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Wade Ward Clawhammer Banjo
For the past couple of months I have been intrigued watching videos and reading about Wade Ward. I am determined to learn a few of his songs and style playing. I picked up the Wade Ward book by Mel Bay...
View ArticleCold Frosty Morning
Just started playing old time banjo and trying to learn Cold Frosty Morning by Mike Iverson on mp3. It's great sound rythm with a quiet 5th droning away in the background but when I try this the 5th...
View ArticleOn Choosing A Teacher ...
As a novice banjo student with a little bit of bluegrass experience, wanting to learn old-time and Clawhammer playing; ... what’s good choice … a local old-time musician & old-time band member … or...
View ArticleFretless Capo
A little bit ago I asked other fretless players if they used a capo...resounding response was no.Ya'all should try the Perfect pitch capo...works great on fretless as it has a tiny platform under the...
View ArticleEnglish Squirrels
I was just looking through the song of the week forum and there are quite a few mentioning squirrels. I cannot think of one English song or tune mentioning a squirrel and yet we are a little obsessed...
View ArticleCall for TOTW volunteers
It is that time again. I'm putting together the summer TOTW volunteer list, so if you would like to be on it just send me a message through the Hangout.As always, we encourage and welcome new...
View ArticleUse of middle finger (beginner question)
Hello - I just wanted to ask a basic clawhammer question regarding use of the middle finger. I've following Cathy Fink's TrueFire course - she starts off with practicing hitting all the strings in a...
View ArticleClawhammer picks - plastic v. metal
I have never been able to grow my finger nail long, so have just gotten used to playing with a short nail. The result is a very quiet playing style.Lately, I've been trying different clawhammer picks...
View Article5th string tuner in the way
The current tab that I’m trying to learn “Over the Waterfall” ends part A with two quick brushes while fretting 5557. With a capo on the second fret, this is an awkward transition to get up the neck....
View ArticleBrackets wearing holes in my jeans
Hello. This is my first post to this site. I've been learning clawhammer for about a month. After my 90 min practice today I noticed my jeans had been picked pretty good from the brackets rubbing. I...
View ArticleDiscovering the best tuning for arranging a fiddle tune
When I first learned West Virginia fiddler Edden Hammon's version of Falls of Richmond I used modal tuning. Nearly two months later, and mindlessly, I was playing a tune in open G and it turned out to...
View ArticleTOTW 5/31/13 - Little Rose is Gone
My pick for TOTW is the great fiddle tune “Little Rose is Gone,” sometimes just called “Little Rose.” I heard it and learned it from the great recent release “Debut,” by Chance McCoy and the...
View Articlefiddle grip
When holding the banjo neck in the left hand I've been experimenting with the "fiddle grip" andwas wondering if anyone used this position as opposed to the conventional guitar positionwith the thumb on...
View ArticleOld Time Deja Vu - What tune is this?
I haven't touched a 5 string for 40 years plus, and a few weeks ago picked up an RK Ne Plus Ultra whichh I have been messing around with in between Irish gigsThis tune pooped out tonight from the dark...
View ArticleWood tone rim banjos
I recently aquired a Cedar Mountain Foothills banjo that I just cannot put down. I have always been a fan of Electric tone ring banjos but I am really loving the tone of this rosewood beveled pot With...
View ArticleUsing chords
I am very new to banjo and I am enjoying it a lot. I have worked through many basic songs from tabs, and I am starting to get a handle on this thing. I have a question regarding chords. I find I am...
View ArticleWhich bridge for a 12" goat skin head?
I just switched out a renaissance head for a goatskin head on my 12" open-back banjo with a rolled brass tone ring. Sounds great but there's also the expected drop in volume. I currently have a...
View ArticleGuitar Teacher for Clawhammer Banjo
This topic is somewhat related to choosing a banjo teacher. I am a novice clawhammer player, pretty much self instructed using online lessons, dvds, cds, etc, approximately 8 months in. But I am a...
View ArticleTired of loosing picks????
I often forget that I have a pick on my finger and the next thing I know....It is lost..I solved the problem with a Secure Banjo Pick Chain.Check out this photo. I wore this device all day and the...
View Articlegallop
In the faster tunes how are they producing the galloping sound? Example here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwPoEdd5e8IOCMS have quite a few songs like this.Sounds almost like consistent double...
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