Archive for 2015

10th fret bending on Foggy Mountain Breakdown

QUESTION: Is my sound quality problem likely caused by my playing (and will improve with practice), or is it due to the limitations of playing a $300.00 banjo and is what I can reasonably expect from the instrument?Read More

500 dollar Banjo

Had a quick question, I have a 500.00 Hohner banjo that I am playing better since I received your online video, but I am trying to get better clarity like your banjo.Do I have to buy a better banjo or is there some way I can enhance mine to sound better and crisper.Read More

Advice in the picking and fretting hand

I started learning the banjo several weeks ago and so far progress is pretty much stalled at the beginning. I realize that the right hand movements, and especially the ability to move the middle finger independently of the ring finger, should come with repetition rolls. But I am also having great difficulty with the dexterity required of the left hand. The laRead More

Advice on Banjo Back up Play Along CDs

Good luck with the Backup CDs. Remember to read the instructions on charting out the chords and playing along with the tracks based on the chords and chord progressions. You could be missing the point of these practice cds (which is to work on many parts of your playing skills) if you obsess on the tab arrangemeRead More

Advice on retuning the banjo after putting a capo on

Student Question I am having trouble with my banjo going way out of tune when I put a capo on, one of my banjos is fine but the other two I avhe quite a bit of trouble with needing to re-tune, any tips? Read More

Banjo Advice - Left hand muting

I recently purchased a Tennessee Crafters banjo and it has great sound. I am struggling with my left hand muting/interfering with the 4th string. The neck is (apparently) narrower than my previous banjo and the 4th string is very close to the lower edge of the neck. Is this something I might be able to adjust with a new nut, or is it just lazy left hand technique? Read More

Banjo CD Reviews

Ross Nickerson Banjo CD Reviews Read More

Banjo Double Hammer-on Pull-Off 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, pulloff ? exactly what the left and right hands are supposed to do and how to do it ?Read More

Banjo Encyclopedia Learning Tips

I have been working on the Banjo Student's Breakdown in the Banjo Encyclopedia and I am having a bit of trouble with the 8th measure where you perform a 2-3 slide on the third string with your second finger and then use your index finger to fret the 1st string at the second fret. Would it be okay to use your rinRead More

Banjo Exercises and Workout by Ross Nickerson

Banjo Exercises and WorkoutThis is the first installment of a series of teaching articles to help banjo students improve their overall skills by getting a "Banjo Workout".When learning the banjo it's only natural to want to learn songs and seek tangible results right away by playing a song. However in my workshops it's been my observation that students are burning a lot of practice time sight reading tablature and not getting the results they desire. If we can take a step back and see the big picture it should be obvious that if we spend more of our practice time building the skills needed to play songs and improve our overall capabilities, completed songs, jamming and real results should fall right into place.In this first banjo exercise lesson. I'm going to give you a picking exercise with a few different aspects of picking to work on. Read More

Banjo Learning Tips - Right Hand Picking - Banjo Rolls

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’’ techniques with Rolls prior to “Left Hand” techniques with Chords, etc. Read More

Banjo Links

Banjo Links and MoreBelow are a courtesy listing of Banjo and Bluegrass linksRead More

Banjo Players

BANJO PLAYER WEBSITESRead More

Banjo Practice Trying to Hard

One of the thing that comes up a lot at my private lessons is that students can think too hard, which many of us do. Adults especially, are used to solving our problems with our mind. With the banjo many of the difficulties can be solved by overcoming physical barriers. That of course is not new, but maybe not thought through enough.Read More

Banjo Reviews

Customer Reviews and Comments for our Gold Tone Banjo Sales, Recording King, Deering, Morgan Monroe, Goldstar and the Other Banjo Models and Manufacturers.Read More

Banjo Set Up Advice

Just a quick note to say how much I am enjoying the courses I have downloaded from you. I have recently detected vibration on my 4th string when fretting. All the other strings are fine and it is a new set of strings. Are there any banjo websites who diagnose and advise on these problems. Read More

Banjo Students Breakdown

In the Banjo Encyclopedia, chapter, 5 the Banjo Student's Breakdown. There are four places in this tune where you move from G to F, starting F with a hammer-on on the 4th string. I am finding it nearly impossible to make this transition with any speed. Is there a trick to this, or just lots of practice?Read More

Banjo Timing Instruction

Reply to a student reporting on learning timing on banjo and other common hurdlesThanks for the positive feedback. timing problems can often be solved by learning to count out or tap out the beats or notes in each measure, (without playing).Read More

BANJO WEBSITE LINKS

Bluegrass Website Here are some links to banjo websites where you will find everything you need to improve on the banjo.Read More

Banjo Workshop Reviews

Reviews from Banjo PickersPlaying Banjo By Ear and Jamming Workshops Play by ear, chord instruction, practice habits, playing backup and improvising. Read More

BanjoTeacher.com Instruction and Service Reviews

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

Beginning Banjo Rolls - Practicing Banjo Rolls

When you are beginning to learn banjo rolls, the most important thing to remember is the roll is determined by the finger pattern used not the strings played. For example a beginning banjo alternating thumb roll, sometimes referred to as a “square” or “box” roll is T I T M T I T M (thumb index thumb middle)Read More

Beverly Hillbilly D Chord Part

I bought your books How to Build Up speed and The banjo song book. I am a newcomer but have got the hang of the basic rolls and can play reasonably fluently and at a medium tempo. Problem I am trying to learn The Ballad of Jed Clampet and I just cannot for the life of me get the phrasing of the end of the 3rd to the beginning of the 4th measure. I know the tune, I've watchedRead More

Bluegrass Bands

Find a Bluegrass band in your area Read More

Bluegrass Festivals

Below are a listing of Bluegrass festivals and Bluegrass venues links here at BanjoTeacher.comRead More

Bluegrass Gospel Websites

Bluegrass Gospel Websites

Bluegrass Gospel WebsitesRead More

Bluegrass in the U.S.

short contentRead More

Bluegrass Magazines Webzines

Listed below are Bluegrass Magazines and Webzines to help you with your banjo playingRead More

BLUEGRASS MUSIC LESSON LINKS

BLUEGRASS MUSIC LESSON LINKSRead More

Bluegrass Music Store Links

Bluegrass Music Store Links Here are some Bluegrass music store links Read More

Bluegrass Websites

BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATIONS, BANDS, RADIO STATIONS, BLUEGRASS PRODUCTS AND MORERead More

Chord shapes / keys

Student Question I understand the concepts of playing back up as explained in the encyclopedia and other books I have but I can't find anything specific concerning backup in alternate tunings, particularly and specifically Dm...iRead More

Controling Banjo Picking

I have been playing (or trying) for a few years now, and for the amount of time invested, feel I should be a pretty good player by now! Not so unfortunately as my biggest problem seems to be my right hand and fingers going everywhere once I start trying to pick up some speed. My hand cramped up terribly when I had two fingers on the head, so it was suggested that I try with just my pinky. I did this and it made me woRead More

DVD Sample Videos

Banjo Lesson Videos Here are banjo lesson video samples for the banjo lessons that go with our Books, DVDs and Online Lessons. The videos are for Backup Banjo, Beginner Banjo Videos, Banjo Tunes, Play Along, Learning Banjo Chords, Up the Neck, Practice Habits, Timing, Playing in Different keys without a capo and more. Read More

Fingers tensing up while playing banjo

I have just started using some of your materials but have not yet seen this issue specifically addressed. My playing consistency is poor. Some days I can play moderate difficulty tunes with rhythm and timing and with few if any errors. At other times (particularly when playing in front of an “audience”), both right and left hanRead More

Fretting Hands Question

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, pulloff ? exactly what the left and right hands are supposed to do and how to do it ?Read More

Head tightening, torque wrench and banjo set up

Help with D Chord

I can play most chord forms pretty well at this point, but have never comfortably mastered the full D chord—in fact, I’m not very content with how I play it at all. This is certainly an important chord shape that is essential to basic bluegrass music, especially up-the-neck playing. Here’s my question—what can I do to improve my ability to accurately transition to this chord form (I know, practice, practice, practice)? Do you have something specific that you can recommend?Read More

Hints to Pick Banjo Faster Developing Speed and Technique

Hints to Pick Banjo Faster Developing Speed and TechniqueRight Hand1. Practice Rolls. 2. Work on weak spots. 3. Push yourself and try to raise your speed a notch each day. 4. Try using a metronome to push the tempo up each practice session and help you with your timing as well. 5. Allow yourself the freedom to make mistakes and sound sloppy so you can work out the kinks and overcome obstacles. 6. Play in situations that challenge your speed. You may be surprised on how well you do. 7. Play through mistakes and keep plowing forward. Read More

How do I know where the banjo melody notes are?

His question was a good one or common one but the way he pictured how this all comes together needed better understanding. It comes from every one learning banjo rolls first. Learning the rolls or the “picking patterns” first is helpful and probably the best way to get started but its basically an exercise to develop picking skill and timing. Its not the wRead More

How do I use Banjo Rolls?

I'm finding your DVDs, CDs, etc. very useful and am pleased to have them. I have a question about the rolls information in your Fundamentals program that came up for me when I first got into that material. I didn't ask this when I started as I thought it was too basic or obvious a question but it keeps coming to mind so here goes: My understanding of rolls is that they serve an ongoing, background rhythm purpose so, as the term suggests, they roll on and on and on. Several of the rolls you present have one measure of eight notes with the second measure ending in quarter/half notes (I don't have the book with me and may not be using the right term for the secRead More

How do you become more advanced?

How did you go from beginning to professional? There is one thing that I would like to offer as a question and that is, have you considered writing an article about how you progressed playing the banjo from the beginning through intermediate, and advance play, before becoming professional? I'm sure countless aspiring banjo players would be interested in how you went about going from a novice banjo player to an expert today. For example, I, for one, would be interested in knowing how often and for how long did you practice, your approach to learning, and your daily practice routine. Read More

How Hard is it to Play the Banjo?

That is important first question for those of you are itching to take up the fun of playing 5 string bluegrass banjo. In my years of teaching the banjo and also handling much of the customer service at BanjoTeacher.com, the question “Is learning banjo hard?” or “how hard is it to play the banjo” is one that comes up a lot and often first!Read More

How long to stay practicing on 1 thing?

I received my banjo and materials very quickly. Thanks for the quick service! Your book and DVD (Fundamentals of 5-String Banjo) are invaluable resources for the beginning student. My problem is I'm not sure exactly how quickly to move forward or how long I should practice one thing. Should I learn one roll until Read More

How to Bend Banjo Picks

Is there a preferred bending of the finger tips? Should they be bent to where they are 45 degrees to your finger nails or left as they are when you take them out of the pack?There seems to be as many answers as there are stars in the sky. I just want to know if there is a mechanically best method so I don't have to change later. Read More

How to best use The Banjo Encyclopedia

Here is a copy of a quick note I sent to a student who was learning a lot from the Banjo Encyclopedia but also felt a little overwhelmed by all the material.Read More

How to Capo the 5th string

In your years of playing the banjo , do you find it usefull to have a 5th sting sliding capo bar? I not sure if I should have one mounted ,if it is not really needed. Read More

How to play a banjo roll with a bounce

I always am interested in opinions on whether one should try to pick with even spacing (time) between notes or a slightly different spacing resulting in a “bouncy” rhythm. I have noticed listening to your monthly songs that on most you seem to have an even spacing between notes even at the slow speed resulting in the so called “machine gun” sound.Read More

How to Play Banjo Chords - Difficulty with chords

I am a beginner/newly intermediate banjo player and am having a very difficult time with chords.Read More

How to Play Banjo Up the Neck, Cumberland Gap

Question Hi Ross, I have a question about playing the Cumberland Gap up the neck break. I'm having trouble with the pinky finger hitting the 11th fret, 2nd string right. Is there a pearl of wisdom for this?Read More

How to play in the Key of D on banjo

I can play most chord forms pretty well at this point, but have never comfortably mastered the full D chord—in fact, I’m not very content with how I play it at all. This is certainly an important chord shape that is essential to basic bluegrass music, especially up-the-neck playing. Here’s my question—what can I do to improve my ability to accurately transition to this chord form (I know, practice, practice, practice)? Do you have something specific that you can recommend?Read More

How to Tune a Banjo

Learning how to tune a banjo easily and quickly is one of the first steps in learning to play the banjo and I am here to lend a few tips to help you get the job done. To get the notes to tuneRead More

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

Instruction Reviews

Reviews of Ross Nickerson Banjo Books CDs and DVDsRoss, Thank you, thank you, thank you. I learned more from your book and tapes in an hour, than in nine months with other sources. I am 64 and was beginning to doubt that I could ever learn to play the banjo. Read 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