Learning Banjo

Improvising on Banjo

I have been reading through several pages of your "Banjo Encyclopedia," and, I've got to say this is a pinnacle text. Over the years, I've collected dozens of instructional books, almost all of which I set aside after realizing they were not comprehensive...just tabs. You've done it! I feel you passion in your text, and in your playing. You have done the "banjo world of players" a great service...cudos! Wow! Thanks for the compliments. I am alwayRead More

Index Finger flies away

Just wanted to thank you again and let you know how productive the cruise workshop was for me. I have been playing about two hours a day in the month since we’ve been back and am seeing improvement in most areas. I’m mostly practicing the two-finger chord positions, playing in thirds and sixths, and doing left and right hand exercises out of the Banjo Encyclopedia, which is very well done I must say. My only source of frustration right now is that no matter how muRead More

I’m learning to play banjo like this in 7 months

One of my online students sent me this nice message and also an MP3 recording of his progress. I think he is doing well so I sent back some encouragement and some tips that might be helpful to my blog readers as well. Here is the letter.I bought a banjo the last week of March this year. I’ve been amazed at how far I’ve come since then thanks to books like yours (I’m entirely self taught). I attached an mp3 of a song I just recorded today. I’ve got a friend who plays guitar and I was recording it so he could practice with it. Thought you might like to hear what someone with your books and 7 months of practice can do.Read More

Learning 5-string Banjo Chords

Learning 5-string banjo chords is easier than you might think. It really just takes focused practice, exercise and repetition. Often banjo players struggle with learning chords simply because they most often gravitate to practicing picking and simply do not take the time build skill in the fretting hand..Read More

Learning Banjo From the Bluegrass Encyclopedia of Banjo

Try reading The Banjo Encyclopedia without playing to get some further understanding of what is being presented. A lot of students say that has helped them. Try to gain more of the big picture before you dive into playing, it will likely save you valuable practice time.Read More

Learning Banjo Slides with Banjo Chords

When I wrote Slide Mountain I had demonstrating how to play slides on the banjo on my mind. I purposely get a little carried away with it. I hope you don’t mind me stretching out a bit and having some fun. I have a lesson for getting started sliding into chords below. I posted 4 more versions of the same song below the lesson too. I hope you have some fun with it. Thanks! Happy Picking, NickRead More

Learning How to Play, Tune and Set up a Resophonic Banjo or "Dojo"

How to Play, Tune and Set up a Resophonic Banjo or "Dojo"Learn more about how to play a Resophonic banjo or "Dojo". Recommended strings to use, tips on tone, alternative tunings and other insights into transitioning from a normal 5-string bluegrass banjo using 3 finger Scruggs style technique to playing a Dojo, Resophonic Banjo or ResNick. Read More

Learning the D Chord Part In Beverly Hillbillies / Jed Clampett

Banjo Advice Beverly Hillbilly's / Jed ClampetLearning the Beverly Hillbillies theme on banjo Student Question: The D chord part in The Ballad of Jed Clampet Read More

Learning to Play Banjo Left Handed

Being a lefty and wanting to learn to play banjo can present a few challenges. One is deciding whether to start off playing banjo left handed or right handed. I am asked that question fairly frequently from new students asking me for advice. What I would do if I was standing right there in front of them is hand them a banjo and see which way they go with it. I don't think this is a cerebral decision or even something that should be followed on the advice of others. The bottom line is it has to feel natural and comfortable. Often our quickest reactions or "gut" reactions are the most dependable and solid. That is why I would try to distract the student and hand it to them so I could see their "natural" reaction and which way they held it..... Read More

Learning to play Chords and Chord Shapes

As I'm practicing chords and my chord progressions on banjo, Should I try to find the chords closest to each other on the neck. or try to pick up and down the neck or try pick different shapes.I get a little confused trying to pick out say which D to go to Good question actually. I normally suggest finding the ones closest to each other when you learning and finding them. Read More

Loop to Learn - App to Slow Down You Tube Video and Audio

Middle Finger Problems

A question on the middle finger not cooperating I am a member and I have a question for you. I started playing last June and my middle finger wants to move up away from the strings when I strike the other strings with my thumb and middle finger. Is they any way of trying to correct this. Maybe some exercise. Anything advise would be greatly appreciated. Read More

Most Accurate Tab for Dueling Banjos

Most Accurate Tab for Dueling Banjos by Ross Nickerson I’ve transcribed Dueling Banjos note for note from the original Deliverance Movie Soundtrack as played by Eric Weisberg. Eric’s playing of this song along with the worldwide exposure from the movie and radio airplay can be credited with spawning a generation of players to take up the banjo. I still have students arrive at my door or at my website BanjoTeacher.com because they heard Dueling Banjos and want with every fiber in their body to make that sound!Read More

Newbie to the Banjo - Left Hand Technique

As a relative newbie to the banjo, I've got a question that pertains to the Banjo Encyclopedia's 3rd chapter on left handed technique. Here's my question.Read More

Notes to Tune a Banjo To

Here are the notes to tune a banjo to and also the notes used for different tuning options on a banjo. The tunings we have the notes for are Standard G open bluegrass tuning. C Tuning bluegrass, Bluegrass D tuning, Double C tuning, G minor tuning and Low Open E tuning. Read More

Photos of RK76, RK-85, What is a Snuffy Smith Bridge? Does Changing...

Ask the BanjoTeacher questions - Questions from students and customers sent to Ross Nickerson Hi Ross, Would you please send me photos of the new banjos when they arrive? The EK76 and RK-85? I have a couple questions, What is the Snuffy Smith bridge? How do you set them up for the best sound? I read somewhere that replacing the head will greatly improve the sound. Any comments?Read More

Picking with Earl Scruggs

Picking with Earl ScruggsRead More

Play Along CDs for Speed Building Book

Question about the best products to learn from someone who is frustrated with keeping up with the tracks in the How to Build Your Speed on the Banjo BookThe new backup play along CDs are probably the best banjo practice advice I could give for improving playing the songs you know, They are much slower than the Speed book tracks. The fRead More

Play by ear banjo tips

Playing in the the key of D and playing by ear Here are some suggestions I just sent to a student preparing to attend an upcoming workshop of mine. I don't always have time for this but was inspired tonight. The suggestions might help you too so I'll share them.Read More

Playing a 5-string Banjo with a low G on the 5th string?

I've been playing banjo for a few months now. Been picking it up pretty well! However, I play rather unconventionally. The 5th peg came off while I was learning basic chords, ended up keeping it with 4 and rocking the tuning D-G-B-E. I like it because I can play along to most songs without having to transpose in anyway or whatnot.Read More

Playing the Melody by Ear on Banjo

Playing the Melody on Banjo A question on how to learn to pick out the melody notes. So you have any suggestions that would help me learn how to just pick the melody notes out when learning a tune or is it just learn the notes on the fret board?Read More

Playing The Melody on a Banjo | Using the Thumb

One of the challenges to learning and playing bluegrass banjo is to learn correct technique so you can keep up with the fast tempos so many bluegrass songs have.One of the tricks to playing consecutive 1/8 notes on a banjo is alternating your fingers. If you are playing 1/4 notes it's no problem to use the same finger twice in a row, but on a fast stream of 1/8 notes in an up tempo bluegrass song, using a different finger for each note is how it's accomplished.When playing the melody in 3 finger bluegrass Scruggs Style is don't let the index finger drive the bus. The thumb leads the way.Read More

Playing using only the chords instruction

Playing using the chords

Learning new techniques and new songs has been the driving force for me to play every day and your Website has added a new dimension to my quest. I've watched your newest video of "Boil Them Cabbage Down" and thoroughly enjoy the style you've created with that song. I know a simple version of that song but would love to get my hands on the tab from your video.Read More

Practice Habits Banjo

Banjo Practice Habits and Techniques Class HandoutsBelow are links to handouts that you can downloadRead More

Practicing Banjo with CDs/Back Tracks

Here are tips on practicing banjo with CDs, backup bands and Backing Tracks to increase your speed, skill and repetitions.Student Question: ...Since I’ve ordered a lot of your material in the past year, i.e, Banjo Encyclopedia, Vol 1 & 2 Play along CD’s, Speed Book, Scruggs Book, etc., I need some advice on practicing. I’ve learned “Dixie Breakdown” cleanly at the slower speed. In addition, I’ve learned Lonesome Road Blues from the Scruggs CD at the slower speed. My question is: should I concentrate on “just” those until I get them at the “breakneck” speed you play them at? ( which is going toRead More

Practicing Basic Banjo Rolls

I am member and have been getting much material from your great collections. My question is that I have never practiced the basic banjo rolls and other rolls. I have been playing for about 3 years now and I am learning different songs from many books. I feel like I am learning the forward roll and other rolls better because I use them in alRead More

Practicing the left hand for fun

Question I'm getting better at banjo but the left hand is tough for me right now. I remember you emphasizing it in your workshop. It seems so much easier and 'fun' to work right hand picking techniques. Read More

Pull Down or Push Up?

Ross when i first learned to play i was taught to push off from 3-2 (third string) and have always done that but lacked consistency in sound- and sometimes my middle finger hits the fourth string such that i can hear it. i have the encyclopedia ( which is awesome) and you teach a pull off (3-2). i think it sounds better but i am so used to pushing that it is slow going right now. what do you recommend that i do ? Read More

Pull off 3-2 on the 3rd string

I have a question in regards to the 3-2 pull off. After experimenting one night, I found that my pull offs were crisper and cleaner if I used my left ring finger instead of my left middle finger to do the pull off. After doing this for a few minutes, I started thinking about the physics of using the ring instead of the middle, and it seemed to makRead More

Pull-off and Push-off tips/follow up

A featured email question from a student and answer by me, or some advice I have given someone who has requested it. Many of the questions I receive are questions that many students learning the banjo have. I hope the answers and advice I share ring through as sensible to you.Read More

Putting One or Two Fingers on the Banjo Head

Should I place two fingers on the head? 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

Putting the Capo on

I spent yesterday at a oldtime music jamboree with about ten different bands playing. I noticed the guitar players when they moved their capos they didn't retune, when I put mine on the banjo it doesn't sound right and appears to be out of tune. Your book (banjo encyclopedia) says I may have to retune with the capo on. My question is if I put the capo on the 2nd fret (key of A) what do I tune the strings to?? I guess this question would be the same for any placement of the capo.Read More

Question on using a preamp with a Fishman Banjo Pickup

Hi, I purchased a Gold Tone BG-250 F from you a few months ago. Great banjo by the way. I installed the Fishman rare earth pickup in it and was hoping you could give me some insight on a good DI for this set up. I am playing in a full band set-up with electric instruments, drums, etc. I am having trouble getting good volume with control. Is it ideal to use a DI with the Fishman? If so, what do I look for? Thanks for any help you can give me at all.Read More

Questions about banjo tab

I get a little bit of an attitude with any issues with the tab related the backup tracks in particular. That's because it's my feeling, and desire for students to get away from the tab with these tracks, to try to fill in the space where they forget, (or the tab is wrong or doesn't suit them:) and practice just picking along really,Read More

Relaxing when playing banjo

Getting in the Zone! By Ross Nickerson I had a very nice email that included compliments on my book The Banjo Encyclopedia. The student also had some interesting comments that inspired an impromptu email I sent back to him with some suggestions and insights that might help some of you as well. Thanks! Ross Nickerson. Read More

Reset the Bridge on a Five String Banjo

Watch a video on how to re-set your banjo bridge. This video goes in to more detail and shows you how to set the bridge so the intonation is correct and the banjo plays in tune up and down the neck. The bridge is placed the same distance from the 12th fret as the distance from the 12th fret to the nut (nut is located where the strings go through at the peg head). The intonation or tuning can be fine tuned with an electronic tuner and using harmonics. This is described and demonstrated in the video.Read More

Right Hand Placement Question

I am in my mid 50’s and got my first banjo as well as your impressive book “The Banjo Encyclopedia”. I wanted to be sure that I am on right track and to verify that you suggest using the book in the sequence presented which has ‘Right Hand Banjo Instruction ’’ techniques with Rolls prior to “Left Hand” techniques with Chords, etc.Read More

Roll syncopation on the slow speeds on the CD

I was working on the Alternating Thumb Roll (p. 15) and playing the eighth notes in a strict fashion according to the instruction in the first bullet on page 14, which says to "ensure that there is an equal space between the eighth notes". But, when I listen to the way that the Alternating Thumb Roll is played on the CD, the eighthRead More

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

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

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 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