Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Discuss the Banjo lesson: Waypoints- Learning the Banjo Neck- G Chord

#72

I’m working through the Practicing the G positions up the neck. I notice that when I get to the two highest G’s it sounds better if I fret the drone string. With the G position at fret 17 I can use middle finger to fret at 17 which as you all know is a G. Then at G position at fret 21 I can reach over with my thumb and fret the 17. Raising that G note seems to help the sound IMHO. I’ve known you can fret the drone string for a long time. Do it in little maggie.

What your thoughts? Seems easily legit but don’t want the head master to hit my hand with the ruler.

#73

The traditional licks up there have an open 5th string. Yes, you can fret the 5th, and I do at times especially when playing backup licks. It does somewhat concern me that it sounds better to you, because that makes me wonder if something is up with your banjo’s intonation.

#74

Intonation is spot on. Checked it. All my G’s are spot on. Must be these old ears! :slight_smile:

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#75

This stuff is awesome whether I’m applying it now or not. I was worried about not having a teacher and mentor anywhere close to where I live. Not now cause I have a teacher and mentor and he responds even on the most trivial newbie stuff. Thanx a ton BBC for making all this available to us!

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#76

Only started this course today and its already helped . I played my rendition of ill fly away for my wife, going up the neck using the way points and she was amazed . Bens sisters were right in refering me to this site. Many thanks to them and Banjo Ben.

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#77

Great lesson. I am having a problem with timing. I can follow along to the slow video of going up the neck, but I lose track when I try to play along to the 140BPM audio. How do I know I’m doing it right with those track without another banjo playing it in the background d?

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#78

Hi Ernest, The best way to build speed is to get TablEdit or the free TefView and download the .tef files. With TablEdit you can set the speed to where you are comfortable then build speed gradually. It’s like learning to walk you gotta pick yourself up a few times before your ready to run with the wind. Patience, Practice and Perseverance. Give it time you’ll get there

#79

Yep, try the .tef files for sure, or record video of you trying play and post in the VideoSwap category.

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#80

Hi Ben,

I don’t know if this is going to be clear… so I will try to articulate it and hope you understand. This Waypoint lesson… I have worked on this scale part slow - by memory. I understand the need to switch up on the note when you are bridging from 5-8 (3 notes E, F#, G) versus the notes walking the interval from 1-3 (2 notes, G, A) and 3-5 (2 notes B, C) waypoints. It has to be that way… in that you repeat the notes when there are 2-note walks… but you move to the next note for the walk of 3 notes. This is how it must work for rhythm… and I get all that.

However, the foundation of my question… does this same concept spill over into how to approach transitions up the neck too? Most often, I see that the jumps are more quick jump position moves… but I just thought I’d get your comments.

Hopefully, if nothing else, is it evident I’m really STUDYING the patterns too? Maybe more than I need to - but it fascinates me.

One final note, I think my very fav part is when you bend into the last note. I smile every time - just like a kid who’s seen the same movie over and over - and laughs each and every time!

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#81

Great question. Typically the top positions are jumped to without hitting the scale notes in between, but I wrote the scale notes in so that you connect the patterns and begin to see the scale notes on the neck, plus it’s great physical practice for licks that are ahead.

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#82

Even as it is an exercise - tying the SCALE to the WAYPOINTS - Oh Bach of the Banjer - I like the sounds of the walking also… especially if - for example, in a bluesy way… to muddy up the walk with bends and flat 3rd notes… would sound so cool.

OK… so I’m on the right track… meaning… I can make that leap of understanding how structuring the scale de-mystifies the whole Waypoint positions (which is soooo cool)… but even so, I am always thinking about how to APPLY in new ways. :smirk:

I should just hunker down and learn the lesson for learning’s sake instead of jumping to evolving what I’ve not yet mastered. I’m just fascinated the way that Banjo plays with the noted patterns - in 3s and 2s… over measures… in an arpeggiated way.

My hope is that thinking to evolve these patterns and ideas is really aimed at getting to a deeper understanding of the instrument.

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#83

Thanks Archie. I’ll try that.

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#84

Thanks Ben. Great site!

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#85

Definitely! The best way to apply any new banjo knowledge is to train your hands to do it without thinking about it. Once you achieve that, you’ll have an easier time hearing where these licks fit in songs you’re playing.

Keep at it!

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#86

Hey Archie, that 's for the great tip. What a great tool. I’ve been using it all weekend.

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#87

Ben, this TEF file is great. I just “discovered” it thanks to you and Archie. Thanks a lot.

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#88

@BanjoBen at 3:40 of the Add the Licks lesson when you are explaining measure 23 it looks like after playing the first string fretted at 12 you follow it up with a hammer on the second string from 11 -> 12 instead of a slide as in the PDF. Am I mistaken or maybe missing something?

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#89

Perhaps I did, but know that either will be fine and I use both equally. Thanks!

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#90

Sometimes I feel like the last cow in the herd. I’m like Bill Murray and Banjo Ben is Sargeant Hulka. Anyway, you know what goes great with an exercise like this? An authentic Banjo Ben banjo mute.

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#91

Boy what a fantastic game changing lesson Ben. This takes me back to starting the banjo really after I came to visit you. Boil Em Cabage Down was the lesson that helped me take off and get started but this one puts so much in perspective. Thanks so much for what you do. Peace from Canada and I’ll throw in a big “A” for you.

Darcy

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