Comment by Joel Hooks on September 13, 2024 at 12:58

Okay, very good.  Next time try to get your left hand in the video so that we can see your fingering. 

My advice/critique, slow down!  The exercise is to work on smooth and consistent arpeggios. 

GET A METRONOME and use it. Seriously, always use it when practicing.  I have a mechanical one and a digital one. I even have a cheap small digital one for travel.  The digital makes a click exactly like the mechanical which is nice.  Both have a bell tone for the first beat option.  There are phone apps that kinda work, but I recommend getting a standalone unit. They are well worth the cost.

Start very slow, slower than you think you can play.  Do not deviate from the tempo. 

Note the dynamic markings.  A part is f and B part is in mp... do this.  Dynamics are the second key to classic banjo playing, the first being alternate fingering.   Exaggerate the dynamics, A part very loud, B very quiet.

Try to hold the notes for their full value. This can be difficult in measures 2, 6, etc., but work slowly to the click.  This exercise is basically in form from many second banjo parts.  That root F is important to sound clearly. 

While I like this book, I do not recommend it for beginners.  Stick with Bradbury for the time being.  It might be a slog, but it is only a slog once and is the way to excel.  As you work through the Bradbury method (do not skip around, go in order) ask questions and I can recommend the original piece that he used for many of the pieces in the book.  I can also recommend appropriate supplement work.  

Jigs and Reels are excellent sight reading practice when you get to that point. 

Comment by Jody Stecher on September 13, 2024 at 13:24

The problem with metronomes is they all slow down.  ;-)

Comment by Austin on September 13, 2024 at 13:32

I really am not good at playing to a metronome lol. I shall attempt to though.

Comment by Austin on September 13, 2024 at 13:40

Also my left hand is very reminiscent of how Farland teaches how to use it. In the crook of the hand some of the time and switches to how Grimshaw teaches it with the tip of the thumb merely forming a sort of clamp. I know it's lazy. I'll work on it.

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