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Should I Put One Finger or Two Fingers on the Banjo Head

Should I put two fingers on the head? when playing banjo? One finger down? If so, which finger? When picking what's the difference between planting two fingers or just one? The advantage? Why put any fingers down?Read More

Sitting On Top of the World ending lick

I'm still struggling with the lick in sitting on top of the world. Would you mind a detailed explanation how to play the lick with the 2 hammers, pull off ? exactly what the left and right hands are supposed to do and how to do it ?Read More

Songs on Banjo that sound good slow

Here's a question for the "Ask the Banjo Teacher" forum. Being that I started learning the banjo later in life and have a problem playing some of the songs "up to speed" do you have any suggestions for songs that sound good slower, played at a slow speed? I've done some searching and can't find any kind of a compilation of songs geared towards a slower tempo yetRead More

Take it Easy Tab Question

I'm wanting to learn the tab to "take it easy". It's hard for me to hear the song in the tab. Is this played from the very beginning of the song or is it the solo piece towards the end of the song. What speed should this be played in. Thanks Paula Read More

Testing the Differences between a Mahogany and Maple Banjo Neck

One of my students from purchased a Nechville Flextone banjo. He could not decide between a maple or mahogany neck so he had an ingenious idea that no one had tried before, HE GOT BOTH. With Tom Nechville's easily removable banjo neck design called the flux capacitor he could switch between the two necks easy. This article is about the differences we found between two identical banjo necks, one made of mahogany and one of maple, then switched and tested on the same banjo. Read More

The Banjo Encyclopedia Reviews

Reviews of The Banjo Encyclopedia "Bluegrass Banjo from A to Z" by Ross NickersonRead More

Timing in Banjo Tab

On the 5th and 10th note it has a symbol but does note show a string to pick. What does this symbol mean Ross? Does it mean to pause briefly before playing the next 8th note? Read More

Timing Tips

Learn Timing and how to count time Tips from Ross Nickerson answers to students A couple of tips. Learning to count time is very important on the banjo and easy if you just take the time to practice it.Read More

Tips on Playing Banjo in a Jam

It seems that when preparing for jam session or playing your banjo with other musicians that it is best to plan for the unexpected. One of the best ways to simplify the process is to learn to play song based on the chords only. In the real world of playing banjo with others or in a band, the first thing youRead More

Top Service Reviews

Read reviews about BanjoTeacher.com's top service, customer satisfaction, Books, DVDs, CDs, workshops, banjo lessons and banjo sales service.Read More

Traveling with a banjo, what’s the best way to fly?

I am asked for advice on the best way to fly with a banjo a lot especially by students in conjunction with our annual Banjo Camps and Workshops that I organize and instruct at. I am a good person to ask because I certainly have flown a lot with my banjo and have tried a number of different strategies and approachesRead More

Trouble with Playing Banjo Chords

Question: Hi, I am a beginner/newly intermediate banjo player and am having a very difficult time with playing banjo chords.Read More

Trouble with the Index Finger

I have been struggling with right hand accuracy for some time now. I have even emailed you a couple of times for advice, which you graciously offered. Please indulge me one more time as I have determined the root of the problem.Read More

Trying to Hard

I had a very nice email with compliments on the Banjo Encyclopedia. I'll include some of it. The student also had an interesting comment, well, it may be interesting to a lot of you that are learning so I included an impromptu email I sent back with some suggestions and insights that might help some of youRead More

Welcome to our Free Banjo Lesson Blog

Hello aspiring banjo pickers,Welcome to my free banjo lessons and instruction blog. My name is Ross Nickerson. For those of you who are not familiar with me I am the author of The Banjo Encyclopedia, Bluegrass Banjo from A to Z as well as over 20 other Books and DVDs designed to help students learn how to play bluegrass banjo. My plan is to design a blog dedicated to touching on the many aspects of bluegrass banjo playing to help you create good practice habits and learn correct 5 string bluegrass banjo technique.Read More

What Gauge Banjo Strings Should I Use?

Banjo Strings come in many gauges, light, medium, medium light and heavy gauge. I use a medium light set but there a many choices and I have tried lot’s of different combinations. If you are new to banjo, how do you decide?Read More

What is the definition of playing thirds on a banjo

Hi Ross what is the definition of playing a third on a banjo? Looked but couldn’t find the definition, Thanks TedHi Ted,A Third is two notes 1/3 apart; chords are made of 3 notes, each note 1/3 apart which is why they harmonize. Singers most often harmonize using notes 1/3 apart.Read More

What is the Easiest Banjo to Play?

You might be asking yourself what style or what type of banjo is easiest to play. Since all the styles have their challenges it might be best for me to describe the different techniques for you more clearly so you can decide which style and type of banjo to dedicate your time too.Read More

What is Zero Glide? Zero Glide Banjo Comparison

What is the Zero Glide Nut for Banjo and Guitar? Questions Answered - Comparison Video with and without Zero Glide I like most banjo players wanted to know what all the buzz was about the Zero Glide Nut got banjo. I heard about it for quite sometime before having an opportunity to experience what it does for your banjo. I consider myself always open to new ideas and improvements but I had a normal responses in the back of my head....... Read More

What's New at BanjoTeacher.com

What´s the benefit with a radius neck compared with a standard one?

Hi Nick! I´m really pleased with your Nick Picks that arrived a few days ago. They improve both tone and speed to my picking. Bye the way, could you tell me what´s the benefit with a radius neck compared with a standard one?Read More

Which Banjo Thumpicks Do you Recommend?

I recently decided to start using a thumbpick after years without. Still going without fingerpicks (I also play ukulele and nylon guitar). Also I have moved to a higher bridge - 11/16".Read More

Why isn't the song I want to learn to play on banjo availalble

A response I wrote to someone looking for a tab for a popular song. I wanted to explain to help them understand why there are not more popular songs in tab available to students. (popular meaning, main stream songs that are not traditionally bluegrass)Read More

Workshop Comments and Tips

Just a short note to thank you for the workshop over the weekend. The afternoon was one of the best musical investments I have made, and I would recommend it to any banjo player, regardless of level, or singer-songwriter like myself who writes from the banjo. Of particular help to me was the mixing of various rolls and what you refer to as "accent". I am also looking forward to putting to use the Banjo Encyclopedia. Having only had a chance for a quick read so far, it looks like an excellent primer that covRead More