I recently received this email from a student: I have learned the notes to Old Joe Clark and can play the slow version along with the DVD. However, I absolutely cannot translate this to the correct rhythm. I cannot even get the first lick! I am going crazy! And I answered thusly: I don't know… Continue reading Thoughts on Old Joe Clark
Month: June 2011
Kaufman Kamp Photos
So I'm here in Maryville, Tenn., for one more day. This morning we have all to ourselves because the campers are doing the band scramble. The previous years I've taught her at Kaufman Kamp I've been in charge of the Scramble, so had to get up extra early on this day. But I can't tell… Continue reading Kaufman Kamp Photos
Logan’s Graduation Picking Party
My long-time banjo student Logan graduated from high school last week and this past Saturday he had a picking party at his house to celebrate. Red and I attended as did my friend Janet (guitar picker and sometimes square dance partner), Logan’s Scout Master Gerald, also on guitar, and Chris Lovelace, high school buddy of… Continue reading Logan’s Graduation Picking Party
Three Years of Blogging
I come to you yet again from the campus of Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee, where I'm teaching at Kaufman Kamp. It's my eighth year here (I think...it's a little hard to keep track...) and this year I got a promotion from banjo/mandolin/fiddle/guitar 101 instructor and slow jam leader to regular banjo instructor. For the… Continue reading Three Years of Blogging
In The Zone
As you probably know, playing banjo is not always fun. What keeps me—and most of us professional players—going are those few shining moments when we are IN THE ZONE. Being in the zone means you are firing on all cylinders, you are tight with the band. When you’re in the zone the music seems to… Continue reading In The Zone
Some Video Clips by Murphy and Red
Here are some clips from YouTube that you may not have seen. (Or you may have if you're an inveterate haunter of YouTube.) This first one comes from The Music Box Project, an oral history project compiling stories of women who play traditional music. Murphy and Red play Murphy's original song "When My Mama Sang… Continue reading Some Video Clips by Murphy and Red