I am working my way through Wayne Erbsen's book, Clawhammer Banjo for the Complete Ignoramus. Normally I take several days to work and learn a new song, but today I decided to try something different by trying to learn a whole song in one day. For those familiar with the book it is Cluck Ole Hen. Making it somewhat easier is the A part repeats and so does the B part. OK back to playing, neaded a break. Ya'll Have a good day!!!
13 Comments |
 | AlpacaLips says:
11/20/2011 10:29:36 AM
Just curious: When you say "learn a song in one day" what do you mean exactly? At what level to you intend to be able to play it tomorrow?
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 | JimHand says:
11/20/2011 1:02:55 PM
Alpaca: Just to be able to repeat/play the song without looking at the tab. I have only been playing clawhammer a few months still trying to find my way.
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 | Bob Buckingham says:
11/20/2011 3:04:45 PM
Once you have memorized the rote version from a book, then you must live with the tune and watch as it morphs into what you will become as a banjo player. The tune will take on new meaning as you play it, get inside it and learn more about it from listening to it and playing it with others.
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| AlpacaLips says:
11/20/2011 3:59:25 PM
Cool. I find that the fun doesn't really begin until I put the book down.
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 | Common Tater says:
11/20/2011 4:05:31 PM
Exactly, Alpaca. Tabs are sterile and R Buck is correct: once you get the basic tune down and keep playing it, you'll finally "get inside of it"and make it your own.
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 | captbanjo says:
11/28/2011 2:34:16 PM
Yeah...what R Buck said.
I don't believe that tabs are sterile any more than a GPS map is sterile. A map is designed to show you one way to travel down a road. Once you're heading down the road, you'll find many alternate routes to take.
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| JimHand says:
11/28/2011 4:33:53 PM
I hope to at some point be able to branch out and find the different paths. At this point I am still having to follow the map/tab. When I am done with Wayne's book/CD, I am going to start on Dan Levenson's program
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| Bob Buckingham says:
11/28/2011 5:04:23 PM
Ever cooked? Every tab is a recipe. Do you follow the recipe exactly? Bet you don't once you've cooked that dish several times. Just a thought.
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 | rhnewsome says:
11/29/2011 6:17:36 AM
Boy, you guys nailed it on the head (no pun intended). I have been playing clawhammer for about a year and over the last few months have been able to build on my versions of songs that I have learned. I don't use tabs much, but find them helpful when I have problems learning the song by ear. Basically, I go find a version of the song that I like on Youtube, and try to learn it by ear. Once I have the basic melody figured out, I experiment with different ideas of my own. I also try to learn it in several keys, since you never know what key a specific group will play it in. If you know it in C and G then you can capo up and play it in A and D, so you pretty well have it covered. I have really come to like double C tuning for a lot of the songs I am currently learning. Donald Zepp has a lot of good songs out on Youtube which can also be reached on this website. He plays them mostly at moderate speed and is very easy to learn from. I also like Mac & Annie, too. Although he isn't as easy to learn from as Zepp.
Anyway, hope everyone as a great Christmas and keeps on pickin.
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| Bob Buckingham says:
11/29/2011 7:06:52 AM
Sounds like you found something that works. Now next step, find other players and get with them. It just gets funner and funner.
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 | Scott Barnbilly56 says:
3/16/2012 2:07:58 PM
Ya i'm also doing the wayne erbsen book and found it easy so far and good way to learn . The very first song Molly Hare was a super starter song in C tuning and learning to do the songs from the beginning and sing thru all the verses also so it take a bit longer here . Also i have done alittle with learning Mike Iversons clawhammer style and once again easy lessons for free on internet with sound and print out pages .
Happy Hill'bill'in
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| JimHand says:
3/16/2012 7:11:16 PM
I still can't sing and play clawhammer at the same time, of course, I really have not worked at it that much yet. I do play guitar and the upright bass and sing, so eventually.
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 | somarmd says:
4/8/2012 4:53:46 PM
I have found singing is easier when playing the chords but more challenging when playing melody.....maybe just me?
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