Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Would love some input

#1

In the new year, I plan on doing a music-centered Podcast. I am currently putting this question out to all my music friends…

“What is ONE thing you wished you knew more about to make you better at what you do when it comes to your music?”
Ok - it doesn’t HAVE to be one thing… you can give an entire laundry list of things you would like to know. And it DOESN’T have to be music theory related… it can be questions related to recording at home - it can be gear-specific questions, software-related questions - anything at all that relates to the music YOU make.

My intention is to develop series-related podcasts where I record a series of podcasts on a single topic for a month. One topic per month, split into weekly installments. These topics can be the use of music theory in our various worlds (church, bluegrass, composition etc) to recording tips and tricks for the home studio.

So… twelve topics each with four or five podcasts (depending on the month) for the twelve months of 2023.

I do not intend to duplicate what I have done or will do for Ben on this site pertaining to music theory, but want to develop a series of podcasts that travel on the periphery of what I teach here in the music world.

I am discovering that as I have retired from classroom instruction, my desire to teach has not lessened. If anything I want to do it more - just not in a classroom. This podcast will become my outlet, along with what I am doing for and with Ben.

As this is quite possibly my favorite community in the world of the Interwebs (what my Dad used to call the Internet), I value the input of this community.

Feel free to post here or to send me an email to paige@emergingcomposer.com

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#2

I’m currently putting all of my attention in to learning banjo improv for bluegrass jams. It’s not as easy as just learning licks. It’s definitely a process. I remember when I was learning to play electric guitar, my teacher taught me the blues pentatonic scale. In just a couple of lessons, I was improving over literally every blues song ever written. I thought that was the most amazing thing ever. I’m learning it’s no where near that easy for banjo. I understand why. It’s just a bummer it’s not as easy. :slight_smile:

Anyway, some discussion on learning to improv (especially on banjo) would be interesting listening.

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#3

Chord voicings and variations in rhythm! Stuff that makes backup guitar playing more interesting, colorful, and complimentary to a vocal, etc. I feel like my rhythm playing is a bit “vanilla” because I only ever played straight bluegrass for a long time. I’d love to be more competent at interesting voicings and knowing when it use them and when they will sound good. Plus, moving beyond boom-chuck bluegrass rhythm and into stuff that I can hybrid pick, etc.

I’ve become infatuated with James Taylor’s style and I think he’s a master in this aspect. His guitar playing always sounds tasteful and in a word “perfect” behind his singing. Dennis Parker, as well:



I also hear TR bring some jazz-influenced voicings to his rhythm at times. I love all that stuff.
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#4

I wish I knew more practical, easy-to-use licks in the 5 CAGED shapes. I learned 20 great CAGED licks from a sheet from Jake that I’ve used more than any other tool to help me solo. I know you are a master of the CAGED shapes @Mr_G so I would just love to know some more of your favorite handy note choices when soloing in each position.

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#5

Thinking about @Michael_Mark’s suggestion and I had a thought for related discussion. Take songs where a band or player does something different or well. Perhaps alternate chord choices or unusual progressions (Bob Will’s key changes or Radiohead’s “Creep” progression). Drill it down to how it (whatever “it” is) is used in the example, other similar or related examples and how to put it to use.

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#6

Hi @Mr_G

I would echo what @Mark_Rocka said. I have no problem learning banjo tunes from tab or by ear so long as there is a video to guide me through any tricky or unfamiliar licks. I am an audio/visual learner. I can maybe pick out a short phrase on my own but when it comes to improv I have yet to find it. It’s not that I haven’t tried I have been studying banjo for about 14 years not just with @BanjoBen but with pretty much every teacher that has produced a video lesson on this topic. I should add, I live in a bluegrass desert.

#7

I think you are getting lots of good recommendations. I don’t have any to add but I do hope you hope you let this forum know when you release the first episode. I love listening to music podcasts.

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#8

I am getting some GREAT responses!
I appreciate all of them!
mr g

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#9

This is a GREAT response (from my fav bluegrass picking’ author of my fav book)!
While I am gathering my thoughts for some videos in this area…

  1. Learn to play the melody of a tune in all five CAGED shapes
  2. Be able to identify the b3rd, b5th, and b7th in each shape.
  3. Don’t be afraid to “quote” snippets of other melodies in whatever solo you are playing.
  4. Develop a “steely-eyed glare” that dares ANYONE to question your note choices. :sunglasses:

mr g

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#10

alternate or substitute chords are right up my alley. I can see some lessons/videos on this in my future…
mr G

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#11

ok… James Taylor… be still my beating heart! quite possibly my all-time fav musician from my era (70’s)… when he wasn’t wasted… he is amazing. His performances of Fire and Rain show off some incredibly unnoticed guitar playing. His finger-style stuff melts me.

groovr
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#12

Those are really good tips. I need to work out the melodies more in the CAGED positions as well as find the other common intervals. I like the last tip best haha. And your favorite book - wow! :grinning:

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