Josh Turknett - Posted - 12/15/2015:  03:58:36

quote:

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Originally posted by annapaws

 

Hiya Josh, thanks ssooo much, i'll have a look at this at the weekend

cheers, anna

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You bet, Anna!

Josh Turknett - Posted - 01/06/2016:  08:09:16

The latest edition in the "Laws of Brainjo" series covers perhaps the most indispensable practice technique of all.

Episode 13: The "Labyrinth Practice Technique"

route66 - Posted - 01/12/2016:  15:46:15

Josh - Been playing BG banjo for about a year and really enjoy it. BUT, I've done music shows in nursing homes for years and kind of wanted to incorporate some banjo (I've put a couple of posts in "Sound Off"). I'm finding BG picking and vocals to be very tough. I thought about CH, but after searching BHO, it seemed  kind of 50/50 as to whether it would be an advantage. Then I got the BHO Weekly today with your offering "How to Sing and Play Banjo". Thank you! You clearly answered my question. I signed up and am really looking forward to working on CH. I'll be working through these lessons starting tonight. Again, thank you.

Josh Turknett - Posted - 01/15/2016:  09:21:51

quote:

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Originally posted by route66

 

Josh - Been playing BG banjo for about a year and really enjoy it. BUT, I've done music shows in nursing homes for years and kind of wanted to incorporate some banjo (I've put a couple of posts in "Sound Off"). I'm finding BG picking and vocals to be very tough. I thought about CH, but after searching BHO, it seemed  kind of 50/50 as to whether it would be an advantage. Then I got the BHO Weekly today with your offering "How to Sing and Play Banjo". Thank you! You clearly answered my question. I signed up and am really looking forward to working on CH. I'll be working through these lessons starting tonight. Again, thank you.

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Wonderful, Brad. Clawhammer is definitely very well suited to playing and singing. And having gone and played in nursing homes myself a few times, I'm betting the residents there are gonna love it!

DH87 - Posted - 01/30/2016:  05:27:56

I have been getting bluegrass/scruggs style lessons for around a year now, but have decided clawhammer is the style I love listening to and learning. I signed up for your course and have been working through the first 8 steps and couldn't be happier.

Growing up in Australia, I never thought I could learn such a wonderful instrument, you really have helped me chase down a long time desire to learn the banjo.

Josh Turknett - Posted - 02/04/2016:  10:54:18

quote:

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Originally posted by DH87

 

I have been getting bluegrass/scruggs style lessons for around a year now, but have decided clawhammer is the style I love listening to and learning. I signed up for your course and have been working through the first 8 steps and couldn't be happier.



Growing up in Australia, I never thought I could learn such a wonderful instrument, you really have helped me chase down a long time desire to learn the banjo.

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You bet, Daniel - thanks so much for the kind words. I love how easy it's become to connect and share with folks in far off lands - it's an amazing time to be alive.

Josh Turknett - Posted - 03/06/2016:  16:13:27

The latest episode of the "Laws of Brainjo" covers the banjo player's lust for speed:

Episode 14: The Secret to Playing Faster

Josh Turknett - Posted - 04/08/2016:  12:45:41

And more secrets are shared in episode 15.....

Episode 15: The Secret to Memorization

Josh Turknett - Posted - 05/03/2016:  15:02:57

And if you've ever struggled with stage fright, which should cover just about everyone...

Episode 16: How To Scare Away Stage Fright

Josh Turknett - Posted - 06/18/2016:  07:33:07

Ever have one of those days where you grab your banjo and nothing seems to go right? We've all been there....

Episode 17: What Progress Really Looks Like

Josh Turknett - Posted - 07/24/2016:  13:24:40

How to use visualization to improve practice efficiency while building the neural networks that support fluency: 

Episode 18: How To Accelerate Your Progress 10-fold (while practicing less)

Josh Turknett - Posted - 08/24/2016:  06:03:24

And now for part 2, on how to apply the science of memory to vastly improve your capacity to store new tunes:

Episode 18, Part 2: How To Accelerate Your Progress 10-fold

Josh Turknett - Posted - 09/14/2016:  04:32:45

At long last, the Laws of Brainjo addresses the great "bum ditty" VS. bump a ditty" debate:

Episode 19: The Perils of Confusing Style and Technique

Josh Turknett - Posted - 11/04/2016:  08:30:26

This month's article is for those times, which I think everyone can relate to, where you get a little stuck...

Episode 20: 5 Reasons Why Your Playing Has Stalled (and what to do about it!)

Edited by - Josh Turknett on 11/04/2016 08:30:55

Josh Turknett - Posted - 12/08/2016:  15:33:04

For the latest episode, a common, and thorny, topic:

Episode 21: How To Break the Tab Habit

Josh Turknett - Posted - 01/07/2017:  05:55:53

In recognition of the New Year, an article for those wishing to squeeze every last drop out of 2017:

Episode 22: How to Use the Banjo to Slow Down Time

Josh Turknett - Posted - 02/08/2017:  04:43:16

A post about how to choose the best sources for inspiration and influence...

Episode 23: Feeling Your Way To Banjo Mastery

Josh Turknett - Posted - 04/14/2017:  17:57:52

Lessons from Steve Martin, master comedian, entertainer, storyteller, songwriter, actor.. on how to get good at things.

Episode 24: Banjo Lessons from Steve Martin

Edited by - Josh Turknett on 04/14/2017 17:58:12

Josh Turknett - Posted - 06/11/2017:  05:42:05

Think the kids have an advantage when learning an instrument? Think again! :)



 

Episode 25: The Advantages of Having and Adult Brain

Josh Turknett - Posted - 06/16/2017:  06:07:45

An article long overdue...

9 Reasons Why the Banjo is the Best

Josh Turknett - Posted - 08/04/2017:  08:44:20

One of my favorite concepts is that of "beginner's mind" - applicable to banjo, as well as to many other things in life...

Episode 26: To Become An Expert, Stay A Beginner

Josh Turknett - Posted - 11/08/2017:  04:24:21

Why is playing the banjo arguably one of the best things you can do for your brain? Find out in the latest installment of the "Laws of Brainjo":

Episode 27: 3 Reasons Why Banjo Playing Is Great For Your Brain

 

Edited by - Josh Turknett on 11/08/2017 04:24:41

AndyW - Posted - 11/08/2017:  11:11:13

Josh, I have set up a group 'The Practice Group' for all those engaged in regular deliberate practice to try and improve their banjo. It's been formed as there are a number of us beginners/improvers blogging our progress in the blogs section.

It would be fantastic if you could join and occassionally visit and give a few pointers.

banjohangout.org/groups/

Josh Turknett - Posted - 11/13/2017:  05:17:08

quote:

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Originally posted by AndyW

Josh, I have set up a group 'The Practice Group' for all those engaged in regular deliberate practice to try and improve their banjo. It's been formed as there are a number of us beginners/improvers blogging our progress in the blogs section.



It would be fantastic if you could join and occassionally visit and give a few pointers.



banjohangout.org/groups/

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Great idea for a group, Andy - joined!

Josh Turknett - Posted - 01/23/2018:  05:20:35

Is it possible for anyone to learn to play the banjo by ear? Find out below! :)

Episode 28: Why Anyone Can (and should) Learn To Play By Ear, Part 1

Edited by - Josh Turknett on 01/23/2018 05:20:59

RV6 - Posted - 01/23/2018:  07:25:49

the link doesn't work for me.

Josh Turknett - Posted - 01/23/2018:  07:45:12

quote:

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Originally posted by RV6

 

the link doesn't work for me.

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Ah, yes. Lemme try again:

Episode 28: Why Anyone Can (and should) Learn To Play By Ear, Part 1

RV6 - Posted - 01/23/2018:  07:46:24

That did it.

Thanks, Josh.

AndyW - Posted - 01/23/2018:  13:50:47

Many thanks. Keep up the good work.

Josh Turknett - Posted - 01/24/2018:  08:07:05

quote:

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Originally posted by AndyW

Many thanks. Keep up the good work.

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You bet, Andy. 

And here's the link to Part 2:

Episode 29: Why Anyone Can (and should!) Learn To Play By Ear, Part 2

Josh Turknett - Posted - 02/28/2018:  18:54:37

And now for the exciting conclusion of the 3 part by ear series....

 

Episode 30: Why Anyone Can (and should!) Learn To Play By Ear

Josh Turknett - Posted - 03/25/2018:  05:52:58

Here's the video (part of the newly created Ear Laboratory) from part 3 of the by ear series: 

Josh Turknett - Posted - 03/25/2018:  05:56:23

Everyone is a terrible banjo player at first. This is true of every banjoist who ever lived. And nobody enjoys being no good. 

Yet, making it through the terrible times, aka the "Gap of Suck," without giving up is crucial to becoming the banjo player you want to be. From the latest installment of the Laws of Brainjo, here are 5 key strategies for making it successfully across the Gap of Suck. 

Episode 31: How to Cross the "Gap of Suck"

Josh Turknett - Posted - 08/17/2018:  06:44:36

Another installment in the "by ear, from scratch" series: 

Learn To Play "Old Molly Hare" By Ear

Josh Turknett - Posted - 09/18/2018:  15:01:21

It's the things we don't know that we don't know that are the hidden barriers to success:

Episode 32: The Most Important Skill You Probably Never Practice

jmmiller - Posted - 09/18/2018:  17:31:16

Thank you Josh for these fantastic lessons. I started learning clawhammer over a year ago as a third instrument, so at times my banjo just sits there looking lonely. But after some months of really zeroing in on the mandolin, I’ve been bitten by the clawhammer bug again. These lessons have been super helpful as a technique check-in as I get going again. And your tunes and songs of the week are a source of inspiration even if those arrangements are a bit beyond me. Also I’ve adapted some of your practice advice to my guitar and mandolin playing and it’s making it much easier to focus on manageable amounts to learn at a time. Thank you for putting your knowledge of how the brain works to such joy-producing effect!

Josh Turknett - Posted - 09/20/2018:  05:09:53

quote:

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Originally posted by jmmiller

Thank you Josh for these fantastic lessons. I started learning clawhammer over a year ago as a third instrument, so at times my banjo just sits there looking lonely. But after some months of really zeroing in on the mandolin, I’ve been bitten by the clawhammer bug again. These lessons have been super helpful as a technique check-in as I get going again. And your tunes and songs of the week are a source of inspiration even if those arrangements are a bit beyond me. Also I’ve adapted some of your practice advice to my guitar and mandolin playing and it’s making it much easier to focus on manageable amounts to learn at a time. Thank you for putting your knowledge of how the brain works to such joy-producing effect!

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That's really great to hear, Mark. Thanks so much. 

JeffJo - Posted - 09/26/2018:  12:32:00

8 Essential Steps is literally how I learned to play clawhammer. Now I can't put my banjo down. I'm constantly relearning & re-imagining songs I've played for years on guitar as clawhammer songs. Can't thank you enough for this Josh!

Josh Turknett - Posted - 09/27/2018:  14:56:08

quote:

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Originally posted by JeffJo

8 Essential Steps is literally how I learned to play clawhammer. Now I can't put my banjo down. I'm constantly relearning & re-imagining songs I've played for years on guitar as clawhammer songs. Can't thank you enough for this Josh!

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That's awesome, Jeff - thanks so much for sharing.