This group is for all of us that believe in the Murphy Henry Method banjo lessons. I am having a blast learning.

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From CoachPete on 11/17/2013 5:09:15 PM

Out of a handful of instruments I can play, the banjo was the only one I couldn't play by ear. And now, after 30 years, two banjos, and an armload of music books later, I still can't play the banjo by ear. Reading sheet music only serves to slow me down. I never could multitask.

For nearly a year, I kept running into recommendations about the Murphy Method which led me to this group, a few days ago. After enough hemming 'n hawing over the glowing testimonials and looking for excuses, I noticed that out of the hundreds of comments regarding the Murphy Method, only one was negative. Being a small business owner, I can testify that's a helluva good track record.

On Friday evening, I ordered four DVDs and included a question about their products. I received a response from Red, about 36 hours later, on a weekend. That's the same personal touch I incorporate into my company.

Of course, with my senility, when the DVDs finally arrive at the North Pole, I'll have completely forgotten why I ordered them. So, y'all will have to poke me with a reminder, in a week or so.

If you're lurking and fence-sitting about the Murphy Method, all I can say is 1) I did the homework for you and 2) you've run out of excuses.

As for the question I had asked, it was in regards to which DVDs I should purchase, next. I had purchase the top four on their web site. You might find Red's response, useful, which was:

If you'd like to pursue more complicated banjo instrumentals, the Advanced Earl, Great Banjo Tunes, and More Advanced Earl would be the way to go.

If you'd like to learn to improvise, then Improvising: The First Stage and High Breaks and Backup would be good.

If you'd like to learn more about playing in a group, then Vamping: Backup for Beginners and Beyond Vamping are good ways to go. Our Slow Jam and Picking Up the Pace DVDs are excellent jam DVDs to play along with, if you need the material played slowly at first.

If you'd just like to play more songs and tunes on the banjo, then Jam Session Standards, Amazing Grace Gospel Banjo, and Wildwood Flower are great for that.

Pete

P.S. What? No welcome to the group? Geez. What a bunch of misfits.

9 Comments
	mebacon says: 11/17/2013 5:26:44 PM You wrote a very good blog and welcome to the misfits. I think Murphy is a great teacher. You sound like you a good deal if picking experience. If you don't succeed you picked the wrong DVD's. You surely can play the banjo by ear!
	Peanutscreams says: 11/17/2013 5:36:24 PM Well of course, welcome Pete. Prepare yourself for a thrill! You will enjoy this journey. You will now be easily learning much very quickly. Butch B.
	CoachPete says: 11/17/2013 8:03:09 PM Thanks for the compliment, bacon. Three of the four DVDs were repeatedly recommended in this group. Thanks for the welcome, Butch. I'm sure this next journey will be better than the head-desk routine I was doing.
Tam_Zeb says: 11/18/2013 4:56:35 AM Welcome to the Misfits Pete.. Possibly the reason you didn't get am immediate response to your post is that we are all busy learning to play our banjos using the MM naturally. There's not a lot of activity in here these day's I usually check it once a month. These groups were set up a while back following a series of troll hacks who did their best to disrupt the goodwill that built up on the HO over a number of years. A change in the rules and some tactful moderation finally put an end to the trouble makers and now the forums are back to being friendly, and helpful.
	CoachPete says: 11/18/2013 9:02:54 PM Thanks for the welcome, Tam. Why was this group attracting troll hacks? Were they in disagreement with learning to play by ear? We have one banjo instructor within 100 miles of me. When I explained to her my experience and that I wanted to learn to play by ear, she stated that it couldn't be done. When I cited MM, as an example, she changed the subject. I wonder if I hit a sore spot with her, and why? Pete
Tam_Zeb says: 11/20/2013 8:16:29 AM Hi Pete It wasn't the group that attracted the trolls, it was the Hangout Forums... Every time a new post on any topic was created it got hit with the trolls, long drawn out arguments would then follow resulting in lock downs. Some nasty things were said, some folks accounts were locked for several days I believe some were banned altogether.. Thankfully these days are behind us now.
	CoachPete says: 11/20/2013 8:31:47 PM Unfortunately, that occurs on every form of social media. Some folks not only lack interpersonal skills and social graces, but prefer not to develop those qualities. And speaking of lacking and trolling, I'm not on this forum, very much. But while browsing its contents, after I placed my order, I noticed that The Murphy Method has a discount code in the players union, I think. Oh, well. Maybe next time. Pete
	buckholler says: 1/8/2014 8:39:32 AM Welcome buddy.
	CoachPete says: 1/8/2014 2:25:07 PM Thanks, Buck!
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