Here is one thing that I have learned in these jams: Learning how to put on a banjo capo and re-tune quickly is important! I was inspired to write this blog by watching Betty use her capo for the first time to play last night to play in the Key of C (capo five) and… Continue reading Tuesday Jam: Using a Banjo Capo
Month: October 2013
Tip Jar Jam #45: So Much Laughter!
We had a rollicking crowd for last night's Tip Jar Jam and spent much time between songs laughing our heads off. Case in point: One of the last songs we did was I'll Fly Away (which I just typed as I'll Flay Away, which would no doubt interest Dr. Sigmund Freud!) Kathy Hanson was singing… Continue reading Tip Jar Jam #45: So Much Laughter!
Tuesday Jam: Crows And The Banjo
Today's title--courtesy of Ben--also has a deep bluegrass roots. Jimmy Martin recorded a banjo tune called Crowe On The Banjo, a reference to J.D. Crowe's banjo playing. (When Kenny Ingram was playing with Jimmy, Jimmy called it Buzzard On The Banjo!) The tune was nothing more than Bugle Call Rag, the tune Earl recorded with… Continue reading Tuesday Jam: Crows And The Banjo
Tip Jar Jam #44: Finding The Groove
There's something about the number 44 that I like. I tend to like double number or triple numbers but 44 is especially satisfying. As was our 44th Tip Jar Jam last night. When we started we had a quartet: Kathy Hanson and Scott on banjos, Kristina on mandolin, and me on guitar. And from the… Continue reading Tip Jar Jam #44: Finding The Groove
Tuesday Jam: Playing Slow, Singing Harmony, and Improvising
Okay! I'm back in the blog saddle again after my lightning fast trip to Louisville and back. Thanks for all your good thoughts. My book talk went well and I got home safe! The jam last night went well also and we witnessed a number of "firsts: Diane, who started playing guitar about a year… Continue reading Tuesday Jam: Playing Slow, Singing Harmony, and Improvising
Tuesday Jam: No Blog Today!
Howdy, folks. Just want to tell you we did jam last night. Had a great time. But I'm working hard on a presentation about my book that I'm making in Louisville, Ky., on Thursday evening. It's for the Filson Historical Society, 1310 South 3rd Street, in Louisville in case any of you want to come.… Continue reading Tuesday Jam: No Blog Today!
Tip Jar Jam #42: Banjo Backup
Another interesting Wednesday night jam. Again, we had only three students, Bob Mc, Kathy Hanson, and Bobby, who answered "Yes, dear" to my frantic, last minute call asking him to come to the jam. But small jams are nice because, for one thing, the music has more room to breathe, allowing the jammers to do… Continue reading Tip Jar Jam #42: Banjo Backup
Tuesday Jam: Young Blood!
We welcomed new picker Nathan into our jam last night. He is one of Casey's banjo students and has only been taking about six weeks. Oh, my! I forget how quickly a motivated young person can learn. (Especially with an Excellent Teacher!) He'd already learned The Big Three (Banjo in the Hollow, Cripple Creek, Boil… Continue reading Tuesday Jam: Young Blood!