Mooooo - Posted - 02/02/2019:  21:31:18

I'm working on Nola from Bill Keith's Banjoistics LP....if I were the kind of guy to make New Year's resolutions in February, this would be it.

Doc Ivory - Posted - 02/03/2019:  03:29:41

Big Sciota and not doing very well with the online tutorials.
Prolly need a decent tab.

Willin - Posted - 02/03/2019:  05:21:12

You Are My Sunshine. I use video instruction and VLC to loop small sections at a time to memorize the measures. Learn one measure, then moving to the next. On the backup work, I’m learning backup for Lonesome Road Blues. I’m working on transitioning from vamping chords to rolls and easier to more difficult two and three measure licks and back to vamping at ever increasing tempo’s. I’m also a firm believer in Geoff Howald’s 7 note roll style of metronome learning. I take more difficult measures (for me anyway) and work them up from slow to fast in increments with my Boss DB90. I believe the roll and individual measure drills using his metronome methodology have served me well in learning to play. I’m a firm believer in “rote and repetition”. Coming out of a five-week dry spell and getting back to an hour to two a day again.

I also pay a few bucks a month for Strum Machine. No bass but great and very easy to use rhythm guitar to work with. It’s training my ear to listen for chord changes. It also helps with the occasional (hopefully increasing) jam sessions I may attend, as usually there is only a rhythm guitar at the slow jam.

I have also started to record myself with a Tascam DP03SD multitrack recorder. Again, Geoff’s suggestion. At first, I found it a PITA to learn and stop and rewind with picks on and generally just learning to use it. It’s getting easier. It really does provide instant timing feedback. I can also build an audio library of my efforts and record my progress.

badcat23661 - Posted - 02/03/2019:  08:05:45

Valley Forge - I play mostly by ear would love to find tab for the song for reference

Mooooo - Posted - 02/03/2019:  12:12:37

quote:

---

Originally posted by Willin

You Are My Sunshine. I use video instruction and VLC to loop small sections at a time to memorize the measures. Learn one measure, then moving to the next. On the backup work, I’m learning backup for Lonesome Road Blues. I’m working on transitioning from vamping chords to rolls and easier to more difficult two and three measure licks and back to vamping at ever increasing tempo’s. I’m also a firm believer in Geoff Howald’s 7 note roll style of metronome learning. I take more difficult measures (for me anyway) and work them up from slow to fast in increments with my Boss DB90. I believe the roll and individual measure drills using his metronome methodology have served me well in learning to play. I’m a firm believer in “rote and repetition”. Coming out of a five-week dry spell and getting back to an hour to two a day again.



I also pay a few bucks a month for Strum Machine. No bass but great and very easy to use rhythm guitar to work with. It’s training my ear to listen for chord changes. It also helps with the occasional (hopefully increasing) jam sessions I may attend, as usually there is only a rhythm guitar at the slow jam.



I have also started to record myself with a Tascam DP03SD multitrack recorder. Again, Geoff’s suggestion. At first, I found it a PITA to learn and stop and rewind with picks on and generally just learning to use it. It’s getting easier. It really does provide instant timing feedback. I can also build an audio library of my efforts and record my progress.

---

Thanks for telling us your method. I am sure lots of people can get some great ideas here.

JenniLynn - Posted - 02/05/2019:  19:26:03

I am learning Blackberry Blossom. First, I use TABS, but I memorize the tune as soon as possible. And then I practice, practice, practice to work out the kinks and come up to speed. I also play along with videos and background jam tracks. When I can play along with the jam tracks at a decent speed, I consider the song "learned." But I keep working on it after that, of course.

Moose_Roberts - Posted - 02/06/2019:  06:25:39

I'm working on Clinch Mountain Backstep. I'm pretty new to the banjo, I have a couple of months under my belt, and a few tunes that I have "learned" that I continue to clean up and expand.

So far I have learned everything through a combination of online tutorials (lick by lick type stuff) combined with tab just to help work out the parts I don't pick up right away.

I have a background in concert/ marching percussion, I almost went into the Marine Corps Band but being an engineer and blowing stuff up sounded like way more fun (and it was). From that I "drill" a lot to learn things if I struggle with it at all, sometimes even if I don't. I break everything into small sections, almost remove the musicality from it at first, and scaffold up from just a raw pattern to a cleanly played segment, then I work on the next section, then bridge those sections. I find that the further I go and the more complex the songs get the more I revert to this method.

groundhogcow - Posted - 02/06/2019:  09:15:36

I have changed the timing on Sweat Hour of Prayer and working to banjo it up a bit.

I have a nice version that is fairly boring banjo wise and I want to see what I can do to it before I take a look at what someone else has done.

Mooooo - Posted - 02/09/2019:  12:43:06

quote:

---

Originally posted by BanjoBani

I am learning Blackberry Blossom. First, I use TABS, but I memorize the tune as soon as possible. And then I practice, practice, practice to work out the kinks and come up to speed. I also play along with videos and background jam tracks. When I can play along with the jam tracks at a decent speed, I consider the song "learned." But I keep working on it after that, of course.

---

Great way to retain tunes and get off the tab.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Moose_Roberts

I'm working on Clinch Mountain Backstep. I'm pretty new to the banjo, I have a couple of months under my belt, and a few tunes that I have "learned" that I continue to clean up and expand.



So far I have learned everything through a combination of online tutorials (lick by lick type stuff) combined with tab just to help work out the parts I don't pick up right away.



I have a background in concert/ marching percussion, I almost went into the Marine Corps Band but being an engineer and blowing stuff up sounded like way more fun (and it was). From that I "drill" a lot to learn things if I struggle with it at all, sometimes even if I don't. I break everything into small sections, almost remove the musicality from it at first, and scaffold up from just a raw pattern to a cleanly played segment, then I work on the next section, then bridge those sections. I find that the further I go and the more complex the songs get the more I revert to this method.

---

Thanks Moose, great way to learn. You should also consider a lesson or two with a dedicated banjo instructor. One can help out a lot especially when you are fairly new. Just something for you to consider.

Moose_Roberts - Posted - 02/09/2019:  20:22:51

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mooooo

quote:

---

Originally posted by BanjoBani

I am learning Blackberry Blossom. First, I use TABS, but I memorize the tune as soon as possible. And then I practice, practice, practice to work out the kinks and come up to speed. I also play along with videos and background jam tracks. When I can play along with the jam tracks at a decent speed, I consider the song "learned." But I keep working on it after that, of course.

---

Great way to retain tunes and get off the tab.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Moose_Roberts

I'm working on Clinch Mountain Backstep. I'm pretty new to the banjo, I have a couple of months under my belt, and a few tunes that I have "learned" that I continue to clean up and expand.



So far I have learned everything through a combination of online tutorials (lick by lick type stuff) combined with tab just to help work out the parts I don't pick up right away.



I have a background in concert/ marching percussion, I almost went into the Marine Corps Band but being an engineer and blowing stuff up sounded like way more fun (and it was). From that I "drill" a lot to learn things if I struggle with it at all, sometimes even if I don't. I break everything into small sections, almost remove the musicality from it at first, and scaffold up from just a raw pattern to a cleanly played segment, then I work on the next section, then bridge those sections. I find that the further I go and the more complex the songs get the more I revert to this method.

---

Thanks Moose, great way to learn. You should also consider a lesson or two with a dedicated banjo instructor. One can help out a lot especially when you are fairly new. Just something for you to consider.

---

I guess I left that part out. I found an instructor locally and do a sit down on occasion, he is a fantastic resource, even for just talking through roadblocks. The only downside was him letting me play his banjos, and now I want more banjos... To anyone looking, the instrctor listings on here are a great resource.  

Mooooo - Posted - 03/15/2019:  08:28:36

Having a little fun last night, I worked up Rockwood Deer Chase in G instead of the usual D. By ear, just working off the Don Stover/Jim Mills inspired version that I have been playing for a while now. Surprisingly easy to play in G....because you never know who's gonna want to sing it in G.

Edited by - Mooooo on 03/15/2019 08:32:37

telereactor - Posted - 03/15/2019:  08:45:26

Relearning “How Great Thou Art” by Jim Mills. Using the very useful “A Winnging Style” DVD.

john622 - Posted - 03/16/2019:  06:35:02

Trying to learn Vincent Black Lightning by Del McCoury, I have a DVD from Casey Henry but I get frustrated on Robs kickoff then I put it down darn it I love that song and I will learn it eventually and be able to sing it also
Thank you

Richard Hauser - Posted - 03/17/2019:  15:31:58

Working on -



1. Melodic version of "Red Wing".

2. Melodic version of "Lonesome Fiddle Blues".



If I can't already play a tune on the fiddle, I start working on the tune on the fiddle.

On the fiddle I use standard notation. On the banjo I start working tunes out by "ear", but do refer to a tab when I have a problem.

For me it can sometime be hard to get fiddle tunes to sound right when played melodically. Melodic banjo versions sometime sound "anemic" compared to fiddle and guitar versions. If I had someone to play with, I would probably play more fiddle and guitar than I currently do.

I have said this before, but playing melodic tunes really give both hands a workout.  I have to concentrate harder as well.  I have no doubt playing a bunch of melodic tunes every day will improve the way I play "Scruggs" style.  IMHO melodic style is more unforgiving then "Scruggs" style.  The mistakes are easily heard.

Edited by - Richard Hauser on 03/17/2019 15:36:48

Doug Knecht - Posted - 03/17/2019:  19:55:59

I'm learning Mary Had a Little Lamb and learning the Scruggs style version that Sonny Osborne played on the Opry.

Mooooo - Posted - 03/18/2019:  14:05:28

quote:

---

Originally posted by banjo1971

I'm learning Mary Had a Little Lamb and learning the Scruggs style version that Sonny Osborne played on the Opry.

---

When I read your comment, I had a sense of Deja vu.

chuckv97 - Posted - 03/18/2019:  14:29:58

Scruggs style is difficult because one has to get all those pulloffs snappy and crisp, plus the slurring slides, and the nine pound hammer-ons have to be precise. Melodics don’t have many of those techniques, but each note has to be clear with the right emphasis.

I’m presently working on “Mexicali Rose” and “Heartaches” out of the Munde/Mead-Sullivan “ Great American Banjo Songbook”, to be entered in the playlist that “wesmont” has set up. I invite & challenge all yooz other BHO’ers to record one or two and join in the fun. (the thread is under “Other Banjo Related Topics”)

Stay happy & well fed. Thnx for listening.

Edited by - chuckv97 on 03/18/2019 14:31:00

Chris270 - Posted - 03/28/2019:  03:52:08

Currently working on/trying to figure out Kristin Scott Benson's arrangement of Old Dangerfield as played with the Grascals on YouTube.

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 04/01/2019:  10:27:26

I don't usually learn from TAB but I have this Bill Keith book and decided to have a go at Night in Tunisia as a starting point, then I layer in influences from other sources, jazz sax and trumpet players. Will post it when I'm done. You're gonna hate it.

chuckv97 - Posted - 04/01/2019:  11:19:54

It’ll be music to my ears, Laurence

FredrikP - Posted - 04/01/2019:  12:05:37

Down on the Corner! I didn’t find a tab or a video of anyone teaching it, but I figured I knew enough to do this myself and I spent a few hours this weekend working out. I’m learning a lot from this, especially how to rework licks I already know to get the right rhythm for the melody I’m trying to play. For instance, just at the beginning of the chorus I want a C-note, and I play it with a Scruggs hammer-on on the second string - really nice sound I picked up from Pankey’s “Doug’s Tune” tutorial. Normally that roll ends with a 5 (2 1 2 1 5 2 1 5) but I need my thumb to run the 2-4 slide in the next bar so I needed to learn to end it with a “2 1 2”, ending on the index finger.

So I’m learning a lot. And: I’m sure there are better ways to play this song, but this one is mine! There’s also a tremendously nice feeling in going from 80bpm where I’m trying to remember how I decided to play it to 230 bpm and rolling through my very own arrangement.

If anyone is curious what it sounds like: twitter.com/fredrikpaulsson/st...4023?s=21

FredrikP - Posted - 04/01/2019:  12:38:13

... Aaaaand apparently I meant 120bpm! I use a metronome with 4/4 time but have now learned that the terminology tends to be to use 2/4 time. The more you know!

john622 - Posted - 04/18/2019:  07:36:56

Hi Folks,
I am trying to learn Vincent Black Lighting by Rob McCoury band ,I have a Casey ahenry instructional DVD on it, and if I ever learn it like Rob I will be a hero LOL

wi_gardener - Posted - 04/23/2019:  07:40:00

Now that this Old World is Ending. It's basically the theme to Far Cry 5. It's melodic style, so I've been able to listen to 20 second bites, then fervently jot down the tabs. It's not perfect, but I've never learned a song faster.

pickn5 - Posted - 04/23/2019:  07:57:40

I'm learning Wildwood Flower using William Nesbitt's YT video and tab. I'm also learning to play it on the harmonica using tab and sound file from the Harmonica Primer.

Mooooo - Posted - 05/05/2019:  21:21:37

Last weekend I got The Great American Banjo Songbook from Alan Munde and Beth Mead-Sullivan. I am loving these tunes. Some of these arrangements are out of this world. There's about 30 songs I'm interested in learning from this book...the other 40, I'm not familiar with, but I'll start listening to as many as possible. Anyone else working form this book? I know there are a few topics, but not sure anyone mentioned it in this thread.

chuckv97 - Posted - 05/05/2019:  21:39:17

I’m familiar with 46 of those songs in that book, Mike. I played a few on guitar years ago, and I remember hearing people like Steve Goodman, Leon Redbone, and Willie Nelson doing some on their LP’s in the ‘70’s.

I’m still polishing up Heartaches - it’s getting closer every day, and I’ve been tackling “I’ll See You in My Dreams” at a slow pace. That’s one I’ve heard for years done by Merle Travis and later on his fingerpicking guitar disciples.

There are lots of great old swing and big band hit tunes from the early 1900’s through to the early 1950’s.

Edited by - chuckv97 on 05/05/2019 21:40:17

Mooooo - Posted - 05/05/2019:  22:08:33

chuckv97 Yeah Chuck, some of those tunes I am familiar with through banjo versions, like Vic Jordan's Somewhere Over the Rainbow, or Don Reno's The World Is Waiting for a Sunrise, but most of them I have heard in the movies...usually movies with old movie clips in them. Cheek to Cheek I heard the first time in The Green Mile. It's kind of fun learning them from tab without an audio reference for the Banjo part. Alan Munde has done a great job of arranging them. The melody in the tab is really close to the vocals of the referenced sources.

chuckv97 - Posted - 05/05/2019:  22:13:38

Yeah, and I like the way he placed the words of the lyrics right above the tab notes so you can just play those notes individually when you’re not sure of the melody.  For instance in this measure there are only two words,, but 8 notes , so you can see which of those 8 notes are song melody. 

Edited by - chuckv97 on 05/05/2019 22:17:57

Mooooo - Posted - 05/05/2019:  22:33:14

Yepp, it's a great songbook, a great way to learn tunes and can help you learn how to make your own arrangements too when you see how it's done. Scruggs style arrangements can be difficult at first.

Edited by - Mooooo on 05/05/2019 22:34:22

chuckv97 - Posted - 05/05/2019:  22:38:13

It’s improved my single string work, index playing the 4th string, and Munde’s favorite - the 4-note forward roll, where you have to cross your thumb over your index.

Cornflake - Posted - 05/06/2019:  09:20:22

These days I gravitate toward fiddle tunes and Irish tunes. Currently working on Staten Island Hornpipe--a great tune. I learn by looking up fiddle or mandolin players doing the tunes on Youtube and working out the notes by ear. I often use the Youtube slowdown feature .

Old Hickory - Posted - 05/06/2019:  18:05:14

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mooooo

Anyone else working form this book? I know there are a few topics, but not sure anyone mentioned it in this thread.

---

I'm trying All the Things You Are, Fly Me to The Moon, I could Have Danced All Night (drop C) and I forget what else. Not spending the amount of focused time that these take.

In my own attempts at pop standards and show tunes, my original arrangement of Almost Like Being Love is coming along nicely. And a few weeks ago, I discovered while noodling that Somewhere (from West Side Story) lays out really well in D. In case you want to work it out, the first two chords are A and A7.  I hope to get both of these recorded and posted this year.

steve davis - Posted - 05/07/2019:  06:31:43

When I learn a new fiddle tune I get it as right as I can and then go find a good fiddler(we have a bunch of them) and ask them if I have it,yet.

steve davis - Posted - 05/07/2019:  09:12:02

Many times when playing for Vaughn Meader's piano bar I had to play stuff I'd never heard before.
No time to learn it and a great challenge to play something viable.

yeoldbanjoguy - Posted - 05/07/2019:  10:24:02

.

 

Mooooo - Posted - 05/07/2019:  10:59:25

I am working on "Dream a Little Dream of Me" from the Great American Banjo Book by Alan Munde and Beth Mead.

chuckv97 - Posted - 05/07/2019:  11:07:49

Along with 3 in the Munde/Mead-Sullivan book, I’m draggin’ along Beaumont Rag (C pos.) ,Are You Teasing Me (G pos.) , and Just Because (C pos.). I do lots out of C position - now if only I can discipline myself to loin some tunes outta D pos.

Edited by - chuckv97 on 05/07/2019 11:08:16

Mooooo - Posted - 05/07/2019:  11:39:40

quote:

---

Originally posted by chuckv97

Along with 3 in the Munde/Mead-Sullivan book, I’m draggin’ along Beaumont Rag (C pos.) ,Are You Teasing Me (G pos.) , and Just Because (C pos.). I do lots out of C position - now if only I can discipline myself to loin some tunes outta D pos.

---

I'm also working on getting The Glowworm, Cheek to Cheek, and Back in the Saddle up to speed. I have them memorized and even adding my own licks, but my speed needs some improvement. I am working with my metronome to up the speed, concentrating on the more difficult passages....btw, I still haven't gotten the song I started this thread out down all the way...but it's a hard one - Noam Pikelny's Redbud. Every once in a while I revisit it.

chuckv97 - Posted - 05/07/2019:  11:46:49

Some of my faves that I hope to learn from the GABS are Pennies From Heaven, Moonglow, Honeysuckle Rose, Limehouse Blues, It’s a Sin To Tell a Lie, It Had to Be You, The Glory of Love, Elmer’s Tune, Blue Skies, Always , and Ain’t She Sweet

steve davis - Posted - 05/07/2019:  12:26:06

When you can quickly get the chord progression you can do a lot with unfamiliar material.

steve davis - Posted - 05/08/2019:  11:46:18

Concerning learning,last night at Tuesday Jam at the Thomaston Congregational Church someone asked for Alabama Jubilee which I played a lot with Vaughn,but not since 1992.
I started to say I didn't know if I could remember it good enough,but they asked what key and I said he sung mostly in C so let's try it there.
A bunch of folks knew the words and it just fell off the neck as if I'd played it yesterday.
We have a real good guitar player that remembers playing with Dad and he was all over Alabama Jubilee.

The Dminor sounds good in there.

arnie fleischer - Posted - 05/08/2019:  13:20:43

It's been fifteen months since my initial post in this thread. I'm now working on a couple of fiddle tunes, "Forked Deer" and "Over the Waterfall," and revisiting "Careless Love." Oh, and Alan Munde's "Deputy Dalton," and vocal back-up (to myself, since I sing this one) and break to "There's No Curb Service Any More."

Neil Allen - Posted - 05/12/2019:  06:34:13

Working on perfecting Don Borchelt's version of "Wounded Hoosier". The tab is available on Don's site.

This one is in Open D Tuning: aDF#AD, sometimes called Graveyard Tuning.

I tried to work up a version in Open G to avoid having to retune, but the combination of low drones and the ability to jump up the octave for high breaks just doesn't work in Open G.

I think this is a wonderful arrangement of a haunting tune.

Banjojono - Posted - 05/13/2019:  14:09:02

Currently working on the Jim Mills version of 'Old hen' or 'Cluck old hen' as it's sometimes called.
Slowed the tune down and learning it in chunks. Now working on the little end licks.

maryzcox - Posted - 05/17/2019:  18:08:13

Have started "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" (Neil Young song) singing it & playing it on my baritone banjo. It has three distinct parts--so trying to keep it very simple behind my voice--light bare finger picking at first--then diamond brushes and light clawhammer on the chorus.  :)

Only love can break your heart

Try to be sure right from the start

best wishes,

maryzcox.com

 

jlsorbit - Posted - 05/18/2019:  01:51:29

I was always a fan of Neil Young. Would like to hear that.

Picker Tony - Posted - 05/18/2019:  15:34:35

Arkansas Traveler(Key of D) with Banjo Ben's tabs, videos, and backup tracks. What a wonderful resource!

chuckv97 - Posted - 05/25/2019:  09:27:03

I’ve become entranced (is that a word?) with Steve Rosen’s “Nail That Catfish to the Tree” . There’s a neat twist of phrase that I like in the 3rd and 4th measures - not squared but syncopated. Heck, I even bought his t shirt.. (see below). So I’ve been working it up lately too, along with the 6 or 7 others I’m dragging along.   Check out his website - he’s a character...lol   nailthatcatfish.tripod.com/

Edited by - chuckv97 on 05/25/2019 09:30:39