You and a Canoe 'chord' change!

[Daniel PEARCE]

Greetings! I am currently trying to learn 'You and a Canoe'  and struggling immensely with the 13th fret jump from fret 10. Attached below (tab from Clifford Essex).

I've watched all the videos I can find on the piece, slowed them down, as well as repeated the position change endless times, but can't get it to note cleanly at speed. Is it best to slow down to the level where the whole piece is in line with the slow transition, or just muddle through hoping it will eventually get clearer without fingers muting other strings or slightly missing frets? I'm happy to put the work in but the one change is a stretch and I don't want to repeat my mistakes! Many thanks.

[Jody Stecher]

Try using part of  the first joint of the little finger at fret 13. Lay that part of the finger flat against the string as in a barre chord.  Done that way it is not such a big challenge.  I could never make that stretch using the tip of the little finger at the same time as holding down the next two strings at frets 9 and 10. Another strategy  is to lift the first two fingers, free the wrist, briefly but clearly sound the 1st string at fret 13 and then return to the position at frets 9 and 10.

[Daniel PEARCE]

Love this advice! Yes by accident I sort of struggled upon the barre method just thinking how can this seemingly easy 'chord' be possible! The second strategy about sounding the 1st string clearly makes so much sense as that is the melody note. When practising, I notice basic timing and melody can get completely lost in the struggle to remember and make the chords! 

[Joel Hooks]

I hate to be “that guy” but in the same time you are spending working with the tab on an advanced solo, you could be working through a course of study with the Bradbury method learning the foundations.

By the time you learn this tab you will only know this solo, were you to work the Bradbury method, you could play all the solos (up to your current skill level at any given time).

Additionally, with Bradbury you will be conditioned with alternate fingering and other good habits that you won’t have to unlearn.

You only have to do it once, and no more tab.  You will also progressively learn position playing which will program your left hand and since it is progressive you will be a stronger player.

You don’t start with 200lbs on bench press, you are just setting yourself up for failure.

[thereallyniceman]

I agree with Joel and maybe stick to "fingerstyle" arrangements not "Plectrum Style" as they are often different.

The fingerstyle also shows fingering numbers and fret positions that you will learn in tutors including Bradbury and Grimshaw.

Ian

[Daniel PEARCE]

I have been playing on and off for a few years, getting the bluegrass/clawhammer basics down with some understanding of with chord positions, techniques and notes etc. However, I do accept the classic banjo is a holy grail I haven't been able to crack and tab seemed the only solution! I chose a song I love and am plowing through it, not knowing what the chords are and certainly unable to read music yet! I'm a far better painter than banjo player and would highly recommend learning the basics for that, so accept what you say 100%. Bradbury might help me from always stopping at these stumbling blocks so thanks for this. 

Joel Hooks said:

I hate to be “that guy” but in the same time you are spending working with the tab on an advanced solo, you could be working through a course of study with the Bradbury method learning the foundations.

By the time you learn this tab you will only know this solo, were you to work the Bradbury method, you could play all the solos (up to your current skill level at any given time).

Additionally, with Bradbury you will be conditioned with alternate fingering and other good habits that you won’t have to unlearn.

You only have to do it once, and no more tab.  You will also progressively learn position playing which will program your left hand and since it is progressive you will be a stronger player.

You don’t start with 200lbs on bench press, you are just setting yourself up for failure.

[Daniel PEARCE]

Yes, I saw plectrum and wondered about this. Reading music scares me but it certainly seems to be the key here! I have to say I wouldn't have the faintest idea where to start with notation, which is why I've always used tab. At the same time being aware it doesn't really help understanding!

thereallyniceman said:

I agree with Joel and maybe stick to "fingerstyle" arrangements not "Plectrum Style" as they are often different.

The fingerstyle also shows fingering numbers and fret positions that you will learn in tutors including Bradbury and Grimshaw.

Ian

[Jody Stecher]

Daniel, Joel and Ian have pointed to where to start: with Bradbury and/or Grimshaw. I love the oldtime look of the Grimshaw books but have recently gone through the entire Bradbury method page by page (and reported on each page here on this forum) and it is truly excellent and it *will* teach you to read. And it will teach you a spoonful at a time, not by the indigestible bucket full. Just go step by step in the order presented, skipping nothing.   There are a few typos, as with all published words, but nothing vital is misrepresented.

[Joel Hooks]

Where to start.  Mel Bay Banjo Method by Frank Bradbury, open to page one.  Go page to page spending time on each lesson.  

[Daniel PEARCE]

I shall do this! - seems excellent advice and I've never really commited to Bradbury, instead rushing to the beautiful tunes until inevitably coming to a halt when it all proves insurmountable!

Jody Stecher said:

Daniel, Joel and Ian have pointed to where to start: with Bradbury and/or Grimshaw. I love the oldtime look of the Grimshaw books but have recently gone through the entire Bradbury method page by page (and reported on each page here on this forum) and it is truly excellent and it *will* teach you to read. And it will teach you a spoonful at a time, not by the indigestible bucket full. Just go step by step in the order presented, skipping nothing.   There are a few typos, as with all published words, but nothing vital is misrepresented.

[Daniel PEARCE]

Thanks for all the advice! The gaps in my musical know how does mean I spend hours hoping for the best rather than working it out. 
Jody Stecher said:

Daniel, Joel and Ian have pointed to where to start: with Bradbury and/or Grimshaw. I love the oldtime look of the Grimshaw books but have recently gone through the entire Bradbury method page by page (and reported on each page here on this forum) and it is truly excellent and it *will* teach you to read. And it will teach you a spoonful at a time, not by the indigestible bucket full. Just go step by step in the order presented, skipping nothing.   There are a few typos, as with all published words, but nothing vital is misrepresented.

[Joel Hooks]

As you start in on the Bradbury method, get and use a metronome.  The windup ones are cool but make sure it has a bell and is on a level surface.  I recommend the Korg KDM-3.  This has a convincing "click" and bell ring noise. It looks nice and has a flashing light on top.  Use the bell to sound the first beat of the measure.  This won't lie and will force you to count.  Go slower than you think you need to. 

I do not recommend a phone app.  These have their place, but using a dedicated unit is part of the ritual. Phones quickly become distractions.  Use the phone to record yourself to check your progress, otherwise put it out of sight. 

If you use this along with the lessons you are sure to develop a strong foundation and will be a step ahead of most players. 

[Daniel PEARCE]

I'm an absolute fool for going too fast, struggling through the tough bit, then starting again. This sounds wise! I think I know the answer to this, but is it always advisable to go as slow as you need to ensure it's all in time? 

Joel Hooks said:

As you start in on the Bradbury method, get and use a metronome.  The windup ones are cool but make sure it has a bell and is on a level surface.  I recommend the Korg KDM-3.  This has a convincing "click" and bell ring noise. It looks nice and has a flashing light on top.  Use the bell to sound the first beat of the measure.  This won't lie and will force you to count.  Go slower than you think you need to. 

I do not recommend a phone app.  These have their place, but using a dedicated unit is part of the ritual. Phones quickly become distractions.  Use the phone to record yourself to check your progress, otherwise put it out of sight. 

If you use this along with the lessons you are sure to develop a strong foundation and will be a step ahead of most players.