2011

The following ideas have served my students well since I developed them in the 1960s and 70s. They have been presented in my “Bluegrass Banjo” book (1974), my ten Homespun instructional videos, and over 150 music camps I’ve hosted since 1980. The student evaluation forms I’ve used since the late 1980s give clear evidence that they work.… Read More

It’s been an interesting few months lately for the banjo in the media…. A couple of new 5-string stars are burning up the TV waves: One’s a 66 year-old “overnight sensation” Hollywood celebrity who’s blended his considerable creativity, digital dexterity, and off- the-wall humor into (yet another) new career—as the banjo’s Victor Borge, filling concert halls and even holding Paul McCartney’s feet to the banjo fire.… Read More

The powerful musical force known as Bill Monroe turns 100 this month. It’s hard to believe he’s been gone 15 years, though in many ways he’s far from gone. The force of his personality and the power of his musical vision left more than an indelible imprint… it’s in the bones of so many of us bluegrass musicians whenever we pick up an instrument.… Read More

One hundred years ago there was not much pavement in America, no such thing as an old car or a world war. Bill Monroe was born Sept. 13, 1911—the youngest of 8, cross-eyed and a loner, who took up mandolin because it was the only instrument the others weren’t playing. … Read More

Just last weekend I really wanted to jam and there was a good one going in the campground at our local Bluegrass on the River festival. I watched and listened… and didn’t get out my banjo. Why? … Read More

Here we are again, beginning of summer. Are you ready to hit the festivals, do some fun listening, visiting, and jamming? If you’re one of those still stymied by the mysteries of jamming, no matter how well you can play lead arrangements by yourself, the checklist below might just cut through the confusing landscape.… Read More

J.C. from Nebraska writes: Pete… I am very interested in your jam camps which are geared toward those with no experience with jamming. That is what I would like to learn to do.… Read More

Bill writes: I’ve looked all over your site to find information about developing a groove or flow but I can’t find it. I play with a group here and sometimes we have it, sometimes we don’t. What are some pointers when playing with others to develop this feeling? What are the roles of the different instruments such as banjo, mandolin, guitar, and bass that create this?… Read More

Dax is a very talented player in Kentucky, a high school senior. One of these players about whom people say, “He’s got a good roll.” Very coordinated and smooth and knows how to get that tone we all love. I’ve known him several years and kept up with him about his music and asked recently about his latest news and plans, and if he had a bio.

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This article originally appeared in the January 2011 issue of Banjo Newsletter, and is also available as an easy-to-print PDF. Ira writes: One of my jam students last week had trouble changing chords on time and was right at the … Read More