Sources for learning fretless playing techniques?

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Fretless Banjo Players

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A group for fretless players to exchange information and ideas.

309 Members, Created 1/28/2011 -

Administrators: Marc Nerenberg (owner)

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From phdm on 3/11/2023 2:16:48 PM

While I have played banjo for 50 years - mostly Seeger folk style and a bit of Scruggs - I am only 5years into self-taught clawhammer. Now I have plunged into your fretless world with my purchase of a Deering Goodtime fretless, which arrived yesterday.

Any suggestions as to good sources of books, videos, YouTube channels that teach the unique playing styles and techniques needed for fretless playing? (In my first day of noodling around with my new "toy", I have quickly discovered that I'm not in Kansas anymore, Toto!)

Thanks for your thoughts and any other suggestions you-all might have.

Peter McKee - Seattle

5 Comments
	Tom Berghan says: 3/11/2023 2:28:51 PM It’s a banjo but “early banjo” is significantly different. Chords in first position are fine but going up the neck become pretty difficult to keep in tune. It is a lot like cello or violin. Playing intervals up the neck is not too much of a problem but actual chords are problematic. It’s really more of a melodic instrument, less of a chordal instrument. A GREAT place to start is with the Thomas Briggs Banjo Instructor of 1855. Link: elderly.com/products/minstrel-...nstructor
	Roosterick says: 3/11/2023 2:30:44 PM Close your eyes and listen. Don't forget to click your heels together and say there's no place like home.
	phdm says: 3/11/2023 4:53:54 PM Yes, closing my eyes and listening so far has been the most helpful. Looking at your fingers, or trying to replicate what you do on a regular banjo is seeming counterproductive.
	Gumbograss says: 12/8/2023 5:47:04 AM I have found this site minstrelbanjo.ning.com/ to be very helpful. There are plenty of people willing to give advise and encouragement, and there are a LOT of videos with people playing early banjo styles. Here's a link to my page there. minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/VinceAbadie I haven't been very active for a while, but I do play in a trio that plays Victorian period music at various Civil War reenactments, plantation events, etc. Good luck, and have fun!!!
	phdm says: 12/8/2023 9:29:57 AM Thanks. It is time for me to get back to my Deering fretless! Peter
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