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Monthly Archives: August 2009
What I Would Do Over
I went to visit my folks out in the country this past Sunday afternoon, just as I often do. While there, I took the opportunity to go visit my old bedroom. The furniture has changed in there since the days … Continue reading
Posted in Banjoists and Others, Music in General, Philosophical Ramblings
Tagged Banjo, Change, Communication, Dulcimer, Experience, Faith, Home, Mandolin, Pray, Wisdom
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Building Up Endurance
Very frequently I have students tell me they have some problems with cramps, shaking, or just an uncomfortable tenseness in the arms and hands. Let’s talk about it. I remember getting those sensations as well as I was first learning … Continue reading
Posted in Tips & Techniques
Tagged Banjo, endurance, Guitar, Mandolin, muscle stress, Practice, tension
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Different Kinds of Banjo Students
One of my students and I were talking just recently and I was referring to all the different kinds of students that a teacher interacts with: young and old, talented and not-so-talented, progressive and traditional, by the book and outside the … Continue reading
Posted in Banjoists and Others, Banjos and Society
Tagged Banjo Student, coaching, Favorite, Frailing, Goals, melodic, Merit, Plectrum, Scruggs, Techniques, Value
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Should Music be Cubby-holed?
A friend and I were talking about various qualities of musical instruments and he made the comment that guitars, banjos and such instruments can easily play alone, whereas a brass or woodwind instrument, say, a trombone, really needs other instruments … Continue reading
Posted in Banjoists and Others, Music in General
Tagged Banjo, Charlie Rich, Country, Cubby Hole, Dulcimer, Jazz, MLS, Music, R&B, Rock, Sitar, Trombone
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Back to 16th Avenue
I finally got back up to 16th Avenue in Nashville a few weeks ago. I was there to retrieve two of my banjos after getting them repaired at Classic Ax on Music Row. Plus, we brought the kids with us … Continue reading
Posted in Banjos in General, Reviews
Tagged 16th Avenue, Banjo, Classic Ax, Mandolin, Music Row, Nashville, Repair
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Like Riding a Bike
A while back I had a student say to me: “I wish playing the banjo was like riding a bike where you never forget it!” While that’s mostly true – we have to continue to practice, or we’ll get way … Continue reading
Posted in Beginning Banjo
Tagged Chords, Dynamic, Guitar, Practice, Riding a Bike, Static
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Knowledge and Wisdom
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad. So we must also remember: Knowledge is knowing how to execute a full-fretboard G major scale. Wisdom is knowing not … Continue reading
The Banjo & Bluegrass Jam Session is Tomorrow!
The Practice Banjo & Bluegrass Jam Session at The Coffee Tree Books & Brew As usual, this is on the third Saturday of each month; Augusts jam will be on the 15th. Kind of early for the third Saturday, but … Continue reading
Posted in Beginning Banjo, Venues
Tagged Banjo, Bluegrass, Coffee Tree, Experience, Folk, Guitar, Jam, Jazz, Mandolin, Practice
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Binaries and Triads
We’ve all seen some common binary concepts in life from time to time. Things like digital vs. analog, good vs. bad and even something so commonplace as night vs. day. But do you know any concepts that involve triads? How … Continue reading
Posted in Philosophical Ramblings
Tagged Banjo, Cheap, Good, Musical Instruments, Practice, Quality, Quick, Simple Efficient, Versatile
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Introducing New Songs to Students
New songs are good for your perspective – they can keep you feeling inspired and eager to learn more. Often, you can chop up a new song and reuse new licks you’ve learned elsewhere. They can also help you refine … Continue reading
Posted in Beginning Banjo
Tagged Back Up, Chord Structure, Learning New Songs, Tab, Titles
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