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schlange - Posted - 12/20/2013: 12:53:42
Most of you have noticed the 3 different practice groups we've had going for the last few months. I've really enjoyed being a part of Practice Group #1--it has encouraged me to practice more consistently and helped me keep track of my progress. It's also been interesting seeing where other people are at on their banjo learning journeys!
Now I want to try something a little different. I'm thinking of starting a new practice group (since #1 is winding down) that includes a Tune of the Week element. Basically the same idea as before (write about how your practice time went each day) but we'll also choose a tune to focus on each week, as part of your practice time. (If you already know the tune, you could revisit it and use the time to polish it up a bit or tweak the arrangement.)
I have this idea because I think it'll be fun to work on a "project" (that is, the same song) as a group. And I've loved seeing how the TOTW threads on the clawhammer forum have developed over the years, too. Hopefully different folks can be responsible for posting the new tune info each week, but I can also do it if needed--I like researching this stuff.
I think I'll be a lot looser about who is a "member" of the group as well, just because I don't want to worry about tracking that stuff. So if you post on the thread--you're a member! Simple.
If you're interested, just let me know below! Also, if you have any ideas to make this work better, fire away. I'm looking to start this officially the week of Dec 29th.
piscesgrrl - Posted - 12/20/2013: 13:06:36
What a great idea. I followed all of the other practice groups, but was no disciplined enough to practice on my own. I mean, how do I sift through the piles of DVDs and book and decide what to start with. One tune a week is very reasonable and may help me hone in on technique. Thanks for the suggestion! I can't wait to pick up my banjo again...
Doconc - Posted - 12/20/2013: 13:21:53
I would join. always looking for motivation to learn new music!
airbrush - Posted - 12/20/2013: 15:09:49
I'd be interested. What would we have to do other than learning a tune eavh week?
I'm asking because I dont have the full tef ...yet.
Jim
Kirk Jacobs - Posted - 12/20/2013: 15:10:21
It sounds very interesting. A tune every week might be a bit tough for me though.
gclaunch - Posted - 12/20/2013: 15:14:32
Sounds good! I'd like a run at it...."sign me up"!
schlange - Posted - 12/20/2013: 15:25:13
quote:
Originally posted by airbrush
I'd be interested. What would we have to do other than learning a tune eavh week?
I'm asking because I dont have the full tef ...yet.
Jim
Basically you're supposed to post on the practice group thread each time you practice, just saying how long you practiced and what you did. 1-3 sentences is fine. Then just work on that week's tune as part of your practice time. We'll try to make the tabs available in easy formats so anyone can access them--you won't need the full version of Tabledit or anything like that.
lberman - Posted - 12/20/2013: 15:29:54
You didn't state what difficulty level you will be working at. I would be interested if it is not too difficult.
Tom Paglia - Posted - 12/20/2013: 15:47:47
Eric,
It might be helpful to have a targeted groups for those interested in improving their playing or expanding their banjo versatility. For Example: bluegrass, melodic, clawhammer, jazz etc......
Tom
Tom Paglia - Posted - 12/20/2013: 15:51:41
The chat room could serve as a vehicle for members of the group to share techniques, help each other and "show-off" a little bit.
Tom Paglia - Posted - 12/20/2013: 15:54:18
Eric,
I am willing to assist with 3-finger melodic and/or clawhammer.
Tom
schlange - Posted - 12/20/2013: 16:56:45
Tom--this is for scruggs-style stuff (hence my posting it in this forum).
The songs we choose will probably be accessible to everyone. Maybe not a rank beginner, but I'm not looking at extremely advanced stuff.
gclaunch - Posted - 12/20/2013: 19:35:21
Posted earlier that I was interested and see others are interested too, but with questions..maybe you could mention a few titles you have in mind so folks can kinda get an idea of what to expect...or, maybe just kick it off with something and see what happens
A27StarWolf - Posted - 12/21/2013: 00:28:09
Yeah why not! As long as it can be for noobs like me as well.
OldFox - Posted - 12/21/2013: 08:34:32
I'll have a go at this one as well and see how it goes. Would we be expected to post a video or audio of our playing the tune?
schlange - Posted - 12/21/2013: 08:37:17
You wouldn't be required to post a recording, but that would certainly by cool if some people did!
Mostly I just think it would be fun to work on learning a tune with a group of folks--to dialog about challenging sections, variations, song stories, etc.
OldFox - Posted - 12/21/2013: 13:02:10
So, who's going to post the first tune?
schlange - Posted - 12/21/2013: 13:16:35
I'll post the first one, about a week from now, on a new thread. Then we'll see if others want to take other weeks.
OldFox - Posted - 12/21/2013: 14:03:43
Thanks Eric, Looking forward to it.
schlange - Posted - 12/21/2013: 14:22:29
I suppose if anyone wants to volunteer now to pick a future TOTW, they can!
I'm hoping whoever picks a TOTW will do a little write up on it with links to tabs, recordings, etc. if you want to do one, let me know.
BlueRanchRider - Posted - 12/22/2013: 20:52:07
quote:
Originally posted by schlange
I suppose if anyone wants to volunteer now to pick a future TOTW, they can!
I'm hoping whoever picks a TOTW will do a little write up on it with links to tabs, recordings, etc. if you want to do one, let me know.
I'd be interested in a future selection of TOTW. What are the guidelines/requirements? I've got a monster list of songs that I'm 'one day gonna get around to learnin'...
Hillbilly Chris - Posted - 12/23/2013: 04:29:32
I'll give it a go though I have only played for 2 weeks lol
mull1102 - Posted - 12/23/2013: 16:08:55
I would like to try it. If it helps me improve I need it. Please keep the songs simple.
blugraz - Posted - 12/25/2013: 03:25:06
Eric....my 'hats in the ring'....gt motivation!
"my show off ego...nil!...terrible disease that.!
stetix01 - Posted - 12/25/2013: 05:34:47
Add me to the list?
schlange - Posted - 12/26/2013: 11:18:46
Here's our first tune of the week--Banjo Signal. I'm posting it a bit early just because I have the time to do it. This is for the week of Dec 29-Jan 4.
Many of you may already be familiar with this tune, but I thought it would be a fun one to start off with (and I need to polish up the basic version I learned a couple years ago!)
Here's what I've learned about this tune from my research (feel free to correct me at any time)... it was written by the great Don Reno, released on King KLP-579 "Instrumentals and Ballads". Although Reno is known for his single string work, this song doesn't really show it off much, since the A part is more three finger/rolling and the B part is rather melodic. And if you've purchased the DVD version of the Beverly Hillbillies show, you'll probably notice this song being used as the theme song (replacing Ballad of Jed Clampett) for copyright/licensing reasons.
The different recordings I found from Reno had him playing between 143-154BPM.
Videos:
Here are some YouTube clips of various folks playing it:
Tabs:
- Basic version from Rick McKeon: TEF PDF
- Intermediate version from Xavier Baron: TEF
- Advanced version (Bela Fleck's) from Hans Holzherr, edit by Jack Baker (get it here)
Backing Tracks in 3 different speeds are linked below.
You can also find this song on iTunes--about 25 different versions of it! But what I couldn't find was a recording of Bela Fleck's version, which is too bad because I wanted to check it out.
Doconc - Posted - 12/26/2013: 13:59:24
This looks somewhat challenging, at least for me. I noted in the videos that the fifth string is fretted with the middle finger. I don't fret the fifth string much but when I have I've used my thumb. The middle finger looks easier to me. Can't wait to try this out when I get home! BTW, the Rick McKeon tab you posted is for banjo in the hollow.
schlange - Posted - 12/26/2013: 16:01:33
quote:
Originally posted by Doconc
This looks somewhat challenging, at least for me. I noted in the videos that the fifth string is fretted with the middle finger. I don't fret the fifth string much but when I have I've used my thumb. The middle finger looks easier to me. Can't wait to try this out when I get home! BTW, the Rick McKeon tab you posted is for banjo in the hollow.
Updated the tab link for ya. Rick's version is quite easy, as I recall. One reason I chose this tune was because of the 5th string fretting--makes it more fun!
OldFox - Posted - 12/26/2013: 16:41:06
Good choice Eric. I have Janet Davis' book YCTYB, and there is a pretty good beginner version in that one that I had spent a little time on before. This gives me incentive to learn it. I don't think you need to be able to play a really complicated version for that tune to sound good - all you need is to play it with accuracy and some speed. Thanks, David
BlueRanchRider - Posted - 12/26/2013: 17:00:15
Doh! Three days out of town and don't have my banjo. I'll have to study and listen now in preparation. It always helps me when learning a new song. And banjo signal is new to me. Off to YouTube!!
BlueRanchRider - Posted - 12/26/2013: 18:02:58
quote:
Okay, I seriously watched this clip twice, I just had to. Better change this to TOTY (YEAR)
Tom Paglia - Posted - 12/28/2013: 19:06:45
Eric,
Please include me in the circulation.
Thanks,
Tom
schlange - Posted - 12/30/2013: 10:29:13
Alright, practice log for today--practiced for an hour this morning. Played Banjo Signal a bit to my backing tracks--interestingly enough, the backing track doesn't match the "easy" version tab I linked to above. It's pretty close, though--just needs an extra measure of G between the A and B parts, and the B part is repeated 4x while the A part is repeated 2x in the backing track.
Also played some of the rest of my set list. I'm working on learning about 1 new tune a week, then the rest of the time I just play through tunes I know, trying to play them more cleanly and slowly increase speed without loosing clarity.
What about the rest of you? What did you practice today?
Tom Paglia - Posted - 12/30/2013: 12:19:19
Practiced 30 minutes just working on the syncopation of the 12-7th frets. Slowed the MIDI to 160 then 200 which helped. Tom
BlueRanchRider - Posted - 12/30/2013: 12:31:55
Way to go, pickers! I am unfortunately away from my banjo but I have been listening to this new to me song to get it in my head. Tomorrow I'll be back with my banjo and will give it a go. I've paid close attention to the Casey Henry version and played through the McKeon TEF and will merge those together for some variety.
I can play the tune in my head without help and have gone through the chord progression with guitar and playing banjo "in my head". What I don't know yet is how long it'll take me to reach up there to 'ole number five' with my middle finger. I have never done that, ever....
OldFox - Posted - 12/30/2013: 13:24:26
I have practiced for about an hour so far; I have a lot of distractions due to circumstances I can't control. The version I have is not difficult to play, but will take more time to get to play it smoothly. I noticed that Rick's version is mostly forward rolls I think, but the one I am using has more forward - reverse rolls in the low part. I find my middle finger is a bit lazy on the reverse part, especially before it's warmed up - need more practice on it. I tabbed it out into TablEdit so I will be able to play along with it. Good to hear from a few people. Keep going on it.
Kirk Jacobs - Posted - 12/30/2013: 16:08:53
I will be honest I haven't spent much time on this, new to me, song. I am finding it extremely irritating and have to walk away from it often. Still trying, hoping something will "click" here soon.
Doconc - Posted - 12/30/2013: 17:22:04
I've been working the McKeon version into my practice routine every day for the last three days or so. There really isn't much to the B part so I think I'm gonna graduate to the intermediate version today. Having fun working reaching up to the fifth string. I have a spike in the tenth fret that gets in the way a little so I'm learning to work around it.
piscesgrrl - Posted - 12/31/2013: 08:48:44
I forgot to check back on the 29th for the TOTW!. I've looked up this song before and thought-no way! For a change, I actually took some time to listen to the many versions of the song (Thank you!). Then I watched people play in the videos and started wtih Rick's tab. What do you know-it made sense!
I pulled up Xavier's intermediate tab and am having fun with the A section. I've been playing through trying to work on timing. I'm also trying to figure out what Casey Henry is doing in her video.
Mostly, I'm trying to listen to figure out those section that don't quite flow in my head. It's helping me focus on the fret board rather than a piece (though helpful) of paper. Time to step away and come back in a bit.
Kirk Jacobs - Posted - 12/31/2013: 14:26:16
quote:
Originally posted by piscesgrrl
I'm also trying to figure out what Casey Henry is doing in her video.
The very end of the video, her fingers are moving to fast even in the slow demo. Now if any one had the tab for just that part or could just tell me what she is doing I would be grateful.
BlueRanchRider - Posted - 12/31/2013: 14:59:26
quote:
Originally posted by Kirk Jacobs
quote:
Originally posted by piscesgrrl
I'm also trying to figure out what Casey Henry is doing in her video.
The very end of the video, her fingers are moving to fast even in the slow demo. Now if any one had the tab for just that part or could just tell me what she is doing I would be grateful.
I will try to work on this later this evening. If anyone beats me to it I won't be disappointed.
swamplunker - Posted - 01/02/2014: 22:08:27
That's a great little tune, Eric, I'd heard Dixie Breakdown, Charlotte Breakdown, Limehouse Blues and Dill Pickle Rag, but didn't know this one. Copied the tab off the computer to get started, listened to all the versions (especially the first one and the Trischka one) and practiced a bit on my own to get started. May try playing along with Casey, then the tracks in future, probably can't keep up with those others just yet.
hskrfn - Posted - 01/03/2014: 10:46:35
Eric
Thanks for taking the time to do this thread and also thanks for your work on this wonderful site. I lurk mostly on the building and repair forum but found this 3 days ago. I had trouble with the timing on first few measures of part a but listening to tracks and watching Murphy Henry helped. Will start on part b shortly. I really like the backing tracks as I've always been a closet picked. Played fair amt in my thirties and early forties and then stopped till about a year ago. Banjo Ben has free tab and video for greensleeves . Its a pretty tune and didn't look to hard if anyone interested.
Bill
schlange - Posted - 01/03/2014: 12:10:14
45 minutes of practice today. We're getting to the end of "vacation season" so I'll be able to buckle down it so it more regularly!
ill post next week's tune soon also. We're going to do "Lonesome Road Blues."
Anyone want to pick the tune for the week after that?
buzzart410 - Posted - 01/03/2014: 12:20:42
This tune grows on ya! The chord progression flows along nicely .
I've been at it a couple hours in the last three days . The videos help a lot .
illilian - Posted - 01/04/2014: 08:46:01
Hey there, i just found this thread. (i'm not that active on the forums) but this is something i'd love to do also.
-Chris
Tom Paglia - Posted - 01/05/2014: 10:56:10
I've been working on differentiating between the melody and passing tones to try and break a habit of regurgitating tab and improvise off the melody. Tom
hskrfn - Posted - 01/06/2014: 07:58:05
Practiced Sat and Sun some. Having trouble finding melody notes in 2nd part int tab. Will work on it today after work. Appears to be lots of resources for Lonesome road blues: Janet Davis's book, Earls book and you tube that I found with just a brief look.
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