Archive for September, 2015
Difficulty with playing the D Chord on banjo QuestionI 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....
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How long to stay practicing on 1 thing?
Student Question: How long should I practice one thing? Hi Ross,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...
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Songs on Banjo that sound good slow
Student QuestionHere'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...
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Practicing the left hand for fun
Special Banjo Questions Column -Getting Better at Banjo / Fun with the Left HandQuestionI'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...
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How Not to Tense Up Playing Banjo - How to RelaxSpecial Banjo Instructor Advice Column - Getting in the Zone!Student QuestionGetting in the Zone! By Ross NickersonI had a very nice email that included compliments on...
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Head tightening, torque wrench and banjo set up
Question, concerning banjo head tightening. I know that Steve Huber (in his dvd) talks about tightening the head to a G# but I can't hear any tone on the head myself so I won't be able to use that procedure. I think...
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Should I Put One Finger or Two Fingers on the Banjo Head
Should I Put One Finger or Two Fingers on the Banjo Head article by Ross NickersonShould I put two fingers on the head? when playing banjo? One finger down? If so, which finger? When picking what's the difference...
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What Gauge Banjo Strings Should I Use?
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....
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What is the Easiest Banjo to Play?
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...
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Traveling with a banjo, what’s the best way to fly?
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...
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How do I know where the banjo melody notes are?
How do I know where the banjo melody notes are?A student just called with a question.His question, I cant tell where the melody is when I play the rolls?His question was a good one or common one but the way he...
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Learning Banjo Slides with Banjo Chords
Learning Banjo Slides with Banjo ChordsMore Versions of Slide Mountain and Sliding into Chords LessonWhen I wrote Slide Mountain I had demonstrating how to play slides on the banjo on my mind. I purposely get a...
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I just returned home from our 13th annual Banjo Workshop Cruise to the Caribbean. I wrote an impromptu note to the students that joined me this year and decided it would be helpful to publish on my free banjo lessons...
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Banjo ImprovisingImprovising on Banjo in bluegrass 3 finger Scruggs' Style Here s a list of practical suggestions that may help1. Learn at least ten Earls Scruggs' classics correctly.2. Use one song as an example and...
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