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Learning to Play the Melody on Banjo using Christmas Songs

I thought I'd better get started on some Christmas songs well before Christmas this year, so yesterday I was playing your Joy of Christmas examples, and my grandson and I agree that they all are great, but my wife and granddaughter only liked two- coincidentally both Silent Night and Away in a Manger, which are directly melody songs. Read More

Attaching a Leather Lakota Banjo Strap

Here are some instructions to answer your question on where to attach the leather strap on your banjo.Read More

Banjo Practice Tips

The learning process will be slow and often frustrating. I am hoping to keep my enthusiasm going and trying each day to maintain what I practiced the previous day Read More

Are 5th String Capo Spikes Necessary for a Beginner Banjo Player

One more question... Will the capo spikes be necessary for a beginner like me? My impression is no... but let me know if you have any advice to the contrary.Read More

How to Play the Melody on the Banjo Question

I have been struggling to get part of "Old Time Religion" to sound right, and I think I may have figured out why. Perhaps this has to do with me being left-handed, and I am not seeing something correctly to translate it from righty to lefty. or maybe it's something else. Read More

Playing a 5-string Banjo with a low G on the 5th string?

I've been playing banjo for a few months now. Been picking it up pretty well! However, I play rather unconventionally. The 5th peg came off while I was learning basic chords, ended up keeping it with 4 and rocking the tuning D-G-B-E. I like it because I can play along to most songs without having to transpose in anyway or whatnot.Read More

Which Banjo Thumpicks Do you Recommend?

I recently decided to start using a thumbpick after years without. Still going without fingerpicks (I also play ukulele and nylon guitar). Also I have moved to a higher bridge - 11/16".Read More

Learning How to Play, Tune and Set up a Resophonic Banjo or "Dojo"

How to Play, Tune and Set up a Resophonic Banjo or "Dojo"Learn more about how to play a Resophonic banjo or "Dojo". Recommended strings to use, tips on tone, alternative tunings and other insights into transitioning from a normal 5-string bluegrass banjo using 3 finger Scruggs style technique to playing a Dojo, Resophonic Banjo or ResNick. Read More

Free Banjo Lesson with Loop2Learn

Try out Loop2Learn App for slowing down banjo with this Free Banjo Lesson by me, Ross Nickerson. Loop2Learn only cost $1.99 and it will change your banjo practice experience in a positive way IMMEDIATELY!Read More

Loop to Learn - App to Slow Down You Tube Video and Audio

Testing the Differences between a Mahogany and Maple Banjo Neck

One of my students from purchased a Nechville Flextone banjo. He could not decide between a maple or mahogany neck so he had an ingenious idea that no one had tried before, HE GOT BOTH. With Tom Nechville's easily removable banjo neck design called the flux capacitor he could switch between the two necks easy. This article is about the differences we found between two identical banjo necks, one made of mahogany and one of maple, then switched and tested on the same banjo. Read More

Gold Star Banjos-Availability and Facts

Ask the Banjo Teacher: Ross Nickerson Customer message: Ross... I've got an 05 Gold Star GF 85 which I've played for 13 years.... Really like the Gold Star. Looking to move up in quality but stay with Gold Star... what is the gold star, in your opinion, for around 2k? thanks, JimHi Jim, Gold Star only has one model in production now. But you emailed at a good time. For the last two years I have hadRead More

Ask the Banjo Teacher - Going from Guitar Player to Banjo Player

Hello Ross, I saw you demoing this instrument online. I’m really a guitar player, but am giving banjo a crack, and have one of these. How do you adjust the action on this. It seems a little high up the neck. The neck does appear straight. Thanks, Darrell PS Your pickin sounds great by the way.Read More

Photos of RK76, RK-85, What is a Snuffy Smith Bridge? Does Changing...

Ask the BanjoTeacher questions - Questions from students and customers sent to Ross Nickerson Hi Ross, Would you please send me photos of the new banjos when they arrive? The EK76 and RK-85? I have a couple questions, What is the Snuffy Smith bridge? How do you set them up for the best sound? I read somewhere that replacing the head will greatly improve the sound. Any comments?Read More

Glossary of Common Banjo Words and Phrases by Ross Nickerson

Find out what all the words associated with playing and learning to play the banjo mean by using Ross Nickerson's Banjo Word Glossary. This glossary of banjo related word definitions defines in simple to understand "layman's" terms the most common words, terms, phrases and musical descriptions needed to play, teach, and learn "how" to play the banjo.Read More

Banjo Capo Advice - How and When to Use a Banjo Capo

The capo is sometimes called a “cheater.” In a sense it is, but it doesn’t make you a poor musician to use it. In fact, in bluegrass banjo playing, many times it is proper. By using the capo, we are able to play everything we know in open G tuning; by simply placing the capo on another fret, we change the key. For those of you who are new to this, here is a little chart to help you.Read More

Learning to Play Banjo Left Handed

Being a lefty and wanting to learn to play banjo can present a few challenges. One is deciding whether to start off playing banjo left handed or right handed. I am asked that question fairly frequently from new students asking me for advice. What I would do if I was standing right there in front of them is hand them a banjo and see which way they go with it. I don't think this is a cerebral decision or even something that should be followed on the advice of others. The bottom line is it has to feel natural and comfortable. Often our quickest reactions or "gut" reactions are the most dependable and solid. That is why I would try to distract the student and hand it to them so I could see their "natural" reaction and which way they held it..... Read More

Playing The Melody on a Banjo | Using the Thumb

One of the challenges to learning and playing bluegrass banjo is to learn correct technique so you can keep up with the fast tempos so many bluegrass songs have.One of the tricks to playing consecutive 1/8 notes on a banjo is alternating your fingers. If you are playing 1/4 notes it's no problem to use the same finger twice in a row, but on a fast stream of 1/8 notes in an up tempo bluegrass song, using a different finger for each note is how it's accomplished.When playing the melody in 3 finger bluegrass Scruggs Style is don't let the index finger drive the bus. The thumb leads the way.Read More

Fixing Banjo Timing - Banjo Tab Exercises

As a banjo teacher I specialize in helping students of all ages learn to do something that they always wanted to do, and that's play banjo. One of the first apprehensions I hear from new students or from students that are fearful in their own ability to learn is. "I've got now rhythm". Well, I am here to reassure you that rhythm and counting can be learned, and its way more simple than you might think. In fact simple is the key.Read More

What is Zero Glide? Zero Glide Banjo Comparison

What is the Zero Glide Nut for Banjo and Guitar? Questions Answered - Comparison Video with and without Zero Glide I like most banjo players wanted to know what all the buzz was about the Zero Glide Nut got banjo. I heard about it for quite sometime before having an opportunity to experience what it does for your banjo. I consider myself always open to new ideas and improvements but I had a normal responses in the back of my head....... Read More

How to Play Banjo Along with a CD or DVD

Playing your banjo along with a You Tube video, DVD, CD or MP3 recording is not only loads of fun but a much more productive way of practicing banjo with few exceptions. One of the key elements in becoming a good banjo player is repetitions. The muscle memory you develop in repetitions helps you developing banjo tone, skill, speed, timing and the ability to improvise when you lose your place.Read More

Banjo DVD Reviews

Banjo DVD ReviewsReviews for Playing Banjo by Ear and Learning the Chords, Banjo Jamming and Play Along DVD with included Learning the Chords Up and Down the Neck Video and other Banjo instructional DVDs.Read More

Free Video on How to Hold the Banjo, Attach a Strap and Put Picks On

Free Banjo Lesson Video on how to hold or position the banjo, put the picks on, attach a banjo strap. The video also points out names of all the parts of the banjo like the tension hoop, tailpiece, peghead, flange and resonator. ,This is an excerpt from Beginning the Five String Banjo Book, CD and DVD by Ross Nickerson Read More

Learning the D Chord Part In Beverly Hillbillies / Jed Clampett

Banjo Advice Beverly Hillbilly's / Jed ClampetLearning the Beverly Hillbillies theme on banjo Student Question: The D chord part in The Ballad of Jed Clampet Read More

Practice Habits Banjo

Banjo Practice Habits and Techniques Class HandoutsBelow are links to handouts that you can downloadRead More

Improving Your Left Hand on Banjo - Which Finger to Use?

Answer to a student question on which finger to use when playing a standard lick up the neck. The article includes the answer along with some straight forward advice on improving your left hand ability when practicing your banjo.Read More

Banjo Help with the Forward Roll

I have a question about the fingering of the forward roll as tabbed on pg 16 of "Beginning The 5-String Banjo" book. (The roll referred to is an eight note one measure forward roll starting on the 3rd string, TMTIMTIM)Read More

Most Accurate Tab for Dueling Banjos

Most Accurate Tab for Dueling Banjos by Ross Nickerson I’ve transcribed Dueling Banjos note for note from the original Deliverance Movie Soundtrack as played by Eric Weisberg. Eric’s playing of this song along with the worldwide exposure from the movie and radio airplay can be credited with spawning a generation of players to take up the banjo. I still have students arrive at my door or at my website BanjoTeacher.com because they heard Dueling Banjos and want with every fiber in their body to make that sound!Read More

How to fret better on banjo and improve the left hand Question

As a relative newbie to the banjo, I've got a question that pertains to the Banjo Encyclopedia's 3rd chapter on left handed technique. Here's my question. If you could only practice one part of that chapter (for about 15 min) everyday, which part would it be? I know it somewhat depends on the needs of the student, but I'm just wondering which part of this chapter I'll be truely glad I worked diligently on a year from now. Also, please relate any really really important left handed techniques that you did not mention in BE, if there are any. ThanksRead More

Getting Better Control of Your Picking

Love your Banjo Encyclopedia and have found it a great help. I have been playing (or trying) for a few years now, and for the amount of time invested, feel I should be a pretty good player by now! Not so unfortunately as my biggest problem seems to be my right hand and fingers going everywhere once I start trying to pick up some speed. My hand cramped up terribly when I had two fingers on theRead More

Banjo Practice Advice

Question about the best products to learn from someone who is frustrated with keeping up with the tracks in the How to Build Your Speed on the Banjo BookRead More

What is the definition of playing thirds on a banjo

Hi Ross what is the definition of playing a third on a banjo? Looked but couldn’t find the definition, Thanks TedHi Ted,A Third is two notes 1/3 apart; chords are made of 3 notes, each note 1/3 apart which is why they harmonize. Singers most often harmonize using notes 1/3 apart.Read More

Free Beginner Banjo E-Book for New Mailing List Members

Thanks for Joining the Mailing List at BanjoTeacher.comTo complete your sign up process for the monthly discounts newsletter and receive the free item. you were sent an automatic email.1. Open the email and confirm the sign up process. 2. Then send us an email requesting the Free E-Book. 3. If you did not receive the email, please email us at info@banjoteacher.com Here are some discounts just for joining the mailing list.Read More

Free Video on How to Tighten a Banjo head

How to Tighten a Banjo HeadRead More

Reviews on Banjo Picks

Banjo Pick Reviews Read More

How to Put Strings on a Banjo

Here is a free video on how to put strings on a banjo. The video also includes tips on putting a bridge on a banjo and tightening the banjo head. Changing strings on a banjo is not hard once you've done it once or twice. Be sure to change ths strings one at a time so the bridge will stay in place, and it will be easier to tune up. One of the most important things to do when chaRead More

Reset the Bridge on a Five String Banjo

Watch a video on how to re-set your banjo bridge. This video goes in to more detail and shows you how to set the bridge so the intonation is correct and the banjo plays in tune up and down the neck. The bridge is placed the same distance from the 12th fret as the distance from the 12th fret to the nut (nut is located where the strings go through at the peg head). The intonation or tuning can be fine tuned with an electronic tuner and using harmonics. This is described and demonstrated in the video.Read More

Notes to Tune a Banjo To

Here are the notes to tune a banjo to and also the notes used for different tuning options on a banjo. The tunings we have the notes for are Standard G open bluegrass tuning. C Tuning bluegrass, Bluegrass D tuning, Double C tuning, G minor tuning and Low Open E tuning. Read More

Banjo DVD Reviews

....I got the 2 new DVD's today and I'm blown away! As far as I know, there isn't any other instruction material on the market that compares. The "Playing Banjo by Ear" lessons are a tool kit for understanding how playing the banjo really works. It's like that old saying about teaching a man how to fish rather than giving him a fish. I spent the evening playing through both of them. You are right................Read More

Banjo Workshop Reviews

Reviews from Banjo PickersPlaying Banjo By Ear and Jamming Workshops Play by ear, chord instruction, practice habits, playing backup and improvising. Read More

Instruction Reviews

Reviews of Ross Nickerson Banjo Books CDs and DVDsRoss, Thank you, thank you, thank you. I learned more from your book and tapes in an hour, than in nine months with other sources. I am 64 and was beginning to doubt that I could ever learn to play the banjo. Read More

Bluegrass Festivals

Below are a listing of Bluegrass festivals and Bluegrass venues links here at BanjoTeacher.comRead More

Bluegrass Bands

Find a Bluegrass band in your area Read More

Bluegrass Magazines Webzines

Listed below are Bluegrass Magazines and Webzines to help you with your banjo playingRead More

Bluegrass Music Store Links

Bluegrass Music Store Links Here are some Bluegrass music store links Read More

Bluegrass Websites

BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATIONS, BANDS, RADIO STATIONS, BLUEGRASS PRODUCTS AND MORERead More

The Banjo Encyclopedia Reviews

Reviews of The Banjo Encyclopedia "Bluegrass Banjo from A to Z" by Ross NickersonRead More

Online Banjo Lesson Reviews

Ross, I'm really enjoying my lessons so far. I feel like I have the forward roll down pretty well and am ready to move on to the other roll patterns. I felt like I had a teacher sitting right in front of me. Thanks for creating such an awesome site! Read More

Banjo CD Reviews

Ross Nickerson Banjo CD Reviews Read More

Banjo Reviews

Customer Reviews and Comments for our Gold Tone Banjo Sales, Recording King, Deering, Morgan Monroe, Goldstar and the Other Banjo Models and Manufacturers.Read More

Banjo Players

BANJO PLAYER WEBSITESRead More

Bluegrass Gospel Websites

Bluegrass Gospel WebsitesRead More

BLUEGRASS MUSIC LESSON LINKS

BLUEGRASS MUSIC LESSON LINKSRead More

What's New at BanjoTeacher.com

Banjo Links

Banjo Links and MoreBelow are a courtesy listing of Banjo and Bluegrass linksRead More

BANJO WEBSITE LINKS

Bluegrass Website Here are some links to banjo websites where you will find everything you need to improve on the banjo.Read More

Bluegrass in the U.S.

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Bluegrass Gospel Websites