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The Key to Powerful Banjo Playing
By Ryan | February 6, 2008
Have you ever been asked to kick off a song in a jam session? Worse yet, did you draw a blank? Do you sometimes feel like there is absolutely no way to remember the plethora of kick-offs circulating in the bluegrass world.
Here’s the key:
Focus on the melody!
Playing the banjo can be confusing at times. It’s tempting to get wrapped up in hot licks and fast picking. We’ve all been guilty of ripping off a lick that is so far from the melody that it’s borderline pathetic. Even worse, we are often tempted to repeat the same lick over and over. I guess there’s one good result of this behavior. We tend to master that one lick. I’m just as guilty of this as the next person.
It’s very important to remind yourself of the basics. Focus on the melody. Try to hear it as your playing. Try to hear it before you kick off the song. Seek it out in your backup licks and inject it with grace into your banjo breaks. This can take some serious concentration at first but will prove to be a very helpful technique in the long run.
The melody, if nothing else, is a real secret to remembering kick-offs. As a new banjo player you will soon find out that you’re expected to kick off many of the bluegrass songs in a jam session. This is great if you’ve been playing for years, but can be very intimidating if you’re just starting out. Don’t lose sleep over it. Just play the melody.
If you were to sit down with any professional musician you will soon hear the resounding words, “play the melody”. It just makes sense.
Do you find it difficult to hear the melody in your banjo playing?
Are you getting caught up in rolls and speed?
What’s your experience with kick-offs in jam sessions?
Post your comments below.
Topics: Beginner |