Hello all. Long time reader, first time poster. Started banjo around age 60 several years ago without any previous musical experience and have been learning scruggs style. However, a few years back I had the honor and privilege at a banjo camp, to sit in on a session with James McKinney where he introduced a few very basic blues concepts/licks. I was really intrigued and its been gnawing at me ever sense (Love his Night Travellers album). I'd like to dive a little deeper in instruction/licks to add to my play. I'm hoping to run into him again some day so I can learn more but right now need more basics. I've done some preliminary googling and youtubing but wanted to get some expert advice from you all before I went down the rabbit hole too deep. Any advice on instruction, lessons, youtube, anything?
I just ordered one of these; might be what you're looking for
banjohangout.org/classified/47684
I have that book but it looked like it was geared more toward clawhammer. Maybe I'm reading it wrong?
Here's a chart showing the locations of the the blue notes etc. My recommendation is to learn the lick and visualize it on the paper.
dpikens I think the Sokolof book is oldtime two finger, or maybe three finger mostly. I claw, and found it not at all useful. Plus the tracks on the accompanying CD or download are numbered rather than named to go with the tabs in the book.
McKinney's style grabs me too, but all I can do is steal a few licks from him. It's possible he might give lessons, but I don't know. He has been a regular at the Suwannee Banjo Camps run by Ken Perlman. Gerald Jones has taught some blues stuff at banjo camps also. He might be a good person to check out. He is in the Dallas area and runs a bluegrass in, maybe, Alexandria TX.
Edited by - Lew H on 11/30/2024 18:36:36
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