Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/22/2013:  23:47:27

Good Morning Everyone        Monday 23 September 2013 - 0715

Just a quick post today as I am itching to get started.

My plan for today is start off with practicing Clinch Mountain Back Step and Man of Constant Sorrow Key of D a few times. My Goal this week is Little Maggie from the Ralph Stanley DVD. The Chord Progression has an F Chord lick. so that should be interesting.

Some of you may be wondering how I am getting through so many lessons so quickly.. Well it's all down to the long hours I spend learning the fundamentals from Murphy's Beginning Banjo Vol 1 & 2. Back then 2008 progress seemed to drag on - I would have lot's of high (AHA Moment's) followed by ARRRRGH. Sound familiar... Just keep plodding through at a steady pace don't try to cram in too many lessons at a time.. Spend lot's of time on the Foggy Mountain Break Down Lick. The 3 -2 Pull Off and the Tag Lick  These licks crop up again and again  as you progress - Time spent on these now will benefit your progress later down the learning curve..

Mike I am sure you will enjoy learning Clinch Mountain Back Step it's a great tune to have in your bag o' tricks. - Tam's Tip would be to listen to Murphy playing this tune over and over. The Triplet Kick-Off although not difficult to learn, getting the timing just right is a little tricky when you first start playing the tune.  The key to getting the timing is listening.

Have fun.

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/22/2013:  23:53:06

quote:

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Originally posted by Delaware

 

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.

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Hi Mary

This is exactly what I do.... There is nothing more frustrating than tripping at the same point in a tune.. By identifying and ironing these issues as your learning the tune will speed your progress.

Good Luck

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/23/2013:  00:04:53

quote:

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Originally posted by 5 finger ninja



Well i wanted to do big things on the banjo today but cooking, football and breaking bad got in yhe way...not to mention guests. Back to the grind tomorrow. At least i listened to some bluegrass and did some stretching and strengthening exercises. I listened to how great thou art by jim mills a few times...what a great tune.



Marvin

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Hi Marvin

How Great Thou Art - Jim Mills arrangement is a great tune to learn. Surprisingly it's not as difficult to learn as it looks once you get past all the string bends. I have the structure down pat, there are a couple of areas that need polishing to get them more smoothly.  Also I need to get round to installing my D Tuners - I bought them months ago from Geoff Stelling and never got round to putting them on.

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/23/2013:  02:23:21

Today's Session 2 hours straight through no beaks.

Warmed up with Clinch Mountain Back Step.. Played it threw cleanly four or five times

Spent a bit of time going back through all the licks and phrases in Man of Constant Sorrow.

Pleased with my progress on these two lessons.

Little Maggie. Apart from the F lick all the licks in this tune come straight off Beginning Banjo Vols 1  & 2. Licks from Cripple Creek, FMB Low break Cumberland Gap and the Up the neck Choke and Tag lick from Vol 2

I spent most of my time working on the F Lick and  the FMB Lick which walks up the neck into the Choke Lick and UTN Tag. I don't anticipate having any major problems learning this arrangement and I think it should get it down pat fairly quickly.

Just to emphasis the point I made earlier about spending all that quality time working my way through Vols 1 & 2 it all pays off as you get further along your learning curve.

Edited by - Tam_Zeb on 09/23/2013 02:25:38

jonah4832 - Posted - 09/23/2013:  02:49:03

Tamzeb sounds like you have a bag of licks stored up ready for any occasion now.  If that is the case how did you go about starting to use them whne you first began.

jbgreen - Posted - 09/23/2013:  05:57:55

Not a great deal new to report.  I played and practiced for a little over three hours yesterday.

Started off with rolls and chord changes, as usual, and then I slowly went through the songs that I know.  I played each one at least five times while focusing on timing and tone.  I tried to pick each one as cleanly as possible.

I have Old Joe Clark memorized, but at this point, it sounds nothing like Old Joe Clark.  I've got a lot of work to do on that one.

The song I play best is John Hardy, and I find that interesting since it is the song I have had the most problems learning.  Perhaps playing it over and over again 500 or so times trying to get the timing right actually paid off.  Anyway, I really enjoy playing it.

Saturday was my seven month anniversary of starting the banjo.  I guess that overall I'm happy with my progress.  Sure, I wish I could play any song I hear by ear, but that's not going to happen for a long time (if ever).  But, seven months ago I couldn't play anything, and now I can.  Not earth shaking, but it's progress.

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/23/2013:  06:28:48

I plan to play my banjo today lol. I know it will be a boring session as i will likely just go over hazel creek, limehouse blues, clinch mnt brkdn and pike co brkdn. I may get into starting to learn another tune from the great banjo tunes dvd like bill cheatham or gold rush...im thinking bill cheatham.
Tam i hear you on learning from the earlier.vids to build a foundation. I didnt do that but i did lear a lot of tunes from an instructor last year so im familiar with most of the licks i run into. Its getting easier...

Marvin

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/23/2013:  06:52:18

Changed my mind after watching thru the dvd again...the winner is gold rush! Im lacking on my melodic skills so this will be a big tune for me.

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/23/2013:  08:54:22

quote:

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Originally posted by jonah4832

 

Tamzeb sounds like you have a bag of licks stored up ready for any occasion now.  If that is the case how did you go about starting to use them whne you first began.

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Hi Jonah

There are no short cuts, you gotta start at the beginning and build on what you learn as you go. The Murphy Method is a structured learning tool. Your constantly building on the skills you learn. Like riding a bike or driving a car as you knowledge grows your skills grow. If you are already a Murphy student don't worry about it just work your way through the lessons and eventually everything just clicks into place, if you still don't understand this concept and need all the I's dotted and the T's crossed  go back an read through the first page of this thread. 

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/23/2013:  09:03:35

quote:

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Originally posted by jbgreen

 

Not a great deal new to report.  I played and practiced for a little over three hours yesterday.

Started off with rolls and chord changes, as usual, and then I slowly went through the songs that I know.  I played each one at least five times while focusing on timing and tone.  I tried to pick each one as cleanly as possible.

I have Old Joe Clark memorized, but at this point, it sounds nothing like Old Joe Clark.  I've got a lot of work to do on that one.

The song I play best is John Hardy, and I find that interesting since it is the song I have had the most problems learning.  Perhaps playing it over and over again 500 or so times trying to get the timing right actually paid off.  Anyway, I really enjoy playing it.

Saturday was my seven month anniversary of starting the banjo.  I guess that overall I'm happy with my progress.  Sure, I wish I could play any song I hear by ear, but that's not going to happen for a long time (if ever).  But, seven months ago I couldn't play anything, and now I can.  Not earth shaking, but it's progress.

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Hi Barry..

Try this.. go to you tube and find a tune you know and whilst your listening try to find the chords and vamp along. If you can keep pace on the right chords your playing by ear. No try the same with a tune you dont know. When there is a holde in the vocal slip in a tag lick or a 2-3 slide with a 3-2 pull off. I but you can do it if not pop over to Geoff Hohwalds website and look at his lessons on backup.

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/23/2013:  09:11:58

quote:

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Originally posted by 5 finger ninja



I plan to play my banjo today lol. I know it will be a boring session as i will likely just go over hazel creek, limehouse blues, clinch mnt brkdn and pike co brkdn. I may get into starting to learn another tune from the great banjo tunes dvd like bill cheatham or gold rush...im thinking bill cheatham.

Tam i hear you on learning from the earlier.vids to build a foundation. I didnt do that but i did lear a lot of tunes from an instructor last year so im familiar with most of the licks i run into. Its getting easier...



Marvin

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Hi Marvin if you've skipped past the Beginning 1 & 2 you must already had a good vocabulary of licks to tackle those tunes you mention. . So long as you can follow Murphy's explanations you will still make gains. Bill Cheatham is a good one to learn. I haven't worked on Goldrush so keep me posted. 

Back Porch Banjo - Posted - 09/23/2013:  09:50:51

I've been playing for about a year and a half and just recently started with Murphy on the recommendation of a fellow slow jammer who has used the method for quite some time and it's helped her a lot. Since starting with Murphy, I've learned how much I don't know and what I need to work on.

I'll commit to practicing every single day -- at least half hour a day. I usually do play every day, but some days I just noodle around and don't concentrate on much. I just started with Murphy's Beginning Banjo I and learned Banjo in the Hollow and Cripple Creek; however, I had some exposure to these tunes before so it wasn't too bad picking them up. Right now I'm hung up on the high part of Cumberland Gap and just started Foggy Mountain Breakdown (was somewhat familiar with that before too). I know what I have to work on -- I'm making a list to have in front of me during practices.

I can sympathize with jbgreen -- I don't like Old Joe Clark at the moment! And every jam/slow jam I attend, someone calls for it. AHHHHH! Anyway, at some point in the future I WILL work out Old Joe Clark. Like jbgreen, I too have an enormous repertoire of about six songs at the moment, but I'm on my way to learning more. I typically vamp at jams when everyone else is moving too fast for me. It's helped me enormously in learning to listen for chord changes and with my rhythm, not to mention all the "new" bluegrass songs that I'm hearing.

So I'm committed to at least half an hour a day of focused dedicated practice -- I'll follow this topic and check in occasionally to see how everyone else is doing! Good luck all!

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/23/2013:  14:33:54

Well i just went through part a of gold rush and think i have it. Now to find a movie (preferably something i dont have to pay much attention to) and practice it over and over in auto pilot. If it goes well ill tackle part b tomorrow...it looks melodic and not too easy....hope every one had a good day.

Marvin

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/23/2013:  16:03:43

quote:

---

Originally posted by Back Porch Banjo

 

I've been playing for about a year and a half and just recently started with Murphy on the recommendation of a fellow slow jammer who has used the method for quite some time and it's helped her a lot. Since starting with Murphy, I've learned how much I don't know and what I need to work on.



I'll commit to practicing every single day -- at least half hour a day. I usually do play every day, but some days I just noodle around and don't concentrate on much. I just started with Murphy's Beginning Banjo I and learned Banjo in the Hollow and Cripple Creek; however, I had some exposure to these tunes before so it wasn't too bad picking them up. Right now I'm hung up on the high part of Cumberland Gap and just started Foggy Mountain Breakdown (was somewhat familiar with that before too). I know what I have to work on -- I'm making a list to have in front of me during practices.



I can sympathize with jbgreen -- I don't like Old Joe Clark at the moment! And every jam/slow jam I attend, someone calls for it. AHHHHH! Anyway, at some point in the future I WILL work out Old Joe Clark. Like jbgreen, I too have an enormous repertoire of about six songs at the moment, but I'm on my way to learning more. I typically vamp at jams when everyone else is moving too fast for me. It's helped me enormously in learning to listen for chord changes and with my rhythm, not to mention all the "new" bluegrass songs that I'm hearing.



So I'm committed to at least half an hour a day of focused dedicated practice -- I'll follow this topic and check in occasionally to see how everyone else is doing! Good luck all!

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Welcome to the Hangout and a warm welcome to The Murphy Method Practice Group.

Just to offer you some reassurance and encouragement we have all been down that same route your heading and we share your pain.

Cumberland Gap is one of the key lessons for Scruggs Style. That up the neck you mention is one of the most difficult lessons to master and I encourage you to work on it  a little every single day. It will probably take you several  months to  get your pinky to stretch and make those frets. It will be painful, it will frustrate you and there will be times when you start to think -  I will never get this. This is a one of many steep hills you have to climb. Then one day possibly in six or eight months from now  you will wake to be amazed that your pinky starts responding to your brains commands.

Happy Pickin

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/23/2013:  20:13:31

I have learned gold rush...the whole thing today and i think i have overl loade my brain. I went back to hazel creek and im messing up big time lol...time to consume these two tunes for a while before i even think about learning a new one. This practice group has me pumped!

capmike - Posted - 09/23/2013:  21:37:49

got in 2 hours practice. worked on ballad of jd,  roll in my sweet babys arms and started the process of learning clinch mountain backstep. first lick got pretty quickly but second part of first phrase a little tricky. will try again tommorrow.

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/23/2013:  21:50:09

Clinch mnt brkdn is the only stanley tune i know...its awesome!

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/24/2013:  00:43:36

Good Morning Everyone.     Tuesday 24 September 2013 - 0715

Reading through all the comments so far, I sense we are all gaining something from this daily exercise.  For any Murphy Student out there who may be sitting on the fence looking over our shoulders feel free to join us. 

Tam's Tip for today.

In my limited experience, learning to play the 5 String is quite a huge challenge. I don't come from a musical family, so nothin to indicate it's in my genes, but my memories from childhood suggest that my mother had musical talents which she never had an opportunity to express, I guess with twelve kids to raise there was little time and not a lot of money left in the weekly wage packet for such luxuries. She did however have  a beautiful singing voice and a whistle, boy could she whistle. She was a big fan of Jimmy Rogers on the old valve wireless ( radio ) and George Formby a  Ukulele Banjo Player, Comedian and very popular Film Star of the 1940's and 50's.

This gives me an opportunity to introduce you to my new baby she is a beauty and like any new baby she has a voice and likes to be heard. You may be wondering why I have brought her here to this forum. Well I have only had her a few weeks and already I can play a dozen or more tunes on it and least night I attended a ukulele performance  group. In a bid to rid myself of the dreaded stage fright gremlin.

The topic of last nights lesson was good timing and anticipating chord changes. I'm sure if your new to the banjo these may be the last thing on your mind right now, but let me just say these are the key elements to playing music. Without those skills your just making a noise. Mouth Music has it's origins in past where groups of farmer workers, fishermen and slaves would moan and hum to a rhythm as they toiled to earn food for the table. This helped to coordinate the workforce and lead to a more efficient teamwork. Somewhere along the way someone added a few words of melody and singing was born.

If you are struggling with timing and hearing chord changes I strongly encourage you to go buy a Ukulele. You can pick up a traditional guitar shaped one for a couple of bucks, and with three simple chords you can sing and strum along to hundred's neigh thousands of bluegrass songs. This will really help you with your timing and anticipating chord changes. The ukulele is so easy to learn your not trying to focus on TAB, your not trying to learn fancy roll patterns or complex licks the chord are easy so right off the bat your playing music. This paves the way to transfer these skills of timing and hearing chord changes to the five string. The beauty of the traditional Uke is it very portable it's not too loud and so you can practice your timing and chord changes pretty much anywhere without disturbing anyone.

BTW Last nights lesson was based round These Boots Were Made for Waking......

Are You Ready Boot's....... Let's start ealking.......... Da Da Da Dum.........

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/24/2013:  01:28:29

Opp's  a few misstooks - I have just had an eye op and I need to visit the optician for some new glasses

jonah4832 - Posted - 09/24/2013:  06:06:24

anyway you all can post video of yourselves, so we all can see your progress

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/24/2013:  06:46:12

Tam, very well said. Nice new baby!

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/24/2013:  07:35:07

Im havin issues with getting vids online...cant get youtube to work on this galaxy s2. I may have to buy a cheapo cam and have my brother upload to YouTube for me.

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/24/2013:  09:29:06

quote:

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Originally posted by jonah4832

 

anyway you all can post video of yourselves, so we all can see your progress

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NO

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/24/2013:  11:06:15

Im in agreement, no vids on this groups thread...too much preasure can mess up a good thing imho.

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/24/2013:  12:54:38

Really busy day today only managed to get in 30 mins on Little Maggie

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/24/2013:  13:30:47

Been at it all day on hazel creel and gold rush. Im starting to build a little speed on hazel creek. There is a tricky single string lick in a couple of places so i spent at least an hour isolating that lick.
Gold rush is a little tricky too to say the least.
Im not done its a slow day so lots of time to kill....thats what it boils down to i think...

Marvin

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/24/2013:  19:06:50

About 4 hours of practice and counting. I got another hour or so in me tonite.
That was on and off today. Other yhan playing thru train 45 and poke co brkdn a courple of times, ive stayed true to hazel creek and gold rush. Dont know whats next but i have plenty to choose from...maybe bill cheatham.

Edited by - 3 finger ninja on 09/24/2013 19:11:09

capmike - Posted - 09/24/2013:  21:34:54

finished practice tonight. got all but last phrase of A part of clinch mountain backstep learned. went through all songs learned. about 3 hours worth. boy my fingers feel numb.anyway goals for tomorrow- more clinch mountain-smooth out other songs

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/24/2013:  23:50:22

Good Morning Everyone        Wednesday 25 September 2013  - 0745

I have a busy day ahead of me today, I am playing with our praise band in Church on Sunday at our Harvest Festival Service. I will be playing my Ukulele Banjo so I am sure it will raise a few eyebrows and with Gods help a few spirits.

I see Marvin and Mike have been getting in some serious practice time. Well done guy's

My plan for today is to continue working on Little Maggie my focus will be mostly on the F Lick - Leading into and out of the F Lick to get a smooth transition also the ending. Murphy uses the Shave and a Hair Cut but I think I will try to figure out an alternative ending. I also want to work on back up for this chord progression. I plan to practice Clinch Mountain Back Step and Man of Constant Sorrow - Key of D. - Amazing Grace and What a Friend We Have in Jesus. and If all goes well I maybe run through the following tunes a few times. Tennessee Waltz, Maple Leaf Rag, Under the Double Eagle and How Great Thou Art.. I should add these are not Murphy's lesson's .

Tennessee Waltz - Lee Marcus TAB Arr,  Maple Leaf Rag - Eddie Collins, this arrangement covers all 22 frets, Under the Double Eagle - Alan Munde arrangement - This was a real challenge for me. I have been working on this tune for three years now some days I nail it other day's it's a train wreck. Lastly  How Great Thou Art - Jim Mills version still without the D tuners - Again my focus is to play through what I know more cleanly.  I should point out all these tunes are advanced level study. These were mile markers - long term goals I set myself and a means to measure my own progress. The fact that I can play these tunes is all down to studying the fundamentals of the Scruggs Style using The Murphy Method.

Happy Pickin

Back Porch Banjo - Posted - 09/25/2013:  04:58:24

Had a good hour and a half last night working on Cumberland Gap and practicing rolls and chord changes -- worked a LOT on the high part of Cumberland Gap -- my 59 yr old fingers finally remembered the high part rolls and the bridge between the high part and low part in the middle! Couldn't wrap my mind around that bridge before but last night something just clicked and I got it. I have problems playing along with Murphy on the "slow" version at the end of the session, but I'm getting most of it. Will continue to work on getting up to "slow" speed on Cumberland Gap.

I just began to tackle "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" last night. Only did the first couple of licks -- whew, that's going to be a long process! Am having problems with the pull-off (3-2 on 3rd string) in the middle. I can do pull-offs fine on the first string and the fourth string, but have problems with those "in the middle" strings. Have to work on that a couple thousand times - maybe it'll work eventually. Any suggestions on how to do that pull-off without nipping the next string at the same time?

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/25/2013:  05:16:15

Back porch banjo you said it ...practice it a couple thousand times. It might not take that many though. Which adjacent string are you accidently hitting while doing the pull off on the third string? I would suggest that you be conscious of what part of thefingers make contact...should be close to the tips while not touching anywhere else. It should be an easy fix.

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/25/2013:  05:40:30

quote:

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Originally posted by Back Porch Banjo

 

Had a good hour and a half last night working on Cumberland Gap and practicing rolls and chord changes -- worked a LOT on the high part of Cumberland Gap -- my 59 yr old fingers finally remembered the high part rolls and the bridge between the high part and low part in the middle! Couldn't wrap my mind around that bridge before but last night something just clicked and I got it. I have problems playing along with Murphy on the "slow" version at the end of the session, but I'm getting most of it. Will continue to work on getting up to "slow" speed on Cumberland Gap.



I just began to tackle "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" last night. Only did the first couple of licks -- whew, that's going to be a long process! Am having problems with the pull-off (3-2 on 3rd string) in the middle. I can do pull-offs fine on the first string and the fourth string, but have problems with those "in the middle" strings. Have to work on that a couple thousand times - maybe it'll work eventually. Any suggestions on how to do that pull-off without nipping the next string at the same time?

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Hi Back Porch.

To get a good snappy sound on pull off's you must first grow calluses. The bad news is you have to endure a lot of pain before you start to see any gain. Practice the 3-2 Pull Offs Real Slow making sure your index finger stays firmly planted on the second fret.  Practice Push Off with your Middle Finger and Pull Offs with your Ring Finger as you become more skilled you'll want to do both so as the Middle Finger starts to get sore swap to the Ring Finger. Push Up with the Middle Pull Down with the Ring. 

As for playing along with Murphy that only happens when when you have paid your dues... And you know what that means - practice - and lots of it.

Tam's Tip. Listen to Murphy play through the piece several times. Get the tune in your head - the speed at which she is playing, hold that thought in your memory - pause the video, with the tune still fresh in your head play the tune imagining your playing along in time with Murphy. Do this several times each day every day for a month . Then try playing along with Murphy.. The KEY is in the LISTENING part.

jbgreen - Posted - 09/25/2013:  06:24:50

I got home later last night than I had planned, so I decided to get 30 minutes of practice in before bed.  I wound up playing and practicing for almost three hours, and it was the best picking I have ever done.  Everything just seemed to work for me last night.  Everything fell into place.  It sounds kind of stupid to say, but at one point I was just kind of watching my fingers play the songs--kind of like they had little minds of their own.  Odd.  (And there were no drugs or alcohol involved--as far as I know.)   I didn't want to stop playing because I figured the next time I played I would be back to screwing everything up.  Finally conked out about 1:00 am.

Why can't all of my practice sessions go so well?  I wonder what I did differently.

Back Porch Banjo - Posted - 09/25/2013:  08:05:30

Hi jbgreen:

I have practice sessions like that once in a great while. Everything falls into place, I can play fast -- and accurately -- and I just don't want to ever stop. Then the next day, I settle in to practice thinking it will be the same as the day before and am so looking forward to it again -- WRONG -- I'm back to my old slow wrong-note self again!

I call these "Serendipity Practices" -- perfect, but only for a fleeting moment!

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/25/2013:  08:19:46

Thats awesom jbgreen. I have noticed the same thing lately
When i wake up in the morning i can get thru cripple creek without a warm up..i couldnt do that a year ago.

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/25/2013:  13:46:58

Todays Study Session 4 Hours 2 x 2. The first two hours went really well I worked on Little Maggie then  had a break then nothing I tried seem to go right on the second session

Just one of those days hopefully tomorrow the magic returns

nematode! - Posted - 09/25/2013:  17:26:19

Anybody tried Murphy's "The Gold Rush" from the "Great Banjo Tunes" DVD? I've been working on it today and got through to the end. However, I noticed a slight error in her instruction vs. what she plays and it's driving me nuts. In the B part, after the melodic section, there is a C chord and immediately following there is a backwards roll lick. In her step by step instruction, she demonstrates a 1-2 backward roll, then, a 3-2 pull off, then an open first string. But, when she slowly plays the whole B section, she does a 2-3 slide instead of the 3-2 pull off. I know it's small difference, but, one way creates a major sound and the other way creates a bluesy sound. I've noticed similar errors in some of her other DVDs, but, I've managed to integrate the "error" a bit more seamlessly than the current one. Maybe, I should follow what Murphy would say, "If it sounds right, it is right" and just decide which sounds best to my ear. 

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/25/2013:  20:15:58

I just learned it and worked that lick out i will attempt to tab it.

Edited by - 3 finger ninja on 09/25/2013 20:24:53

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/25/2013:  20:22:20

Sorry its this phone, i had it tabbed but maybe i can just explain it.
You slide 2 to 3 on the third string followed by open two, open one, open three, 2nd fret on fourth string, open one, open four.

I want to you need to use your index to hit the open third because your thumb is needed rihht after that four the fourth string.

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/25/2013:  20:35:10

Sorry about the spelling fellers. I
I got only about an hour in today mostly syicking too my newest tunes hazel creek and gold rush. I can play thru them without any hickups now at a slower pace, maybe 50 to 60 rpm. The melodic lick on gold rush is a doozie. Hazel creek has a single string lick that gave me crap a first but i have,it licked nowl. A couple more days and on too learn bill cheatham...have a good nite all.

Marvin

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/25/2013:  23:49:41

quote:

---

Originally posted by nematode!

 

Anybody tried Murphy's "The Gold Rush" from the "Great Banjo Tunes" DVD? I've been working on it today and got through to the end. However, I noticed a slight error in her instruction vs. what she plays and it's driving me nuts. In the B part, after the melodic section, there is a C chord and immediately following there is a backwards roll lick. In her step by step instruction, she demonstrates a 1-2 backward roll, then, a 3-2 pull off, then an open first string. But, when she slowly plays the whole B section, she does a 2-3 slide instead of the 3-2 pull off. I know it's small difference, but, one way creates a major sound and the other way creates a bluesy sound. I've noticed similar errors in some of her other DVDs, but, I've managed to integrate the "error" a bit more seamlessly than the current one. Maybe, I should follow what Murphy would say, "If it sounds right, it is right" and just decide which sounds best to my ear. 

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Hi Mark A Warm Welcome to The Murphy Method Practice Group.

To try and answer your query.

I haven't worked through Gold Rush as yet, it doesn't surprise me that you found a small error, I have found a few myself over the years. what is good is you have found it and brought it to our attention so thanks for that.

Most of these videos were recorded and edited many years ago. So it's not easy to go back and fix the problem.Trust me I gets a whole lot worse when you switch to TAB books with accompanying CDs and DVD where the TAB doesn't match the recorded lesson. Despite these tiny flaws there is nothing to match the quality of Murphy's lessons IMHO. I have a lot of instructional material and I know I would struggle to use most of it if I had not gone through Murphy's teaching program.

The best answer I can give is that bluegrass is a fluid music it's not rigid like classical notation, it's never played the same way twice. Many folks coming to study with the Murphy Method think they are here just to learn a bunch of tunes note for note. But that's not the purpose of these lessons. The purpose of these lessons is to teach you how to play your banjo. To produce pleasing sounds with your banjo in the Style of Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley and Don Reno respectfully. To open your eyes and your ears to lead you on to improvise your own music and style. The ART of improvisation is to take problem like the one you have found an go fix it. If you have gone through Murphy's Beginner Vols 1 & 2 you should already have the knowledge and skills to do this. I note that Gold Rush is on Great Banjo Tunes and one of Murphy''s Advanced lessons that is quite a challenge to tackle for someone 'Just Starting'. I take my hat off to you, I could not have done that that when I was just starting out..   Another good set of lessons is Improvisation: The First Stage from Murphy's Intermediate section which teaches you how to arrange tunes by substituting licks and musical phrases. 

I hope you find the Practice Group worth while. We are all Murphy students here and I know Casey is keeping a watchful eye on this thread. There arn't many teachers who participate in Hangout discussions we are really fortunate, and very grateful to Casey for her time and her interest in what we do and say here.   

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/25/2013:  23:55:19

quote:

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Originally posted by 5 finger ninja



Sorry about the spelling fellers. I

I got only about an hour in today mostly syicking too my newest tunes hazel creek and gold rush. I can play thru them without any hickups now at a slower pace, maybe 50 to 60 rpm. The melodic lick on gold rush is a doozie. Hazel creek has a single string lick that gave me crap a first but i have,it licked nowl. A couple more days and on too learn bill cheatham...have a good nite all.



Marvin

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Good Going Marvin time to start work on another project

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/26/2013:  00:09:39

Good Morning Everyone   26 September 2012  - 0815

Ma Heid is Fulla Mince this Morning - Sorry guy's I should translate that into plain English - I have a hangover this morning - The annoying thing is I only had one beer with my meal last night.

I have decided to skip practice on the other tunes I have been working on and start work on Daybreak in Dixie right after breakfast. I really messed up on the second practice session yesterday so I don't want to start the day off on a negative note. I also need to spend some time practicing the tunes on my Banjo Ukulele for the Harvest Service on Sunday... Anyway that is my plan.....

Happy Pickin

Edited by - Tam_Zeb on 09/26/2013 00:12:35

capmike - Posted - 09/26/2013:  02:50:52

Somedays are diamonds, somedays a stone. yesterdays practice sure was a stone. very unproductive 1hour and a half. How do you guys break up practice sessions? Do you go over all the material you have learned so far? I'm up to 21 songs now, and if i play through each one five or six times,with backup and all, it takes me a good 2 and a half or three hours to do.Some days just not up to that much practice. maybe practice will be better today

goal for today   work on clinch mountain backstep and better practice session.

caseyhenry - Posted - 09/26/2013:  04:19:22

Hi nematode,

You are basically right, and what Tam says is correct as well. Playing a slide instead of a pull-off does create a slightly different sound. Just think about it as now having two different variations for that lick and you can choose which way to play it depending on how you're feeling at the time. There are several mistakes scattered over the DVDs, sometimes when a lick is left out of the instruction (which is often an editing mistake) or like this one where there is variation between how it is played and how it is taught note-for-note. Mostly there are only two sets of eyes that see the finished product before it's released. In the old days it was Murphy and Red. Now it's usually Red and me. Sometimes all three of us. If we had someone else to "proof" it we could probably cut down on the errors. But if you're paying attention you can usually figure out what Murphy means and what lick is missing from the explanation.

And, of course, there is rarely one "right" way to play songs, so you have some latitude there are well.

Good luck on "Gold Rush." It's a good tune!

Casey

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/26/2013:  07:47:40

Casey thank you for being involved in this thread. I love the vids your mom and you have made. The style of teacher is very very good. I think the next tune i tackle will be kansas city railroad blues in the key of c....which you yourself teach!

Those little mistakes here and there in the lessons give the student an opportunity to be creative.

Marvin

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/26/2013:  07:50:59

Casey thank you for being involved in this thread. I love the vids your mom and you have made. The style of teacher is very very good. I think the next tune i tackle will be kansas city railroad blues in the key of c....which you yourself teach!

Those little mistakes here and there in the lessons give the student an opportunity to be creative.

Marvin

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/26/2013:  10:59:37

quote:

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Originally posted by 5 finger ninja



Casey thank you for being involved in this thread. I love the vids your mom and you have made. The style of teacher is very very good. I think the next tune i tackle will be kansas city railroad blues in the key of c....which you yourself teach!



Those little mistakes here and there in the lessons give the student an opportunity to be creative.



Marvin

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Way to go Marvin...

I love KCRRB.... It's a tough one and it took me ages to learn.. Well worth the effort though. There is a bit missing - well it's not really missing - every thing you need is there - just Casey doesn't say - repeat this section ( I can't remember which part -  possibly the A part before you move up the neck - Murphy accepted responsibility for it during the editing process.

3 finger ninja - Posted - 09/26/2013:  11:50:29

I started messing around with ksrb and i just kept thinking about bill cheatham...so im learning that one now lol. Probably a good thing since i have so manyy tines i bounce around on that are all in key of g.

Maybe i could learn ksrb along with another c tune...maybe 52 vincent black lightning...ive always wanted to learn that.

I really surprised myself how guickly i.got bill cheatham memorized today. Today is a good day!

Marvin