Category Archives: Music in General

Music in General

Taxonomy of a Banjo Player

Posted on March 18, 2021 by Pgibson

Image by mcmurryjulie from Pixabay Elizabeth Barrett Browning (not William Shakespeare) wrote the Victorian sonnet that starts out: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. In a fashion, we also have a plethora of sorts of banjo … Continue reading →

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Reciprocity in Music

Posted on February 11, 2021 by Pgibson

Those of you who remember film in cameras will recall, perhaps, the notion of film reciprocity and the associated attribute of reciprocity failure; that quality whereby film, upon being exposed, started to lose its sensitivity to take in photons at … Continue reading →

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Alabama Songwriters Festival

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Pgibson

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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A Major Problem Playing the Banjo?

Posted on March 31, 2010 by Pgibson

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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The Nashville Numbering System

Posted on January 4, 2010 by Pgibson

The Nashville Numbering System was around long before Nashville became known for music. I’ve seen it called by several other names and it is a basic part of music theory. I’ve heard several bluegrass musicians call it this, so I’m … Continue reading →

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Merry Christmas!

Posted on December 24, 2009 by Pgibson

I’m perfectly glad to use the word CHRISTMAS; as our saviour, Jesus Christ is the central figure in Christmas, as well as in all of history.   So here’s wishing you all a Merry Christmas!   Now if we just … Continue reading →

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Adobe InDesign CS4 – a review

Posted on December 10, 2009 by Pgibson

What does this have to do with music, you ask? In and of itself, not a lot. However, I am writing a book or two on the banjo, and this has proven to be a significant choice – that of … Continue reading →

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What to Listen for in Music – a review

Posted on December 7, 2009 by Pgibson

What to Listen for in Music, by Aaron Copland. Aaron Copland was one of the first, and still one of the greatest, American composers of what we usually call classical music. For us bluegrass, old-time and folk musicians, it’s worth … Continue reading →

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Heilmeier's Catechism

Posted on December 4, 2009 by Pgibson

Here’s something I read in the Huntsville Times recently that I’d like to share with you. It starts with Lisa Porter, the director of the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA – sounds a little like DARPA; the name of the … Continue reading →

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Quitting While You're Behind

Posted on November 19, 2009 by Pgibson

Imagine you are going to a regional bluegrass festival (That would the the Tennessee Valley Old-Time Fiddlers Convention in Athens, Alabama for me). You hear some young banjo player picking out an incredible set of licks and you think to … Continue reading →

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