take time to develop.

If you find yourself frustrated with your playing remember the power of repetition. Focus yourself on one small problem and keep working on it till it improves. How long will that take? Hard to say. But I can tell you with absolute certainty that you will see results if you start small. If you're working on a song. Play the first 1/2 of that song 100 times and see how much better you are at it afterward. Play it 200 times. Experiment and see how long it takes to see improvement.

Edited by - Tam_Zeb on 01/08/2014 00:02:06

stillearning - Posted - 09/18/2013:  04:48:04

Like you I have most of Murphy's DVDs and many other lessons. My goal is to get back to Murphy's courses. I have attended two of her camps and learned a lot. Great teacher,great person.

      Dave O. (Stillearning in more ways than one)

jbgreen - Posted - 09/18/2013:  06:25:36

Well, since I owe a lot of what I know about playing the banjo to Murphy, I'll join in.

I've made it through BB vol.1 and started on vol. 2.  I started off with Old Joe Clark and have memorized most of it, but I don't really like the song, so I haven't worked on it much.  However, since I've already put work into it, I'm going to make it a point to work on it harder for the next month.  I'm hoping that when I start playing it more (and better), I will enjoy it more.

I also need to start working harder on vamping and backup.  I bought the Vamping and Beginning Backup DVD, but I have only watched a few minutes of it.  It seems way over my head at this point, but I know how important it is.

So my immediate goals are to 1) Work on Old Joe Clark, and 2) Work on vamping and beginning backup.

pjmarp - Posted - 09/18/2013:  07:30:17

I'll join as well. After some live lessons, books and other videos, I have made the most progress with Murphy. My immediate goal is to prepare for the Murphy beginner camp this October in Winchester - beginner songs and vamping.

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/18/2013:  08:18:40

quote:

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Originally posted by jbgreen

 

Well, since I owe a lot of what I know about playing the banjo to Murphy, I'll join in.

I've made it through BB vol.1 and started on vol. 2.  I started off with Old Joe Clark and have memorized most of it, but I don't really like the song, so I haven't worked on it much.  However, since I've already put work into it, I'm going to make it a point to work on it harder for the next month.  I'm hoping that when I start playing it more (and better), I will enjoy it more.

I also need to start working harder on vamping and backup.  I bought the Vamping and Beginning Backup DVD, but I have only watched a few minutes of it.  It seems way over my head at this point, but I know how important it is.

So my immediate goals are to 1) Work on Old Joe Clark, and 2) Work on vamping and beginning backup.

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Hi Barry

I found it best to work on one Vamp Pattern at a time. Spend a day or two vamping along to a few tunes/ chord progression with one pattern then go learn the next once you have a few under your belt you can mix them up. Old Joe Clark is a strange kind of tune, It too me a while to get it right

Edited by - Tam_Zeb on 09/18/2013 08:24:32

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/18/2013:  08:22:46

quote:

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Originally posted by pjmarp

 

I'll join as well. After some live lessons, books and other videos, I have made the most progress with Murphy. My immediate goal is to prepare for the Murphy beginner camp this October in Winchester - beginner songs and vamping.

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You guy's are lucky that you can attend live workshops & camps.. Good to have you on board

Ladelnutts - Posted - 09/18/2013:  08:47:29

I'd love to participate. I'm a Murphy DVD student and attended the class Casey taught at Augusta back in July.

Delaware - Posted - 09/18/2013:  10:07:18

Sounds great, I'm in!

I have been playing for about a year and a half.  I started off with Murphy and will be continuing for a long time - lots of great material available!

Currently, I'm learning Fireball Mail.  There is a passage in the first part that my fingers do not like, so I'm trying to get it up to a passable speed.  I can play the version called "Really Slow", but once the speed increases (with guitar), I fumble the part that I'm having difficulty with.  So, my immediate goals are:

1.  Lather, rinse and repeat on the part of Fireball Mail that is causing my brain to go into overload.  Get it into muscle memory.  THEN - Continue practicing Fireball Mail until I get the difficult passage, along with the rest of the song, up to a medium speed.

2.  Continue practicing the rest of the songs I have learned, gradually increasing speed/accuracy.

I try to practice for about an hour at a time, most days.  I get it in abut 5 days a week - but my goal is 7!

caseyhenry - Posted - 09/18/2013:  10:26:42

A note on vamping: Murphy teaches both vamp chord shapes right off the bat (F shape and D shape). To vamp to all the beginning songs, you really can do it with only the F shape. Changing back and forth between the two shapes is super hard at first. So I'd suggest just sticking with making the three chords all in F shape (G at the 3-4-5th frets, C at 8-9-10, D at 10-11-12). That will simplify things a bit...

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/18/2013:  16:16:15

Hi Guy's

Two x 1 Hour Study Sessions today. Goal for today - Revisiting Clinch Mtn Back Step.- Murphy Henry's  Ralph Stanley DVD

I worked on this tune about three years ago and I was sure I had it nailed back then. I stopped practicing this tune to work on other stuff and it kinda dropped off my radar..

Picking up where I left off wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. The A Part went well enough I got the triplet and the little pull-off but the B Part didn't go too well at all. I seemed to keep tripping over the roll pattern then I realized I was using my thumb to pick the third string instead of my index finger. Once I got that into my head I was cooking with gas and the B Part started to come together.. Then when I started to put the A & B Parts together everything seemed to screw up. Connecting the A & B Part isn't very complicated, just a couple of fill notes to connect them but for some reason my brain just wouldn't engage so I'll try again tomorrow.     

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/18/2013:  19:13:58

Im working my way through some murphy method vids myself and would like too participate.
Tam ive just recently learned the clinch mnt backstep from murphy method. That song is a workout and i can see how you can get rusty if you havent played it in a while. Right now im working on playing farewell blues in g (she teaches it in a because of the stretches). Im also going back over pike co breakdown.

Edited by - 3 finger ninja on 09/18/2013 19:20:56

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/18/2013:  20:27:30

I should tell yoi all a little bit about myself. Im 37 and started banjo a year and a half ago, having played finger style guitar since grade school. The part of my brain that tells my fingers to do things works well already so i have progressed pretty fast. Having said that, if i neglect music for any le.gth of time it really shows. I have to ptactice every day.I dicovered murphy method from the hangout and shes the greatest teacher around...im a murphy misfit for sure!

capmike - Posted - 09/18/2013:  21:01:39

hey everyone, my name's mike, started playing banjo at 53,that was a year and a half ago. Murphy method all the way. so far have been through beginning banjo vol 1 and 2, banjo for misfits, easy songs for banjo, jam session standards, and currently working on improv dvd. play everyday for at least an hour and sometimes much more. I have managed to get fmb up to 110bpm without messing up, anything faster and its a train wreck. fireball mail up to 100 on a good day. just started slowing things back down a little to be sure im not getting sloppy.

Really love mountain dew, great song. also working really hard on dueling banjos and ballad of jed clampett.Thats a tough song and so is Salty dog blues. May never get that one! Next song up is foggy mountain top. I really try to work on every song I've learned every day. sometimes skip murphys misfits songs as ive got em down pretty well and only so much time in a day. Still have a bit of problem with old joe clark, Seems my fingers get a little mixed up sometimes on that one. Vamping is working pretty well, Ive been switching from f shape to d shape on chords. been to a couple of jams, still not fast enough on lead breaks to join in much. can play backup ok though with a tag lick every now and again thrown in. If it had not been for Murphy and the banjo hangout I dont think I coulda ever learned banjo. Looking foward to reading from other misfits

                                         Mike

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/18/2013:  23:44:53

Good Morning Everyone - Thursday 19 September 2013 - 0745 Hrs

Great to see Casey is already keeping a watchful eye on all us Misfit's so be sure to watch your P's & Q's   Hi Casey great to have you join us and help keep us on the rails.

A warm welcome  to Marvin & Mike  Glad to have you guy's on board.

So lets get down and dirty. No time to waste chatting it's BANJO time

How did you ALL get on yesterday and what are your goals for today?

Let's keep the dialog short and remember keep focused on our Goals.  Be sure to work hard and above all have FUN.

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My Goal for today is simple, NAIL Clinch Mountain Back Step.

I am fairly confident that I can do this I just hope my brain is engaged today.

Well I'm off now to have some breakfast and then I can get started.

Edited by - Tam_Zeb on 09/18/2013 23:45:53

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/19/2013:  06:54:15

Today's Study Period. 3 x 1 Hour Sessions.. I started early 0830 and got straight to work on the B Part of Clinch Mountain Back Step. The problems I was having yesterday with the fill notes were quickly resolved when I played through the B Part a couple of times. So I spent my first hour just playing the tune in G and in A as it all came flooding back.  I started to build a little speed as I practiced it felt good but it still needs more practice to get it more fluid. But I am happy with where I am at.

On a high note I ventured into Man of Constant Sorrow - Key of D. I play a few tunes in D so for those of you who are still wrestling in G fear naught. Tuning the 5th string and playing in D is not that hard.

I spent two hours working my through all the licks. I like to spend a little time on each lick and phrase playing it over and over.Working through fingering problems, linkling licks to build phrases.  That way when I come to play through the tune for the first few times I know I can play all the licks and  tend not to run off the rails as much.

Today's session was just about familiarizing myself with the tune and the arrangement. Some unfamiliar licks but nothing too difficult for me at this stage. I anticipate it will take a few more practice sessions before I put it altogether and play it all the way through.

All in all a good day's study. 

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/19/2013:  10:20:53

Goals for today- learn part a of hazel creek (really cool g minor tune murphy henry wrote) and if i have time i will capo to a and play some to become familiar with up the neck breaks in a without thinking too hard anout it. It seems that a lot of folks like a especially if there is a fiddle or mandolin.

Peanutscreams - Posted - 09/19/2013:  12:16:05

I have 10 MM DVD's - a few are still unopened, but that's not from a lack of interest or is it from studying any one else's material, I'm exclusively all Murphy and Casey.

Started playing banjo in the spring of 2011 and was fortunate enough to attend one of Murphy's work shops in Portland in Jan. of 2012.

Currently I am learning the high break to Fireball Mail. As soon as I feel I have that pretty much under control (Actually I already have but it's so much fun I can't stop)! I plan to back this truck up to Beginning Banjo Vol. I and learn John Hardy, for some reason I just kept skipping over that tune, I think it's time to learn it so I can have some final closure to Vol I.

Thanks Tam and Eric for getting this Practice Group #2 started.

Butch B.

Delaware - Posted - 09/19/2013:  12:48:33

Practiced for an hour.

Worked on my current nemesis - the beginning of fireball mail - for about 25 minutes.

Then, just to make myself feel better, since I DID NOT conquer that darn passage in fireball mail, I allowed myself to play some tunes I don't struggle with as much.  Banjo in the Hollow, Salt Creek, Old Joe Clark.  I was feeling OK and then I had to go and try John Hardy.  I don't know what it is about that tune, but it seems like I forget it unless i play it constantly.  Every time I revisit it, I have to re-learn some new part.  Thank goodness Murphy is always on stand-by to remind me how it should be done! 

swamplunker - Posted - 09/19/2013:  14:06:53

CGbownut - Posted - 09/19/2013:  14:23:07

Hello all and thanks for starting this. I struggled for the past almost year trying to figure out what works for me and nothing did, I really didn't play much and even switch to the mandolin for a bit, that is until about a month ago when I got MM DVD 1 and it is starting to make sense and I am making progress. Even my wife said so! ;-) So I have got Banjo in the Hollow, Cripple Creek and my goal for tonight is work on the a part of Cumberland gap.
One thing for me is that Although I stated all this on my Deering Boston. I just got a Banjola and now practice almost everything on it. Love the sustain and softer sounds. Will update tomorrow on how things go on the A part.

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/19/2013:  16:10:04

All worked out well i have the a part of hazel creek down....but slow. I practiced an hour but may do more later.

Marvin

capmike - Posted - 09/19/2013:  21:32:07

ok, just got done for tonight. worked on fireball mail both at 90 and 100. went pretty well. fmb  at 100 (seems slow now but was way to fast 2mo ago) 110 went well, 112 crashed half way through ( needs work) ballad of jd at 85 went good, 95 went better(an improvement)

blue ridge cabin home, threw in some new improv licks went well, old joe clark at 90 went ok. still get fingers tired after 4 or five rounds through.salt creek ok. dueling banjos ok played with murphy med speed. mountain dew  needs work! was playing this tune at 110 and didnt realize by speeding it up to soon started not playing first string with hammers on 3rd string. couldnt figure out what i was doing wrong till i listened to murphy. now got to start all over on that one.And I really like that song.so if your speeding up watch what your doing!

practice time 2.5 hours

goal for tommorrow  mountain dew   work on improv   work on roll in sweet babys arms

Froglips - Posted - 09/20/2013:  00:35:27

I started with the Murphy method a few years ago, but then I had to sell me banjo to pay the mortgage after losing my job. Just last weekend I was finally able to buy me another banjo (Washburn B120K) and I am now starting over with Vol. 1 again. It is all coming back to me real fast. I already have Banjo in the Hollow rockin at speed. Cripple Creek is coming a little slow for speed/cadence though... And I think Foggy Mountain Breakdown is going to be taking me at least a year or so to pick at speed/cadence.

Murphy Henry seems like the nicest person IRL too!

The Murphy Method Rocks!

Frog...

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/20/2013:  01:39:07

Good Morning Everyone               Friday - 20 September 2013  - 0930 Hrs

Just to start out the day with a head count.

We now have 12 participants in the group so far.

Casey, Dave, Barry, PJ, Todd, Mary, Marvin, Mike, Butch, Werner, AZ and yours truely

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Some of you might be wondering what this thread is all about and what if anything you might hope to gain from joining.

Lot's of folks do things in impulse. They marry on impulse, they cheat on impulse,  they get divorced on impulse, they buy a banjo on impulse, they join a practice group on impulse..

So just to lay out a little foundation so we all know what's what - This group is about making a commitment to YOURSELF  not to ME not to the GROUP but to YOURSELF

By joining this group your making a commitment to YOURSELF to faithfully set aside time each day to study and practice using the Murphy Method as your chosen instructional material, to set your own goals and to honestly work towards achieving them. You can spend as little as 15 minutes or as much as 15 hours a day YOU decide

If you fail to keep your commitment you are only letting yourself down. If you cheat your only cheating YOURSELF no one HERE is going to judge you.

There are no rules aside from the rules of the BHO set out by Eric. All WE ask is that you post your goals, progress and achievements on a daily basis the rest is up to YOU. If you hit a problem feel free to ask  for advice from the group. If I can help then I will gladly do so but I am not here to push you to study. This is a programme of self discipline.

 From time to time I may be inclined to post some tips.. TAM's TIP's - feel free to use them or not.

I am not a Moderator or a Teacher I am just like you a Proud Student of the Murphy Method

Well it's Banjo Time

Edited by - Tam_Zeb on 09/20/2013 01:40:15

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/20/2013:  04:43:45

My goals for today
Work through part a of hazel as many times as i can, maybe even get the bpm up to 60 or higher. I also plan on going through pike co breakdown a dozon times or so. I have a hard time with the single string part but its progressively getting better. I find i hit that lick better if i reach a little closer down the neck on the first string.

Marvin

jbgreen - Posted - 09/20/2013:  05:53:47

Practiced for three hours last night.  Started off working on my rolls and chord changes.  Played through my enormous repertoire of seven or eight songs <obvious sarcasm> several times each trying to work out the kinks.  Dedicated an hour to working on Old Joe Clark.  The more I'm playing it, the better I like it.

Decided to start focusing on vamping or chopping or whatever one calls it a little during each practice session.  Got the MM DVD out and worked through 20-30 minutes of it.  Then I practiced what I learned until I couldn't stay awake any longer.  I'm beginning to understand the concept better, but I'm having trouble getting my brain and fingers to cooperate.

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/20/2013:  06:08:16

Today's Study Session - 2 x1 Hour Sessions.

Started out by practicing Clinch Mountain Back Step about 15 mins... Working to get more fluidness, clarity & speed.

Man of Constant Sorrow Key of D.

Practiced all the individual licks in turn today. Started linking the licks into musical phrases all coming together nicely. My goal for tomorrow is to play through the whole tune.

A good practice session - I feel I achieved a lot today.- There are several unfamiliar licks in this lesson. The Hammer-on at the 5th fret 4th string felt a little clumsy  to begin with. It's similar to the FMB Lick and I spent a good half hour on this trying to get the flow right then attach the licks that follow.

stillearning - Posted - 09/20/2013:  06:20:33

Tam: Well now you have started something  I should have been doing all along. Went back to the begining(Banjo In The Hollow) and realized how much I have slipped. Took  me half an hour to get back up to 90 BPM.So I will now start the whole proceedure and review all the lessons I thought  I had down. Thanks for the nudge.

    Stillearning)Dave O.)

Peanutscreams - Posted - 09/20/2013:  08:46:17

I always have a banjo with me when I travel to town and such and try getting in some practice time while I wait for my wife to shop, run errands, get her tune ups and what nots. Yesterday was no exception to that rule except an old timer came along and liked my banjo playing and decided to bend my ear instead of listening to my play. So of course I obliged him and we just talked for an hour. Sometimes you learn more by talking to those legendary characters than you do playing banjo. Bottom line, not too much play time yesterday.

I know I stated yesterday I was going to study John Hardy, but you know what, looks like rain coming in from off shore and I have this custom lesson from Casey sitting here that has sparked my interest for this morning. So I guess it's going to be a "Gum Tree Canoe" type of day for me.

Enjoy your play day..

Butch B.

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/20/2013:  20:59:53

I didnt think today was going to be a great banjo day but i was wrong. I have hazel creek down entirely now ! I practice two hours and then jammed with some friends for three to four hours...it sucks to have to go to bed early when im so pumped up frpm music.

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/20/2013:  21:20:04

I didnt think today was going to be a great banjo day but i was wrong. I have hazel creek down entirely now ! I practice two hours and then jammed with some friends for three to four hours...it sucks to have to go to bed early when im so pumped up frpm music.

capmike - Posted - 09/20/2013:  21:33:29

done with practice today worked on all songs in my bag with special attn to ballad of jd, improv on blue ridge and bury me beneath the willow, also mountain dew. some speed work on fmb played pretty clean at 112. still getting mixed up on old joe clark played in key of A

practice time 2.5 hours

goals for tommorow    more work on mountain dew, old joe clark,  need to go over murphy tape on roll in sweet babys arms.

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/21/2013:  01:19:03

Good Morning Everyone               Saturday - 21 September 2013  - 0900 Hrs

Great to see ALL you guy's making some measure of progress. I see quite a few comments about speed - I tend NOT to think about speed in BPM - I often think that is the route to dissatisfaction on ones progress.  I.E. I can't play fast so I am not making progress. I've been playing a year and I still suck. How many times have you read those kinda comments on the Hangout ?

What is this obsession with speed anyway.

The fact is you don't make progress if you don't put in the practice, you don't make any progress if your rushing through your lessons trying to pack in as many tunes into 15 mins as you can. I have loads of instructional books and videos and they all say the same thing. When your learning the banjo TAKE IT SLOW pay close attention to detail, study your problem areas don't just bash on regardless because if you do your never going to progress.  Your playing will always be sloppy....

So before you all rush to ask how I build speed I am on it..... When you climb behind the wheel of your car do you ever stop to think hey if I drive this thing beyond my capability I could endanger myself or other road users. When you first learn to drive you take things easy RIGHT ?, you have to get used to the controls and that takes a period of time. YEARS not micro seconds

Learning to practice effectively and accurately requires patience and perseverance. That in turn leads to confidence and speed

TAM's TIP for building speed.

A few years back there was a big discussion on the HO about speed. Back then I got chatting offline to THE KIDD (John Kuhn) - John was a regular on the HO back then, very popular and very helpful. He told me to practice in MUSICAL PHRASES. I.E. Instead of trying to Beat the Clock playing the whole tune from end to end work on one phrase at a time. Spend more time on the phrases and licks that are causing you problems.

If you stop to think about it Murphy teaches her lessons using Musical Phrases

So how do we build the speed - TAKE A TUNE YOU CAN PLAY REALLY WELL - NO FUMBLING - NO TRAIN WRECKS

Set your Metronome to 70 bpm and listen to the TICK - Play the FIRST MUSICAL PHRASE ONLY - Stop Listen to the TICK - Play the MUSICAL PHRASE - Repeat for five/ten minutes.

Set your Metronome to 80 bpm and listen to the TICK - Play the MUSICAL PHRASE - Stop Listen to the TICK - Play the MUSICAL PHRASE - Repeat for five/ten minutes.

NOW bump the speed up to 200 BPM and listen to the TICK  - Play the FIRST MUSICAL PHRASE ONLY - Once you can play that phrase at 200 bpm your ready to start building speed on the other MUSICAL PHRASES that follow.

So what does this mean. Well if you think about it too much it doesn't work. At least that was THE KIDD's advice to me

So I stopped worrying about speed and now I focus ALL my attention on practicing MUSICAL PHRASES the speed just comes automatically as I iron out all the glitches.

TRY IT.......

Well it's Banjo Time.

.

Edited by - Tam_Zeb on 09/21/2013 01:22:51

jonah4832 - Posted - 09/21/2013:  04:53:05

not trying to bud in, but Tam is right, in my experience so far speed is unimportant, and as you practice in lick and phrases the song begins to sound like a song, and as you continue you get to the point that you do not have to look at the tab any longer or watch the murphy dvd along with it, than as you continue you get to the point you don't really have to think about it anymore, at this point you are not really practicing the song anymore, your playing it.  And as you get better at playing it over time you will automatically speed it up with out even thinking about it.  You all have the right idea about a structured practice, just leave the speed thing along and let it take care of itself. 

caseyhenry - Posted - 09/21/2013:  05:16:17

jonah4832 is exactly right about speed. When you are ready and able to play faster, you'll just PLAY faster and you won't have to think about it and you won't have to TRY to do it. Mostly this happens when you're playing with other people. Speed increases as a function of knowing what you are playing really well, and playing it cleanly and smoothly. Usually trying really hard to play faster just because you want to play faster results in sloppy playing. Slow and clean is better!!

capmike - Posted - 09/21/2013:  05:46:05

I whole heartedly agree with  Tam and Jonah on this. And Murphy clearly and many times states that in her videos. You can really mess up your playing if you try to speed up too quickly. Speed will come as you practice a piece. That said, playing with other people can make you have the desire to get a little faster with something. When I felt like I could go to a jam session and play with others, I found that there playing was much faster than I could play. So It is one of my goals to be able to go to a jam and play with others. I will try to inch the speed up a little at a time, but ONLY if I can play it with no mistakes and In time.That takes a lot of practice. I messed up a song that I thought was easy, Mountain Dew, so I sped it up before i was ready. As a result, I gotta go back and start over. Practice,practice,practice.

Edited by - capmike on 09/21/2013 06:02:30

picker51 - Posted - 09/21/2013:  07:06:42

Amen!!!!! Speed comes with practice.

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/21/2013:  07:20:29

 Today's Study Session - 1 Hour

Played through Clinch Mountain Back Step a couple of times - went smoothly...

Man of Constant Sorrow Key of D

Making progress still not as clean as I would like - Hammer-On on the 4th String 5th fret still needs some work.

Good Session.

jbgreen - Posted - 09/21/2013:  08:13:53

Could only squeeze in 30 minutes or so of playing and practice yesterday.  Danged work.  Ran through only a couple of songs and my rolls and chord changes before sleep overtook me.  I feel like I'm missing something if I don't get in at least an hour of practice.  Preferably two or more.

Pulling a 24-hour shift today, so I probably won't get much practice in today either.  Will try to hit the bunk room early and use my new Mike's Mute.  I'm working on the vamping chord changes for Cripple Creek.  It seems so easy when "The Murph" does it, but my fingers struggle to make quick changes between G, C and D.  But I'm glad it's not easy.  If it were, I'd probably lose interest in playing.

I love learning to play the banjo, and I feel fortunate that someone turned me on to Murphy and her DVDs early on.  They might not be everyone's cup of tea, but they certainly work for me.

On a side note: I'm sending my deposit in on Monday for the beginners' camp that Murphy and Casey are putting on at the end of October.  I feel like it's time to finally meet my banjo instructors in person.  

stillearning - Posted - 09/21/2013:  15:08:18

Tam.Spent 30 minutes on lessons 1&2 just reviewing them. Plan on spending a little more time  on each tonight trying for 80 BPM. Love this idea.Fianally gives me a guide,incentive and some real goals.Thanks,Stillearning

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/21/2013:  18:55:27

I played for an hour today. I stuck with hazel creek its coming along decently. Very fun tune to play!

Delaware - Posted - 09/21/2013:  19:20:48

Strange practice day today.  I didn't have a big block of time, so I managed three practice sessions, each about 35 to 40 minutes.

The first session, I concentrated on playing my "Murphy Method" list from the beginning - Banjo in the Hollow through Fireball Mail.  I was having fun. I played cleanly but not fast, but had to really work on remembering each song.

The second session, I concentrated on the songs I find a little more difficult (FMB, Salt Creek, Fireball Mail and John Hardy).  It was one of those sessions where everything comes together, and seems almost effortless!  I wished I had more time - I could have kept going for ever!

Then the third session - everything was a struggle.  I was "tripping" over strings and getting lost.  It is amazing how practice sessions within the same day can be COMPLETELY different.  But I look forward to more sessions where things fall into place.  I hope that I will have more of those as I continue to learn and grow as a player.   It is SO worth the effort 

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/22/2013:  00:47:36

Good Morning Everyone             Sunday 22 September 2013  0800

I have a busy day ahead of me today so I probably wont get a session in until this evening.

If I do get an opportunity my plan for today will be to work on Clinch Mountain Back Step Key of D.

Hi Barry

I see your having a few problems with Old Joe Clark, If it's any consolation It took me a while to get my head round that tune. For me the switch between the A Part & The B Part was my nemesis. To add a little bounce try a pull off on the first string as play it. It really changes the character of the tune.

Hi Marvin

Good going mate Hazel Creek is quite a difficult tune. I am sure it's one in Murphy advanced section.  I haven't got round to doing that one yet so Kudos on you for giving it a go.

Hi Dave

Glad to see the practice group is giving you some direction. I am sure we will all gain from these little exchanges. Stick with it.

Hi Mary

Days like this? I can honestly say I have never had a day like that . I have good days and bad days. But never Bad-Good-Bad days. Funny thing I always have Good Days when I am working on something really difficult.

Well folks I have to wrap up for now.. Hope Y'all have a good day.

Edited by - Tam_Zeb on 09/22/2013 00:55:19

jonah4832 - Posted - 09/22/2013:  05:00:52

jbgreen, just a note about vamping and changing fast between those chords, I know it is easier to use your f shape formation but on a fast song such as cripple creek you really should use your f formation and your bar formation.  Try starting with the f  formation in g chord then when it switches to c flatten your ring finger across the filfth fret for the bar formatoin, then switch back to the g f formation, and then when you go to d again use the bar formation at the seventh fret with you ring finger.  It really will help to make use of your formations.  You could also use the d formation for the d just slinding back one fret and switching your finger around.  John boulding had a video a while back on how to use chords in blocks for faster changing and it does work.  good luck

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/22/2013:  06:27:11

Well im up early smoking some pprk shoulder so i may as well get started. Plan for today-play thru hazel creek a dozen times, play thru pike co brkdn a few times and work on some tunes i know well but havent played in a while like earls brkdn, roll in my sweet baby's arms, salt creek etc...and of course play some backup for all the tunes( tastefully i hope).

Edited by - 3 finger ninja on 09/22/2013 06:29:18

capmike - Posted - 09/22/2013:  08:22:46

didn't get to practice yesterday, went to a local bluegrass festival. While there heard some fine banjo players.

goal for today, more practice= work on mountain dew, roll in my sweet babys arm = more improv
hope to get 2-3 hours in today.

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/22/2013:  16:05:25

Good Evening Everyone,

Despite my busy day I manage to squeeze in a very full and productive practice session lasting 1 Hour 30 Mins

I started of with Clinch Mountain Back Step - Capo'd Key of A - Played it through cleanly 4 times at normal tempo ie. Not the fast arrangement.

Played through Man of Constant Sorrow Key of D about 10 times stopping now and then to work on the Hammer-lick... It still feels strange but it's starting to come.

As it was Sunday I squeezed in a few gospel tunes. From the Amazing Grace DVD

What a Friend we have in Jesus Capo'd Key of A - I really like this tune. It was quite a challenge to learn and it has some really interesting licks in it.

Next Up - Amazing Grace in 3/4 time Capo'd Key of A - This is another of my favorites. I kick off with David Cavage (MusicMoose) break then I use the Triplet Vamp and Pedal Steel licks from Murphy's arrangement to play backup then I slip in an improvised break. I play along with Lisa McCormack Guitar Lesson  and it's such a joy to play.  youtube.com/watch?v=o8KOs8mKKQA

Still on the gospel theme Life is Like a Mountain Railway Capo'd to Key of A - This one I learned from TAB - Stan Slack - It's a great arrangement with a good melody line. It has some tricky licks. I would just add I could not have learned to play this tune had I not studied the fundamentals of Scruggs style banjo from the Murphy Method. So I urge you All  to stick it out THE MURPHY METHOD really works despite what comments you might read to the contrary. Like any instructional material weather live face to face lessons with a teacher or from Books and DVD they ALL have their limitations.

I finished my session with another 3/4 time tune Tennessee Waltz in D which I learned from TAB - This was my first long term goal. I heard the arrangement here on the Hangout played by Jay Langston on his Huber back in 2008 at the time of recording this he had only been learning to play the banjo for just two years. That gave me the incentive to see if I could match Jay's achievement. I am pleased to say I fulfilled my goal and managed to learn the tune with in two year ti.meframe I set for myself  But I am still working to get it as close to perfect as I can. I also played through Casey's Custom BackUp lesson of Tennessee Waltz that has some really great pedal steel lick in it

All in a fantastic day...

Well guy's I apologize for any spelling or grammatical errors I am falling asleep as I sit here typing away. I am just too tired to read it through.

Delaware - Posted - 09/22/2013:  16:51:50

Today was the day to conquer my problem with the opening lick of fireball mail.  (For some reason, my finger wants to go to the first string when it should be going to the second string.)

I played this section as a "loop" by isolating four measures containing the problem.  I played it slowly, over and over and over . . . . . . . luckily, nobody else was home at the time.

Once my fingers got the hang of it slowly, I began increasing the speed little by little, still playing this section as a loop.  Once that was comfortable, I tried it in the song.  It really helped!

I believe I will have to do this quite a few times for that particular section to become automatic.  I will try again for the next few days and let you all know if it sinks in permanently.

capmike - Posted - 09/22/2013:  20:51:01

Had a fantastic day today. Sitting on the back porch, playing banjo all day mostly. Usually sit in front of my computer and play with band in a box as backup. Just played for the fun of playing. Think i've got mountain dew sorted out and smooth, ballad of jd needs a little more work,dueling banjos went well, so did most of the other tunes. over the weekend I heard a great banjo player playing clinch mountain backstep and its really got me wanting to learn the tune. Just not sure if I am ready for it, but am gonna give it a shot! So practice for monday will consist of work on improv- work on roll in sweet babys arms- start learning clinch mountain back step. wish me luck.