Mooooo - Posted - 12/13/2018:  12:22:20

Uncle Clooney is another cool Munde tune in F....did you ever try playing in F using sawmill tuning? It's pretty easy, you keep your ring finger on the 1st string for the F and Bb chords and the C looks like an Em. Lots of cool pull-off, and Hammer-on opportunities with open strings when picking in F. Learned that here on the BHO.

FlyinEagle - Posted - 12/13/2018:  12:37:42

 

I have seen seriously thinking about taking a file to my frets and see if i can get the "boogers" out of them, so this is me, Asking if any of you have any expertise in this and is it something i can do, on my own, in my living room or out on the porch?



I have a couple of fairly sharp and looks to be cutting type files, and i have it in my mind that all i need to do is shave some off the tops, but i'm afraid i'm really over simplifying this and seriously underestimating what needs to happen, but desperate times, call for desperate measures, and i'm really getting to where i can't stand the thought of trying to play,when i know that i never know where intonation or buzz is going to show up, it like walking through a land mine field.



 

---

You might be able to fix it yourself, but what you need to do to fix it depends on an accurate diagnosis of the problem. 

Before you do anything I would create a post over on the builders/setup forum describing the problems you are having.   You will get good advice from the guys there, but they are not likely to see your questions in this thread.

Sheenjack - Posted - 12/13/2018:  13:00:23

Darcy Farrow in F by banjo Ben. youtube.com/watch?v=i6uZVKd1sTA  

Key of F sounds fantastic on the 5 string.

Aradobanjo - Posted - 12/13/2018:  14:20:03

Hello,

Just tune to open F. I have mine tuned down. Sounds pretty interesting.

Ks_5-picker - Posted - 12/14/2018:  16:01:33

For me most of the reason I like G tuning in the key of F is the cool sounding rolls up the neck with the g string played against all the chords in F. A totally different sound than just tuning the whole banjo down.

Mooooo - Posted - 12/17/2018:  09:21:45

I need my fix of Warpdrive. Gotta have me some Warp!!! Hope Kevin's doing well, and not stuck in the pokie or something.

warpdrive - Posted - 12/17/2018:  14:07:30

Monday Dec 17th, 4:01 pm, The Mt View Library

Sorry it's been a few days guys , but it's been raining like three cows peeing on a flat rock for the last few days, and i've been under the weather, so i took some time off.

But the temps soared into the 60's today and i got one in one the porch, but.........

I personally feel i missed the mark on this one.

The song is supposed to be "everybody's talking at me" from the Midnight Cowboy movie, but i feel i missed the melody line, and Moo couldn't not identify the song without me telling him the tittle, and then he couldn't make heads or tails of it, knowing the song, but he shamed me into letting him post it anyway.

So todays lesson is "posting songs you really missed the mark on, but not afraid or just don't give a damn what everybody else thinks anyway!"

Y'all have a gooderun
Warp!

Mooooo - Posted - 12/17/2018:  14:47:21

I love this tune, I can hear the intro but then it goes off into this wonderful melody that can't be recognized by people who think they're cows. I think Kevin should claim it as an original based on Everybody's Talkin'. Again, excellent picking. Enjoy

VIDEO: Kevin "Warpdrive" Hendrix picks an original cover of Everybody's Talkin'
(click to view)

 

jlsorbit - Posted - 12/17/2018:  15:21:44

I like it. Thanks!

warpdrive - Posted - 12/18/2018:  07:51:46

Tuesday, Dec 18th, 9:04am...McDonalds

Good Morning.

Well the sun is bright again this morning, and possibilities of the temps getting near 60 or better look pretty good, so i might get another porch session in, but dog gone if i know what to do, especially after yesterday's fiasco.

Normally on tuesday nights, i could look forward to the Tuesday Night Opry, but i'm not sure if there is another one this year or not, but most of the time, the bluegrass acts on tuesday's get to do longer sets(about 5 songs or so).

On Antiques Roadshow last night, somebody showed up with a nice B&D Banjo Uke, it was in great condition, and i nailed the value at 2500$(not that i would ever give that for it, even if i was a banjo uke player).
I wonder if those appraisers know that what they say something is worth, and what it will actually bring, is two completely different propositions ?

Well i guess we are officially at one week till the big day. If the weather holds out, i am supposed to go down the mountain to Jonesboro and have lunch with my mom, and i think the long range forecast looks good for that, no snow or ice in the foreseeable future.....Damn! LOL, but bernidine and andy are always up for a car ride, i am so thankful that they travel well with me.

Well guys, i'm running out of things to talk about and pick about. I basically am in a holding pattern till i hear from my attorney, letting me know when to come back up for hearing preparations , and i wish he would let me know soon, i would like to start pre packing and tossing out what i should have never come down here with to begin with.

One thing about me, i like to be very organized and i'am not a horder, i only aspire to have just the basic's , i mean really, what more does anybody need than that?

Yeah i know, it's always nice to have a nicely embellished banjo, but the eye candy does not make you sound better, and for me, there is no hope anyway, with my ears as bad as they have become, i don't think i can tell a lot of difference anymore between good and great, and with diminishing skills, it would be a waste of money.

I was thinking the other day, since this thread has been going so well, and we've not had any trolls or mods having to "ride herd" on us. I think it would be nice for you guys to post a vid now and then.
You know i didn't intend for this thread to be all about me, or become a daily blog, but i guess there is a section for the vids huh?
i'm just thinking i like to see more interaction and feel like i'm contributing rather than waiting to see if i did something that people enjoyed listening too, but in a non-judgmental way, i'd like to see how some of you guys are doing.

I often do lurk on the other threads and see the questions posed, but i also know there are bonified teachers on the hangout, and i don't agree that disputing some of there techniques can do anything but confuse, and for the most part, i think everybody is happy with where there at, so why muddy up the stream?
Again, i'm just making conversation, don't read too much into this and think i'm trying to be helpful, i've worked way to long at being "The Devils Advocate" to have anybody think i'm a nice guy! LOL!

Ok people, i'm officially winded, and need to warm my coffee up
Y'all have a gooderun
Warp!

Mooooo - Posted - 12/18/2018:  10:42:42

I'm a bit camera shy, but I will try to post something sooner or later, probably later. I am going through some intense training now that I would prefer to get farther along before I post. I am trying to increase my speed, clarity and accuracy. Along with the new picks I am using and also trying to incorporate Clawhammer breaks into BG tunes, it may take a while. It is hard picking Clawhammer up to the speed of Bluegrass for me and switch back and forth in the middle of a song. But I am trying. Don't hold your breath.

warpdrive - Posted - 12/18/2018:  10:50:04

That's great Moo,

Anybody with a cow monicker has to post, that's always been the rule!

Oh yeah, i sending a new one your way.....NOW!

warp!

Mooooo - Posted - 12/18/2018:  11:27:06

Here's Kevin picking Black Diamond and 12th Street Rag both in C. Lots of great licks, enjoy.

VIDEO: Kevin "Warpdrive" Hendrix picks Black Diamond and 12 Street Rag
(click to view)

 

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 12/18/2018:  13:19:18

I would post something but I won't for a couple reasons. first I am not sure about the technology. 2nd I am against cruelty to animals and that is both the 4 legged and 2 legged animals that are part of this. To subject them to my playing would be cruelty. Note, lest you think me humble, my wife says I am the bravest man she knows as I go forward on the banjo with no sense of tone or timing.

An old Aussie tennis coach once was asked as he was running his charges. Why don't you get into it? His classic Aussie reply was: no use havin' a dog and barking too mate.  Keep pickin for us Kevin. I love the concerts.

ken

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 12/18/2018:  13:24:44

Warp,Great pickin'. Love that tune Back Daimond. Stover was one of my favorites. Looks like the Arkansas sun is treating you well. 42 and sunny here in southern indiana. Take care and thanks,
ken

Tractor1 - Posted - 12/18/2018:  17:38:43

You are worse than James Kirk about getting into warp drive Kevin. That is clean and fueled with greased lightning.  I need help stompin my foot that fast.That is a happy place no doubt.I remember when Don Stover's  Black Diamond""showed up in my street days.  It kept goin down and down and down all kinds of pretty . I bet you play  ''Breakin it Down"

Kevin ,I would love to hear a kinda slow Swanee River as far off of the bridge as you can get .To see what that banjo has in that zone.

Did you get anything done to your frets ?  Do you have dips wore in the frets? anyway gotta go .

Edited by - Tractor1 on 12/18/2018 17:50:13

warpdrive - Posted - 12/19/2018:  07:28:58

Wednesday Dec 19th, 9:05 am....McDonalds

Good Morning...

I am so glad that the recently posted tunes went over well with you people. I must admit, the growing up, i knew little of Don Stover, but as i learned, his tunes and styles are most unusual and really catch your ear, and i am all about that, when it comes to banjo picking.

Tom, my frets are a disaster, i think they are really guitar frets and they are high up off the fret board, and extend all the way across into the binding, and i would bet "doughnuts to Dogcrap" that i am the only person on earth that can play my banjo in the state of disrepair its in"! There are dips all along up and down the entire fret board.
My friend Jim Yarboro use to say that i was the only banjo picker he ever knew that could stand to have a fret touch up, twice a year, he said he never seen anybody harder on frets than me, i guess he was right. And to top it all off, my 1st, 4th and 5th strings all will raise up and go under the edge of the frets and catch sometimes when i'm noting in a song, which creates an automatic mute and it causes me great distress and anger, and i'm afraid that if i don't find some way to get it repaired correctly one day, i will destroy it in a fit of anger, but, as i've always said, "nothing is forever"!

I was sitting last night trying to figure out what to do next for you guys, and i've got an idea, that i think will satisfy the most hard core traditionalist among you, and it's been done, in partiality by really famous pickers, but not by me, so i will see if i can get the pearl out of the oyster.

What ever i do today, It won't be outside, it looks to rain some today, and we need more rain like "General Custer needed more Indians" but i guess it just makes the nicer days i get on the porch a picking all the sweeter.

Ok guys, not a lot to report on, things are well with bernidine and andy, and most of my nights are filled with the tv on Mute and the Eddy Stubbs show tuned in, fading in and out, at least until something appears that i want to watch.

I will close for now, and hopefully will have a good vid for you later this afternoon
Y'all be sure to remember to thank moo when he's around and also, thank yourselves while your at it, this little venture really hasn't had any hiccups and everybody seems to be enjoying themselves, and how long has it been since we had this........Yeah, it's been awhile.

Y'all have a gooderun
Warp!

Tractor1 - Posted - 12/19/2018:  08:10:17

wish you were around close kevin,I would have you bring it over and get it better,plenty of frets would mean plenty to have left after I got done with the initial flat file.Though not a pro and not about to work on a high dollar instrument

I have been doing my personal fret work for a couple of decades now and I can get the dips gone ,get the buzzes gone and recrown them.I have built and fretted several necks also,when neccesary to keep rollin.

I flat file them first ,then I start in with a small file and short straight edge at the heel end checking 3 frets at a time for any ''itty bitty'' rocking motion caused by a high fret in the middle of the three. It gets filed down with a small file and magnifying goggles .I file across the neck on the high  fret checking results often. When the high is filed off I move towards the nut one fret at a time . I won't go into my cave man crowning expertise.

Since you are friends with phobic you could pretty easily unbolt it and send it to him and that would be a much safer fix. It does scare me a bit ,to think about the possibility of speeding you up.ha ha

Edited by - Tractor1 on 12/19/2018 08:11:57

FlyinEagle - Posted - 12/19/2018:  08:18:36

Warp, when you get a refret you might want to get stainless steel frets this time, they are a lot more durable. EVO fret wire is also are more durable than nickel but less than so than stainless.

You obviously should not have frets extended through the binding and catching the strings... this neck has been re-fretted before?

Since the strings are catching you might want to check to see if you have any high frets with a short straight edge, holding flat across 3 or 4 frets and look to see if it see-saws on any of them. If you do, you can try to gently re-seat with a plastic mallet, or a wood block and a small hammer. Might help if you are getting buzzes.

Mooooo - Posted - 12/19/2018:  09:04:39

There's no need to thank me, I am happy to help out. I love hearing the picking. I'll be keeping an eye out for a new video Kevin.

warpdrive - Posted - 12/19/2018:  11:30:40

Jeff and Tom,

i appreciate all your advise, and i suspect i've got more going on besides just high and dipped and pitted frets'm, i almost sure the neck is warped(why not, we all know the picker is), that being said.....

"I must make a reasonable defense of this next Video"
"My only Defense is......I should not have done it"

too late....I already did it, and yes, there are "mistakes o plenty" the fret buzz and intonation and my bad de-tuning and re-tuning just makes me cringe, and i am probably the only person on the hangout that would "humiliate himself" like this, and your next question is probably going to be "warp" why would you do this?"

The simple answer(and certainly not short) is, "i've have nothing to gain, or lose, by posting a video like this.
I'm never going to pick professionally out on the road again, and even the worst musician would not want to be seen out in public on stage with someone that would post such a bad rendition of Scruggs material.

Now i know everybody is going to think "you were trying to imitate Sonny weren't you?
I must admit, Sonny's video is the best version of Scruggs material that has ever been filmed, but instead of Sonny Osborne, what you guys got is "Somebody Awful"

I hath no shame!
Warp!

Tractor1 - Posted - 12/19/2018:  11:42:28

yep a fix of twisted was a temporary waste of time .

Mooooo - Posted - 12/19/2018:  11:44:15

If we all could play as "awe-full" as Warp, the world would be even more wonderful than it already is. This is Warp picking the entire Foggy Mountain Banjo LP complete with re-tuning and de-tuning in one fluid medley of pure picking perfection. Man, I would love to pick like this. Check it out:

Edited by - Mooooo on 12/19/2018 11:58:14

VIDEO: Kevin "Warpdrive" Hendrix picks The Foggy Mountain Banjo LP.
(click to view)

 

FlyinEagle - Posted - 12/20/2018:  05:54:10

This is some really good stuff, Warp! Very cool idea, and you pulled it off.

The segues where you changed tuning really did it for me.

jlsorbit - Posted - 12/20/2018:  06:44:21

Holy moly Warp, you covered everything and sounded damn good!  Now we're left with nothing else to request. 

parlour player - Posted - 12/21/2018:  03:04:32

I have a request Mr Hendrix .

Auld Lang Syne


Regards


Jan

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 12/21/2018:  06:17:18

Warp,
Playing the whole album like that and tuning on the fly- Wow! I have several questions for you: At 2:03 and 2:52 something made you smile. what was it - what did you notice? You played the whole album in order: did you have to look at the list or did you study this album this much? Had you played this medley like this before? When you play standards like this, do you always play them the same way (having played them so much) or do you do it different at times?
Got to tell you, I am enjoying your stay in Arkansas. Hope you are too.
ken

Tractor1 - Posted - 12/21/2018:  06:37:03

Auld Lang Syne is here at the 4.17 mark

FlyinEagle - Posted - 12/21/2018:  08:14:03

I agree with Ken.

I know you want out, but I’ve really enjoyed your stay in Arkansas!

warpdrive - Posted - 12/21/2018:  09:38:40

Friday, Dec,21st 10:58 am..McDonalds

Good morning,

I"ll start by saying to each and everyone on the hangout and in this thread, that has been following me the last few years even before i left Cincinnati, but especially these last 4 months in my Journey down here to Arkansas, i would have went "B.S. Crazy" if it not for all of you, i consider all of you my friends, and i know i can be a real pain sometimes, but this has been one of the best parts of my music career(if you can call it that) that i have had......Thank Y'all so very much. That being said.......

I will be returning to Cincinnati, on Friday Jan 11th(at least that is the plan!).

I will be dog and house sitting for my dear friends the Rosenthals, whist they vacation in the British Virgin Islands.
This is something that i have done for them for the past 9 years i guess, and since they vacation the same time each year, this year it happens just a month before my SSI hearing in mid February, These friends are closer to me that my own family, in fact, i married there Daughter in a Ceremony 2 years ago(yes, i'm a online Minister).

That being said also.......

"I PROMISE TO KEEP UP THE POSTING OF VIDS AND ADVENTURES"
Ok, let me answer some of your questions from the last vid post.

Jan, i think Tractor posted the mark where i play your request in my Christmas Medley, but if you have others, shout em out, and i will see what i can do, just remember, i'm not a trained professional, and really kind of stupid, just so ya know where the train is going when you board!

Ken,
If its the spot that i think your referring too....it was when i d-tuned down to open d the first time for "Lonesome Ruben". what made me smile was just "being in the pocket"not so much my tone and tuning, because of my banjo's disrepair, it is horrible by many and any standards, but i knew i was hitting the roll in the 7th, the way it is on the record and they way some of my legendary friends play it, and I was just "feeling it" and in the moment....it made me smile, even on my un-healthy banjo!

The answer to the second part of your question , How many times did I play it, 2 times, before the third time which i recorded. Starting out the medley in order like the album presented a problem in the fact that the first song...Ground Speed... is unorthodox in that it starts on bankrolls, which just aint natural(at least not to me) and then your jumping from one end of the neck to the other very quickly, and truthfully, i had not played many of the songs on that album for many years, i was strictly thinking in terms of entraining you guys.

I had the list written down in front of me to keep the order straight, and usually unless i'm in a "head cutting situation" out in a open jam, i usually try to play the Earl instrumentals fairly straight.

The hard part for me, on this endeavor is the fact that my banjo is so unpredictable, especially up the neck, and a good deal of earls songs on this album are up the neck, the aforementioned Gnd Spd, sally,ann, sally goodin bugle call, lonesome rd blues, i was in pain at some point just trying to get the poor notes that i got.

Obviously the d-tuning to open d, is not that difficult thanks to cheat-a-keys, but the dropping to low c for home sweet home proved a challenge right off the bat because of my hearing and loss of low frequency pitch and after practicing it a couple of times, my tinnitus was really blasting, but i must admit, i had fun with this one, and i am so glad you guys took in the sprit it was intended and not holding me to a "Chief's Standards" for me, his medley is still the tops!

Well, i don't know what to do next, but if i could get my banjo in shape, i'd like to try some of the old Radio show stuff of live recordings, which include the up the neck breaks on Little Girl of Mine in Tennessee , and "i have Found the Way" Doing my Time, and others. The probably would not sound like much with out vocals, but they are a blast to play, and yes ken, they make me smile too!

That's all for now guys,
Y'all have a gooderun,
Warp!

Mooooo - Posted - 12/27/2018:  19:23:59

It would sure be nice to hear a few progressive tunes of your choosing.

warpdrive - Posted - 12/28/2018:  09:35:24

Friday, Dec, 28th, 11:04 am...McDonalds

Good Morning,

I hope everybody had a nice Christmas, and are getting ready to celebrate a "Safe New Years EVE,,,whatever you do!

Me and the babies made the trek down the mountain christmas day to my moms in Jonesboro(our former headquarters) and had a nice visit with her.
Mom had seen fit to forgive the dogs for the shedding of there pet hair, and she no longer blamed me for her washing machine going out and her having to purchase a new one that she absolutely hates,
In case your wondering, when i was staying at Jonesboro, mom was in Mt View running the rv park(we don't do well under the same roof for long periods of time, since were both deaf) but none the less, it was as good a christmas day as i can remember spending with her.

Mom has never been a great cook. Our family owned an A&W franchise when i was a boy and i started working as a carhop at 12 and by the time i was 14, was quite the short order cook, so mom had no need to cook at home, we lived off fast food(any wonder i have cancer?).
We were one of the first families in our neighborhood to get a microwave oven, (they were called "radar ranges back then"). we used to say now mom could burn the food in half the time.
Mom was the first woman to use a smoke detector as a timer, but that being said, all in all, we had a good Christmas lunch, and i even took home some leftovers and was damn glad to get them. As bad as moms cooking is, its still better than dollar tree sandwich's .

Mike Moo.....i will have to think about your request to play something progressive, you see, i don't see myself as progressive, although, i like to listen to progressives, i only play "progressive licks, and insert them where needed or where an old foggie doesn't want them(nothing like a big chromatic run in the middle of Blue Ridge Cabin Home!) to get a old farts blood a stirring!
The truth of the matter is i've already tipped my hand to my limits, ya'll have seen everything i can do, and you can see my "superpower" is my lack of shame and inability to be embarrassed, but as i am writhing this, my micro sized brain with it's micro sized squirrel in it's cage, is already doing it's laps to find something that will appease the hangout gods!

The weather is nice and sunny, but cool. We had a couple of days of rain, that finally broke yesterday afternoon, but the temps are not supposed to top 50 for a few days, so any vids i make will be indoors!

I am counting down the days till i get my feet back on OHIO soil and i can't wait until i top the hill coming out of northern Kentucky and see the skyline of Cincy, i think i will stop the car and get out and kiss the ground, i can't remember a time in my life, unless i go all the way back to basic training at FT Sill and my first leave to go home for Christmas, since i missed something so much as i miss my friends in Cincy!

Of course, as i've said before, you guys here on the hangout have really helped me along with this internment and my plans are to continue with this tread as long as it's productive, again, many thanks!

Well guys, thats about all i got for now. I will try to post a vid soon, if not later today, maybe tomorrow, but my swamp for a brain it getting pretty shallow, and in spots are dry enough to drive across!

Y'all have a gooderun
Warp!

Mooooo - Posted - 12/28/2018:  22:07:09

That's cool if you don't play progressive songs, how about some classics with some progressive licks that I can steal from you. That would be great. Whatever you are comfortable with, or just play whatever you feel like, I'm easy.

Ks_5-picker - Posted - 12/28/2018:  22:38:47

Warp, I remember the first time I saw you it was with Hot Pursuit at Melvern lake in Kansas. Bass player Mark Johnson was telling the same cooking jokes on his wife. Did He steal them jokes from you or vice versa? ;)

warpdrive - Posted - 12/29/2018:  09:14:58

Rod,
Truthfully, i think i stole them from Mark, and over the years, we both have kind of stretched them some!
Warp!

Ks_5-picker - Posted - 12/29/2018:  19:37:57

I remember that he said his wife was such a bad cook,the flies took up a collection to fix the screen door! That was oNE of the first festivals I went to after I started pickin around '88 or '89.

warpdrive - Posted - 12/31/2018:  13:54:02

Rod,
in my moms case, all of it is absolutely true, i'm being serious, since we owned a fast food restaurant, she didn't think she need to try at home cooking.

"all of my moms meals were a "religious experience" she gave a burnt offering!"

Warp!

Mooooo - Posted - 12/31/2018:  14:07:56

Here's a great medley of Earl Scruggs material by Kevin. He really kicks it into Warpdrive near the end. Enjoy.

VIDEO: Kevin "Warpdrive" Hendrix picks an amazing Earl Scruggs Medley
(click to view)

 

warpdrive - Posted - 12/31/2018:  14:15:06

Monday, Dec 31st, 3:57 PM, McDonalds

Good Afternoon,
Happy New Years Eve,
Everybody Please Be And Stay Safe!

Sorry its been a while gang, but ole warp has had one "Hellaious" Time with his teeth.
Due to the severe head and neck radiation i went through in my first bout with Lymphoma, besides killing my thyroid, the side effects are taking there toll on my teeth, and they are just turning into shells, and breaking off due to lack of saliva in my mouth and i now must use a sensitivity tooth paste and even at times like this past week, i fight bad tooth pain and tender gums, and i have "great"dental hygiene , brush 2-3 times a day and floss, not gum troubles, but i fear one day all my teeth will just break off and i will look like i have "meth mouth"! Anyway, enough of that!

I just sent mike moo a new video, and it probably will be the last one till i get back to Cincinnati at the end of next week, i just have too many things to do here and pack up and consolidate my belongings and i must start it soon.

I decided to end with another Scruggs medley, since trying to duplicate the FMBanjo album went over so well.
What i did was play some kick offs and breaks to some of the more popular Scruggs tunes that are encountered at jams and such.
I did the Following.....
Blue Ridge Cabin Home
Your Love Is Like A Flower
I'll Never Shed Another Tear
Nine Pound Hammer (with up the neck Break)
Head Over Heels In Love With You (with up the neck break)
Little Girl Of Mine In Tennessee (with up the neck break)

Of course, the tone is terrible and the up the neck breaks mute out due to my bad frets, but as i've said before " i hath no shame"!

My intentions are when i get back to Cincinnati, i will ferret out somebody , somewhere to doctor my sick banjo, and maybe, "sick me"! although i have little hope for me, my disrepair status of my banjo is a poor representation indeed of what this RK 35 is capable of, but y'all been listening to me preach that for some years now!

Ok, not a lot going on around here, this is a dry county, so i see no reason to try and find something to do, besides, i've got Bernidine and Andy, and no party is more important to me than they are.

Happy New Year to all
Y'all have a gooderun
Warp!

Ciao - Posted - 12/31/2018:  14:19:41

Happy New Year to you too Kevin. Thanks for all your great vids, and may 2019 be 10,000 times better than 2018 was for you.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 12/31/2018:  14:24:51

Warp,

Thanks for the great concert tonight. That stuff to me is as good as it gets! Love it! I got a big new years eve planned with church service at 7. This is a heck of a lot better and healthier way to bring the year in than I used to do in my 20's and 30's.

I hope you have a good new year also.

ken

warpdrive - Posted - 12/31/2018:  14:31:55

Thanks for the Happy Wish's guys,
I'm going to head on back to the house now, and i will check in with ya'll tomorrow when i come in for coffee.
Warp!

Mooooo - Posted - 12/31/2018:  14:38:14

Happy New Year Kevin and all you Kev-Heads. Have a great night and a better year

parlour player - Posted - 01/02/2019:  05:29:24

Thank you Kevin for all your great playing .

All the best for 2019


Jan

FlyinEagle - Posted - 01/02/2019:  08:19:51

Happy New Year to you, Mr. Warp.

I hope my picking is as limited as yours someday!

Mooooo - Posted - 01/04/2019:  09:26:19

I've been listening to the latest Scruggs Medley for the past few days and realize that it sounds better this year than it did last year. I love the power of Warp's picking.

Texican65 - Posted - 01/04/2019:  09:42:50

I know! Listen to that banjo....it's a "powerhouse" in your hands Kev! One of the best i've heard in a long time....

warpdrive - Posted - 01/04/2019:  10:35:54

Friday, Dec, 4th 12:35 pm...McDonalds

You guys are making me blush!

But i thank you for thinking i play with power, it's not something i work on, and i believe that it is something you feel and a relationship between your brain, ears and hands.

I was an unusually strong boy, and way above average in strength as a younger man, and i don't think that years of doing heavy manual labor and playing sports when i wasn't picking, like bowling and softball and weightlifting hurt my hand strength.

I don't go out of my way, or work on picking with power and speed, but i do try to work on cleanliness and good tone.

I remember uncle Josh talking about Earl, and how strong his hands were, and earl was not a physically big man, not by any measure, but yet,

( "He is the man by which all banjo is measured because of his power, tone, and speed"!)

It was asked of me, not long ago in a PM, who do i listen too, and who gets my attention when i think of good examples of "Proper Scruggs". the following are just my personal likes.....Besides the legends, Sonny and JD...

Kenny Ingram, Charlie Cushman, Ron Stewart, Tom Adams, Jim Mills and if you can get him out of JD mode....Robby Boone!

I didn't go into and list who i listen too, that "can play Scruggs" but don't just because they just like staying outside the box, but there are a bunch of them and i only listen to what i can pull up on line or hear on radio, in fact, the last CD i bought was years ago , right here in Mt View, and it was all three of Jim Mills CDs at the same time.
I have most of Charlie's stuff, but he gave those too me(his solo projects no Earls of Leister stuff).

Guys, don't get too caught up in trying to pick with power, i believe if you pick solid and clean first....then the power and speed will follow, but what your looking for, at least what i've always looked for is......."smiles on listeners faces" when i play, if i can do that, and entertain them, and have them ask for more.....What else is there?

Everything that i've done with a banjo, these last going on 47 yrs...WOW! everything i've done, and 50cents, won't buy me a cup of coffee here at McDonalds.
But......
Since my first days of working the road with some of my dad's acquaintance's when i was 16, i've literally shook hands with a million people, and got to get up close and personal with legends and overhear, and learn things that you can't put a dollar amount on.
So even though i could use the money, i try not too measure my experience's in dollar amounts anymore, because i figured out, just in the last couple of years that for some people.....they only talent they have, is the ability to make tons of money, and not a lick of ability to play an instrument, especially a banjo, and even though they can buy and sell me....all day and they could hire me, if they wanted too, with all the money they got, they still can't play the banjo!
Aint life funny that way!

Y'all have a gooderun
Warp!

mike gregory - Posted - 01/04/2019:  10:56:28

Oh, pshaw!

Not just pshaw, but HORSE pshaw!

I'll bet you a LARGE coffee, that IF you sat outside of McDonald's with a sign that said

"Will PICK for a SMALL Coffee",

and played like you do, somebody would get you a small coffee.