Bluegrass Banjo Lessons – BanjoExpert.com

November 09 Member's Update [ 3:56 ] (Protected Content)

Here’s a little bit of info on what’s coming up on banjoexpert.com plus a couple tips just for you!

Hot Banjo Lick Below 5th Fret [ 3:19 ] Play Now | Download

Click here to get the free tab to this song in tabledit format

How to read tabs - for beginners [ 6:05 ] Play Now | Download

Learning to read tablature will open up a new world to your banjo playing. If you’ve never really grasped the concept of reading from tablature stay tuned for our “how to read tabs” video. I’m getting ready to record a screen shot video of some banjo tab in tabledit software.

I sat down with our mystery student yesterday and one of his first questions to me was about tablature. I immediately realized that this would be the perfect starting point for beginning banjo students. If you can read tab then your on your way to teaching yourself the banjo!

We’ll start with quarter notes, and then progress to how to determine where your hand goes on the neck of the banjo. Reading tablature will really speed up the learning process for you and help you to learn some new songs very quickly.

The beauty of tabs is that you can immediately see what someone else is playing. There’s no more doubting whether or not you’ve got the right lick. Keep you’re eye on the blog for this video.

Foggy Mountain Kick-off [ 4:41 ] Play Now | Download

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.

Ryan's webcam lessons Play Now | Download

Email Ryan for more information.

ryan@banjoexpert.com

Fingerpick Ideas [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Download

Please post your suggestions for future video podcasts in the comment section below.

Standard Banjo Kickoffs [ 9:10 ] Play Now | Download

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!

Three New Banjo Licks [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Download

The full version of this member video was just added to today to the member’s page. If you would like to get a new video like this every week simply click here to learn how to get started.

How To Install a Banjo Strap [ 7:11 ] Play Now | Download

1. Make sure the front part of the strap goes around the heel of the neck which will hold your banjo in place.
2. Thread the banjo strap behind the tailpiece to ensure that there is no undue pressure on the tailpiece.
2. Check your attachment points often!

Thanks Craig for the great question,
Ryan

How to Use a Banjo Capo [ 6:28 ] Play Now | Download

In today’s podcast you’ll learn how to use a banjo capo and where it needs to be placed on your fingerboard.

There are two keys to remember with your capo.

1. Proper placement
2. Don’t leave it at home!

Leave your comments and podcast requests in the comment section below.

Three Banjo Tips for Newbies [ 8:53 ] Play Now | Download

There are things to keep in mind when starting out on the banjo.

1. Pick your banjo wisely!
2. Find a good teacher.
3. Go get some learning material.

Listen to this podcast to learn how to get started on the banjo.

Cripple Creek Kick Off Play Now | Download

In this banjo podcast you find three different ways to kick off Cripple Creek. The first starts with a right hand brush in an upward motion, the second is a pinch technique, and lastly an up the neck version of this great song.

Standard Podcast Play Now | Download

Learning to slide in to the melody will add a ton of interest and color to your banjo playing. Check out this podcast to learn more.

Top 10 Items in Your Banjo Case (banjo video) Play Now | Download

What are the top 10 items in your banjo case?

You may remember a recent post where we discussed the banjo whammy effect. I have received several emails recently requesting a demonstration of this cool little technique. If you have any further questions or comments please post them below or send me a quick email at ryan@banjoexpert.com Enjoy!

Banjo Whammy Effect (mp3) Play Now | Download

Click here to join our members and gain access to more banjo lessons. Learn more about a premium membership at banjoexpert.com

Welcome to the forward banjo roll.

Your fingers will, more than likely, feel very uncoordinated in the beginning days of banjo picking but don’t lose heart. When you start to experiment with different banjo rolls you might find that you miss notes, get your picks caught up in the strings and a whole host of other complexities. This aggravation won’t last long, considering you spend a few minutes with your banjo each day.

The key is to spend some time strolling around the house or in your favorite easy chair working on some steady banjo rolls. In order to reach that foot stomping rythm you must become efficient with the forward, reverse, and alternating roll. In other words, you should be able to play them quickly for an extended period of time with your eyes closed.

How it’s done

Today we’re going to analyze the forward roll. This should be one of the first things you start to practice after arriving home with your first banjo. The forward roll is basically a combination of playing three notes in a simple progression.

Start with your index finger on the 3rd string (it’s the one in the middle). Then pick the 1st string with your middle finger (it’s the one closest to your feet). Lastly pick the 5th string with your thumb (5th string is the one closest to your chin).

The strings are numbered 5,4,3,2,1 from top to bottom with the 5th string being the highest in pitch and the 4th string being the lowest in pitch.

Below you’re going to find one measure of the forward roll written in tablature and also in standard notation. If you have trouble understanding this piece of tablature simply send me a quick email and I’ll be glad to walk you through it in more detail.

Forward roll tab

Now you can hear the audio version of this lesson with a live banjo demonstration. Click here to join our members and gain access to more banjo lessons. Learn more about a premium membership at banjoexpert.com

Forward Roll Audio (mp3) Play Now | Download

Negative Banjo Space Audio Lesson (mp3) Play Now | Download

What is negative space?

I woke up early last Sunday morning and turned on the television to a local public broadcasting show. It happened to be a painter who was painting a stormy scene and was illustrating how to design the clouds. He mentioned that he was intentionally leaving negative space in a certain area of clouds that were forming and then he explained that he left a pocket in the art to peak interest in the paint that was around it.

This is a very important concept and is often overlooked with advanced pickers. In the past I recall having a conversation with a good friend outside of a bluegrass club and talking about blank (negative) space that is intentionally inserted into an instrumental break. We spoke for a long period of time and often agreed that this style of playing really draws attention to your banjo break.

In some odd way, it peaks the interest in the audience. If you are able to see the eyes of your listeners you’ll notice a curious look when you leave out something that they were expecting to hear. I guess it creates a desire for something that’s not there, or at least is not there yet.

This is a very advanced banjo concept and will add a very dramatic effect to your playing style in a subtle way. Maybe you’re one of our students here on the blog that is starting to enter the “advanced” stages of playing. I encourage you to try this concept and focus mainly on the reaction from others. You might see a puzzled look and you simply may not observe anything at first. Overall you’ll start to notice that your banjo music becomes more like an art (very creative) and more spontaneous. Folks around you, for some reason, will seem to want more of your music.

Here’s how it’s done?

Let’s say you’re playing a through a song and are quickly approaching a transition to another chord (you know in the back of your mind that a chord change is coming). This next thought enters your mind (this occurs seemingly at light speed). How do I make the transition? This actual transition is the exact point where you will insert the negative space.

How to play with out negative space

Let’s say for example that you are rolling forward in a G chord and plan to transition to C. You first insert a 2nd fret on the 4th string, then a 2 to 3 hammer-on or slide with the third string and end up landing on a C chord. This is a standard transition.

This is how you insert negative space

Now you roll on the G chord, as stated above, while planning to transition to C. You first insert the 2nd fret briefly. Now, stop any movement for a split second with the intent of building tension in the music. Listeners may be thinking, what’s going on here. This is the point where the lady in the second row who is crocheting misses a loop. Then bend the 3rd fret to the 4th on the third string and land on the C chord. You’re done. You just inserted negative space into your banjo break. It’s that easy.

The scenario written above is simply one example of how to use this concept. Don’t get lost focusing on the lick that I described. What you should be focusing on is the concept (adding negative space, blank spots in your banjo music). I want you to think creatively with this post and not get caught up in the actual lick but try to determine how you as an individual banjo picker can take this concept and run with it.

Try it out and see what you think. It may take a period of time until you feel that you’ve got the hang of it, but it will come. Let me know what you think. I always appreciate your input.

Now you can hear the audio version of this lesson with a live banjo demonstration. Click here to learn more about becoming a Premium Member.

Banjo Scars Podcast Play Now | Download

Try out banjoexpert’s new podcast. I’m planing to add several podcasts to the site. If you have topics that you would like to discuss please let me know.

This particular podcast is about banjo wrecks and their scars. If you have a story to tell please send it to me in the form below.