Oldguy76 - Posted - 05/23/2023:  17:03:41

As a beginner banjo player (bluegrass style), I'm curious as to what kind of warmups others do before actually starting to practice a piece. Perhaps some rolls, or combination of rolls? Specific licks? Maybe even scales? I'm open to any suggestions.

steve davis - Posted - 05/23/2023:  17:21:48

I just play and things warm up.
If I haven't played in a few days it takes a little longer.

Alex Z - Posted - 05/23/2023:  17:57:26

Moving hand and fingers is an athletic activity.  You can go right into your tunes without any special warm ups, but go slowly at first, to let the blood get flowing.

I use the initial time on working on a new tune or improving one I already know, as I'm playing that slowly anyway.  Gets the benefits of warm up and learning at the same time.  Don't feel like you're forcing anything at the beginning of a practice session.

Edited by - Alex Z on 05/23/2023 17:59:12

Keith Billik - Posted - 05/23/2023:  17:59:34

quote:

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Originally posted by Oldguy76

As a beginner banjo player (bluegrass style), I'm curious as to what kind of warmups others do before actually starting to practice a piece. Perhaps some rolls, or combination of rolls? Specific licks? Maybe even scales? I'm open to any suggestions.

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Hey there! I have published 2 podcast episodes (one episode each for right hand and left hand exercises) that are great for warming up, and improving speed, strength, and dexterity. They both include tab sheets for the demonstrations. Here are the links:

Right Hand Boot Camp: banjopodcast.com/5-right-hand-boot-camp/

Left Hand Boot Camp: banjopodcast.com/24-left-hand-boot-camp/

Hope it helps!

Keith

stanleytone - Posted - 05/24/2023:  03:48:19

Practice vamping chord shapes early on. Many beginners put that on the back burner as opposed to practicing only roll patterns. As a bonus you can also do the roll patterns with those chord shapes anywhere on the neck

dfstd - Posted - 05/24/2023:  04:42:25

Some instruments require more warmup than others. Brass wind instruments, for example, require warmup. Singing can benefit from warmup. Stringed instruments shouldn't require much warmup. What players call "warmup" is really just getting settled in so everything is working smoothly.

There are advantages to training yourself to settle in quickly and play smoothly from the get-go. Ideally, you won't need a long ritual to be ready to play. Just tune up and go. With this approach, the first few things you play in your practice session aren't warmup, they're just skills you're reviewing for smoothness and accuracy.

Every now and then you might want to start by playing a piece you're working on. That's a great reality check, especially if you're practicing it so you can play it in front of others. You may not get a chance to do a warmup ritual, so you'll want to be able to play it from a cold start.

BobbyE - Posted - 05/24/2023:  05:31:49

Roll patterns against a metronome set at different speeds, from relatively slow to fast.

Bobby

KCJones - Posted - 05/24/2023:  06:34:21

Three words:

Metronome, Metronome, Metronome.

steve davis - Posted - 05/24/2023:  06:52:33

Two words.
Just play.

thisoldman - Posted - 05/24/2023:  08:05:45

When I switched from 2ftl to Scruggs style, I usually starting my practice with rolls/picking patterns, mostly to build in that muscle memory, with lots of variations...like the may different ways you can pick a forward-backward roll. A metronome is a good idea, like Bobby suggested, if you need to work on consistent timing. Then I moved on to tunes I had already learned, then onto a tune I was working on (first from tab, then gradually towards playing from memory). I like Gary's suggesting on working on vamping chords (in all positions) early on...it's something I neglected to do until some months in.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 05/24/2023:  08:24:43

How you warm up usually depends on where you are in your picking journey. What works for me wouldn't be at all good for a beginner and what beginners need to learn would be old hat to me.

So.... where are you on your learning journey? Are you a rank beginner, just learning how to pick or have you gone to regular beginner who can play a few songs slow but without too many mistakes? Are you familiar with your rolls where you can play them without having to think about it or do you still have to think: TIM TIM TI to play a forward roll?

Give us a little more information about where you are in your learning and we can give you more help on warmup exercises.

Pick-A-Lick - Posted - 05/24/2023:  08:29:36

quote:

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Originally posted by Oldguy76

As a beginner banjo player (bluegrass style), I'm curious as to what kind of warmups others do before actually starting to practice a piece. Perhaps some rolls, or combination of rolls? Specific licks? Maybe even scales? I'm open to any suggestions.

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I feel it's important to warm up by playing music you know. As a beginner this can be roll patterns and variations on those roll patterns, slides, hammers, pull/push offs, etc. You may know the roll patterns but are are continuing to work on timing and speed etc. Also include some one and two bar licks you know or are working on and do a bunch of repetition on those. Maybe practice switching between chords you already know and smooth out your transition.

After you've played for a while, include songs that you know or are learning and maybe still honing in moves or the timing. Have some fun with your warm ups and always play something you enjoy. Then work on your new material.

For my warmup exercises I continually work my repertoire, or play list of songs and music that I can play well, so when some one says "You know to play that thing?" Or "Play me a song" I can blow them out of the water.

Have Fun!

Edited by - Pick-A-Lick on 05/24/2023 08:38:31

klgera - Posted - 05/24/2023:  08:45:39

At my advanced age, I just play, no wasted time “warming up” .
Seriously, in the past, it took me a good half hour of playing before I really felt ready to play, so go thru whatever you want to at a reasonable pace, that should warm you up.

Oldguy76 - Posted - 05/24/2023:  10:48:30

quote:

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Originally posted by Keith Billik

quote:

---

Originally posted by Oldguy76

As a beginner banjo player (bluegrass style), I'm curious as to what kind of warmups others do before actually starting to practice a piece. Perhaps some rolls, or combination of rolls? Specific licks? Maybe even scales? I'm open to any suggestions.

---

Hey there! I have published 2 podcast episodes (one episode each for right hand and left hand exercises) that are great for warming up, and improving speed, strength, and dexterity. They both include tab sheets for the demonstrations. Here are the links:

Right Hand Boot Camp: banjopodcast.com/5-right-hand-boot-camp/

Left Hand Boot Camp: banjopodcast.com/24-left-hand-boot-camp/

Hope it helps!

Keith

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Excellent stuff Keith! Being self taught I need some structure and this will keep me busy. Thanks so much.

Oldguy76 - Posted - 05/24/2023:  10:54:38

quote:

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Originally posted by Texasbanjo

How you warm up usually depends on where you are in your picking journey. What works for me wouldn't be at all good for a beginner and what beginners need to learn would be old hat to me.



So.... where are you on your learning journey? Are you a rank beginner, just learning how to pick or have you gone to regular beginner who can play a few songs slow but without too many mistakes? Are you familiar with your rolls where you can play them without having to think about it or do you still have to think: TIM TIM TI to play a forward roll?



Give us a little more information about where you are in your learning and we can give you more help on warmup exercises.

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I think I would be classed as someplace in between the two. I have about a dozen different songs that I am working on but I'm not proficient at any. I'm thinking that Keith's exercises should help me a lot, but I really appreciate all of the input that everyone has contributed so far.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 05/24/2023:  15:33:33

If you're not proficient on any song you've learned, maybe you need to check your timing, your tempo and your technique(s). You should be able to play a beginner song at a slow but even pace and if you can't, then whatever is causing you a problem is what you need to work on.

Rolls tend to be boring, but help you learn to count and stay in time (play with a metronome or some sort of software that has a beat). If you can't count and keep time, you really need to work on that, as your songs will never sound right if they aren't in time and in tempo.

I'd have to hear you play to give you more information as to what you need to work on.

monstertone - Posted - 05/25/2023:  12:55:52

Self taught Bluegrass Banjo is a tough nut to crack! Were that not bad enough, unless really familiar with the material, the issue is compounded. A little help, now & then, goes a long way.

As good as software has become today, imho, nothing beats the instant feedback attainable from another musician accompanying you. Even if the other musician is also a beginner, two heads are better than one in spotting problems. Regardless of instrument, a walking, talking metronome, familiar with what you are trying to learn, beats the hell out of DIY any day of the week.

Edited by - monstertone on 05/25/2023 12:57:55

steve davis - Posted - 05/29/2023:  07:03:07

A tried and true book like Hal Leonard's or Bluegrass Banjo from Oak publications set very solid foundations to build your playing on.

Ron Lacey - Posted - 05/29/2023:  14:17:38

This may have been mentioned above and if so, I apologize for missing it. I’ve found as I get older I need to start slow with the right hand and focus on regular timing, steady tempo, and accenting the melody notes. For example, I might play Banjo in the Hollow at about half my usual tempo (which is about half the tempo Doug Dillard played it at ??). After a while I find I can speed up and keep the timing and accents. If I rush into it it turns into a train wreck and I have to slow down until I’m warmed up properly.

After 55 years of guitar and double bass, my main left hand issue is arthritis in my left thumb joint, which is why I’m playing more banjo these days. The skinnier neck and easier chord shapes don’t put much stress on my thumb. I do the same as with the right hand; go slow and focus on clean fretting and shifting chord positions smoothly. I still work on these trying to keep my motion compact and efficient. That darn pinky wants to fly away sometimes.

Bart Veerman - Posted - 05/30/2023:  08:58:05

For the not-so-young-anymores: first soak your hands in warm water for 5~10 minutes,just like they do at the physio places, before warming up the banjo.

monstertone - Posted - 05/31/2023:  09:12:26

quote:

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Originally posted by Oldguy76

As a beginner banjo player (bluegrass style), I'm curious as to what kind of warmups others do before actually starting to practice a piece. Perhaps some rolls, or combination of rolls? Specific licks? Maybe even scales? I'm open to any suggestions.

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OJC was one of the first BG tunes I learned. Getting those hammers & pull-offs down was a real challenge. But one I got the hang of it, I was so proud of myself, I just couldn't quit playing it. The A part of OJC became my go to warm up exercise, & after each time through, I kept speeding it up. Sinkin' Creek was another one. Whatever works for you.

Caveat: Don't try this within hearing range of anyone, as ten or fifteen minutes of this is enough to drive any normal person absolutely nuts.!!!!