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Author Archives: Phill Gibson
Learning the banjo (again) after a stroke – Part 2
Part 1 It was now almost 11 am. 2 1/2 hours since 8:20 am and my thoughts of making a cup of coffee. As soon as the clot was found, TCP was administered. Almost immediately, I felt my left side … Continue reading
Learning the banjo (again) after a stroke – Part 1
I’ve not written about this anywhere until now. Some of you know exactly what I’m talking about without another word. Others have no idea what has been going on over the past several years. I know it’s long over due, … Continue reading
Playing at Berkeley Bob’s in Cullman this Saturday
If you happen to be around Cullman this Saturday, drop by; several of us are playing Bluegrass at Berkeley Bob’s Coffee House at 1pm, Saturday, September 7th, 2013. It’s at 304 1st Avenue Southeast, Cullman, AL. Actually, we are ‘practicing … Continue reading
Solid Blue at The Flying Monkey
I know this is sort of late notice – it’s this evening – but my friends Cindy Musselwhite, Bud Teague and company (Solid Blue is the band’s name) are playing at The Flying Monkey tonight. Check ’em out! http://www.lowemill.net/ai1ec_event/solid-blue-bluegrass-band-with-cindy-musselwhite/?instance_id=86535
Why is the Banjo so Mysterious?
I must declare here: the banjo is a throughly fascinating thing. Whether playing Bluegrass, Old-Time, Folk, Jazz, or any other genre, it has a certain fascination, even a mystery, about it. And not only in sound, but in looks as … Continue reading
Posted in Banjos and Society, History, Philosophical Ramblings
Tagged Akonting, auditory, Banjar, Banjo, Complexity, Exotic, Fascination, History, Karen Lynn, Mystery, mystique, Sarod, Simplicity, Sitar, visual
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The Deep Ellum Banjo Man
Back in December of 2009, I travelled to Denton, Texas to watch my oldest daughter Paige graduate from the University of North Texas. We had a grand time there, especially on the Denton County Courthouse square, with all the touristy type stores … Continue reading
Posted in Banjos and Society, History
Tagged Banjoman, Dallas, Deep Ellum, Denton, Gaston Avenue, Good Latimer
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Getting Good Feedback
As you progress in playing the banjo, your skill level will increase. Simple enough. But realize that that increase in skill level doesn’t come just as a result of your having practiced for a long time. You also need feedback; … Continue reading
Posted in Tips & Techniques
Tagged auditory, Feedback, fretting hand, picking hand, tactile, visual
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The Spam I Get
This is actually quite funny. I get these sort of emails every month or so. Obviously these are spam at best; phishing attempts in a worse scenario. These are email requests I get from my website, because one of my email … Continue reading
Tales of My Picking Demise were Greatly Exaggerated
I didn’t realize until a friend told me the other day, that I have left people in the Blogosphere hanging indefinitely in regards to my banjo-injured arm. Long story short: it’s back to normal! Long story long: As you may … Continue reading
Update on the Stella Harmony 12-string
A couple of years ago, I blogged about my oldest brother’s first guitar, an old Stella Harmony 12-string. Little did I know at the time, but that has been the most popular blog I have written. I have even had … Continue reading
