Author Archives: Phill Gibson

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About Phill Gibson

I’m from Huntsville, Alabama where I work as a Hospice Chaplain and part-time banjo instructor. My former careers were in Research Biology and Software/Systems Engineering. My wife Miiko and I worship at Rivertree Downtown. I’ve been playing various instruments since my teen years. I started mandolin and dulcimer at about age 17 and banjo at 20. I love just about all kinds of music. In terms of banjo styles, I play and teach Scruggs, melodic, clawhammer, and 2-finger styles. I’m also very keen on theology, being a Trail Care Partner with the Land Trust of North Alabama, photography, urban planning, astronomy, ATM (amateur telescope making), birding, and about 30 other distracting hobbies to a (mercifully) lesser extent.

Tales of My Picking Demise were Greatly Exaggerated

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Phill Gibson

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 →

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Update on the Stella Harmony 12-string

Posted on December 8, 2012 by Phill Gibson

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 →

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Wastin’ Time

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Phill Gibson

Every once in a while (I’d say, once a day for a few minutes) try pushing yourself with practice. Don’t worry about playing sloppily, or too fast, or too crazy-sounding. Push some kind of an envelope in your banjo life! … Continue reading →

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Life’s a banjo!

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Phill Gibson

One of the main things I strive for in blogging is to complement what students learn in actual lessons. Sources for banjo lessons are plentiful these days, so I try to present a different perspective. One that you don’t get … Continue reading →

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Left-hand Techniques Are Like…

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Phill Gibson

Or, I should say ‘Fretting Hand techniques’. Lefties use the right hand for these moves, obviously. After learning the basic rolls and a few chords, students are ready to move on to several other topics, one of which involves fretting … Continue reading →

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Just Like Earl

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Phill Gibson

Playing the banjo just like Earl Scruggs is a common effort among some banjoists. I even have one or two that I play almost exactly like him, but those are the exceptions, not the rule. This is a fairly natural … Continue reading →

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A Banjo Lifecycle

Posted on November 2, 2012 by Phill Gibson

A banjo is… Envisioned Created Marketed Found to be a source of inspiration Bought Cherished Played Played a little less Stored suddenly Found suddenly Treasured and played again surprisingly, stored Rediscovered by same, played Reluctantly stored Languished Sold Played, enthusiastically Played … Continue reading →

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Alabama Songwriters Festival

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Phill Gibson

Today is the 4th of July! Among the fireworks, picnics and all the other activities going on this day, is the Alabama Songwriters Festival in Guntersville, Alabama. Actually, it has been going on since Friday, but today I’ll be going there. … Continue reading →

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The Steve Martin Effect

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Phill Gibson

I had a sneaking suspicion in the back of my mind that such a thing as this would happen. But I never named it until now. I’ll call it the Steve Martin effect, because that great comedian/musician/actor was the catalyst – … Continue reading →

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A Major Problem Playing the Banjo?

Posted on March 31, 2010 by Phill Gibson

If you read my blog often, you may have noticed I’ve put no new content out in over a month now. I know I’ve been very aware of this fact myself. I guess I’ve been more than a little preoccupied … Continue reading →

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