Climbing the Mountain of Banjo Tabs?
By Ryan | August 16, 2008
Are you lost in a heap of banjo tabs? Do you feel like you’re hung up trying to grind out those black and white 0’s, 2’s, and 3’s just to learn a cool lick.
Remember, you’re learning how to communicate an art that’s meant to inspire yourself and your fans. They’re not interested in piles of tab and you shouldn’t wast all of your time with them either.
Where do you learn those cool licks?
I was sitting in my living room today with my wife plunking around on the banjo and for some reason I started telling her where I picked up certain licks. Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Beginner | No Comments »
Dynamics in Your Banjo Music
By Ryan | August 6, 2008
Are you adding dynamics into your banjo music? If not, would you like to know how?
Dynamics is controlling the volume of your music. It adds an element of emotion or energy to your banjo song and will move those who are listening. Dynamics used correctly can be incredibly powerful!
In this week’s video lesson on the member’s page we delve into exactly how you can add dynamics into your banjo tunes. What it looks like on the fretboard and how it sounds as a listener. It’s not as hard as you might think and it will certainly have a dramatic affect on your playing.
If you want to move your banjo playing to the next level then don’t play another banjo song with out a full dose of dynamics stirred into the mix. This is how you get them to yell out, “PLAY ANOTHER ONE”!
Topics: Beginner | No Comments »
Blindfold Banjo Test!
By Ryan | July 26, 2008
If you were to sit down with an advanced banjo player to your right and a beginning banjo player to your left you might hear some strange differences. Let’s say they play the exact same song “Cripple Creek”. What would the differences be?
Confidence is glaring!
You could immediately determine who was the advanced player and who was the beginner. Why, because the advanced musician would be confident in what he or she was playing. They would blaze through the song as if they had done it a hundred times before (probably true).
Right hand control.
Gaining control over your right hand will set you apart from the crowd. If you can maintain control of your fingers on your right hand while playing, then you’ll sound like a pro. This is accomplished through practice and a few little techniques (which will be demonstrated in our next member’s video, later today).
Paint with Dynamics.
Read the rest of this entry »
Topics: Beginner | No Comments »
New Video Lesson (How to Change Your Strings!)
By Ryan | July 16, 2008
Just wanted to let you know that I just added a 16+ minute video lesson to the member’s page on how to change your banjo strings.
This video goes into detail on the following topics:
1. How to get the proper “Z” bend on your tuners.
2. How to measure the slack in your strings before tightening them down.
3. What to do when that fifth string tuner comes out of the neck.
4. The proper way to tie in the fifth string to the tuner.
5. How many strings to take off at once.
6. How to change strings and tune your banjo at the same time.
Enjoy!!!
CLICK HERE to become a member and access all of Ryan’s video banjo lessons.
Topics: Beginner | No Comments »
What would you do with a song like this one?
By Ryan | July 10, 2008
I must admit this is one of my favorite bluegrass tunes. First of all, these folks do a tremendous job in this recording. I found this vid on youtube and wanted to know what you would play if you were inserted as the banjo player. Where would you start; vamping, single string stuff, rolls?
Please share your thoughts and experience in the comment section below. You might have some real good advice that could give a boost to the rest of us.
p.s. In next week’s video lesson I’ll share my thoughts on what you would do with a song like this one.
Topics: Questions | No Comments »
Next Ustream Show Saturday July 12th!
By Ryan | July 3, 2008
Our next scheduled Ustream show will be Saturday July 12th. Our last show went very well. Thanks to everyone who attended. I definitely look forward each week to the shows and am considering a possible second show sometime mid-week.
Thanks to everyone who joined as a member this week. I know you’re going to enjoy the members only high powered lessons. Our next lesson will arrive tomorrow morning. If you have any lesson requests please feel free to email them to me at ryan@banjoexpert.com. We try to base each lesson from a member’s request, so your thoughts and suggestions matter!
Here’s a vintage Lonesome River Band tune that your sure to love. What do you think of this video?
Topics: Beginner | No Comments »
Saturday Nights Ustream Show!
By Ryan | June 29, 2008
Live Videos provided by Ustream.TV
Thanks for all of you who joined the show tonight. We did have some technical difficulties with Ustream getting started but were finally able to go live around 9:15pm. Thanks for your patience. You all are great!
Ryan
Topics: Beginner | 4 Comments »
Video Banjo Lessons on a Mac???
By Ryan | June 28, 2008
Just wanted to let you know that you can now watch any video on this site on your mac computer! If you’re a mac user and want to watch any of our videos or any wmv video for that matter you can download this free plugin for quicktime which enables viewing of wmv’s on a quicktime player. If you want to learn more about converting videos to quicktime format, visit www.flip4mac.com. Pretty cool!
Topics: Beginner | No Comments »
Foggy Mountain Kick-off
By Ryan | June 26, 2008
Check out this cool way to kick off Foggy Mountain or most any other bluegrass tune. If you listen closely you’ll dicsover the little trick to getting a clear traditional kick off with this popular lick.
Topics: Podcasts | No Comments »
Question & Answer with a Member!
By Ryan | June 16, 2008
Question:
Ryan,
Hi my name is Garrett and I’m new to the website and new to playing the banjo. I have some questions that I hope you can help me with. First what is the best way to position the bridge on my banjo?
Are some bridges better than others?
What program is used to read the zipped files on the Member’s page?
Thanks for your time,
Garrett
Answer:
Garrett,
Hello and thanks for the great question. Welcome as a new member to the site. You’re going to find a lot of helpful information and instructional videos on the member’s page.
To position your bridge on the banjo you use what is called “harmonics”. This would make a great video lesson. I’ll post a video of this procedure on the member’s page which will walk you through the entire process from removing an old bridge to replacing it with a new one. This video will explain how to properly place the bridge, and “tune it” as well. (This video has been added)
The bridge that I prefer is the Snuffy Smith brand. I use the 11/16 size; however it seems that most people use the 5/8 size. I just like more clearance for my fingers to move around on the strings. You can find these bridges by clicking here.
In regard to the zipped file you will need to download some version of tabledit which can be found at www.tabledit.com. This is an outstanding program. You can use a free version or pay for the full version of the software which is well worth the money.
Thanks for the great questions, Please feel free to email me at anytime.
Have a great day!
Ryan
By the way… 2 new videos just added to the member’s page!
Topics: Beginner | No Comments »
Saturday’s Ustream Show! Take a Peek.
By Ryan | June 15, 2008
This is a short segment out of Saturday’s Ustream show where Ryan talks banjo live on the site. Check out some of Ryan’s live demonstrations and banjo secrets.Video clips hosted by Ustream
Topics: Beginner | No Comments »
Saturday Events: Banjo Heat Tip!
By Ryan | June 14, 2008
Topics: Podcasts | No Comments »
Video of Ryan’s Favorite Banjo Websites
By Ryan | June 9, 2008
Check out this new video of where I get tablature books, banjo dvds, fret wire, music, and banjo news. This is a screenshot video of me going through my favorite web sites revealling all of the cool banjo hide-outs. Have fun!
If you’re not a member yet simply click here to join. Once you’re logged in to the the site you will have full access to this video and all member’s videos on the member’s page.
Topics: Beginner | No Comments »
Friday Tips for Banjo Nuts!
By Ryan | June 6, 2008
Topics: Beginner | No Comments »
Can You Handle the Banjo Truth!
By Ryan | May 30, 2008
Why does the banjo seem so daunting to many beginning banjo players. Do you find yourself thinking that you’ll never be able to play those lightning fast tunes and rip off those technical sounding jaw dropping licks?
You have to play note for note: FALSE!
The truth is that you can learn this mysterious instrument faster than you might think. Don’t fall for the myth that you have to play every song note for note. You don’t have to play it by the book! You may have already found teachers out there telling you that you must play the “proper” way. It’s not true, it’s simply not true!
When I started playing 15 years ago I sat down with a Sammy Shelor tab book and started hammering out “I’ll Take the Blame” and “Money in the Bank”. I must have played these songs for hours on end but to this day I don’t play either of them note for note.
If you’ve seen my guitar instructional video on youtube you may have noticed that I don’t teach the typical G chord and I’ve certainly received my share of nasty grams because of it, but just remember that you don’t have to play any song note for note. Insert your own style and ideas into the song and it will surely be better in the end.
Keep both ring and pinky finger plastered to the banjo head at all times: FALSE!
You don’t have to force your pinky and ring finger down on the banjo head before becoming a real banjo player. There are some folks who drive home the point that you have to hold both fingers down on the banjo head and keep them perfectly straight while playing all the different rolls. It’s not true.
The simple fact is that you simply need and anchor point for your right hand. You make the choice whether you want it to be pinky or ring finger. It’s your decision. Just don’t mute the bridge with your palm or a finger while playing and don’t press down on the banjo head too much. This can dampen vibrations.
In case you’ve missed it I will be giving a totally free banjo lesson right here on the site tomorrow night (Saturday) at 8:00 pm EST via live webcam. I’ll be talking about dynamics, demonstrating some beginner licks and answering your questions in real time. Make sure to join us and add your input. See you there!
Topics: Beginner | 6 Comments »
Lick of the Day (Podcast)
By Ryan | May 17, 2008
Topics: Beginner, Podcasts | No Comments »
Here’s a song you’ve got to learn!
By Ryan | May 13, 2008
“Earnest T Grass”
Topics: Beginner | 2 Comments »
What’s going on here at banjoexpert.com?
By Ryan | May 13, 2008
Topics: Beginner | No Comments »
How To Match Tones when Tuning
By Ryan | May 1, 2008
Topics: Beginner, Podcasts | No Comments »
2nd to 5th Fret Lick
By Ryan | April 29, 2008
Topics: Beginner, Podcasts | No Comments »
Ryan’s New Webcam Banjo Lessons
By Ryan | April 19, 2008
Email Ryan for more information.
ryan@banjoexpert.com
Topics: Beginner, Podcasts | No Comments »
Can a Guitar Player Learn The Banjo?
By Ryan | April 15, 2008
Topics: Beginner | No Comments »
First Banjo Video Podcast
By Ryan | April 13, 2008
Please post your suggestions for future video podcasts in the comment section below.
Topics: Beginner, Podcasts | No Comments »
Learn a Standard Banjo Kick-off (podcast)
By Ryan | April 9, 2008
Today we’re going do look at some standard banjo kick-offs. If your new to the banjo this will be a great podcast to soak up. These kicks are used in many many bluegrass songs. This pocast features the basic kick-offs. I’ll be putting up a pocast very soon with the more difficult (tricky sounding) kicks in case your interested. Have Fun!
Topics: Beginner, Podcasts | No Comments »
Ryan’s Banjo Lessons on Gibson.com
By Ryan | April 2, 2008
As most of you know I play a Gibson RB3 Banjo. I’ve had this banjo since I was 14 years old. I can remember anxiously reading through the Sunday paper where I lived in Kansas City MO trying to find the perfect banjo. My father had decided that it was time for me to upgrade to a higher quality banjo.
I’ve spent countless hours pouring over tab books and taking banjo lessons trying to to get that optimal sound. I must say that I’ve never regretted purchasing a Gibson. It’s a gem. I’m sure I’ll never get rid of it; however, I do plan to add more to the collection. I’m always in the market for an old Gibson (hint, hint).
I must tell you that I’m sitting here with a huge grin on my face, because I just found our banjo lessons on the gibson website. A few days ago I received an email from a Senior Producer at Gibson asking to put some of the banjo lessons on the gibson website.
I feel as though it’s a dream come true. I once was pecking around on a banjo having no clue what note to play and now our lessons are featured on the gibson website.
I must say that I’m quite honored and that none of this would have been possible if it wasn’t for you, the wonderful loyal visitors of this site. Thanks so much for your support. I hope you’re learning something new on the banjo every week.
Make sure to check out gibson banjos at gibson.com. You won’t regret purchasing one of their banjos. While you’re there check out our banjo lessons too.
Topics: Beginner | No Comments »