Small increments. A little each day.
Irish washer woman
1 Like
OK so i’ve been practising like crazy on this one and finally (After countless takes) just about managed to get through without a major mistake 
So here it is with a little backing I recorded too. 
BTW…Apologies for the squeaks on the track, its not me, but compressing the file down for upload seems to have caused a few odd harmonics/squeaks on the track. 
8 Likes
This is so very cool! Seems like you have become a pro in 24 hours! I have been trying this on guitar for quite long time, countless times maybe, still I can’t get it clean. 
Tempo looks perfect too (90% of Ben’s speed??). Great job!! Another genius! 
1 Like
Super take! Excellent dynamics!
1 Like
Your too kind. Thanks. It took a lot of takes to get it recorded so I’m far from being pro. When I can stand up in front of a crowd and play without any mistakes, that’ll be the day I will be happy. 
The way you’re making progress, looks the day is not too far!
1 Like
Excellent Jon, All you need now is a little green suit and a green hat
An Irish Toast
When we drink we get drunk
When we get drunk we fall asleep
When we sleep we do not sin
When we do not sin we go to heaven
So, lets get drunk and go to heaven
and now your all set for St Patrick's DayHaha, thanks Archie 
Very well done!
1 Like
That is outstanding! It made me happy to listen to it!
1 Like
Thanks Ben, I take that as high praise from you.
Now if only I can just play it the same everytime.
I guess it’s just practise.
It’s one thing that I get annoyed and frustrated over. I can learn a tune, play it OK one day and another just mess up all the time.
Does anyone else have this problem. Does consistency just come with practise and experience over the years?
1 Like
That’s so cool Jon, I love it, great job 
I feel like I want to just buckle down and learn this one. I’m sure the feeling will pass.
You rock. No wait… you bluegrass. I think we should all start trying to use the word “bluegrass” as a verb; let’s see if we can start a trend.
2 Likes
Thanks Maggie.
1 Like
Bluegrass and roll!
2 Likes
Most everyone has that problem & yes experience does help with consistency.
some days I need a longer warm up period to play anything correctly.
Some days I’m Just uncoordinated and playing well is out of the question…so I use those days toplay slowly… working on smaller things/licks or learn something new.
That’s how I am. Some days my brain feels completely wired directly to my fingers and I can control them well. Another day my fingers can be all over the place. I tend to do exactly what you do and slow down and work on parts that I have trouble with.
Another curious thing I find, others may or may not find this. If I concentrate too hard with my contious mind on a tune or tricky part in a tune, that’s when I lose it. If I kind of switch off and just enjoy the music, my subcontious part of my brain, (the part we call muscle memory) takes over and I can play better.
Glad I’m not alone in this. I was thinking maybe it was just me. 
1 Like
Me 2, Some day’s all goes well, next day it can all fall to pieces. It certainly has got a lot better over the years especially since I became one of @BanjoBen 's students…
On such occasions, I watch TV or a Movie and just allow my subconscious to control my fingers. I work on licks or short phrases. Playing the phrase over and over in a loop. This helps me with difficult picking patterns i.e Single String or Alan Munde’s Inside Roll Patterns. And some of the more complex left hand finger passages that can become frustrating if I try to concentrate too hard. The TV helps me relax and when I am ready to play the notes seem to flow better.
1 Like
Yes I do that too Archie, it seems if our contious mind is destracted it helps.
It’s fascinating how our brains work and absorb things. My one year old has learned and is obsessed with pressing buttons at the moment, she almost pressed the alarm bell in the elevator today when I was in town. I’m hoping she will be just as fascinated by the banjo/guitar later.
Oh yeah, happens to me too