DVD-quality lessons (including tabs/sheet music) available for immediate viewing on any device.
Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher.
Weekly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, banjo news and more.
Premier Sponsors
|
Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/270649/5
Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Tam_Zeb - Posted - 10/11/2013: 02:01:52
quote:
Originally posted by Peanutscreams
That's great jonah that your onto the MM. You will love it for sure. Getting through your first tunes on Vol.I is a fantastic start and "Cumberland Gap" gives you a great start of up the neck exploration. I went back to that recently and started throwing in a brush on the lower end. Seen a video of Earl do that. Looks like he was doing it somehow on the 5th fret but I'm not sure, his arm was moving so fast. Perhaps someone here would know for certain how it is done, but for now I'm just brushing lightly with the first string fretted at the second. Sounds good but would like to know how it's really done. Good luck, you'll have lots and lots of fun.
I never did get around to starting "Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms". Friend of mine told me I needed to continue going back to those first tunes I learnt and continue practicing those so they remain fresh in my muscle memory and he was right. Some of those first tunes were kinda sloppy when I went back and played them again. So that's what I spent the last week working on.
At the end of my playing session I would tune my top D string down to C and play "Mole In The Ground". Anyone played that tune yet? It's one of Casey's of course, and it really is fun: the banjo takes on a whole new sound that I've never played before. I like it a lot.
Butch B.
Hi Butch
Cumberland Gap.... Earls brush..... Slide from 2 - 5 on the first string as you brush across the strings... Then jump back quickly to the second fret to continue with the backward roll & hammer on the 4th. The lead up to the brush isn't difficult but it's hard to explain. I slowed Earls recording right down and figured it out one note at a time BY EAR.
I love tunes in Drop C, I had a look at Casey's Mole in the Ground Demo... Seem's to be a very short tune. Is that the whole tune or is that just a short phrase from the lesson
Tam_Zeb - Posted - 10/11/2013: 02:10:40
quote:
Originally posted by 5 finger ninja
Only got an hour and a half in which I spent learning part A of kansas city railroad blues. Its different to play in C but Tam was rigjt...its easy to tune back and forth from C to G. Tomorrow I will go through part A a dozen more times(or less depending on how long I stay up working on it tonite) then I'll tackle pary.B....part A wasnt too bad really. It has a lot of foward rolls.rolls.
Marvin
Hi Marvin
Keep me posted on your progress with this tune there is a part you have to repeat which was edited out of the lesson by mistake. I can't remember off the top of my head where I need to go back and review the lesson. So once you've got all the parts down give me a yell and I will try to point you to where the repeat goes.
3 finger ninja - Posted - 10/11/2013: 19:45:37
Well ive made it thru part B of kcrb. I will have to practice the heck out of it to get it in the ol' muscle memory. Tam i found the missing.lick in the cumberland gap positipn during the B part of the song. Just a minute detail so i picked it up.right away...thanks for the heads up.
i may take on part C tomorrow but something tells me to give myself a few days to soak this up and maybe brush up on otjer recently learned tunes...no need to rush things right?
Marvin
Edited by - 3 finger ninja on 10/11/2013 19:49:29
Tam_Zeb - Posted - 10/12/2013: 00:29:08
quote:
Originally posted by 5 finger ninja
Well ive made it thru part B of kcrb. I will have to practice the heck out of it to get it in the ol' muscle memory. Tam i found the missing.lick in the cumberland gap positipn during the B part of the song. Just a minute detail so i picked it up.right away...thanks for the heads up.
i may take on part C tomorrow but something tells me to give myself a few days to soak this up and maybe brush up on otjer recently learned tunes...no need to rush things right?
Marvin
Hi Marvin
Way to go... The C part is now really hard it's just a lot for the brain to take in. At least it was for me...Putting it all together is the hard part but once you nail it keep practicing it else you'll forget it. It's just one of those tunes that need constant revisition. I listen to it over and over... BTW I wont be posting today. I am heading out to town
capmike - Posted - 10/12/2013: 19:27:26
Hello everyone, glad to be back after a great bluegrass event. Got in a lot of jamming which I am thankful for. A little frustrated though. I love jamming with other people, but it seems I am not ready yet. I get very nervous when i start playing and that causes mistakes, or the other jam members want to play faster and I cant keep up. I have practiced every day, 2 or 3 hours a day for the last year and a half and seem to make no progress on this. I know speed is not supposed to be important but geeze it sure is frustrating to play like crap when you know you play well at home when nobody is watching. How many years do you got to practice something before you can play accurately with speed faster than a snail?
Sorry for the rant guys. just a little frustrated with myself and the banjo right now.
Mike
GlennM - Posted - 10/12/2013: 19:40:36
quote:
Originally posted by capmike
Hello everyone, glad to be back after a great bluegrass event. Got in a lot of jamming which I am thankful for. A little frustrated though. I love jamming with other people, but it seems I am not ready yet. I get very nervous when i start playing and that causes mistakes, or the other jam members want to play faster and I cant keep up. I have practiced every day, 2 or 3 hours a day for the last year and a half and seem to make no progress on this. I know speed is not supposed to be important but geeze it sure is frustrating to play like crap when you know you play well at home when nobody is watching. How many years do you got to practice something before you can play accurately with speed faster than a snail?
Sorry for the rant guys. just a little frustrated with myself and the banjo right now.
Mike
What songs are you playing at the jams?
3 finger ninja - Posted - 10/12/2013: 20:07:38
capmike stick with it. Your nerves will get better, everybody goes thru that and its just a matter of getting comfortable playing around others. Try to pretend they arent really there and your.playing to a bqcking track or cd. Nobodies gonna be hurt if you mess up a little as we all do. as you well know speed is something you should practice, but do it right so you dont end up practicing slop instead. If you can do it when alone then you can do it in the presence of others.
I got part C down of kcrb today...i didnt expect to do that lol.
I have a lot of tunes im learning/perfecting simultaneously. Not so sure thats a good thing.
Marvin
jwoods - Posted - 10/12/2013: 20:14:06
quote:
Originally posted by capmike
Hello everyone, glad to be back after a great bluegrass event. Got in a lot of jamming which I am thankful for. A little frustrated though. I love jamming with other people, but it seems I am not ready yet. I get very nervous when i start playing and that causes mistakes, or the other jam members want to play faster and I cant keep up. I have practiced every day, 2 or 3 hours a day for the last year and a half and seem to make no progress on this. I know speed is not supposed to be important but geeze it sure is frustrating to play like crap when you know you play well at home when nobody is watching. How many years do you got to practice something before you can play accurately with speed faster than a snail?
Sorry for the rant guys. just a little frustrated with myself and the banjo right now.
Mike
Pete Wernick has some great tips for that on his website...
Located in the "Ask Dr. Banjo" section.
Edited by - jwoods on 10/12/2013 20:15:53
capmike - Posted - 10/12/2013: 20:14:25
quote:
Originally posted by GlennM
quote:
Originally posted by capmike
Hello everyone, glad to be back after a great bluegrass event. Got in a lot of jamming which I am thankful for. A little frustrated though. I love jamming with other people, but it seems I am not ready yet. I get very nervous when i start playing and that causes mistakes, or the other jam members want to play faster and I cant keep up. I have practiced every day, 2 or 3 hours a day for the last year and a half and seem to make no progress on this. I know speed is not supposed to be important but geeze it sure is frustrating to play like crap when you know you play well at home when nobody is watching. How many years do you got to practice something before you can play accurately with speed faster than a snail?
Sorry for the rant guys. just a little frustrated with myself and the banjo right now.
Mike
What songs are you playing at the jams?
Foggy mountain breakdown, which I did ok on, but Way too slow, fireball mail too slow and not accurate, old joe clark not accurate and slow, blue ridge cabin home was ok I guess (improvising licks). John hardy not accurate(which i have No problem with at home)and slow.Did ok on I saw the light,Do lord and cripple creek. Lonesome road blues slow, mountain dew slow.can't improvise on songs i don't know. Can't do any rolling backup,only vamp. Some of these songs are supposed to be played with some speed and I can't play them above about 110 or so, and It aint from lack of practice. If I practice any more I'm gonna have to quit my day job! Got any suggestions? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
GlennM - Posted - 10/12/2013: 20:46:48
Re: Foggy mountain breakdown, I have a person making backing tracks you can use once he is finished. Its like playing in a band. Ill IM you when I get them.
RE: fireball mail . I'm Mixing tracks for that song right now. I'll send you I'm tonight when I finishe them.
GlennM - Posted - 10/12/2013: 21:46:44
quote:
Originally posted by capmike
quote:
Originally posted by GlennM
quote:
Originally posted by capmike
Hello everyone, glad to be back after a great bluegrass event. Got in a lot of jamming which I am thankful for. A little frustrated though. I love jamming with other people, but it seems I am not ready yet. I get very nervous when i start playing and that causes mistakes, or the other jam members want to play faster and I cant keep up. I have practiced every day, 2 or 3 hours a day for the last year and a half and seem to make no progress on this. I know speed is not supposed to be important but geeze it sure is frustrating to play like crap when you know you play well at home when nobody is watching. How many years do you got to practice something before you can play accurately with speed faster than a snail?
Sorry for the rant guys. just a little frustrated with myself and the banjo right now.
Mike
What songs are you playing at the jams?
Foggy mountain breakdown, which I did ok on, but Way too slow, fireball mail too slow and not accurate, old joe clark not accurate and slow, blue ridge cabin home was ok I guess (improvising licks). John hardy not accurate(which i have No problem with at home)and slow.Did ok on I saw the light,Do lord and cripple creek. Lonesome road blues slow, mountain dew slow.can't improvise on songs i don't know. Can't do any rolling backup,only vamp. Some of these songs are supposed to be played with some speed and I can't play them above about 110 or so, and It aint from lack of practice. If I practice any more I'm gonna have to quit my day job! Got any suggestions? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Heres Fire Ball Mail Practice Tracks. There free to all BHO members till my hand clears up and I can make video lessons to them. So down Load them while you can. pickersacademy.com/index.php/s...bass_only
Edited by - GlennM on 10/12/2013 21:49:03
capmike - Posted - 10/12/2013: 22:03:15
Thanks for the help everyone. Hope your hand gets better Glen.
GlennM - Posted - 10/12/2013: 22:04:31
quote:
Originally posted by capmike
Thanks for the help everyone. Hope your hand gets better Glen.
Poison Ivy Sucks.
jwoods - Posted - 10/13/2013: 00:31:37
quote:
Originally posted by capmike
Hello everyone, glad to be back after a great bluegrass event. Got in a lot of jamming which I am thankful for. A little frustrated though. I love jamming with other people, but it seems I am not ready yet. I get very nervous when i start playing and that causes mistakes, or the other jam members want to play faster and I cant keep up. I have practiced every day, 2 or 3 hours a day for the last year and a half and seem to make no progress on this. I know speed is not supposed to be important but geeze it sure is frustrating to play like crap when you know you play well at home when nobody is watching. How many years do you got to practice something before you can play accurately with speed faster than a snail?
Sorry for the rant guys. just a little frustrated with myself and the banjo right now.
Mike
Mike,
If you tried Pete Wernick's "Ask Dr. Banjo" and it didn't work...they are currently having site issues.
Pete just emailed me and said they will work on it (he didn't know it was down).
There are a lot of good articles for all levels of players, but you might be interested in a couple...
One is on choking at a jam, and the other is tips on building and maintaining speed and accuracy.
Good luck.
jonah4832 - Posted - 10/13/2013: 04:48:48
Capmike, just curious when you say your playing at 110 on the metronome, are you playing 2 notes per click or 4 notes per click, I am trying to get an idea of what your relative speed is. Because if it is only 2 notes per click tyhen you are only playing at a 50 relative speed. To be playing at 110 then you should be able to play 2 notes per click at say 220. And 110 relative speed is not slow, not super fast but not slow. I don't think your practice is the problem, because your putting in the time which is great, Try starting at 110 on the metronome and increase in small increments and see how fast you can get before you crash and burn.
capmike - Posted - 10/13/2013: 05:55:13
quote:
Originally posted by jonah4832
Capmike, just curious when you say your playing at 110 on the metronome, are you playing 2 notes per click or 4 notes per click, I am trying to get an idea of what your relative speed is. Because if it is only 2 notes per click tyhen you are only playing at a 50 relative speed. To be playing at 110 then you should be able to play 2 notes per click at say 220. And 110 relative speed is not slow, not super fast but not slow. I don't think your practice is the problem, because your putting in the time which is great, Try starting at 110 on the metronome and increase in small increments and see how fast you can get before you crash and burn.
Somewhere between Murphys slow version and Murphys fast version. I use band in a box for backup and timing. Its written 4/4 time,but where in earl's book is written in 2/4 time,he uses 4 measures of g, I am using 2 measures. I think thats cut time in 4/4.
capmike - Posted - 10/13/2013: 06:07:54
quote:
Originally posted by jwoods
quote:
Originally posted by capmike
Hello everyone, glad to be back after a great bluegrass event. Got in a lot of jamming which I am thankful for. A little frustrated though. I love jamming with other people, but it seems I am not ready yet. I get very nervous when i start playing and that causes mistakes, or the other jam members want to play faster and I cant keep up. I have practiced every day, 2 or 3 hours a day for the last year and a half and seem to make no progress on this. I know speed is not supposed to be important but geeze it sure is frustrating to play like crap when you know you play well at home when nobody is watching. How many years do you got to practice something before you can play accurately with speed faster than a snail?
Sorry for the rant guys. just a little frustrated with myself and the banjo right now.
Mike
Mike,
If you tried Pete Wernick's "Ask Dr. Banjo" and it didn't work...they are currently having site issues.
Pete just emailed me and said they will work on it (he didn't know it was down).
There are a lot of good articles for all levels of players, but you might be interested in a couple...
One is on choking at a jam, and the other is tips on building and maintaining speed and accuracy.
Good luck.
Thanks for the Link, I went to the site last night and found some of it under instruction articles.
caseyhenry - Posted - 10/13/2013: 06:15:49
quote:
Originally posted by capmike
Hello everyone, glad to be back after a great bluegrass event. Got in a lot of jamming which I am thankful for. A little frustrated though. I love jamming with other people, but it seems I am not ready yet. I get very nervous when i start playing and that causes mistakes, or the other jam members want to play faster and I cant keep up. I have practiced every day, 2 or 3 hours a day for the last year and a half and seem to make no progress on this. I know speed is not supposed to be important but geeze it sure is frustrating to play like crap when you know you play well at home when nobody is watching. How many years do you got to practice something before you can play accurately with speed faster than a snail?
Sorry for the rant guys. just a little frustrated with myself and the banjo right now.
Mike
Hi Mike,
Playing with other people is definitely the hardest thing about learning banjo. Do keep in mind that a year and a half is just barely getting started in the scale of banjo-learning, and unless you jam with other people regularly I would expect it to be difficult to take what you've learned at home and just plop it into a regular jam (not a slow jam, which might be somewhat easier, but certainly not easy). There are definitely different levels of knowing a song, so that what you can play just fine by yourself at home will fall apart when you get it in front of a teacher (or just playing it in front of someone else), and when you can do THAT fine, it will still fall apart when you try to play it WITH someone else. And when you can do THAT fine it will still fall apart when you take it and try to play it on stage. You pretty much have to go through each level for every song, with more practice, and just more time, needed to achieve the next level.
Adults learning to play rarely achieve really fast speeds, but it is reasonable to aim for a decent jam session speed in about five years, but only if you constantly go out and jam (frustrating as that is). The only way to get better at jamming is to do it. And, as you noted in the songs you listed that you made it through okay, singing songs (I Saw The Light and the like) are really the best ones to jump in to jamming with because they sound fine played at slower speeds.
Good luck! It's hard, but worth it in the long run!
Casey
capmike - Posted - 10/13/2013: 06:20:30
quote:
Originally posted by 5 finger ninja
capmike stick with it. Your nerves will get better, everybody goes thru that and its just a matter of getting comfortable playing around others. Try to pretend they arent really there and your.playing to a bqcking track or cd. Nobodies gonna be hurt if you mess up a little as we all do. as you well know speed is something you should practice, but do it right so you dont end up practicing slop instead. If you can do it when alone then you can do it in the presence of others.
I got part C down of kcrb today...i didnt expect to do that lol.
I have a lot of tunes im learning/perfecting simultaneously. Not so sure thats a good thing.
Marvin
Thanks for the encouraging words Marvin. Don't get me wrong, I Don't want to sacrifice accuracy for speed. And I can play fairly accurately up to about 110 bpm.But when jamming, these guys are playing closer to 130-140 range(on FMB that is) and 120 or so on others,and my playing falls apart before i can reach this speed.That and the dang nerve thing.
3 finger ninja - Posted - 10/13/2013: 06:44:50
Capmike, can you play rolls at a fast speed like 130 bpm?
capmike - Posted - 10/13/2013: 06:57:26
quote:
Originally posted by caseyhenry
quote:
Originally posted by capmike
Hello everyone, glad to be back after a great bluegrass event. Got in a lot of jamming which I am thankful for. A little frustrated though. I love jamming with other people, but it seems I am not ready yet. I get very nervous when i start playing and that causes mistakes, or the other jam members want to play faster and I cant keep up. I have practiced every day, 2 or 3 hours a day for the last year and a half and seem to make no progress on this. I know speed is not supposed to be important but geeze it sure is frustrating to play like crap when you know you play well at home when nobody is watching. How many years do you got to practice something before you can play accurately with speed faster than a snail?
Sorry for the rant guys. just a little frustrated with myself and the banjo right now.
Mike
Hi Mike,
Playing with other people is definitely the hardest thing about learning banjo. Do keep in mind that a year and a half is just barely getting started in the scale of banjo-learning, and unless you jam with other people regularly I would expect it to be difficult to take what you've learned at home and just plop it into a regular jam (not a slow jam, which might be somewhat easier, but certainly not easy). There are definitely different levels of knowing a song, so that what you can play just fine by yourself at home will fall apart when you get it in front of a teacher (or just playing it in front of someone else), and when you can do THAT fine, it will still fall apart when you try to play it WITH someone else. And when you can do THAT fine it will still fall apart when you take it and try to play it on stage. You pretty much have to go through each level for every song, with more practice, and just more time, needed to achieve the next level.
Adults learning to play rarely achieve really fast speeds, but it is reasonable to aim for a decent jam session speed in about five years, but only if you constantly go out and jam (frustrating as that is). The only way to get better at jamming is to do it. And, as you noted in the songs you listed that you made it through okay, singing songs (I Saw The Light and the like) are really the best ones to jump in to jamming with because they sound fine played at slower speeds.
Good luck! It's hard, but worth it in the long run!
Casey
Thanks Casey for the encouraging words. I never Thought I'd ever be able to play banjo at all, and probably wouldn't had I not discovered the Murphy Method. I learned guitar from Tab and notation many years ago, and wouldn't go through that frustration again.Maybe the next jam I can improve some.
Mike
capmike - Posted - 10/13/2013: 07:13:12
quote:
Originally posted by 5 finger ninja
Capmike, can you play rolls at a fast speed like 130 bpm?
Marvin, I'll play through rolls warming up and to make sure I am playing even, never really tried them with a metronome. I can play them fairly quickly though
3 finger ninja - Posted - 10/13/2013: 08:22:10
Capmike its.my belief that if you can roll fast, you can play fast. The fact that you can play rolls fast proves you have the motor skills to play whole songs fast. Its all about confidence and practice. Dont be afraid to play faster tban your capabilities. You have to know your crash and burn speed. It will be different on different tunes according to how well you know them. Pick out a tune that can be your speed trainer song.
There is a difference between crashing and burning from too much speed and choking in front of others...both can be overcome.
steve63 - Posted - 10/13/2013: 09:09:44
Hello Everyone,
I just bought my first Banjo last week and I am looking forward to getting started. I actually bought the MM Beginning Banjo lesson Vol. 1 before I bought my banjo. I am 50 years old and have no musical experience at all so I know it’s going to be a real challenge. I sure am glad you guys started this group it will be nice to have a place to seek advice.
I plan on getting started with my lessons this afternoon. Any advice for a complete beginner would be appreciated.
Steve.
3 finger ninja - Posted - 10/14/2013: 04:14:13
Steve63 welcome! You done did it now lol! But mm is the best bet i think.
Back Porch Banjo - Posted - 10/14/2013: 04:24:05
Good for you Steve 63! I bought my first banjo at age 59 so I can relate.
My Advice: Start slow and work hard - practice every chance you get - buy an instrument stand and keep your banjo next to your easy chair so you can pick it up when you have a couple of minutes to play - seek out other banjo pickers and watch and listen! Good luck!
capmike - Posted - 10/14/2013: 05:05:54
Steve, welcome to the group. you got two great things going already, being at the Hangout and the Murphy Method. good luck
3 finger ninja - Posted - 10/14/2013: 06:31:35
Back porch banjo i have to disagree about one thing...instrument stands and banjos are a recipe for disaster! Guys please.leave your banjo in a case. Most accidents are catastrophic because of the wiplash effect on the neck and headstock.
I just leave mine in an open case next to my chill spot.
Marvin
3 finger ninja - Posted - 10/14/2013: 08:01:06
I only.have Shenandoah breakdown to go and I will have learned all the tunes on Murphy method great banjo tunes...may as well get to it.
I also have Sally goodwin from advanced Earl and all of the Stanley style tunes except for clinch brhdnmnt brkdn to learn.
I think I will buy the melodic tunes dvd and the backup dvd soon.
Loving the Murphy method!
Marvin
jbgreen - Posted - 10/14/2013: 08:17:36
quote:
Originally posted by steve63
Hello Everyone,
I just bought my first Banjo last week and I am looking forward to getting started. I actually bought the MM Beginning Banjo lesson Vol. 1 before I bought my banjo. I am 50 years old and have no musical experience at all so I know it’s going to be a real challenge. I sure am glad you guys started this group it will be nice to have a place to seek advice.
I plan on getting started with my lessons this afternoon. Any advice for a complete beginner would be appreciated.
Steve.
Hi, Steve. I started learning to play the banjo eight months ago at 49 years old. Like you, I had no musical background at all. All I can tell you is that I wish I had started much earlier. It's a blast! The most fun you can have with your clothes on.
As a fellow beginner, the best advice I can give you is practice, practice, practice. And don't be too hard on yourself. Enjoy the journey and don't worry too much about a destination.
Welcome to the MM Club.
Peanutscreams - Posted - 10/14/2013: 13:34:25
Yes indeed, welcome Steve. Thank you Tam for the lesson on the "Cumberland Gap" brush. That is a quick slide to the the 5th then back. I had no method of slowing that down, so I appreciate that. The break on "Mole In The Ground" that Casey shows on her demo is the entire break for that song, it is short and even sounds good slow, so Mike may even like to try that one at his jams. I enjoy it a lot.
This week I may finally get around to "Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms" Looking forward to that one. I understand that has some licks in it that will stand me in good stead down the road for many other arrangements.
Butch B.
steve63 - Posted - 10/14/2013: 15:18:58
Well as you all know since I’m new to the banjo all I’ve been doing the past two days is rolls…rolls…and more rolls. Tomorrow I’ll try doing some cords along with the rolls.
I have not set myself any goals yet maybe after learning my first song.
Steve.
Tam_Zeb - Posted - 10/14/2013: 23:54:56
Good Morning Everyone Tuesday 15 October 2013 0800
Hi Guy''s
It's been a few days since I posted, too many distractions... I haven't done much with my banjo been focusing on my Banjo Ukulele, I have three different group sessions that I currently attend. Also I have been working on a few tunes with my friend to play at our Church Social on Friday... So the banjo has had to play second fiddle for now. The Uke is opening up new opportunities to play with others so I see this as a step towards overcoming my stage fright gremlin.
This is going to be a busy week so I might not get a opportunity to post any messages. I wont be working on any goals this week but I hope to find a little time to play my banjo. Good to see you guys are working hard toward and achieving your goals.
Great news Butch.. Glad to hear the tip on the CGap worked for you.
Mike Playing in jams can be intimidating, people want to hear you play so your in the spotlight, your under pressure, you forget to breathe, your new to the banjo. All part of the recipe for a disaster. Listen to Casey, and you wont go far wrong. Work of building your skills, sit at the back of the jam and LISTEN play a little backup. Speed isn't just about rolls you also need those chord changes to be clean, slick and automatic. You can't be thinking what chord/note come next you got to feel it. LISTEN to what the group is playing train your EAR and your BRAIN to anticipate the chord changes.
Welcome to the MM Practice Group Steve, I hope you have as much fun and excitement working with the Murphy Method as I have had in my first five and a half years of studying the 5 string banjo. You will have many high's and many low's as your progress. Work through the hard stuff a little at a time. Always have an easy tune to fall back on that way when you start to feel frustrated you can pause and learn to relax before going back to working on tha hard part. There are many hills to climb many wall to break through. Stick with the Murphy Method and you will see yourself progress.
SPEED - Just a general note to ALL.
Playing fast has NEVER been my goal. My goal is to be able to play music so that others could enjoy LISTENING to me play.
Check out this video which Beegee recently brought to the attention of the Hangout Community.
IMHO - Speed Kills Music
Edited by - Tam_Zeb on 10/15/2013 00:00:19
Tam_Zeb - Posted - 10/15/2013: 00:04:52
JUST A QUICK NOTE ABOUT PLAYING IN JAMS.
Someone else playing badly can PUT YOU OFF! We never stop to consider that do we?
We always assume it's ME....
Edited by - Tam_Zeb on 10/15/2013 00:08:23
GlennM - Posted - 10/15/2013: 00:08:40
quote:
Originally posted by capmike
Hello everyone, glad to be back after a great bluegrass event. Got in a lot of jamming which I am thankful for. A little frustrated though. I love jamming with other people, but it seems I am not ready yet. I get very nervous when i start playing and that causes mistakes, or the other jam members want to play faster and I cant keep up. I have practiced every day, 2 or 3 hours a day for the last year and a half and seem to make no progress on this. I know speed is not supposed to be important but geeze it sure is frustrating to play like crap when you know you play well at home when nobody is watching. How many years do you got to practice something before you can play accurately with speed faster than a snail?
Sorry for the rant guys. just a little frustrated with myself and the banjo right now.
Mike
Hi
Here are free backing tracks for foggy MT.pickersacademy.com/index.php/s...itar-only
I hope this helps.
Back Porch Banjo - Posted - 10/15/2013: 09:53:02
quote:
Originally posted by Tam_Zeb
JUST A QUICK NOTE ABOUT PLAYING IN JAMS.
Someone else playing badly can PUT YOU OFF! We never stop to consider that do we?
We always assume it's ME....
I was at a jam the other week and someone was playing way way off-time -- I had a terrible time staying with the rest of the group -- people kept watching the group leader to try and pick up the timing -- I found it very difficult to play. Another time, someone was playing in the wrong key (and it wasn't me!) and that threw off several people, including me. The wrong key person was clueless until someone quietly mentioned it to them at the end of the song. Hey, if I was playing in the wrong key, I'd want to know too!
But you're right, other people at a jam playing badly can have a big influence on you, whether you realize it or not!
capmike - Posted - 10/15/2013: 11:35:54
Hey all, thanks a bunch for all the help and encouragement. I'm more determined now than ever to get it down,and get it right. Some of it could be the timing of others, as I do practice with a computer, and that timing is never wrong. I did notice it got easier to play when we had a bass player in the group. Another thing,I was the only one who could take a break and that added to the pressure. It would be nice if we as a group could get together and pick.how cool would that be! Anyway i'm gonna keep at it till I get it.
Mike
Tam_Zeb - Posted - 10/16/2013: 02:43:35
Good Morning Everyone Wednesday 16 October 2013 1045
Not had much time this week to play my banjo. Spent a little time yesterday practicing some back up licks, plan to do a little more today. Hopefully I can get back to some regular practice by the weekend.
Back Porch Banjo - Posted - 10/16/2013: 04:06:11
Wooo-hoooooo! FINALLY! After many hours of DVD work/practice, I am able to play Foggy Mountain Breakdown with all the licks and the fill-in notes in the right order! It all came together last night. I can play along note-for-note with Murphy on the "Really Slow" DVD version. I hope I haven't worn out that track on the DVD because I played it over and over and over last night. I'm not quite ready to play along with Murphy's "Slow (with guitar)" version yet, but I'm sure I'll get there eventually.
I can play it a little faster than Murphy's "Really Slow" version and mine actually SOUNDS like Foggy Mtn Breakdown! I was so happy about that last night that I played it over and over and over, just because I could! I was having such a good time playing it that I stayed up until way past my bedtime, just playing Foggy Mtn Breakdown again and again!
It was such a BIG break-through for me because I've been struggling with that song for so long! I may debut it tonight for my friends in the slow jam group -- they know of my struggles with it.
I think I'm going to reward myself and purchase a couple of Murphy's DVDs that I've had my eye on for a while now! Good times! So happy!
capmike - Posted - 10/16/2013: 05:02:20
quote:
Originally posted by Back Porch Banjo
Wooo-hoooooo! FINALLY! After many hours of DVD work/practice, I am able to play Foggy Mountain Breakdown with all the licks and the fill-in notes in the right order! It all came together last night. I can play along note-for-note with Murphy on the "Really Slow" DVD version. I hope I haven't worn out that track on the DVD because I played it over and over and over last night. I'm not quite ready to play along with Murphy's "Slow (with guitar)" version yet, but I'm sure I'll get there eventually.
I can play it a little faster than Murphy's "Really Slow" version and mine actually SOUNDS like Foggy Mtn Breakdown! I was so happy about that last night that I played it over and over and over, just because I could! I was having such a good time playing it that I stayed up until way past my bedtime, just playing Foggy Mtn Breakdown again and again!
It was such a BIG break-through for me because I've been struggling with that song for so long! I may debut it tonight for my friends in the slow jam group -- they know of my struggles with it.
I think I'm going to reward myself and purchase a couple of Murphy's DVDs that I've had my eye on for a while now! Good times! So happy!
congratulations!
jbgreen - Posted - 10/16/2013: 06:27:46
Still plodding along. Still getting a couple of hours of practice a day. Still suck.
Started Big Spike Hammer two days ago. Working through the first part. It's nice to be working on something new.
Congrats, Back Porch Banjo! Good for you. Show them what you've got at your jam tonight.
jonah4832 - Posted - 10/16/2013: 07:45:14
Practice went great today, so far, warmed up to banjo in the hollow, speed is increasing then cripple creek, again increasing speed and the pull off is coming fine, then Cumberland gap down the neck and up the neck, and made it through foggy mnt breakdown, will take a little work perfecting it but can play it now, my wife even told me that sounded good. I guess when you get your spouse to tell you that your doing something right.
Tam_Zeb - Posted - 10/16/2013: 08:51:16
quote:
Originally posted by Back Porch Banjo
Wooo-hoooooo! FINALLY! After many hours of DVD work/practice, I am able to play Foggy Mountain Breakdown with all the licks and the fill-in notes in the right order! It all came together last night. I can play along note-for-note with Murphy on the "Really Slow" DVD version. I hope I haven't worn out that track on the DVD because I played it over and over and over last night. I'm not quite ready to play along with Murphy's "Slow (with guitar)" version yet, but I'm sure I'll get there eventually.
I can play it a little faster than Murphy's "Really Slow" version and mine actually SOUNDS like Foggy Mtn Breakdown! I was so happy about that last night that I played it over and over and over, just because I could! I was having such a good time playing it that I stayed up until way past my bedtime, just playing Foggy Mtn Breakdown again and again!
It was such a BIG break-through for me because I've been struggling with that song for so long! I may debut it tonight for my friends in the slow jam group -- they know of my struggles with it.
I think I'm going to reward myself and purchase a couple of Murphy's DVDs that I've had my eye on for a while now! Good times! So happy!
Well Done..
Tam_Zeb - Posted - 10/16/2013: 08:52:54
quote:
Originally posted by jbgreen
Still plodding along. Still getting a couple of hours of practice a day. Still suck.
Started Big Spike Hammer two days ago. Working through the first part. It's nice to be working on something new.
Congrats, Back Porch Banjo! Good for you. Show them what you've got at your jam tonight.
I bet you don't suck as much as you did six weeks ago...
Tam_Zeb - Posted - 10/16/2013: 08:57:26
Today's Practice
Manage to get in three hours practice today.. I work on some back up licks, and played through a few tunes. I didn't work on my Uke though.. I have a lesson tonight
3 finger ninja - Posted - 10/16/2013: 20:15:41
Ive spent a whole week in drop c tuning on kansa city railroad blues. Its been a monter of a song to learn but im playing it up to speed without hestation about 90 percent of the time now so i consider it learned.
Im going to start Shenandoah brkdn tomorrow.
Ive been listening to a lot of old Don Reno stuff and i think i want to start working a lot more incorporating his style into my playing...it mixes well with Scruggs style.
Tam_Zeb - Posted - 10/17/2013: 05:36:26
quote:
Originally posted by 5 finger ninja
Ive spent a whole week in drop c tuning on kansa city railroad blues. Its been a monter of a song to learn but im playing it up to speed without hestation about 90 percent of the time now so i consider it learned.
Im going to start Shenandoah brkdn tomorrow.
Ive been listening to a lot of old Don Reno stuff and i think i want to start working a lot more incorporating his style into my playing...it mixes well with Scruggs style.
Well Done Marvin..
Ok here is a great intro for KCRRB. Hold down the 1st & 2nd String C Chord and strum across all the strings Play 3 4 then pinch 3 & 1 followed by a square roll 4351 then ( play 4 pinch 1 & 3 then a square roll 4351 ) repeat the sequence in the brackets till your ready to play the melody.
I worked out the intro after listening to this arrangement
Froglips - Posted - 10/17/2013: 09:24:16
Ok, I have everything from Vol. 1 memorized and sounding good except John Henry.
I was wondering if anyone knows how many videos Murphy put out. I have Vol. 1&2.
but I can not find a Vol. 3. All I find is other titles by her online.
Does anyone have a complete list of her videos in the order you should learn them?
Frog...
Back Porch Banjo - Posted - 10/17/2013: 10:16:58
quote:
Originally posted by Froglips
Ok, I have everything from Vol. 1 memorized and sounding good except John Henry.
I was wondering if anyone knows how many videos Murphy put out. I have Vol. 1&2.
but I can not find a Vol. 3. All I find is other titles by her online.
Does anyone have a complete list of her videos in the order you should learn them?
Frog...
Go to her website (murphymethod.com). Click on Banjo on the left and you will find all of her DVDs.
Tam_Zeb - Posted - 10/17/2013: 10:22:12
quote:
Originally posted by Froglips
Ok, I have everything from Vol. 1 memorized and sounding good except John Henry.
I was wondering if anyone knows how many videos Murphy put out. I have Vol. 1&2.
but I can not find a Vol. 3. All I find is other titles by her online.
Does anyone have a complete list of her videos in the order you should learn them?
Frog...
Here you go
murphymethod.com/index.cfm?eve...cat=banjo
And when your done with that check out Casey's custom lessons.
murphymethod.com/index.cfm?eve...tentId=13
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)
Copyright 2026 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.
