I would have to take the time to review what you are talking about. I will look at it in a week or so. I have weddings, shows and all sorts of craziness this week.

Sorry,

Rob

Hi Rob, Rich Freeze here, I'm just a beginner do you have some free Lesions for a beginner I have some of the Murphy Method DVD's I can't seem to keep motivated to practice. Any Suggestion's Thank You Rich freeze

hi Bob!

It took me hours to watch through your youtubes and well... it did something, but still ive no idea how you play this song. I feel like everybody can play it, except myself.

I play Banjo now for three years, and oh I can play Devils Dream quite soundy, as well as some other nice, rather melodic banjo, songs from the downloadable songbook of Dave Hum.

But (jesus) I cannot play this scruggs styled songs, Ive no feel for the rhythm. Watching your videos doesnt help. I can play the complete frosty morning stuff by memory, but it doesent even come close to what you play. (as Ive the idea that there is global conspiracy of banjo players to overtake world domination)

Well, I am from Germany though, and US Folk is not among what you ever hear here, so this might be a disadvantage.

You can be happy, as I tried to learn Duelling Banjos as well, which doesnt work out too. What a surprise...

But so its not your videos fault I guess, where I think sometimes blending in the tabs you play would be VERY helpful.

I am desperated. But I learned from taking much effort to play like you tell me in your videos to play known songs in different rythmns, for many songs Ive three rhythms now to play, which is exciting and I love it. I hope you wanted this too, when you made the videos.

Maybe you cannot help me, but how do I get this rhythm of frosty morning to my fingerpicks? (oh I (try to) play bluegrass, maybe thats of interest)

Many thanks to anybody for any hints to retrieve the suspect.

Best regards

Chris

I was thinking about going back to Wittenberg this year and maybe do a couple of workshops. How far are you from there, Chris?

Hi Rob!

Thats like 4,5 hrs. But depending on the time it would be nice, as I can connect it with visiting the Luther-city as well. Problematic is maybe finding a cheap hotel.

Mr Bourassa
also would like to add my sincere thanks for your kind and very generous contribution it really is appreciated,

it so great
Thanks , I am new and just getting start . You have an easy peaceful way of instructing that makes it easy for me to follow.

Thanks all. I have been preparing a couple of lessons for Ashville in November. Since I'll be recording with the banjo I will throw out a couple more that should help out a bit.

it's simple. I can't play this song to save my life... I just don't understand it.

There... I said it

I think everyone that ever picked up a banjo has felt that way. I almost threw mine into a wall when I started.

What is the problem mostly?

quote:

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Originally posted by Rob Bourassa

I think everyone that ever picked up a banjo has felt that way. I almost threw mine into a wall when I started.

What is the problem mostly?

---

except, I'm not just starting.  I played along with your 19th video... and I'm close... but not there.  I even tried visualizing the bank robbery and get-a-way from the movie Bonnie and Clyde... but for some reason, I just don't grasp the inspiration.  So it's never quite right.

I will say this:  You sounded great, even on a starter banjo.  And you're instructions are the best I've ever seen.  Perhaps if I had the temperament to proceed step by step, one day I just might get it.

Many thanks 

That's really all talent is probably. Patience. I think it's good to take a smaller portion than you think is doable and perfect it before moving on. If you really nail each video before moving to the other, it will probably be less frustrating.

I hope that helps.

why would anyone want to learn to play classic Scruggs style banjo anymore...when so much of the music the likes of SIRIUS/XM is forcing on us, (being touted as 'bluegrass') pushes people further and further from real bluegrass banjo? Those who continue to want to learn it and other Scruggs style tunes, I applaud your willingness to learn it and encourage you to 'endeavor to persevere' - keeping the true tradition alive and not be fooled into believing much of the stuff played on SIRIUS/XM today is 'bluegrass' when it's merely new generation acoustic music. My hope is you will learn to develop an ear to recognize real bluegrass music and feel it like us Scruggs folks know it should be. I'm sure this post will draw criticism but there are those who will agree too. Best of luck

Why ?? Because it sounds great! Thanks Rob for posting this. I am pretty new to the game but am enjoying getting Foggy Mountain Breakdown sound like it is supposed to via your videos. :)

I am glad to help, Judith. The change in the forward roll makes it easier for a less advanced student, because a 5th string G and a 3rd string G aren't horrible different at a faster tempo. Following the exact Scruggs arrangement has made it harder for a lot of my beginning students, though once the speed is reached with this version, I always bring them back to the original and work very hard on just the specific roll that was changed. They are able to use that in many Scruggs tunes afterward.

quote:

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Originally posted by Rob Bourassa

I am glad to help, Judith. The change in the forward roll makes it easier for a less advanced student, because a 5th string G and a 3rd string G aren't horrible different at a faster tempo. Following the exact Scruggs arrangement has made it harder for a lot of my beginning students, though once the speed is reached with this version, I always bring them back to the original and work very hard on just the specific roll that was changed. They are able to use that in many Scruggs tunes afterward.

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Thanks Rob and it sounds great!. I have tried this tune before but would get discouraged so I am feeling more inspired now to get it sounding good. :)

beginner

on my 20th hour

when I first held a banjo & an tried a roll , my thoughts were this ain't going to happen

now I actually enjoy practice ( playing )

your comments about taking it slow practice & small sections until you nail it is best lesson iv heard

I've used tab an still will ,but I'm at a standard when you call the rolls without tab I understand & can learn it quicker just by ear

scruggs style is so enjoyable to play

when someone plays I like hearing the hammer ons / slides / pull offs every note , even when fast - no cheating

thx for taking the time making these videos

That is great, Luke. I am glad to help. As I say a lot, this is an intermediate arrangement which enables the less experienced player to get through the song at a faster tempo. I always encourage folks to go and learn the Scruggs arrangement note for note at some point. I remember developing this so I could pick up speed and it sounds pretty close until you slow it down. Great to hear about your progress.

Robs lessons are fantastic and helped me a lot a few years ago when i came to a dead end, he got me kick started again. now I still use a lot of what I learnt from Rob whilst improvising so it does not have to end with just the tune you learn. biggest help to me was old joe clark, clinch mountain backstep and man of constant sorrow and of course the syncopated forward roll lesson.
He also proves that you dont need an expensive fancy banjo to pick a good tune
I really hope Rob will oneday find the time to do a lesson on the Intro tune from the youtube videos

That is a song I wrote in 1979 called, "Jesus, Savior Mine" which is a bluegrass Gospel tune which was mostly a slower guitar tune. I needed an intro that I owned so I didn't have to worry about copyright infringement and I sped it up a bit and made it banjo driven. I am going to do a lesson on it because I actually get more requests for that than just about anything on my channel for some reason.

Thanks for the kind words, and I hope to get to the UK next year for a few workshops on my way to Germany.

Rob

Thanks Rob your a legend, I cant wait for the lesson and the workshops