Search for "other banjo reviews"
A question on banjo chord forms in different keysStudent QuestionI 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...
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Beverly Hillbilly D Chord Part
Learning the Beverly Hillbillies theme on banjo Student Question: The D chord part in The Ballad of Jed ClampetI bought your books How to Build Up speed and The banjo song book. I am a newcomer but have got the hang...
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Workshops for Banjo / Questions and Answers Student commentsHi Ross,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...
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How do you become more advanced?
How to progress faster learning the banjoStudent QuestionHow 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...
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Playing in the the key of D and playing by earHere 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...
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Learn Timing and how to count time Tips from Ross Nickerson answers to studentsA couple of tips.Learning to count time is very important on the banjo and easy if you just take the time to practice it.Learn some basic...
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10th fret bending on Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Bending or choking the stringStudent QuestionHow to improve the 10th fret choke on Foggy Mountain Breakdown?BACKGROUND: I have a $300.00 "Bluegrass" model Mastercraft banjo and I'm learning the high break to "Foggy...
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Getting Better Control of Your PickingStudent question Hello from Australia, Ross!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...
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Practicing Banjo with CDs/Back Tracks
Student Question What should I Practice?...Since I’ve ordered a lot of your material in the past year, i.e, Banjo Encyclopedia, Backing Tracks, Play along CDs, Banjo Speed Book, Scruggs Style Book, etc., I need some...
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How to Capo the Fifth StringA question on capoing the fifth stringHi Ross!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...
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Advice on retuning the banjo after putting a capo on
Having trouble tuning when putting a banjo capo onStudent QuestionI 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...
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Learning to play Chords and Chord Shapes
Practicing chords on banjo Question: 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...
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Play Along CDs for Speed Building Book
Banjo Practice AdviceQuestion 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...
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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...
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Banjo Double Hammer-on Pull-Off Lick
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 lickwith the 2 hammers, pulloff ? exactly what the left and right hands are supposed to...
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Reply to a student reporting on learning timing on banjo and other common hurdlesThanks for the positive feedback. Banjo timing problems or understanding how to improve your banjo timing can often be solved by...
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Practicing Basic Banjo Rolls Student questionHi Ross: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...
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Advice on Banjo Back up Play Along CDs
Advice on Banjo Back up Play Along CDs: some prioritiesGood 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...
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Fingers tensing up while playing banjo
Fingers tensing up while playing banjo Student questionI 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...
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How to play a banjo roll with a bounce
Question, concerning how to play a banjo roll with a bounce and put a bounce in your banjo playing. To bounce or not to bounce, that is the question. Dear Ross,I always am interested in opinions on whether one should...
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Questions about banjo tab:This is a reply from a student that I sent some updated tab fixes related to the first batch of Backup Play Along CDs I produced.Thanks! Great reply and support. You'll have my business...
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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 tune to...
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Tips on Playing Banjo in a Jam
Tips on Playing Banjo in a JamBy Ross NickersonIt 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...
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Banjo Learning Tips - Right Hand Picking - Banjo Rolls
Question about how to best use The Banjo Encyclopedia Hi Ross,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...
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Sitting On Top of the World ending lick
Subject" Sitting On Top of the World ending lickQuestion 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 ?...
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Newbie to the Banjo - Left Hand Technique
Newbie to the BanjoSubject: Chapter 3 Left Hand Technique QuestionAs 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...
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Subject: Trying to HardRoss N......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...
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How to Play Banjo Chords - Difficulty with chords
Subject: How to Play Banjo Chords - Difficulty with chordsQuestion: Hi, I am a beginner/newly intermediate banjo player and am having a very difficult time with chords.My Response: Do you have the book I wrote, The...
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How to best use The Banjo Encyclopedia
Subject: Simplifying it some for a studentHere 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.Learning from the...
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