How long does it take?
How long did you guys have to practice "bum-ditty" before you could do it naturally, smoothly, and at speed?
View ArticleTOTW - 12/20/13 - Christmas Eve
This is one of my favorite tunes from one of my favorite fiddlers, Jim Bowles of Monroe County in south central Kentucky. It was a common tune in the immediate area and Bruce Greene considered it to...
View ArticleMusical education
Can you help a fella out? Can you recommend some essential artists/groups/pickers to listen to? Bluegrass/CH players, doesn't matter to me. Go ahead and post youtube links if you know any good ones.
View ArticleBeginner advice
Hey all I've just ordered a recording king dirty thirties open back banjo and I'm curious as to what y'all would suggest as far as learning the basics. I have played finger style guitar for several...
View ArticlePractice
I've been searching through threads on practice routines for a bit. And I notice a lot of people say to learn other peoples songs. I want to be able to jam with people eventually and just improvise...
View ArticleCello Banjo & OT
I just saw an advertisement for a Gold Tone Cello Banjo (5-string). I listened to a couple of the samples, and I wondered what folks around here think about the Cello Banjo being used in OT jams. Any...
View ArticlePicks
Howdy. I just started learning the banjo (teaching myself online) and had some questions about picks. I just bought them today after learning for a couple of days without them. First, I'm not even sure...
View ArticleNew Guy Here
Hi, As you may have guessed, I'm new at the banjo, though no stranger to music. My instruments are the organ and cello. I'm also a composer of several years experience. After a long time of...
View ArticleScoop
I keep seeing all these banjos with scooped necks. Am I missing out on anything, and do you guys recommend it or think its really necessary?
View ArticleNathan Frazier, Lucious Smith picking style?
Hello all. I've been very obsessed with African-American banjo/string band music since I first heard of it, and in trying to explore and find more of it, have become a HUGE fan of Nathan Frazier's...
View ArticleFinger Stretch
Hi all. I need some beginner advice. I can't seem to make the stretch from 3rd string at 2 to 4th string at 5 to hold the chord down.Any suggestions, please?
View ArticleUnderstanding the Capo?
Hello all and Merry Christmas! I am an amateur at playing Clawhammer banjo but I got a very nice Kyser Capo for Christmas- in order to play some of the songs that require it. However, Im not fully...
View ArticleRank Beginner
Hello Everyone and Happy Holidays! I received a Crestwood closed back 5 string banjo from Santa yesterday and I'm looking for suggestions on how to get started. I played the clarinet all through...
View ArticlePicks made from hard plastic tubing?
Going through another phase of trying new picks. I recall some discussion of this approach to making a clawhammer pick but can't find anything by searching. Could be I remembered wrong. Can anyone...
View ArticleNeed help getting started
Just joined BHO because thru all the research I've done so far this group seems like a great place to start! Everyone seems dedicated to the banjo and willing to help anyone in its community. Thank...
View ArticleTOTW - 12/27/13 - Little Billy Wilson
To close out 2013, I'd like to offer Little Billy Wilson, typically played in A (aEAC#E). This Wilson fellow seems to be quite a rascal, present in the earliest recordings of old-time music, a...
View ArticleWhich book?
If you had to choose one book to learn from, would you choose Ken Perlman's book or Pete Seger's book?
View ArticleCluck on the brushstroke
Need advice on how to produce this distinctive sound. It's not so easy as playing over the neck. What am I missing?
View ArticleA Great Place to Play
Look at this cozy homestead. That porch would be a great place to sit pickin' a banjo! Mike
View ArticleOpen back for Gospel?
Folks,I want to learn how to play a banjo to play Gospel music. Which style of banjo is more appropriate, resonator or open back?I appreciate your help. Terry
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