As you may have noticed, we have been rather recalcitrant about blogging this week. Call it the Christmas ho-hums. And it’s not really ho-hums so much—we’ve all got plenty to do—but it’s just that our various schedules are still in interruption mode. Which is wonderful because Red’s mom is visiting us from Tallahassee and Casey… Continue reading Catching Up
Month: December 2009
Merry Christmas
Bob’s Excellent Lesson
Bob Mc gets his own (long) blog today, because he had such a great lesson on Tuesday that I just have to tell you about it. You know how I’m always talking about improvising and lick substitution? Well, Tuesday night Bob and I started working on having him substitute the Roll in My Sweet Baby’s… Continue reading Bob’s Excellent Lesson
The Issue of Speed
There has been some discussion on this topic lately over on the Banjo Hangout, so I thought it would be a good time to say a few words about the issue of speed in learning to play the banjo. As all of you know, one of Murphy's mantras is "speed is not important." And that… Continue reading The Issue of Speed
Flathead or Archtop? — YOU make the difference!
We often have beginning banjo students ask, "What's the difference between a flathead banjo and an archtop? Do I need an archtop if I want to sound like Ralph Stanley, and a flathead if I want to sound like Earl?" When they ask this, they're referring to the kind of tone-ring the banjo has. That's… Continue reading Flathead or Archtop? — YOU make the difference!
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!
"Oh the weather outside was frightful And if I'd been more insightful I'd have stayed by the fire delightful And let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....." Actually when I left for Georgia Friday morning, the weather was fine. Cloudy, yes. Cold, yes. Snowing, no. But I'd heard the rumors: 6 to 18… Continue reading Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!
Learning from Bill—By Ear!
Casey's description of learning a tune by ear reminded me of my own experience. When I was a brand-new mandolin player, just starting out, I acquired Bill Monroe's LP "Bluegrass Instrumentals". Now, you might think that that was pretty far advanced for a beginner (and it was) but I knew the kind of music I… Continue reading Learning from Bill—By Ear!
Misfit Jam
Okay, this is so funny I have to tell it first before I forget how it went. So in the middle of “Old Joe Clark” I catch Logan yawning. After the song is over, I say something to him about being tired. Before he can even respond Bob Van barks, “What time did you get… Continue reading Misfit Jam
All CDs on Sale Now!
From now through December 24th all CDs are on sale for just $10. Shop now!
Fiddle Sisters Hit The Nursing Home Circuit
Okay. So I had planned to write this awesome blog about learning to play by ear to complement the one Casey wrote. I was planning to write about “Sally Goodwin” since I have several students—both mail order and “live”—working on that particular piece. I pictured a leisurely morning in which I would drink hot tea… Continue reading Fiddle Sisters Hit The Nursing Home Circuit