David M Says:
Tuesday, June 28, 2011 @3:14:56 AM

Well done Robert..! Nice flowing slow waltzing banjo to accompany too, goes together just right.

Thanks for posting...best wishing...David

rmlong Says:
Tuesday, June 28, 2011 @5:39:45 AM

Hey David, thanks for the comment; you are exactly correct; I was more interested in my banjo than my singing.....singing that song in G was a little high for my voice but I really was pleased with my banjo playing on this one; it was very difficult to figure out; but I played JD's intro over and over until I could get it somewhat like he does it.....he is a master at backup! I think I could sing it better with a little practice...maybe in a lower key...appreciate your "discerning" comments....Robert
P.S. Keith Whitley proved that you don't have to sing something real fast to have a great performance! He was a great talent!!!

David M Says:
Tuesday, June 28, 2011 @9:47:25 AM

The only trouble is Robert, (you can do it superbly), the slower the song the more control is required. On my page I've added a slow waltz called 'Last Night I had The Strangest Dream' and it can very easily show up a dodgy voice, you have to get your breathing just right I think to make it flow properly and I had plenty of attempts before I recorded it.

Keith was a master of his trade I think, when something is made to look or sound easy, it's invariably hard..!

I'm all over the first five frets with my capo to find the ideal pitch for my voice with my songs. I expect you do the same, but I first play the tunes through in open C and G and then play it capo'd where it suits my voice best.

Really good to hear all your recordings Robert....Best Wishes...David

rmlong Says:
Tuesday, June 28, 2011 @2:37:30 PM

Excellent observations David; I tried several times to record this song to no avail; I finally got a pretty good one but I know I can do better. This blog has really helped me produce the best vocal or banjo playing I can; and feedback from you and others is very helpful too...I'm taking banjo lessons with Tony Trischka on the ArtisticWorks program and he will be critiquing my banjo playing as well...I was at a point in my playing where I wasn't learning anything new and I needed some help in learning new material and techniques.....he is a super musician, very articulate and knows how to teach. I have also taught others to play the banjo and I know it takes much work to devise effective programs of instruction. But, being a School Psychologist, a counselor and a teacher gives me a pretty good knowledge about instruction. I'm behaviorally trained and have been a trainer for the Direct Instruction methodology as purported by Siegfried Engelmann of the Univ. of Oregon. I was a counselor in one of his "Follow Through" Schools in Dayton, Ohio back in the '60s and '70s and taught my daughter to read with his Distar Reading program; an excellent instructional program! So I know when somebody is a good, effective teacher; and Tony is....one of the problems though is giving the student ample feedback on their mistakes and correct behaviors....of course with banjo, there are so many ways to play the same tune; usually....Robert

David M Says:
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 @2:18:45 AM

You won't go far wrong with a world class musician like Tony on your side I'm sure..!

I've never had the chance to teach anyone banjo, my style is self taught and not really following any guidelines so I suppose only the basics would be all I could offer. I know what you mean about giving the right feedback though, it would be all too easy to over criticise and deflate a student, but they need to see what's wrong quickly before they bed any mistakes into their normal playing.

A strange thing happens with banjo playing...unless it's just hard, tab learnt bluegrass, everyone plays the same tune differently and you can usually hear there distinct style come out in every tune, as if they were singing it. I really like that.

Good luck with your instruction Robert...best wishes...David