Hey everybody!
First – I’m excited to announce that my latest book (as of Nov. 2020), “New Techniques for 5 String Banjo Volume 2 – Beyond Beginner – Journeyman/Journeywoman” is now up for sale on Amazon! So, save space on your Christmas list this year and make space in your favorite banjo picker’s Christmas Stocking.
Second – I want to remind you where to find me on YouTube.
I have TWO channels:
#1. One channel is titled New Techniques for 5 String Banjo and contains the audio companion videos for all Volumes of this series, both current and future. There is a separate playlist for each Volume.
Volume 1 of “New Techniques for 5 String Banjo” (available on Amazon ) consists of 28 different YouTube tracks where I talk through every example in this first book. Where it seemed appropriate, some of the more challenging tunes included slow and faster versions. Some of these tunes also have guitar accompaniment where it seemed helpful for bringing them into better focus.
Chord charts are available for every tune in Volume 1. These chord charts can be downloaded or printed out, free of charge. This would give the accompanist “in your life” the opportunity to back you up, as well as a useful vehicle for their own improvisations.
Volume 2 includes 99 different tracks…Yes, somehow it came out to that number! Tracks 1 through 55 put every example “under the microscope,” pointing out various trouble spots. Some examples are rhythm, fretting and picking hand fingering, and any other issues a tune may have, where I could foresee the student “heading into trouble.”
Tracks 56 through 99 contain the Banjo/Guitar Duet section of the track list. The even-numbered tracks are guitar and banjo together, so you can hear how they interact with one another. The odd-numbered tracks are just the guitar parts isolated, which will test your ability to go in and out from soloist to back-up roles for an interactive jamming experience.
The Duet tracks are also organized by No capo and Capo 2. This way, you can work on the Key of G tunes, No capo in one section (Tracks 56-89) and then key of A (or D) capo 2 tunes in their own section (Tracks 90-99) You will also find that some of the tunes are played both without and with the capo at second fret.
You might well ask, “Jeff, almost everybody else has a video of them “showing” you how to play the banjo – why do you use only audio?” The main reason is that it worked wonders for me in the past. I am an “alumnus” of Homespun Tapes. You plug a cassette into your stereo, listen to the instructors descriptions and read the tablature that came with the tape. It may be old school, but I personally prefer audio to video so that you can look at the book and the neck of your own banjo without distraction.
If you click on “playlist” all of the tracks will come up in the order they appear for either Volumes 1 or 2.
I highly recommend using the playlist feature on YouTube to access these various tracks. You can more easily find the track you are looking for and the videos show up in order according to the Chapter/Page number. If you need more guidance on how to get there please read these instructions.
#2 My other channel is titled Jeff Belding and I describe this channel as “all things interesting about music.” I have several playlists here, some for instruction and some for your listening and viewing pleasure. (again, I recommend using the playlist feature) including:
- Lessons
- Pickin’ and Grinnin’
- Guitar Instrumentals
- Scene for a Minute
- Classical Banjo? Why not?
- Original Music
So that sums up where you can find me on YouTube in case you didn’t know. I hope you check both channels out – and if you enjoy them please like and click Subscribe!!
Let me know if you have any ideas about what you’d like to see on these channels. You can post a comment on YouTube, here on my blog or you can email me at jeff.belding@yahoo.com
As always – Keep pickin’ and Keep grinnin’!
Jeff
