I just added an update to my Improvisation Insights Course on Teachable: https://jodyhughesbanjo.teachable.com/p/improve-your-improvising This time I list all the various ways to create variations. First up is How to add pickup notes. Without the ability to add pickup notes to a melody that is already…
Connecting the Voice with your Musical instrument After over 25 years of playing music I’m 100% convinced that the thing lacking from a lot of peoples musical training is the art of singing and vocalizing what they are playing. At one time most kids had…
Want to become a better improviser? Regardless of the instrument? Are your solos going nowhere and don’t know how to get to that next level? Well I’ve created an ongoing course called “Improvisation Insights” that’s available on Skillshare.com and Teachable.com In this course, I will…
When someone asks, “Should I get a Music Degree?”, 95% of the time I say “No.” The other 5% of the ones I say yes to are those obsessed with music, want to do nothing else, and most specifically those seeking a job in academia….
New TAB Booklet release: “Seven Variations on Cripple Creek” In this booklet you get 7 variations on the classic standard “Cripple Creek” Styles included are It is geared towards the beginner-intermediate student looking to increase their technical abilities while learning multiple variations on Cripple Creek. …
I’ve decided that graphs are a great way to show someone how to improve their music. If you were to plot notes versus time, would you end up with something that looks chaotic with absolutely no pattern? What would the shape of the music look…
One of the best ways to train your ears is to transcribe music from recordings. However, it is not enough to tell someone to “transcribe”, there’s in fact a way to transcribe that you will get more out of than if you just do it…
In my first E-book I go over a Basic Rolling Backup Approach. This book is geared for beginner’s and those new to jamming and playing music with others. You can find more about the product here: https://jodyhughesmusic.com/downloads/get-rolling-backup-book/ Let’s discuss a few things concerning the technique…
My latest banjo arrangement up is “Bells of St Mary’s.” This song has always been a favorite of mine, I used to play it in contest many years ago. Banjo TAB for Bells of St Mary’s This version is for those between beginner and intermediate….
Get a Faster Left Hand today! Is your left-hand being a slow poke on the banjo? It just doesn’t get there on time? It’s late yet again and your boss (your brain!) is yelling at you? I recently posted this video detailing an exercise I…
After playing for a year or more, students very often ask me what banjos I recommend they upgrade to. Some people will play their beginner models for many years (I did!), others seem to want to upgrade right away. I usually tell them they don’t…
Here is a “Down to The River To Pray” Banjo arrangement. This version is in the key of E just like the version you hear in the “O Brother Where Art Thou Movie.” I wanted to make an arrangement where the student could play along…
Tech Tools for musicians In this post, I detail music apps, computer programs and online resources that can perhaps make your musical life easier. The modern musician has greater access to helpful practice tools unlike those in the past. These devices are particularly helpful for…
One thing I mentioned recently was transcribing and learning other people’s solos by ear. In this blog post, I’m listing 11 Traditional Bluegrass banjo Solos that every banjo player should have on their radar. Each of these cool banjo breaks contains unique banjo licks or…