Ben uses the middle finger when sliding from 2-4. Is it ok to use the ring finger for that? My middle finger wants to mute the B string and I tend to make less mistakes with the ring finger. I don’t want to start a bad habit. Maybe I just need to whip that middle finger in to shape.
Discuss the Banjo lesson: Cripple Creek– Slides
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Hi Brent. There’a a good reason @BanjoBen uses his middle finger to slide from 2-4 as will become more apparent later on as you gain more experience. Using your ring finger would be considered a bad habit . For now the muting of the B string suggests your hand position is not correctly placed. If you post a video of the problem Ben will be able to advise you how to correct this.
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Yep, whip it into shape, my friend! You’ll much more often need your ring and index to do the slides than your ring, though the ring is definitely used!
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Dead-on Archie. This is in no small part, why I invested in a life-time Gold Pick Membership. Archie, would you happen to know what program gets the nod for good tab-writing software? BB Clark’s looks just so perfect. I write mine mostly by hand while composing because it’s faster while holding an instrument, but to make final copies and share with folks on the Forum for example, would be nice to print a better Tab.
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Wow. I had to watch that twice! This might really help; and for only $59 for a lifetime subscription. Not bad! I guess I’m spending WAY too much time practicing and not exploring this website enough. THANKS!!!
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Hi Neil, TablEdit is the best TAB tool.
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Hi everyone ! Loving these lessons, thank you. Could someone help me use the backing track? Do you play until measure 17 and then start again directely at measure 1, as if it were measure 18?
Thanks
Hey there, François. If I remember correctly, the backing track repeat 3 times. So yes, it keeps going. Happy picking and welcome to the Forum.
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Hey Brent,
Thanks for you answer!
I found that what works best is to replace the last beat of measure 17 with the last bit of measure 1 for the first two loops and then keep on going. I then only play the last beat of measure 17 on the 3rd loop!
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Still getting used to playing the lesson along with the guitar track. I have played guitar for years, but the timing of the banjo throws me for a loop! Thank God for the TEF file.
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Hey Ben, I’m absolutely new to banjo beginning last October. Played sax and clarinet years ago but never a string instrument. I became a gold member in February. Love your site and I’m thrilled with my membership. Great investment! I’m coming along well with the progression of your Beginner Lessons, but I’m a little confused with the tab for Cripple Creek Slides and why it shows a D chord in measures 5, 9, 13 and 17. Is that really meant to be there? I don’t see that jiving with the tab?
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Hi Tom & welcome to the Forum.
Yes, the D chord goes in those places.
Note: all the notes played under that chord are in the D scale…
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Thanks Fiddle_Wood. But the 3rd eight note in measure 5 is the same as the last quarter note in the preceding measure 4. Both are fretting the 4th string on the 2nd fret, so why is one in a G chord and the other in the D chord. Maybe I’m not making sense but I’m a little concerned that I may be missing something in banjo tab, which is, of course, much different from the “sheet music” I played previously with reeds.
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4th string 2nd fret = E note it is included in both D & G scales and can be played during either chord.
if it helps you feel more comfortable or helps at all, you can set the TEF tabs so they run the notation above the tab I believe.
In this instance the E is being used as kind of transition note between the G and D notes around it.
Hint: if you leave out the first 2 strings you would basically have the melody in that section
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OK, thanks! That makes sense! I appreciate the quick replies! Have a great night!
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Glad I could help!
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Great question and I’m honored to have you on board! As usual, @Fiddle_wood is spot on.
Also keep in mind that the chords listed are what the accompanying instruments are playin while you are soloing. The notes you play on banjo don’t have to be in that chord/scale. In fact, that’s what gives tunes their distinctiveness–playing different notes while the accompanying rhythm plays a certain chord.
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How do you navigate playing the song if you are playing in a jam group. Do you cut the lead in notes (at the beginning of the song) out? My understanding is that when you are jamming you want to start the moment the person before you is done with their break; but if you start with the lead-in, you would be out of time, right??
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The lead-in (also known as "potatoes) is only done by the player who’s kicking off the tune. You’ve got it right- start your break as soon as the current soloist is done, in the same spot they would if they were to simply repeat their solo.
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