There’s a general music playing tip for playing any instrument that I learned in the fourth grade (1958) when I started learning my first instrument, trombone. I’ve never seen it mentioned in any TH-cam tutorial for any instrument. Tap your foot. Nothing will serve you better for rhythm and timing.And one more tip that I can’t stress enough: practice! You can’t learn if you’re not woodshedding. One more tip, track down other players and jam. You’ll learn more jamming than from any course or lesson. I’ve been making music since 1958, primarily on guitar, and I’ve learned so much from you! Thanks for all your work to help me pick up this new (to me) instrument. I haven’t had this much fun since those early trombone days. The idea that we mortals can make such amazing stuffs is one of the things that keeps me going during these trying times.
Fantastic tips, and I totally agree with all of them! the way I liek to think with it around the rhythm is to create as many points of tempo as possible. Tap your foot, count in your head, feel your arm on teh edge of the banjo, your fingers making contact with the strings. Each point of tempo supports the others. Huge for developing that rhythm! And I'm so glad you're having fun and I'm able to help! Really appreciate the support.
Thank you for the tips. Honestly what I'm struggling with most on the banjo is using the basic bum Diddy and applying it to songs. I have been trying to play the banjo for about 7 years now, but I can't use the bum Diddy in any song. I know how to play several melodies and have even come up with a method of playing that focuses more on melodies, by using the thumb string and the high d strings as drones. Maybe this issue comes from playing the tin whistle and singing for about 19 years now. I also play the guitar, but I focus mostly on playing the melodies even on the guitar.
Interesting! You know, it sounds like you could benefit from experimenting with two finger style. It sounds like it might be close to the way you’re playing.
Well put to the previous comment. I've been playing for over twenty years and it's people like you Jack that have definitely improved my Playing. Many Thanks. STP
I'm having a hard time 0:49 grasping "proper" bluegrass picking or clawhammer styles and that's ok with me because I won't be playing either for my own material so I'm just busting out with my own right hand style which means I'll NEVER be able to play other's arrangements. I'm working on learning the blues scale because I will be incorporating some blues licks and riffs that I write myself for my own songs. Yes I know I'm being awfully confident and borderline cocky for a 53 year old man that just started learning to play August of 2024 but you can go ahead and put me on the books at the Grand Ole Opry because GYPSY ANGELS are on their way! I will release my first single by summer '25 called BORN IN '71. I fight with depression and anxiety really bad and I've lost so many that I love to depression so I started the GYPSY ANGELS ;YOU ARE NOT ALONE; crusade raising awareness for mental health. That's what our music is about bringing hope and a prayer to those that feel totally hopeless. I watch you daily (in fact I take your advice more than any others on TH-cam University! because although I'm not playing your style you help me tremendously with my ultimate goal!
There’s a general music playing tip for playing any instrument that I learned in the fourth grade (1958) when I started learning my first instrument, trombone. I’ve never seen it mentioned in any TH-cam tutorial for any instrument. Tap your foot. Nothing will serve you better for rhythm and timing.And one more tip that I can’t stress enough: practice! You can’t learn if you’re not woodshedding. One more tip, track down other players and jam. You’ll learn more jamming than from any course or lesson.
I’ve been making music since 1958, primarily on guitar, and I’ve learned so much from you! Thanks for all your work to help me pick up this new (to me) instrument. I haven’t had this much fun since those early trombone days. The idea that we mortals can make such amazing stuffs is one of the things that keeps me going during these trying times.
Fantastic tips, and I totally agree with all of them! the way I liek to think with it around the rhythm is to create as many points of tempo as possible. Tap your foot, count in your head, feel your arm on teh edge of the banjo, your fingers making contact with the strings. Each point of tempo supports the others. Huge for developing that rhythm!
And I'm so glad you're having fun and I'm able to help! Really appreciate the support.
Thank you for the tips. Honestly what I'm struggling with most on the banjo is using the basic bum Diddy and applying it to songs. I have been trying to play the banjo for about 7 years now, but I can't use the bum Diddy in any song. I know how to play several melodies and have even come up with a method of playing that focuses more on melodies, by using the thumb string and the high d strings as drones.
Maybe this issue comes from playing the tin whistle and singing for about 19 years now. I also play the guitar, but I focus mostly on playing the melodies even on the guitar.
Interesting! You know, it sounds like you could benefit from experimenting with two finger style. It sounds like it might be close to the way you’re playing.
I'm self taught for the last 3yrs and I def learned a lot off of you and youtube as a whole.
I’m so glad to hear that!
Well put to the previous comment.
I've been playing for over twenty years and it's people like you Jack that have definitely improved my Playing. Many Thanks. STP
I appreciate that! So glad I could help
I'm having a hard time 0:49 grasping "proper" bluegrass picking or clawhammer styles and that's ok with me because I won't be playing either for my own material so I'm just busting out with my own right hand style which means I'll NEVER be able to play other's arrangements. I'm working on learning the blues scale because I will be incorporating some blues licks and riffs that I write myself for my own songs.
Yes I know I'm being awfully confident and borderline cocky for a 53 year old man that just started learning to play August of 2024 but you can go ahead and put me on the books at the Grand Ole Opry because GYPSY ANGELS are on their way! I will release my first single by summer '25 called BORN IN '71.
I fight with depression and anxiety really bad and I've lost so many that I love to depression so I started the GYPSY ANGELS
;YOU ARE NOT ALONE; crusade raising awareness for mental health. That's what our music is about bringing hope and a prayer to those that feel totally hopeless.
I watch you daily (in fact I take your advice more than any others on TH-cam University! because although I'm not playing your style you help me tremendously with my ultimate goal!
If you got something that works for you, that's awesome! I appreciate the support, and be sure to let me know when that single comes out!
@BanjoSkills thank you!