Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Whatcha Working On?

#1

Having a Galax arrangement to practice (well sort of practice) reminded me of how nice it is to have more tangible projects/goals with music. So, I thought I’d start a big thread where we’d share specifically what tunes/techniques we’ve been working on… although if I’m being honest it may primarily just be so I can be held somewhat accountable for practicing specific things :joy:

I think I’m going to work on Cattle in the Cane and make an arrangement of that. I like that tune a lot but I’ve never played far beyond the basic melody.
Naturally, the effort shall start here…

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#2

Great topic. I always do things like this for myself - I’m always keeping practice goal papers in my guitar case to keep myself on track with my current things to practice! Did the contest show you the value of specific disciplined practice? :slight_smile: I remember you saying it was sometimes hard for you to do that before. Contests have really helped ME get in focused practice mode, over the years.

Right now I’m working on a Salt Creek solo from Jake, and feeling very relieved that I’m done practicing Big Sandy River which I started in February. :slight_smile:

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#3

Currently working on playing tunes in D. Standard G tuning 5th string spiked. Big focus on fingering positions moving from one shape to the next.

I was hoping @BanjoBen would finally complete the Waypoint’s series he started 5 years ago. But I guess he is so busy these day’s it’s not going to happen anytime soon.

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#4

Now that I’ve finished the Wernick Jam Classes, I’ve just started exploring alternate tunings. I’ve been watching the Adam Ash videos, then taking time to explore these interesting new sounds, one video at a time. I think I could spend the next three months just playing with sawmill tuning!
https://banjobenclark.com/lessons/alternate-banjo-tunings-banjo-beginner/video/sawmill-or-g-modal-tuning

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#5

I plan on completing that before 2030. I hope you’re still around to see it!!

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#6

Not sure about that, I turn 75 on Sunday so I’m on the wrong side of 30.

But hey there’s no rush @BanjoBen , I’m content, I have a Life Membership and I know you’ll get to it when you can. Besides I don’t want you stressing yourself out over it. gif

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#7

It did, it was nice to have a specific goal to target. It’s just so difficult for me to get my head to focus on one thing unless I already feel like it :joy:

Anyway, I had the best of intentions to work on an arrangement of Cattle in the Cane today, but I sort of, um, got distracted by this Bryan Sutton Way Downtown solo, so Cattle in the Cane shall be moved to tomorrow… :sweat_smile:

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#8

Don’t feel bad letting Bryan Sutton overpower your Tony Rice goals. It happens. Next thing you know it’ll be one of Bryan’s successors you’re practicing… these progressions are only natural.

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#9

sigh the ultimate goal was originality… alas, I believe I am doomed to be a conglomerate copycat of Tony Rice, Kenny Smith, Jake Workman, and Bryan Sutton

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#10

If that’s what you’re doomed to I think you’ll survive!

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#11

What’s that! no mention of @BanjoBen where’s your loyalty @Michael_Mark point__laugh

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#12

Ooops! :sweat_smile:

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#13

aaf_lol

Only picked up a couple new tunes this Summer; Billy in the Low ground, and I Don’t Love Nobody.

Mostly been just playing through what I know, gaining speed & ironing out issues.

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#14

I have been “working” only on banjo (but I still play other instruments). I have a couple songs that are pretty much up to speed, but still working on to polish (or re-polish) and tidy up. Latest project has been Ben’s version of Jesus Loves Me. I am at the slow part of learning where I am getting it to speed. Speaking of that… it seems weird… why does it go so quickly to speed X and then take forever to add another 10%??? Maybe if Ben would add 10% to the target speed from the start we’d all get there real easy :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

Gonna dust off/re-learn and learn new Christmas songs soon. It probably did more harm than good to bluegrass playing for me to focus on that last year (my first year with banjo), however… my goals seem to have shifted from shooting for the moon to simply enjoying making music that I enjoy. And for that purpose, Christmas songs are tough to beat.

Oh… and I hurt my left ring finger and won’t know for a bit how long it will take to heal. I might be watching Django videos for pointers if it goes too long.

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#15

I learned Tony’s non-melody break to Cattle today. It’s a lot of closed position and the fingering is TOUGH, at least the way I’m playing it. I absolutely love closed positions though so it’s a fun challenge.

I’ve also decided that I need to get better at improvising out of C position, so after this I’m probably going to be stealing a bunch of licks from Bryan. I love his work in C.

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#16

Classic response @BanjoBen.

I think this means you are right on schedule… and maybe even ahead of schedule.

OVERACHIEVER! :sunglasses:

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#17

Thanks for the likes, @Michael_Mark & @Mike_R !

Long time since I’ve been on… but know I can rely on you fellas for the attempt at a little (very little…) comic relief with a twist of dry humor added in…

What are y’all up to this summer, hmmm?

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#18

Lots of indoor activities for a while due to the heat. Things may have turned a corner in that regard.

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#19

I need to get better at C improv too! It’s one of the things I’ve been practicing lately.

I learned 1/4 of the Salt Creek break I’m working on today. :joy: Not as much as I would have liked, but I didn’t have much time to practice - students and other stuff going on!

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#20

I’m sure you’ve already seen it but this video is great– highly recommend to anyone else wanting to delve into C position:

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