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TOTW (OT) 5/8/15 - High Up On Tug
Today's Tune of the Week is High Up on Tug, which comes to us from West Virginia fiddler Edden Hammons. I came across it on Ken Torke's TaterJoe's website (http://taterjoes.com/banjo/index.html), a...
View ArticleRed fourth string
I've recently seen a couple of pictures/videos on the internet of banjos with a red fourth string with no explanation. Can anyone enlighten me about this? Richard
View ArticleThe consequences of bad right hand form
You have heard of "flying thumbs" and extended index fingers.. This photo is the result of one student's refusal to tuck that index finger 'in'....Don't let this happen to you..Listen to your instructor.
View ArticleSlipping Sliding Fred Kelly
I've been playing for a few months now, and what with assorted issues with fingernails, I'm trying to get used to using Fred Kelly Freedom picks. I have rather freakishly long, skinny fingers, and for...
View ArticlePreventing the neck of an open back from dropping
I have found a way of stopping the neck from dropping as you play. I have attached a photo.Once you have the banjo on, the lanyard should be taken from front to back between the legs and then sat...
View Articleheavy strings
I have been playing using medium strings on my 5 string banjo. I would like to try "heavy" strings.Will this result in damaging the neck of the banjo in terms of string tension?
View ArticleEmergency TOTW Volunteer for tomorrow?
I just found out that there will be an unexpected opening in the Tune of the Week schedule tomorrow (May 15th). Normally in such situations I post an emergency back-up tune, but since I just had a turn...
View ArticleIs it me, or all beginners?
Just before I go completely crazy, I thought I'd ask for help!I'm a fairly experienced bluegrass picker, with twenty years of banjo playing under my belt. I've also been strumming guitar for about...
View ArticleTOTW 5/15/15 Sweet Ellen
Hi I'm the last minute TOTW volunteer. I've been having some tech troubles getting my topic to post, I may have to do this in a few pieces.The tune I've chosen is Sweet Ellen which was collected by Sam...
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"Banjo Tramp" - Clawhammer Tunetorial for 5/17/15
Watch a preview video >Key of D – aDADEBanjo Tramp is one of Dan's favorite tunes and it’s a classic often played in jams and for dances! We do have to start with an apology as in the video Dan...
View ArticleAltered states
Whenever I learn a new tune from tab it seems that I always alter it in some way or another to suit my taste. Nothing drastic that would take away from the main melody but I always find something I...
View ArticleNew Toy
I bought a Rogue Starter/Travel banjo to carry in my work van so I can play at lunch and breaks.Tightened the head.Changed out the tailpiece to a no knot and installed Red Aquila strings on 1-4.Left...
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gets nervous.... gets faster... brain explodes...
ho hum.... been practicing this "moderate paced" tune for weeks- Handsome Cabin boy, so I decided to do it infront of the members of our jam yesterday & "kapow"... I did it 100 times faster (slight...
View ArticleGCGCC a magic tuning?
The more I play in GCGCC, the more intriguing I find that tuning. Seems ludicrous at first, tuning 3 out of 5 strings to C. Not only that, but the 1 and 2 strings are tuned exactly alike. But for the...
View ArticlePull-off question
I ran across the following bit of tablature and I wanted to confirm my understanding of what was expected here. On the second eighth note, there's a pull-off indicated for the first string at the...
View ArticleRing Finger Strength Exercises
I'm brand new to banjo and this site. I'd love to get tips for fret hand strengthening--especially the ring finger. I have fairly small hands, and find that placing the 4th finger on the 4th string (as...
View ArticleClawhammer Banjo Heads
Soliciting Any/all Opinions based upon experience concerning banjo heads for clawhammer playing. Which would be a better choice: Remo FiberSkyn or Remo Renaissance as I am looking for a more mello Old...
View ArticleBoom rest diddy or diddy boom rest?
There is a documentary film showing Franklin Roosevelt visiting Hoover dam. They've got the old guys dressed up in fine to play "soldier's joy" for the Prez. and they do, and finely, too. But there's...
View ArticleFresh Take on a Common Tune
That was a quote by R.D. Lunceford in another post regarding contest tunes. I hear that phrase a lot, but have a question.At what point does a "fresh take" break from "tradition"?Can someone offer me...
View ArticleOne More River To Cross
Can anyone tell me what key Dave Macon did One More River to Cross in? Hard to tell from those old recordings.
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