Play Faster! Free Banjo Lesson

[@chrisrobbins2632]

Everything this man posts is solid gold. It would have taken the guy I used to take lessons from about $200 worth of lessons to impart what this 9 1/2 minute video did.

[@rachaelforchrist7231]

So true!

[@daveduncan8004]

I played the banjo since 1974 out of the Earl Scruggs book it was printed in 68. I’ve never been a really great banjo player or not even a good banjo player but I enjoy it on my back porch picker with chicken wire over the back porch in case somebody want to throw a rock or bottle. Thanks again.

[@texas_tankie]

Eli, it's a weird thing and I don't really know how to explain it but when I struggle with a few bars, I will play them faster than I normally would, nail them - somehow, then when I play them slowly and properly again it works out perfectly. God bless you, sir. It's sort of happened by accident out of frustration in the past haha, but with your lesson here, it improved my playing almost instantly. - Adam, one of your many 30 Day students

[@bonniesnider3262]

Speed is my biggest frustration. Thank you, Eli. I love what you are doing!

[@thomas7johns]

I like the idea of setting a goal of playing a little faster tempo than needed in order to play a little better at the normal or slow tempo better. Brilliant!!

[@brannonshrock9156]

I took piano lessons for years as a kid and this summarized some of the most important tips I remember and repackaged them for the banjo! THANK YOU!

[@whippingstar]

Something tangentially related to picking up speed: I started doing forearm curls with a 20lb kettle bell. I've played guitar for 27 years and fingerpicked for maybe 25, but my hands just felt weak when I started playing banjo. It's helped my speed, evenness, stamina, and tone quite a bit.

[@philadams7593]

Been playing the banjo for about 6-8 months

[@TheMatticuslong]

Brand new to trying to play music and I appreciate the tips and your videos.

[@harmonicguitars]

I've watched a few of these videos now and the lessons are things I really needed to hear. Thank you for helping me become a more modest musician

[@roythomas-erhard5199]

Another way to slow down or speed up songs is with Transcribe! Software. You can change keys, isolate parts and eliminate vocals. I've used this alot to play along with songs I'm learning.

[@JPM-NM]

This is probably more of a guitar thing but I heard Chris Eldridge of the Punch Brothers, addressing tension issues, once suggest playing slowly, then go briefly way faster than your target tempo, and when you're at the high tempo just focus on being tension free. Don't necessarily worry about accuracy just become aware of how it feels to be relaxed. Then drop back down to your target tempo and you should have the accuracy and relaxation. It's basically a variation on what Adam Steffey told you. I have tried this a couple of times and it works!

[@Austin_Garcia]

This is probably the best video for people who get discouraged on not being able to play fast. Thanks Eli !!!!!🔥🪕

[@PavelKanok]

Hi Eli, many thanks for your excellent video for getting more appreciate information about technique and reach higher speed of playing banjo. We love what you are doing for us.

[@silverlagomorpha3177]

Thanks. You’re the best. Injury is a constant concern for Ehlers Danlos me, so I need to be careful. I can get an over use injury doing even the dumbest things. Modest goals are still goals. Mostly, I’ve been just practicing rolls while making sure my right hand isn’t doing crazy weird things.

[@sleethmitchell]

i was a pretty good banjo player, but i held A LOT of tension everywhere. i'm 72. the notes are still in my head, but all that tension has come home to roost. i'm slower than i once was. it is more important to relax properly than the average banjo player might realize.

[@rampage1345]

I think I want to buy a Banjo now lol. I can fingerpick already so just need go get use to Chords and new Fingerpicks.

[@jeffevans4663]

Hi Eli I enjoy your videos there are plenty of tutorials out there but I find your tips on techniques and speed etc very helpful it gives you confidence and ok to make mistakes especially to beginners like myself

[@PoetProphesied]

Great video ....I’m pretty close to those faster speeds at 170 and up. Just gotta get it consistent.

[@thefamily2707]

Your a good teacher 🤠👍🏻

[@myname7914]

Thanks Eli... one other option to consider: change the youtube playback speed, and try to keep up. :) Hey, hope you've grown that beard out since 2019. Haha... Thanks, I really appreciate your videos.

[@davidlundmark9359]

Ah very nice video, just found your channel and the video seems very high quality - so you just earned a new subscriber!

[@jblader111]

Great video, right on target.

[@severinneukom]

Very helpful! Thank you Eli!

[@midnighttoker8663]

Great lesson as always

[@bricklifter1749]

I wish you would teach fog mtn breakdown the way you taught songs in 30 days of banjo

[@christopherloeppke2823]

Great advise. Thank you!

[@christopherloeppke2823]

Hey i wanted to ask you a question if possible. I am a brand new bluegrass banjo player. I received my banjo in the mail 2 weeks ago, and i have been tightening everything up and trying to tune accordingly. Is there a recommendation for the actual tuner knob screws? One of mine is loose and unwinds as i tighten...

[@nonec5246]

I could see what you are say will work, but I played guitar before and I have certain right hand fingering sequences that have to be unlearned, and I am still trying to understand what is happening with the index finger and thumb, while I am instinctively trying to add a fourth finger and even the pinky. Now I anchor my short ring finger and pinky and my middle and index fingers are too close to the strings and automatically go into cramping and confusion. I still don't understand the role of each finger and how the banjo roll is perpetuated. I picked up on the chords and the slides real easy, but the banjo roll using the right hand has no structure in my mind. I don't get a mental image of what they are doing. In the guitar the thumb has a bass role and a specific timing that often caries the beat etc.

[@stevefitzpatrick3117]

Has the tab been taken down because when you log on for the tab you get a note saying file not found 😀

[@Foxrock321]

Good info...helpfull

[@davidf3627]

Great lesson - but I am a little confused by the metronome demonstration at about 2:50. Eli says he is playing FMB at 60 BPM. He is subdividing the beats into four parts - basically, playing sixteenth notes. But in the tab he created for FMB - and for most tabs I’ve seen - it’s in eighth notes. He’s playing two measures of FMB (per his own tabs) for every measure the metronome counts. Seems like 120 BPM - not 60. Is this a banjo thing, or was I perhaps not paying attention in music class?

[@deanrader9918]

Would you consider doing Earl's or Jim's version of " Dear Old Dixie"?

[@elibryrob]

Another awesome video! Do you have any suggestions on how to anchor your right hand without eventually badly injuring it? I’ve heard of several players who’ve gotten carpal tunnel and it’s something I’m kind of afraid of.

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Thanks! If you can keep the anchoring finger(s) relatively relaxed, and the wrist in a relatively straight angle (more like earl than crowe) then you should be fine. You also don’t need to press down on the head much at all, that can also create tension. The most important thing is to listen to your body, healthy right hand positions shouldn’t make your hand cramp or get sore, maybe just tired after a lot of practicing!

[@elibryrob]

Thank you for the reply! Yeah, my hand usually gets very tense and ends up cramping very badly, but I wasn’t really sure if it was something that might work itself out. I really appreciate your advise (and all of your videos)! Thank you!

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Elijah Roberts I’ve definitely dealt with that myself as well! It can be frustrating but I’ve found that eventually staying somewhat relaxed becomes a habit if you can keep it in mind from time to time. Glad to be of help any time!

[@surrebua]

Great lesson! :-)

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Thanks!

[@surrebua]

@@EliGilbertBanjo You are Welcome! i came here after the live stream with Jim........very nice to follow you! Greetings from Norway👍😊

[@williamstraney4041]

Great lessons. You're pulling some killer tone yourself. What gauge strings do you use?

[@hdillard2619]

what video is the first clip from

[@derekroddy5092]

Doing your 30 day for beginners. I’m 45 so I figure if this is my midlife crisis, my wife is getting off easy.

[@xlanefodderx7360]

One of the links seems to be broken. Is there tabs for Breaking In Lonesome somewhere that I can purchase?

[@keithphillips2184]

Working on correct fingering

[@LessonsWithMarcel]

What if the mistakes are like part of my style, man?

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

#fakemistakes

[@smilingvulture]

I really don't like over fast like hearing every note clear/timing much more important

[@OBGband]

Does this guy play that fast or its actually on FAST FORWARD? I cant get it

[@cm-r384]

Your tab link is broken

[@rem-cr3hx]

Noice

[@johnarneson5057]

Too much talking.

[@EliGilbertBanjo]

Send me an email and I’ll get you a refund 😉

[@chrisrobbins2632]

@@EliGilbertBanjo Sick burn Eli!

[@PavelKanok]

Hi Eli, many thanks for your excellent video for getting more appreciate information about technique and reach higher speed of playing banjo. We love what you are doing for us.