Instruction Articles

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

Banjo Exercises and Workout by Ross Nickerson

Banjo Exercises and WorkoutThis is the first installment of a series of teaching articles to help banjo students improve their overall skills by getting a "Banjo Workout".When learning the banjo it's only natural to want to learn songs and seek tangible results right away by playing a song. However in my workshops it's been my observation that students are burning a lot of practice time sight reading tablature and not getting the results they desire. If we can take a step back and see the big picture it should be obvious that if we spend more of our practice time building the skills needed to play songs and improve our overall capabilities, completed songs, jamming and real results should fall right into place.In this first banjo exercise lesson. I'm going to give you a picking exercise with a few different aspects of picking to work on. Read More

Beginning Banjo Rolls - Practicing Banjo Rolls

When you are beginning to learn banjo rolls, the most important thing to remember is the roll is determined by the finger pattern used not the strings played. For example a beginning banjo alternating thumb roll, sometimes referred to as a “square” or “box” roll is T I T M T I T M (thumb index thumb middle)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

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

Free Video on How to Tighten a Banjo head

How to Tighten a Banjo HeadRead More

Hints to Pick Banjo Faster Developing Speed and Technique

Hints to Pick Banjo Faster Developing Speed and TechniqueRight Hand1. Practice Rolls. 2. Work on weak spots. 3. Push yourself and try to raise your speed a notch each day. 4. Try using a metronome to push the tempo up each practice session and help you with your timing as well. 5. Allow yourself the freedom to make mistakes and sound sloppy so you can work out the kinks and overcome obstacles. 6. Play in situations that challenge your speed. You may be surprised on how well you do. 7. Play through mistakes and keep plowing forward. Read More

How do I know where the banjo melody notes are?

His question was a good one or common one but the way he pictured how this all comes together needed better understanding. It comes from every one learning banjo rolls first. Learning the rolls or the “picking patterns” first is helpful and probably the best way to get started but its basically an exercise to develop picking skill and timing. Its not the wRead More

How do I use Banjo Rolls?

I'm finding your DVDs, CDs, etc. very useful and am pleased to have them. I have a question about the rolls information in your Fundamentals program that came up for me when I first got into that material. I didn't ask this when I started as I thought it was too basic or obvious a question but it keeps coming to mind so here goes: My understanding of rolls is that they serve an ongoing, background rhythm purpose so, as the term suggests, they roll on and on and on. Several of the rolls you present have one measure of eight notes with the second measure ending in quarter/half notes (I don't have the book with me and may not be using the right term for the secRead More

How Hard is it to Play the Banjo?

That is important first question for those of you are itching to take up the fun of playing 5 string bluegrass banjo. In my years of teaching the banjo and also handling much of the customer service at BanjoTeacher.com, the question “Is learning banjo hard?” or “how hard is it to play the banjo” is one that comes up a lot and often first!Read More

How to Attach a Banjo Strap

When you attach a banjo strap it is normally best to attach it to the head tightening brackets. First attach it below the neck on the side closest to the floor around the second bracket down. This will support that neck. On the other side. I attach it one or two brackets below the tailpiece.Read More

How to Change Banjo Strings

Here are some tips on how to change banjo strings that I’ve learned and taught over the years. It’s a very good idea that you change your strings regularly so your banjo will sound it’s best and will stay in tune. Regularly is dependent on how often you play, the climate you live in, whether you keep the banjo covered or leave it out and if you wipeRead 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

How to Tune a Banjo

Learning how to tune a banjo easily and quickly is one of the first steps in learning to play the banjo and I am here to lend a few tips to help you get the job done. To get the notes to tuneRead More

Improvising on Banjo

I have been reading through several pages of your "Banjo Encyclopedia," and, I've got to say this is a pinnacle text. Over the years, I've collected dozens of instructional books, almost all of which I set aside after realizing they were not comprehensive...just tabs. You've done it! I feel you passion in your text, and in your playing. You have done the "banjo world of players" a great service...cudos! Wow! Thanks for the compliments. I am alwayRead More

Learning 5-string Banjo Chords

Learning 5-string banjo chords is easier than you might think. It really just takes focused practice, exercise and repetition. Often banjo players struggle with learning chords simply because they most often gravitate to practicing picking and simply do not take the time build skill in the fretting hand..Read More

Learning Banjo Slides with Banjo Chords

When I wrote Slide Mountain I had demonstrating how to play slides on the banjo on my mind. I purposely get a little carried away with it. I hope you don’t mind me stretching out a bit and having some fun. I have a lesson for getting started sliding into chords below. I posted 4 more versions of the same song below the lesson too. I hope you have some fun with it. Thanks! Happy Picking, NickRead 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

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

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

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

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

Should I Put One Finger or Two Fingers on the Banjo Head

Should I put two fingers on the head? when playing banjo? One finger down? If so, which finger? When picking what's the difference between planting two fingers or just one? The advantage? Why put any fingers down?Read More

Tips on Playing Banjo in a Jam

It seems that when preparing for jam session or playing your banjo with other musicians that it is best to plan for the unexpected. One of the best ways to simplify the process is to learn to play song based on the chords only. In the real world of playing banjo with others or in a band, the first thing youRead More

Traveling with a banjo, what’s the best way to fly?

I am asked for advice on the best way to fly with a banjo a lot especially by students in conjunction with our annual Banjo Camps and Workshops that I organize and instruct at. I am a good person to ask because I certainly have flown a lot with my banjo and have tried a number of different strategies and approachesRead More

What Gauge Banjo Strings Should I Use?

Banjo Strings come in many gauges, light, medium, medium light and heavy gauge. I use a medium light set but there a many choices and I have tried lot’s of different combinations. If you are new to banjo, how do you decide?Read More

What is the Easiest Banjo to Play?

You might be asking yourself what style or what type of banjo is easiest to play. Since all the styles have their challenges it might be best for me to describe the different techniques for you more clearly so you can decide which style and type of banjo to dedicate your time too.Read More