In a previous blog located here: Learn to Hear Chord Changes I stated that playing along with recordings is one of the best things you can do to train your ears to spontaneously react and hear chord changes. Many times a student doesn’t know where…
Are you counting beats or unable to memorize the chord changes? Are you unable to hear when the chords change? These are common problems the beginner faces; I faced the same exact challenges when I was learning. The greater your ability to hear the…
Here is a free teaching banjo instruction on the tune “Farewell Blues.” This version contains the melody and one common variation on the C7 chord. It is geared for Intermediate plus players. A difference in my arrangement and the Earl Scruggs version is no retuning…
So you play the banjo but aren’t drawn to the really fast bluegrass songs? I’ve had many people come in to my banjo studio and say that same thing. The incredible speed that a lot of bluegrass music is played at is intimidating for…
This list of easy banjo songs will help if you’re overwhelmed and don’t know where to start your Banjo Journey. Why this list is important? If you start on songs that are too difficult, you’ll only end up discouraged. In addition, some songs aren’t common…
Banjo Players you Must Hear As you listen to the banjo players on this list, decide the players and styles that appeal to you the most. The list is heavily weighted towards the bluegrass and modern styles; however, I’ve included a few pre-bluegrass classic/parlor players…
Cripple Creek-key of A (No Capo) Here is the first three of ten variations on “Cripple Creek” in the key of A without using a capo. In order to play the banjo in the key of A without a capo many techniques are used. Roll-based,…
The intermediate to advancing music students must haves 1)Ted Reed’s Progressive Steps to syncopation for the Modern Drummer. Purchase below GetThisBook This book is a gold mine in rhythmic studies. I’ve spent a great deal of time in it’s pages, the studies continue to help…
Virtual banjo lessons anywhere I’ve taught online banjo lessons for over 15 years. My students are located in Australia, Canada, the U.K, Thailand, and more. I even have students in my home state that prefer the online lessons so they don’t have to drive to…
Shady Grove 3 finger Banjo TABS Here is a new beginner banjo arrangement to “Shady Grove” in the key of D minor (5th string tuned to A) These two variations aren’t too difficult. The TAB is available on my website via the tablature section located…
Using Pentatonic Scales We will discuss the usage of the pentatonic scale and how to properly apply it for the correct effect What is a PENTATONIC SCALE? A pentatonic scale is a FIVE note scale. “Penta” meaning five. A major Pentatonic Scale consists of the…
How I got involved in Music When I was 13 years old I remember mentioning to my parents that I wanted a drum set. Somehow that ended up being changed to a guitar. So one Christmas I got an electric guitar from my mom. That…
I decided to do this because of a thread on the Banjohangout A poster asked, does banjo playing revolve around licks? Chords?My answer was that it was a balancing act of licks, simple themes and variations through chords, playing things based off your fingerboard knowledge,…
Over the course of the next few months I will discuss how to play melody and chords simultaneously: Stringed instruments such as the banjo and guitar have many strings. However, a lot of attention is placed on “single-note” lines that don’t take advantage of the…