I’ve seen beginner mandolin students buy one of those big chord charts and try to work their way through it. You don’t want to do that. Some of those chords you won’t use for awhile and some of too difficult for your new fingers. Many…
Over the years, I’ve had a number of potential students ask, “Should I take up banjo or mandolin? Which one is easier?” First off, never take up an instrument based on which one is easier. Pick an instrument based on which one whose sound you…
One of the most unique pieces of a banjo is the banjo head. Banjo heads can come in all sorts of sizes and material. Today, we’ll take a look at some of the more common ones. If you need help picking out a new head…
If you’re looking for the “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” TAB, sorry, you’re at the wrong place. You don’t need me for that, just go buy the black Earl Scruggs book: However, what I will do is show you how to think about “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” so…
Those metal fingerpicks dangling from your fingers are a serious nuisance in the beginning. They are uncomfortable, feel strange, and poke out. Do you HAVE to use them? Are they required to play banjo? Let’s dive into this question. Can I Play Banjo Without Picks?…
Looking for some clawhammer banjo books? I have you covered. Everything from basic beginner clawhammer to intermediate and advanced clawhammer. From How To Play to masses of fiddle tunes. Banjo Books -Clawhammer Banjo Clawhammer Banjo For The Complete Ignoramus This is a book by well…
Today we’re going to learn how to play a banjo scale on one string. This allows us to see the fingerboard vertically, as opposed to horizontally. Think of horizontally as ACROSS the strings and vertically as up and down the banjo fingerboard. People often ask…
I’ll sum up this post quickly-The examples below provide reasons that make me not want to share too much of my creative output and ideas online. As an artist who makes their living through their creative endeavors, I shouldn’t feel this way. Yet, I do….
When beginners decide they are ready for the banjo journey, many are left wondering- Do I buy a 4-string, 5-string, or 6-string banjo? Today I’ll go over the different types of banjos and explain what each is best suited for. By the time you are…
We are certainly living in an era of incredible open back banjo builders. Most of these are small shop builders, many are only one-person shops. Unfortunately, what you are about to find out is if you wanted an incredible custom open back banjo, you should…
Looking to rock out with the banjo? Maybe try some two-hand tapping Van Halen style? Or just want to put some electric drive in your country? You’re going to need something that ole Masterclone can’t offer. You’re going to need a banjo with some serious…
As someone that’s taught banjo, guitar, and music theory for over 15 years, I’ve had lots of students over the age of 50. I don’t have the numbers, but I’m guessing the majority of my students have been above the age of 50. At the…
After you’ve tackled your major and minor chord formations, the next type of chord you want to learn is your 7th chord. Once you know this along with your major and minor chords, you can pretty much strum or roll along to any bluegrass song….
Definite Guide to the Galax Lick What is the Galax Lick? TAB of Galax Lick Galax Lick Example #1 Galax Lick with Triplet Sugar Hill Galax Lick Example What is the Galax Lick? The Galax Lick is a clawhammer banjo technique commonly found throughout old-time…