Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Blackberry Blossom exercise

#1

What?! Mark’s posting in the mandolin category? Well, yeah, my mandolin playing needs some serious help if I don’t want to be the worst mando player at camp in 2 months.

So, I’ve been going over some of Ben’s exercise and scale lessons. I thought “I wonder if I can put this to use in a song to make it more fun.” So, I picked Blackberry Blossom. The verse goes through twice, then the chorus twice. The first time of each, I use ascending scale patterns, then descending on the second time through.

So far, it’s proving to be pretty helpful in building finger dexterity. It has been tougher than I thought it would be to make my fingers switch from ascending to descending, but that’s the whole reason for the exercise.

Hope someone finds this useful.

Man-BlackBlossom-Exercise.tef (4.2 KB)

10 Likes
#2

I’ve been looking for new drills. I will definitely give this a shot. Thanks @Mark_Rocka!

2 Likes
#3

You bet, Stuart. I just realized that I didn’t put the pick direction on the tab. If that’s something you need, let me know.

2 Likes
#4

I think I got the pick direction figured out @Mark_Rocka. Thanks for posting, this is a fun song. I’m slow right now but it brings a smile to my face. (which is what I am here for)

2 Likes
#5

Awesome! Glad you’re liking it. I’m only at about 60% speed right now. Hoping to put more time into it in the morning. I’ll feel a huge sense of accomplishment when I can play it at 100%.

2 Likes
#6

I’ve just about got it up to speed. Still working on cleaning it up.

I decided to use this exercise as both a study in running up and down the scale as well as a start on my journey to train my right hand to hold the pick like Ben teaches. It’s been TOUGH trying to break a 35 year old habit.

@BanjoBen is this video angle good for you to give some commentary on my picking hand and pick grip?

11 Likes
#7

Nice Job! I should learn that to improve my picking speed.

3 Likes
#8

Thanks Harrison! That’s exactly why I created it. My speed on mandolin is seriously lacking because out of all the instruments I own, I pick up my mandolin the least. I figure I better put in some practice time before camp. This exercise has proven to be quite a work out.

5 Likes
#9

For me, (other than the fiddle) mine is the guitar, even though I started learning that way before the others. My learning jumps around based on what I’m needed to play, and how many players of a certain instrument there are in a group. Right now, my little band consists of a bass and two guitars, so that shows you what I’m working on right now…

3 Likes
#10

Great job there! If that’s the mandolin playing you say needs serious help, you have nothing to worry about:

It wont be you, it’ll probably be me :rofl::grimacing:! I’m glad you posted the video cuz I’m not able to do the tef files. Thanx for posting :+1:t2::grin:!!

4 Likes
#11

Is there anything I can help you with on the TEF files? It would be much harder for me to learn new material without them.

Thanks for the encouragement!

5 Likes
#12

This is the same way I worked out the same tune at first. It does make for a good exercise.

Later you can try alternating the up & down patterns on every 2 chords or each chord change if you want to take it further. It’s a toughy at first, but a good dexterity exercise.

Side note: the A part, done this way, is made up of what i call “circular licks” ()there is a real name for them, but can’t recall it) where you return to the beginning note. They are a very useful tool to as a concept to keep in mind when creating.

1 Like
#13

Oh man, that’s a great idea! I’ll start working on that today. Thanks!

2 Likes
#14

We just have a really old computer is all. My son (the banjo picker son) built it out of old parts that had been thrown away. It was just intended to get by for a short time, till I got my windows vista (lol, yes) laptop stable again. Life happened & it kept getting put off & here we are 2 years later & it’s still somewhat working, but im leery to load anything new on there… same with the laptop…
I can watch youtube vids (sometimes) but not Ben’s site vids - even set on the most granular of settings. If I wanna see Ben’s site vids, I use my phone. Thanx so much offering to help w Tef files though! :blush: Maybe at some point I’ll get to try em! For now I print the lesson tab & sometimes play w the mp3 files of the song. Occasionally I play a lesson vid on phone if I’m really stuck! I’m thankful for any time I get to pick , high tech or no tech :grin: it’s all good :+1:t2:!!

2 Likes
#15

You could download TEFview on your phone:
https://www.tabledit.com/tefview/download.shtml

5 Likes
#16

Vista? Blech! Man I haven’t seen that in years, and I’m an IT consultant.

I may be able to get you something a bit newer, Simone. Where do you live?

4 Likes
#17

Thanx! Wasn’t aware of that!

2 Likes
#18

Man, thanx!, truly appreciate that but dont worry about it. Banjo son has been after me (for 2 years!) to ditch the vista & let him build us an up to date one - with new parts & software etc. Im sure it wont be too long before that happens! I’ve fallen so far outta tech it’s not even funny… used to do vi programs & statistics reporting for Dow Jones, even some beta testing for ATT thru DJ. - lol I was the lucky one to get the very 1st windows computer at our DJ location. That’s a universe of time/tech away from what’s out there now! Thanx again! Smiling about the level of great folks in this community :blush:!

3 Likes
#19

I like it! The thumb movement is good. I would love to see the the wrist move a bit more. DISCLOSURE: my wrist isn’t as free as it needs to be due to some bull riding injuries.

5 Likes
#20

I’ll start working on that tonight. Many thanks!

1 Like