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An Hour With Casey
From Augie on 3/10/2011 11:40:22 AM
I have had several folks ask me how my online lesson with Casey Henry went. Well here is a synopsis that I wrote:
An Hour With Casey Henry
After our introduction Casey asked me to describe where I was with my banjo journey. I described the length of time I had been learning, the songs that I could play and what I thought were my shortfalls. She looked over my hand positions and we discussed the normal fretting problems, deadening of the third string while making the C chord, not putting all three fingers down simultaneously when making the C chord, etc. For the dreaded C chords, she recommended that I practice putting down the index and ring fingers simultaneously to start, then the middle finger. She emphasized that many of fretting problems are solved with practice, practice, practice.
I then played some of the songs that I had learned and she evaluated my playing. One of my most obvious problems was transitioning from one lick to another (the pause between licks). My licks themselves were fairly good, but the transitions were killing my rhythm and timing. I think that we all tend to rush the licks that we know and suffer through the transitions. To correct that problem, she recommended that I slow the picking way down and concentrate on the transitions. We did this by doing partial rolls with the transitions.
That is more difficult than it sounds. For example: Just pick one roll and then pick just the first note of the next roll while changing the fingering on the frets. Practice just this transition until it is smooth. We don’t usually practice just the transitions, so that was an eye opener. Select the transitions that are the most troublesome and work on those. Of course she emphasized the old Murphy saying, speed is not important in learning to play a banjo.
Use of the proper finger for the proper fret was also emphasized. This makes the transitions easier, which means smoother. When we use the wrong finger, we sometimes get in our own way and clumsy through the transition. That is why the Murphy Method of instruction is so effective. She tells you, shows you and then plays the notes slowly so that you can hear the sounds. She also plays the tune faster so that you can hear what it sounds like up to speed.
When I asked about the use of the metronome, she said that for beginners Jamming was better than using a metronome. Of course, to be most effective, the timing in the jam needs to be good and solid. We then discussed the use of the Murphy Method Slow Jam DVD. I described how I slow the DVD down when the tempo is too fast so that I can stay with it. She agreed that this method works very well. As you improve, you can start increasing the speed back to normal.
Those are the highlights of my first session. Our next session will be when I feel that I have progressed and need another assessment. Being a Murphy Henry believer, I believe that this was the very best learning session I have ever had. It was in total agreement with my accumulated knowledge over the last year of learning.
Casey, I thank you for a great learning session and I look forward to learning and growing with you …… and of course, your mom. Augie
2 Comments |
 | irasmith says:
3/10/2011 12:58:28 PM
Thanks! That was very informative, I hope to get a lesson soon. I need to get a good camera first.
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 | Augie says:
3/10/2011 1:09:09 PM
Hi Randy, You can get a very good camera with a microphone for about $30. I got mine at Wal Mart, but they are very available.
I like your picture. I ride an American Quarterhorse and an Appaloosa.
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