Hot Rize and Wichita Lineman, Still on the Line
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Last month I was kinda busy during the time I’d usually prepare a column; Hot Rize’s “Berkeley to Berklee” tour, as we called it.… Read More
Finding the Melody Using Chords and Your Voice; Finding Chords Using the Melody; Cleaner Bar Chords
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Here’s some advice I gave a fellow who sent me a playing sample to qualify for Advanced Banjo Camp. He and a friend were picking Foggy Mt. Top. When it was time for the banjo solo, there was no melody, but a cluster of well-executed licks that fit the chords.… Read More
Rekindling the Hot Rize Fire; Bulletproofing Your Solos; Rhythm Machine vs. Metronome
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October 28 in Berkeley, California, Hot Rize will kick off its first tour in 12 years. The group’s full-time run was January, 1978–April, 1990. After disbanding, we’d reunite for a handful of gigs each year. … Read More
Jam Class Teacher Network; My Take on Tab/Rote Learning
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I am proud to announce this month the launch of my Wernick Method Teacher Certified Jam Classes. As you dear readers may well know, I have for some time been championing learning to jam first as a fun and fundamental way to start playing any bluegrass instrument. Great things happen when people learn to jam, because it’s fun and so involving that they’re motivated—to play more and practice more.… Read More
The Pro Sound
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Zeek writes to the Forum on DrBanjo.com: In ads for your camps I’ve seen mention of segments of your teaching dealing with the “pro sound.” I’m very interested in this.… Read More
Secrets – (Shhh , donʼt tell!) Hearing the Tune in a Tab, and the “Secret Sauce” of the Pro Sound
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Two pickers writing last week to the Forum on DrBanjo.com asked me to share “secrets”. Well OK, but then they won’t be secrets any more!… Read More
How to Spend the Least Amount of Time Tuning (and be in tune)
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So many fine points to cover about tuning a banjo! Keep your strings changed with some frequency, wipe them with a rag sometimes. … Read More
Tune It Or Die
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Yes, that sounds severe. I was taken aback by that catchy phrase on a t-shirt worn by one of the nicest people I know, Scott Thile (Chris’ dad).… Read More
Beginner Banjo Advice and Good Tone
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First, big congratulations to Steve Martin for winning the Bluegrass Grammy! From my research, this is the first time that the Bluegrass Grammy has gone to a banjo instrumental album. … Read More
Let’s Talk About the Key of D, and Comfort Zone
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What better topic for the first column of the year than one that makes a lot of banjo players squirm?
The key of D presents a number of options for banjo players, and some of the best options pierce some folks’ comfort zones.… Read More