Another Beginner Banjo Rant - Round Peak, Day One

Deconstructing some more techniques found in this Round Peak book.

[@seanlee74]

just found your videos Steve. very helpful.

[@noriturk]

Dude, you nailed it on this and your previous video, its the search for that interplay of notes That makes clawhammer style so appealing to ones ear ! I am where you are at . How to adapt and improve my jamming with bluegrass players with a more intricate pattern of notes

[@jharsch3453]

I play Red Rocking Chair in two different ways, one being C major out of gCGCD and the other in C minor. Sometimes I'll substitute the IV chord with the vi. Sometimes I'll play a simple frail and other times I'll double thumb non-stop. There's a million ways to play one song. I dont really like tabs so I first find the key, the best tuning for it, and then work on melody and harmony separately. Then I embellish as much as I please and work through the composition and dynamics. It's rewarding

[@johnnybx3254]

I’m enjoying your exploration! Thanks

[@19stoney64]

This is all crazy interesting. I lose my thumb action when I get over the neck. I can get my top string to ring out fine if I play right before neck starts. Anyway I'm so much newer at all this than you but I'm listening. Thanks!

[@StevePlaysBanjo]

I'm still a fan of the traditional bum-ditty, but it has been helpful to explore playing from other folks' perspective. Picking up a few tricks along the way.

[@Rachels123]

I pulled the last 4 frets off my banjo, (after removing the neck) and scooped out the neck holding it down onto the roller of my belt sander. now i have room to "dig in" while playing. just a thought.

[@StevePlaysBanjo]

You're braver than man me. :) although I do think I'd like my next banjo to have a scoop. I love the tone and it forces a precision needed for more intricate drop thumb and round peak patterns

[@ghostofhoward]

I have a Pisgah banjo that is scooped, I play over the neck most of the time but am trying to mix in playing over the head when the song calls for it.

[@StevePlaysBanjo]

I saw a promotion for one of them A-scale Pisgah's in my inbox. I've been tempted.

[@trevorking4775]

Rachel Woodruff

[@musik102]

Once you've got the basic skills down, I'd say simple listen to a ton of recordings. I not just banjo. You've got to get all these note choices in your head. For example, I was listening to a recording by a top player recently, and I was almost screaming at the recording because, to my ears, it got boring because the player wasn't adding enough variations. Now, the note choices that I wanted to hear have found their way into my head via recordings. I good way to find "extra" in between notes, is to sing the melody and then start to improvise - while singing - and then search out those "extra notes" on the banjo.

[@StevePlaysBanjo]

Since I posted this video, a while ago now, I’ve been trying to learn more songs that weren’t really written for banjo. This exercise trains you to practice that active listening. And slowly, it has helped me break out of my typical rhythm devices. Still a long road ahead. Thanks for the great advice!