Opinions on how to play this measure.

[IAN SALTER]

This request is just out of curiosity, but if anyone has a moment to comment, I would appreciate it. 

The first bar of the B part of Frolic Jig.

I'm not working up the tune, but whenever I'm playing through the book and get to this tune, I always wonder how others would tackle that particular measure. I think there are four possible fingerings and having practiced all of them, there is one that is now starting to flow at an increased tempo. It would be interesting to see what advanced players think.

Thanks,

Ian.

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[Austin]

Yeah the Grimshaw exercise is clearly meant to be at 88, but The frolic jig has no tempo marking, it's ok I understand the confusion. Doesn't seem like there's a way to directly reply to specific replies here.

[Austin]

Personally, I just wouldn't call the Grimshaw exercise. Very slow. It's pretty rapidfire. Meant to practice forward arpeggios and quick shifts I think. Personally I use a combination of many methods to learn. The most recent one I picked up was the Clifford and Essex the banjo and how to play it. Heavily based on Grimshaw I believe but updated.

[IAN SALTER]

I was asking how others would play that specific measure. 

[Joel Hooks]

Hi Austin,

If you click the "reply" link it will quote the thing you want to respond directly too.  You can further edit it down.

Clifford Essex was one person, there was no "and".  Is the book you are referring to the "new" tab book?  If so, I would recommend not using that and instead forcing yourself to take a course of study using notation only.  It is not difficult to read notation for banjo and you only need to learn once. 

Working through The Mel Bay Banjo Method by Frank Bradbury, slowly and methodically, allowing time on each page and paying special attention to the alternate fingering exercises, is the best method.  Remember, the etudes in tutors are not "repertoire" but rather for learning proper form, execution, economy of motion, and common phrases.  In the process you become independent from simple method/play by numbers. 

One of the hardest struggles about learning classic banjo is when someone already knows how to play folk styles of banjo.  One should really try and approach classic banjo as if they have never touched a banjo before.  Start with a clean slate, using notation based lessons.

Austin said:

Personally, I just wouldn't call the Grimshaw exercise. Very slow. It's pretty rapidfire. Meant to practice forward arpeggios and quick shifts I think. Personally I use a combination of many methods to learn. The most recent one I picked up was the Clifford and Essex the banjo and how to play it. Heavily based on Grimshaw I believe but updated.

[Austin]

Thanks, Joel! I understand that the exercises in methods are meant as exercises. What I barely understand is proper right hand positioning, also don't worry about me using tab, I use sheet music pretty much exclusively. I should also say that I have been working through Frank Bradbury's method. It's excellent and an extension of what Farland taught except left hand positioning. Farland held the banjo in the crook of the hand which as far as I understand, is not proper for the later banjo solos. A combination of many methods has gotten me this far though I'm not sure just how far along I really am in this journey. Also, you may recognize me as more as Kellie from the hangout. I decided to use my real name when creating this account as I'm no longer a teenager lol.

[Austin]

Sorry I got sidetracked. Happens a lot with me...

IAN SALTER said:

I was asking how others would play that specific measure. 

[Joel Hooks]

Ah!  I did not know who you were.

Right hand position, I use the "period" little finger anchor on the head (though there are other period accounts of people using pre Segovia guitar style "floating" with no anchor).

Thumb in advance of the other fingers and relative straight wrist.

There are a series of right hand fingering exercises that are exceptional and of the same vein as the famous 120 by Mauro Giuliani for Spanish guitar. 

https://archive.org/details/120-melodic-banjo-studies-for-the-right...

They can be a bit tedious, but as with all exercises focus on form and repetition is the key.  I find that picking one or three of these and doing ten sets of each before a practice session is a great warm up.  I also have a couple of Parke Hunter exercises that I use for warmup. 

Austin said:

Thanks, Joel! I understand that the exercises in methods are meant as exercises. What I barely understand is proper right hand positioning, also don't worry about me using tab, I use sheet music pretty much exclusively. I should also say that I have been working through Frank Bradbury's method. It's excellent and an extension of what Farland taught except left hand positioning. Farland held the banjo in the crook of the hand which as far as I understand, is not proper for the later banjo solos. A combination of many methods has gotten me this far though I'm not sure just how far along I really am in this journey. Also, you may recognize me as more as Kellie from the hangout. I decided to use my real name when creating this account as I'm no longer a teenager lol.

[Austin]

I should really consider getting a warm-up routine, shouldn't I? Usually I just go straight into practicing out of the book

[IAN SALTER]

Hi Austin,

I wasn't responding to your comments.