TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

The following is applicable to both the Tenor and Plectrum banjo. It will be changed periodically and hopefully will help in developing playing skills.

Warm-Up Technique
On each string, starting with the 4th string and working down to the 1st string, play the following single note exercise for several minutes prior to commencing a practice session.
Always play the open string with a down stroke.
Place 1st finger on 1st fret and pick with up stroke.
Place 2nd finger on 2nd fret and pick with down stroke.
Place 3rd finger on 3rd fret and pick with up stroke.
Place 4th finger on 4th fret and pick with down stroke.
Do not increase speed of exercise until it is played smoothly without interruption.

Tremolo technique on single string
1 - Place pick perpendicular into string area. The pick must not be at a slant.
2 - Rest the pinky and outside area of the hand on the head and bridge area of the banjo.
3 - Skim the top of the string and do not insert the pick deeply into the string area.
4 - Up and down movement should not be too far away from top and bottom of the string.
5 - Start out slowly and do not increase speed until the tremolo is smooth.

Four beat "society" stroke
Eliminate hammering the strings by breaking up DOWNBEATS into FOUR separate entities.
Synchronize the right arm DOWNBEAT with left hand finger pressure on the fretboard. This is sometimes called "damping". The four beats should be played as follows.
1 - Stroke top two strings.
2 - Stroke four strings.
3 - Stroke top two strings.
4 - Stroke four strings.
If played properly, the result will be a smooth "Do Whacka Do" beat and NOT "bang bang bang bang" 

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                    PRIVATE LESSONS
 
Individual Lessons are available either in person at Mike's Florida studio or via a Web-Cam using Live Messenger or Skype. Please call or write to Mike for availability, pricing and scheduling.


Phone Number  (941) 204-3398
Email Address  FLBanjo@aol.com