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Category Archives: Philosophical Ramblings
Remember Your Early Goals
I remember when I first started playing the banjo, one of my main goals was to sit under a pine tree (a very specific one) and play Foggy Mountain Breakdown. Somehow, that goal got lost rather quickly for me, and … Continue reading
Posted in Philosophical Ramblings
Tagged Goals, Motivation, Remembering
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Strength, Accuracy, and Speed
If you’re the type of musician who just likes to grab your instrument and start playing without much analysis of techniques, you probably won’t get much from this post. It’s a very in-depth look at what you are really asking … Continue reading
Posted in Beginning Banjo, Philosophical Ramblings, Teaching, Tips & Techniques
Tagged Accuracy, speed, Strength, Stroke
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Learning the banjo (again) after a stroke – Part 3
Part 1 Part 2 So it was time to begin a rehabilitation process that I have described as both the most maddening and frustrating thing I have ever done (or ever will do, I’m confident), and yet also the most … Continue reading
Learning the banjo (again) after a stroke – Part 2
Part 1 Part 3 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 … 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
Why is the Banjo so Mysterious?
I must declare here: the banjo is a thoroughly 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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Life’s a banjo!
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
Posted in Philosophical Ramblings
Tagged Banjo, Difficult, Learning, Perspective, Think Like a Banjo
2 Comments
The Banjo 50 Years from Now
We’re so used to technology these days. Many of us make our living from some part of it. Even if you don’t earn a living at it, you know how to use Facebook, cellphones, iPods and so on and so … Continue reading
Posted in Banjos & Technology, Banjos and Society, Philosophical Ramblings
Tagged Banjos, Computerized, Future, Predictions, Styles, Technology
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A New Year, A New Perspective
I almost never make new years’ resolutions. I figure if I want to do something, just go ahead and do it when you see that it really needs doing. But I do see the logic in it. The start of a … Continue reading
Posted in Philosophical Ramblings
Tagged Accomplishments, Mediocrity, New Years Resolutions, Passion
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