Date: Fri, 07 Nov 2003 15:32:39 -0600

I just purchased "You can teach yourself banjo" by janet davis about a month ago it seems like i'm doing alright well thats what everyone else says, but any way i can remember the songs by playing through them about a dozen times, then they're in my head. What i'm wondering is should i be worrying about speed or
remembering the songs first. Any thing will help Thanks

Don't concern yourself about speed at all...speed will come in time naturally...most importantly, concern yourself about the following:

1. Timing: make sure that you're playing your rolls with an even tempo...there should be no pauses between notes or when changing chords. Consider purchasing a metronome for better timing skills.

2. Always be listening for a clear tone...accuracy of which string you're hitting...

3. Try to keep the volume consistent between the notes...

Lay the foundation first...solidly, with good playing habits. Everything else will come in time...especially speed. For, what good is having all the speed at your disposal without good timing and good form?

Keep on Pickin', Mickey

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Date: Sun, 8 Sep 2002 18:56:32 EDT

Hi Mickey,

Greetings Steve,

I have an additional question that pertains to playing. With steady playing over the past 1.5 years, I've built up a pretty good repertoire of songs and have gotten pretty smooth and accurate at "my" speed. However, my speed is not nearly that of your speed, so if we were playing together, you'd have to slow down or I'd just have to whistle along with you. I really do want to be able to play with others, but feel like I'd slow most others down (yes, I realize bluegrass musicians are a pretty inclusive bunch) Do you have any recommendations, beyond just "practice, practice, practice" to develop playing speed? I've seen very little info regarding this aspect of playing.

This is a tremendous idea for an advanced video instruction theme. I will put it on the agenda for future instructional ideas.

First and foremost, be sure to purchase a metronome. This way you can measure your starting point and monitor your progress. Upon learning to use a metronome, you can set target speeds to aspire to...

There are many other facets to your approach which influence your speed and accuracy:

1. Type of Picks used...

2. How you shape your fingerpicks...

3. Whether you're comfortably supporting your picking hand with two fingers or one...

Hope this helps, Mickey

Thanks for your help last Spring and look forward to your answers to the above. I had credit card in hand and was ready to go today, but I always appreciate someone who isn't in such a big hurry to sell something that they take the time to ensure the right answers and buyer's satisfaction.

Steve Hardy

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