Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Backup-a-bit

#5

ok thanks for the info appreciate that

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#6

We’ve actually started a discussion on this in the past that I can’t seem to find right now. The short version of it was that some folks were going to go through Ben’s lessons (of any instrument) looking for some banjo bakcup that Ben is playing, identify those songs here on the forum, and then if Ben still has his backing tracks, I was going to go through them and tab it out and give it to Ben to add to the lesson.

Either no one identified any lessons they wanted this done on, or Ben didn’t have the separate backing tracks saved. I don’t remember which.

Improving my backup picking is at the top of my list, along with being able to improvise a lead in a song I don’t already know.

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#7

Hi Mark

If you come across anything from a backup perspective you think is great please share

Thanks

#8

This is a great lesson here if you haven’t already tackled it.

https://banjobenclark.com/lessons/backup-banjo-utility-rolls-banjo-intermediate

I used this lesson exclusively when playing backup in this video:

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#9

thats great thanks for that

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#10

Hi @Lee_G. Yes, basic questions but good ones and I had the same questions not so long ago. All great info from @fiddle_wood and I agree wholeheartedly.
I might add that it is very helpful to learn and memorize the chord progression for each tune to play backup successfully and Ben puts the chords in the tabs thankfully.

Once you have the progression down, you can change from vamping to rolling to licks to whatever on the fly. And if you can learn the chords in terms of the Nashville Number System, all the better, because then you’ll be able to play backup on a tune in any key.

In real life jams, someone suggests a tune, someone else may ask “what key?”, a key is agreed on based on what’s common or how a certain player learned the tune or who’s singing and their range and then players rush to get their capos placed just right (mostly the banjo and guitar players) and it seems it’s always the banjo player that needs the most time because the 5th string has to be dealt with as well and then some fine tuning is usually required after capos go on or come off.

Whoever suggested the song tends to be the boss or leader for that song so while you’re playing, you make eye contact with the boss now and then. If you have not made any prior agreements or they are not familiar with your skills and abilities or whether you even know this song, they’ll give you an inquisitive look, meaning hey, do have a break and are you ready? If so, you nod and if not, shake your head. If yes, then be ready for the nod or a bony finger pointing at you or they might just say “Lee, A part” or whatever.

And be careful that you don’t go too far. The leader may already have others lined up for breaks so they start their break while you’re still playing yours and bloody chaos ensues, oh the humanity…

Now, I’m no expert, I haven’t played in jams yet because I’m shy and just chicken you know what. And, I’m still learning backup and the NNS. I do attend jams regularly though and these are just my observations.

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#11

Great job Mark. Man, you’re a country mile ahead of me on video editing. I’m barely a beginner on Avidemux. Would like to learn more, but takes away from my practice time. Frustration!! :grimacing:

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#12

Thanks, but you aren’t kidding about the frustration part. I’ve only done 2 video editing projects (this one and the Will the Circle Be Unbroken contest) and after each of them, I swore I’d never do it again. I think I spent more time editing than recording and videoing combined. :astonished::weary:

#13

Mark that was outstanding! Well played! :+1:

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#14

Hi @MissMaggie

Thanks for the detailed reply it makes great sense and if i ever attend a session which in Wigan, UK is very doubtful …lol i will await the nod from the boss…

Thanks

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#15

Mark has way too much time on his hands if you ask me Neil… :grinning:

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#16

He’s a computer fixer for a living. He probably does this as a test for each computer he fixes

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#17

LOL!!! I’d only be able to fix one computer a week if I did that! :laughing::laughing::laughing:

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#18

But the end result is worth it. :+1:

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#19

Oh, I meant to say earlier, find almost any video of a bluegrass performance and wait for the guitar solo, cuz you can almost always only hear the banjo backup when the guitar is soloing

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#20

That was me right there. I can memorize tab, but that does not help in a jam. I am just now becoming comfortable playing backup in a jam. It takes time listening for chord changes. What really helped me was watching the guitar player’s hands and knowing what a G,C,D (1,4,5) looks like on a guitar. Vamp while watching that until you get a feel for the timing of the chord changes (how many beats). Once you know the beat count for the chord change you can use rolls instead. I like to pick just a couple of roll patterns and get good at chord changes with them. Once I get some backup songs under my belt like that, I will play with cool licks to add in as well. I will try to post a video soon showing how I do this. Right now, I use either forward/reverse roll or just forward roll. I also learned a swing timing to the rolls to give it some variety.

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#21

I agree 100%. It is also good to be able to identify 1,4,5 in any key in closed chord shape for those times when they switch keys so fast, you don’t have time to capo the 5th string. In those scenarios, I use closed chord shapes and avoid the 5th string.

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#22

I just posted a video of what I have learned for backup.

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#23

Can’t watch the whole thing right now, but looks like you put some great info in there!

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#24

Nice video @JoeB thanks for sharing your Backup ideas :+1:

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