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Martha Butler
on Fixing Banjo Timing - Banjo Tab Exercises
George Hicks
on How Hard is it to Play the Banjo?
Thomas Holder
on Banjo Capo Advice - How and When to Use a Banjo...
Bryan Cook
on Banjo Capo Advice - How and When to Use a Banjo...
Banjo Encyclopedia Questions and Answers from author Ross Nickerson
Learn from answers and insights directly from Banjo Encyclopedia's author Ross Nickerson. Ross answers questions from students learning from the best selling banjo book, The Banjo Encyclopedia, Bluegrass Banjo from A to Z.
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 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 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
Getting Better Control of Your Picking
Love your Banjo Encyclopedia and have found it a great help. 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 theRead 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 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
Improving Your Left Hand on Banjo - Which Finger to Use?
Answer to a student question on which finger to use when playing a standard lick up the neck. The article includes the answer along with some straight forward advice on improving your left hand ability when practicing your banjo.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
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
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
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
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
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The Banjo Cruise
The Banjo Cruise
The Banjo Cruise Workshop is held in a large private conference room that is essentially sound proof and separate from all other passengers. The workshop takes place during the days we are at sea so you can visit all ports and still have plenty of time for fun with your spouse, family or friends while on the cruise. The class sizes are small ensuring that each student receives the assistance and encouragement they need.ST Pete Banjo Camp
Annual Banjo Workshop weekend in Sunny St Pete Beach Florida!
The Academy of Performance Arts with Ross Nickerson
Banjo camp seminar and group banjo lesson workshop in the USA for bluegrass 5-string banjo in Florida at sunny St Pete Beach. This is an annual Florida banjo event and held during the winter months for locals,winter residents and students who want to escape the cold while improving their banjo playing, and having fun doing it.The Banjo Safari
The Banjo Safari
Join me for an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience traveling to Africa for an African Photo Safari. I am to be teaming up with our professional Safari guides Kevin and Tricia Dooley on an adventure that none of us will forget. We'll spend our mornings and late afternoons exploring the wildlife of South Africa, and the mid day will be filled with a banjo workshop that should be fun and rewarding. - Resources