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Category Archives: Music
Just Like Earl
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
A Banjo Lifecycle
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
Posted in Banjos in General
Tagged Banjos, Broken, Remembered, Sold, Stored, Trashed
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Alabama Songwriters Festival
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
The Steve Martin Effect
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
Posted in Banjoists and Others, Banjos in General
Tagged Alabama, Banjo Lessons, Huntsville, Steve Martin, Von Braun Center
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Playing Banjo 4-Finger Style – Applying it to a Song
Intro | Background | Observations | Benefits & Challenges | Getting Started | More Getting Started | Applying it to a Song Finally, here’s a concrete example of how I’m approaching the whole four-finger banjo process. This is a four-finger … Continue reading
Posted in 4-Finger Style, Reno & Single-String Style
Tagged Buffalo Gals, Four Finger Style Banjo, Single String
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Playing Banjo 4-Finger Style – Getting Started Yet More
Intro | Background | Observations | Benefits & Challenges | Getting Started | More Getting Started | Applying it to a Song Now let’s try some exercises such as the following, which are simply four-finger equivalents of some well-known three-finger … Continue reading
Playing Banjo 4-Finger Style – Getting Started
Intro | Background | Observations | Benefits & Challenges | Getting Started | More Getting Started | Applying it to a Song For starting starters (apologies to Dr. Seuss), it is best to make use of a little-known fact about … Continue reading
Playing Banjo 4-Finger Style – Benefits & Challenges
Intro | Background | Observations | Benefits & Challenges | Getting Started | More Getting Started | Applying it to a Song Benefits A new sound. Skillfully playing a four-finger roll can give you a completely new cadence to add … Continue reading
Playing Banjo 4-Finger Style – Some Observations
Intro | Background | Observations | Benefits & Challenges | Getting Started | More Getting Started | Applying it to a Song Now move forward in time to today. A few banjo players, seeking new boundaries to push, have started … Continue reading
Phill Gibson 