Here's a screenshot of the video I'll post later. Fun fun fun fun. Big thanks to my little brother Davis for shooting the video (and who insists on editing it first, so that's why it's not being posted right now).
Sunday, April 27, 2014
I love you all
Reading through everyone's blogs makes me so happy. And also makes me wish I could write poetry. Shout out to Cindy Tae and her blog. It's lovely.
Here's a screenshot of the video I'll post later. Fun fun fun fun. Big thanks to my little brother Davis for shooting the video (and who insists on editing it first, so that's why it's not being posted right now).
Here's a screenshot of the video I'll post later. Fun fun fun fun. Big thanks to my little brother Davis for shooting the video (and who insists on editing it first, so that's why it's not being posted right now).
Saturday, April 26, 2014
No time for 20-time
I've been ridiculously busy these past two weeks so I haven't been able to touch my banjo as much as I'd like to. But...I'm going to try and upload a video of me playing tomorrow. Get excited.
I've been really struggling to find a mentor. I don't know anyone else who plays the banjo and I've searched online for people but the nearest banjo instructor is several hours away. I know there's a really cute bluegrass band that used to play at Journeys every other Monday night. Maaaaaaybe I could try contacting Journeys and try to get the name of the band and then the name of the banjo player and gahhal;sdlkjdfs this is hard.
I'll stop by next Monday I have a chance and see if they're still around. They're a group of retired men who get together and play bluegrass for fun and they're a genuine joy to listen to: they're always talking to each other and laughing and occasionally yelling at one another what the next chord is supposed to be, then making fun of the one that forgot because he's old and forgetful...all the while creating some of the greatest bluegrass one has ever heard. Nothing quite makes me as happy as well-executed bluegrass harmonies - something, unfortunately, I won't be able to do by myself for my presentation...anyone want to sing with me? B)
For now, my backup plan is the happybanjodude guy/website I linked to earlier. I have no idea where he lives, but I can always contact him if I have questions and maybe I'll have a Skype lesson or two with him.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Blog Post Number Two
So I've been messing around with my banjo a bit and I've been having a lot of fun with it! I found an awesome website that has a lot of tabs to banjo arrangements of popular songs, along with YouTube tutorials of each of the songs - pretty nifty. Not only that, but the guy who runs the site offers Skype banjo lessons and also has some learn-to-play banjo books published! I probably won't do the Skype lessons, but I probably will end up purchasing one of the books. From his website, I've learned to play the Avett Brothers' "Paranoia in Bb Major", which - although it's not bluegrass- is pretty...and also easy to play if you have the tab.
I'm still working on trying to figure out the Rolling Stones song. I've been able to figure out a couple bits of it by ear, but I'm not familiar enough with the neck of the banjo or the style of playing to even know how to approach it yet.
While a guitar in standard tuning is EADGBE with all strings a fourth apart (with the exception of G to B being a major third), I've learned that a 5-string banjo like mine is normally tuned GDGBD. This is actually pretty handy because it makes a lot chords really easy to play. I mean, if you just strum the instrument without even putting any fingers down on the fretboard, you have a G chord!
The biggest struggle I've had while learning to play besides the unfamiliarity of where the notes are on the neck is the fingerpicks. You don't normally strum a lot of chords with the banjo; you typically finger a chord with your left hand and then you perform a roll with your right. To play in the proper twangy bluegrass style, you do this while wearing fingerpicks. I'm adequate at fingerstyle guitar, but placing these strange metal contraptions on my fingertips and trying to play music is not unlike placing Bugles snacks on your fingertips, pretending you have witch nails, and trying to go about your regular activities.
I'm still working on trying to figure out the Rolling Stones song. I've been able to figure out a couple bits of it by ear, but I'm not familiar enough with the neck of the banjo or the style of playing to even know how to approach it yet.
While a guitar in standard tuning is EADGBE with all strings a fourth apart (with the exception of G to B being a major third), I've learned that a 5-string banjo like mine is normally tuned GDGBD. This is actually pretty handy because it makes a lot chords really easy to play. I mean, if you just strum the instrument without even putting any fingers down on the fretboard, you have a G chord!
The biggest struggle I've had while learning to play besides the unfamiliarity of where the notes are on the neck is the fingerpicks. You don't normally strum a lot of chords with the banjo; you typically finger a chord with your left hand and then you perform a roll with your right. To play in the proper twangy bluegrass style, you do this while wearing fingerpicks. I'm adequate at fingerstyle guitar, but placing these strange metal contraptions on my fingertips and trying to play music is not unlike placing Bugles snacks on your fingertips, pretending you have witch nails, and trying to go about your regular activities.
My banjo, Kazooie.
Fingerpicks
Monday, April 7, 2014
Starting things off
Hey guys!
Like millions of other people in the world, music is one of my passions. Over the years I've learned to play a variety of instruments: guitar, saxophone, and piano being my main instruments, plus others I've added to my collection such as numerous ocarinas and ukuleles.
Inspired by the surge in popularity of banjo-incorporated pop (slash indie folk rock music? who knows what genre) such as Mumford & Sons and the Avett Brothers, over the past few years I've become fascinated by the 5-stringed, raucous, old-timey instrument. I had to have one.
I was ecstatic when I received a banjo for my 17th birthday. Unfortunately, as a junior in high school with a chronic over-scheduling issue (what is sleep?), I've rarely had time to even touch my beloved present.
This, my friends, is where I hope to change things! If you haven't already figured it out by now, my 20-Time project is to learn to be a proficient banjo player. I hope to be good enough by the end of the semester to perform a song for you.
As a passionate lover of good ol' rock n' roll, I found this bluegrass cover of one of my favorite Rolling Stones songs to be especially neat-o, and I think it would be cool to learn. I'm still looking at different songs and various styles of playing, so we'll see.
Thanks for reading; wish me luck! :)
Like millions of other people in the world, music is one of my passions. Over the years I've learned to play a variety of instruments: guitar, saxophone, and piano being my main instruments, plus others I've added to my collection such as numerous ocarinas and ukuleles.
Inspired by the surge in popularity of banjo-incorporated pop (slash indie folk rock music? who knows what genre) such as Mumford & Sons and the Avett Brothers, over the past few years I've become fascinated by the 5-stringed, raucous, old-timey instrument. I had to have one.
I was ecstatic when I received a banjo for my 17th birthday. Unfortunately, as a junior in high school with a chronic over-scheduling issue (what is sleep?), I've rarely had time to even touch my beloved present.
This, my friends, is where I hope to change things! If you haven't already figured it out by now, my 20-Time project is to learn to be a proficient banjo player. I hope to be good enough by the end of the semester to perform a song for you.
As a passionate lover of good ol' rock n' roll, I found this bluegrass cover of one of my favorite Rolling Stones songs to be especially neat-o, and I think it would be cool to learn. I'm still looking at different songs and various styles of playing, so we'll see.
Thanks for reading; wish me luck! :)
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