The Groove, and Warming Up for Fast Ones

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Pat in Alabama writes: I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind sharing some advice. It’s about warming up. I’m playing with a church bluegrass band in a “Bluegrass and Stained Glass” concert here in a few weeks. … Read More

How To Not Freak Out at the Jam; Clear Pull-offs

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Michael from Minnesota writes: I just read your article about stage fright. It describes me so well, I feel you were sitting in the same room. While I play guitar and not banjo, my experience was the same.… Read More

What Makes A Banjo Camper Advanced? More NY Notables, and Tab Policy

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Ted in Arizona writes: Am I ready for Advanced Class??? Concern: Get there and slow your class down because I’m not up to speed.… Read More

The How-To’s of Family Busking …and Advice to Advanced Beginners

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Amber Waves is a talented Colorado family band that I started coaching last summer. I met them when one of the teenage twin daughters, Katie Costello, attended my banjo camp on scholarship from the Colorado Bluegrass Music Society. The Costellos are living a version of “the American dream”— traveling as a family (4 kids, the youngest is 6) in an old converted school bus, hitting mostly RV parks in the Sun Belt this winter, busking for a living…and making it!… Read More

“I Am 54 But…”, Drum Machine Report

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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

The Groove, Jam Classes, Skin

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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

Advice to Non-Singing Banjo Player

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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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Tough Love for a Struggling Picker…and Playing the Words of Wichita Lineman

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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

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

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