Looking for some good fretless songs to learn in G or A tunings.
Just starting to learn fretless and I am looking for some good tunes in G or A tuning - preferably with some cool slides since that is what makes the fretless sound so unique.Please recommend some...
View ArticlePracticing for error recovery
I happened to come across the following in an article this morning:Many of the practice strategies that musicians use are aimed at preventing and recovering from slips. Simple repetition, the most...
View ArticleChicago Workshops with Cathy Fink- 5/2/15
Folks- I've got 2 clawhammer workshops on Saturday, May 2 in Chicago at the Old Town School. Hope to see some of you! Spread the word! 1:00 PM – 2:45 PM· 4544 N Lincoln AveCathy Fink’s Drills for...
View ArticleSave Dinah for the night
I know this has been discussed a few times before but with no resolution.I want to play " Save Dinah for the Night ", but I want Molly Steele's version and not Sheila or Dwight's version. Some how...
View ArticleWedding Song Advice?
Hi,I'm looking for a song to surprise my bride-to-be with at our wedding. Something upbeat, but fit for a beginner. I've decided this pretty last minute (over a week away), so I think "When I'm 64" is...
View Articlegetting tired and losing the plot
OK I am new here so if this has been covered a billion times before I apologise. One problem I find is when I am strumming (ie when singing and playing) I am ok for the several bars but as I near the...
View ArticleChord
In double C tuning and capoed up 2 to play in D.....what chord am I playing if I fret the 2nd string at 2nd fret, 3rd string at the 3rd fret?Rest is open. Sounds like a minor chord.... Thanks!
View ArticleEssential Fiddle-tune Repertoire
Hey gang, I've got a question for the room.I usually play with a quartet, but we were offered a duo gig at a cool restaurant. We talked it over and the fiddler and I are going to give it a whirl next...
View ArticleTOTW (OT) - 5/1/15 Twin Sisters (Boys of Bluehill)
Our tune of the week this week is Twin Sisters. What's that you say? Haven't we already done that tune? No, this is not the modal tune by the same name from Sidna Myers, which was a previous TOTW....
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Multiple Tunings and beginners
I'm a beginner of just more than a year. I select tunes I want to learn based on how much I like a tune. My theory is that if I like it, I will be more motivated to practice and learn, plus, why...
View ArticleSwannanoa Old-Time Week for advanced players
Hi everyone. I'm considering registering for the old-time week at Swannanoa and wondered if anyone had experience going as a relatively advanced player. I guess my situation is a little weird. When I...
View ArticleClawhammerers in Bellingham, WA area
I'm just getting started with clawhammer banjo and would love to find a teacher in the Bellingham, WA area who can help me get the basics down. I tried the teacher listings on this site and the only...
View ArticleFolk Songs for Banjo
After having studied almost all the songs in Clawdan's gospel book, I found another clawhammer book focusing more on arrangements of vocal songs than fiddle tunes:"Folk Songs for Banjo" by Michael...
View ArticleFoot stomping music
any advice/tabs for some good ol foot stomping music?! Thinking I need some in my repertoire, not any particular style just something that gets a bit of rhythm going and makes people want to dance....
View Articlehumidifying
I'm assuming this topic has come up before....What's the take on humidifying your banjo? I never have. I have 2 open back banjos hanging on the wall that I play and would just rather not have to...
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Stuffing The Head For Clawhammer
I've always stuffed the heads of my banjos with some foam up at the neck join end. I think, to my ear, it gives the driest tone without any (or many) overtones at all.Today I wondered about stuffing in...
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"Black Hills Waltz" - Clawhammer Tunetorial for 5/3/15
Watch a preview video >Key of A – aEAC#EYes! That’s right. This week we tackle a waltz. And yes, the bonus this week is a short waltz workshop on how to play the 3/4-waltz rhythm with the clawhammer...
View ArticleClawammer workshop in Pittsburgh, PA
Coming up next month. Fiddle and concert too:Saturday June 13, 20151 -4 PMFiddle WorkshopLet’s call this intermediate level. We will pick a few tunes you know and at least one you don’t to work on...
View ArticleHelp with a Bob Thornburg blues rhythm
I have been listening to the Banjo Gathering CD and I love the song, Hand on the Plough played by Bob Thornburg (tack 7, disc 2). Bob seems to be doing some type of (BUM BUM - ditty ditty) blues...
View ArticleTo Sing or Not to Sing? (along when learning to frail)
Friends,I suppose it's because that's the way I learned, but I always encourage my students to start singing along right away when learning to play banjo. I think there are a number of advantages to...
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