Quote of the month

The most common thing students need to work on is playing with less tension. Any physical tension interferes with tone and rhythm, as well as any expression that you want to achieve. I wouldn’t say that it’s easy to get rid of tension, but I believe it is the thing that often yields the biggest results. I would recommend figuring out where there’s extra tension in your body, and retraining your body to play without it, by playing extremely slowly and focusing on that muscle or motion.

Fiddler Alisa Rose, in response to Dave Berry's question 'What is the most common and relatively easy thing for students to fix?' in his interview with her on Bluegrass Today. The whole interview deserves to be read.

© Richard Hawkins

Wernick Method Bluegrass Jam Camp coming to Galway, 4-6 Nov. 2022

In April (thanks to Sean McGrath) the BIB received the news that Larry Kernagis (right), a fully accredited and highly experienced Wernick Method teacher, will lead a Weekend Bluegrass Jam Camp at the Galway Mechanics Institute, Middle St., Galway H91 XT6P, on the weekend Fri. 4-Sun. 6 Nov. 2022. Larry led a previous Jam Camp in west Cork seven years ago (see the BIB for 26 July 2015 or click on the 'Kernagis' label at the end of this post). This year's Camp would have been held in 2021 if it had not been for the Covid restrictions that were then in place. Larry now (14 July) writes:

By popular request I have located in Galway this time. This camp is intended for players of all levels and all bluegrass instruments interested in learning the finer points of ensemble playing.

Full details of the Camp and of the Wernick Method, together with testimonials from Larry's students, photos from his previous Camps, and links for registration and a downloadable Camp flyer are here. Recommendations for accommodation will be added shortly. All the bluegrass instruments are welcome, and no previous jamming experience is necessary.

© Richard Hawkins

Learning aids

Barry Bales (right), who played here in 1994 (and subsequently) on bass with Alison Krauss & Union Station, has since become one of the most respected and in-demand bass players in bluegrass music. For the benefit of players learning the upright bass, he is now presenting online 'My approach to bluegrass bass' as a course offered by the Discover Double Bass website. More details, together with a brief introductory video, are on Bluegrass Today.

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The California Bluegrass Association, which counts the Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival among its global connections, reports that at its recent Fathers' Day Festival the Vidami company was a sponsor. Vidami make electronic devices which facilitate learning an instrument, by making it possible to control the playing of instructional videos by foot action - that is, without having to take one's hands off the instrument. The company (which has a YouTube channel) is also running a giveaway for bluegrass players, for which the draw will be on 4 July. Vidami also ship to Ireland.

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On YouTube, Ear Trumpet Labs have a 33-minute video on 'How to mic a bluegrass band', made with the aid of the band Man About A Horse.

© Richard Hawkins

Online old-time fiddle and banjo workshops, 8-9 May 2021

This news is primarily for members of FOAOTMAD (the UK's association for old-time music and dance), who will already know about it; but if you're not in FOAOTMAD, it's an example of what is on offer to members - in this case, online workshops in clawhammer banjo (Sat. 8 May) and old-time fiddle (Sun. 9 May). both at 3.00 p.m., both given by Joseph Decosimo (USA), a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher. Workshops are free to FOAOTMAD members, but a tip box will be available. Click on the image to enlarge it.

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FOAOTMAD also report that Reelear.com

are looking for volunteers to take pat in a six-month free trial of their latest online course for fiddle players. The course provides the tools and methodology to help train the ear to learn tunes without sheet music or the need for abstract music theory. Each volunteer would get six months free access to the course in exchange for occasional feedback on their progress. The course is aimed at those fiddle players who have difficulty in picking up tunes by ear no matter what skill level.

© Richard Hawkins

News of past visitors and more from the Mother Country (update)

Darin & Brooke Aldridge, multi-award winners in the USA and recent headliners at Omagh, launched exactly a month ago (22 June) a new YouTube series, 'The Carolina sessions', which they host every Wednesday. Guests so far include Terry Baucom, Jason Burleson, Gena Britt, and Steve Dilling. The sessions can be found in the 'Uploads' section of the videos in their YouTube channel. More detail, plus an introductory video, are on this Morris Public Relations release.

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Mark Stoffel, German-born mandolinist with Chris Jones & the Night Drivers (USA), has released a YouTube video of his composition Shadowbands, inspired by the 2017 solar eclipse, as his debut recording for the Mountain Home Music Company. It was shot and assembled under lockdown conditions, with his former bandmate Gina Furtado (banjo), Irish musician Niall Murphy (fiddle), Josh Morrison (guitar), and Ross Sermons (bass), recording in different locations for a musically seamless result. More details are on this Mountain Home release. PS: Gina Furtado and her band, the Gina Furtado Project, have just released an impressive new video, 'The things I saw', which can be seen on YouTube and on Bluegrass Today.

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No Depression magazine carries online an article by Abby Lee Hood, 'The new normal: bluegrass goes high-tech to survive COVID-19', on the strategies being developed by bands like the Henhouse Prowlers, venues such as the Station Inn, and institutions such as IBMA to counteract the global emergency.

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Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards, America's answer to Wookalily, have a new album out, Better bitter. Review features on it are in No Depression by Steven Ovadia, and on Bluegrass Today by Lee Zimmerman.

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The Gold Tone Music Group announce that the Loop2Learn learning aid is now available on Android devices. Gold Tone also announce that they have acquired the brand name 'Mastertone', which is now applied to a select range of their instruments. This is great news for Gold Tone; for the rest of us, it means that when players modestly announce that they now have a 'Mastertone', there's no telling (without more information) what kind of instrument it is.

BBN #90

The summer 2020 issue (no. 90) of British Bluegrass News, the magazine of the British Bluegrass Music Association (BBMA), is now out; as always, it's designed and produced to high standards, profusely illustrated with excellent photos, full of solid content, and worthy to stand beside any magazine in this genre. There are also, of course, reflections on the unprecedented cirumstances of this year.

This issue's cover story is on Midnight Skyracer (see the BIB for 19 June), interviewed by editor Chris Lord, who also plays banjo for The Vanguards. Andy Mackenzie contributes a very solid article on problems and solutions in sound enhancement for acoustic instruments; and nearly a quarter of the issue consists of 'Tab Corner' by Jack Baker, with plenty of bluegrass history, two of the nicest photos of Bill Monroe on stage I've ever seen, and tabs for various instruments of 'Roanoke', 'New Camptown Races', and 'Grey Eagle' - which, like its fellow fiddle tune 'Tennessee Wagner', is about a racehorse.

500 old-time fiddle tunes in new compilation

'Banjo Billy' Mathews (left), originally from Colorado but based in the Ozarks for over forty years, has published a collection of 500 old-time-style fiddle tunes. There is a corresponding series of eleven CDs. Book and CDs can all be ordered from his website.

Emily Elam describes the project, her own part in it, and much more on Oldtime Central. The complete playlists for all the CDs are shown here - the titles include some tunes originating this side of the Atlantic, some from the minstrel era, a few of Billy Mathew's own compositions, many familiar old-time titles, and many unfamiliar ones. Chords are given with each transcription, together with notes on Billy's source for the tunes, and a list of musicians who have influenced him. 'Fiddlin' Banjo Billy Mathews' is also on Facebook.

Full twenty-year archive of Flatpicking Guitar now available

A unique opportunity for bluegrass guitar players is announced by Flatpicking Guitar Magazine:

20 Year Archives: Flatpicking Guitar Magazine was published for 20 years. All of our back issues are now available in digital PDF format on an attractive 16 GB flash drive. In addition to the magazine, we also produced a companion audio CD for 17 of our 20 years. All of the companion audio tracks are also available in the mp3 format. Below you can select to get a drive that contains only the PDF magazines, a drive that only the mp3 audio files, or a drive that contains both the PDF files and mp3 audio files. The drives that include the PDF files also include a massive 159-page clickable Master Index of every article, song, review, particular columnist's articles, and other feature articles so that you can find any piece of content that you may be looking for with just a couple of clicks of your mouse.

Archive updates: If you already own the 12-year or 17-year archives that we previously offered, or if you already own all or most the back issues in the digital format, and you want to complete your collection and take advantage of the 20-year clickable index, send an e-mail to dan@flatpick.com with the subject line 'FGM Archives' and let editor Dan Miller know what you currently own, and he will let you know how you can complete your collection and use the clickable Master Index without having to purchase digital back issues that you already own.

Prices and online ordering facilities are here.

Loop2Learn Lite now FREE

For the dedicated picker who learns by studying recordings: the Gold Tone Music Group announces that the Loop2Learn app, which allows videos from YouTube or your own phone to be looped for repeated playing (and slowing-down, if required), is now available free in the new Lite version. Read more on their latest e-newsletter.

TuneFox: an impressive and growing learning aid for pickers

Thanks to Bennett Sullivan of Listen & Learn, Inc. for news of the latest development in an acclaimed high-tech learning aid for pickers.

The original Pocket Lick Banjo app for iPhones and iPads came out over three years ago, with an equivalent app available for guitar. The Pocket Lick Banjo 2, offering thirty-five new licks taken from banjo masters such as Earl Scruggs, Scott Vestal, and Noam Pikelny, was released in 2015. TuneFox, released late last year, added a new dimension of creative learning; the app became a free download, with access to a large library of songs and licks through a subscription method. Bennett writes:

In a nutshell: Tunefox is an original method for learning that teaches not only how to proficiently play your instrument but also inspires creative learning practices that help students develop way quicker than other online learning resources.

The latest version of TuneFox is also available for mandolin and guitar. All the stages in the development of Pocket Lick and TuneFox so far have received the warmest of welcomes on Bluegrass Today, where there are fuller details and illustrative video examples. The best way to grasp the possibilities is to visit Listen & Learn, Inc. and TuneFox online.

A new online resource for bluegrass instruction

Thanks to the European Bluegrass Music Association's Facebook for the announcement from banjoist Gilles Rézard (F) that his new online instructional website, L'Ecole Bluegrass ('The Bluegrass School') opened its doors on Monday 18 Sept.

For anyone who can follow written and spoken French, L'Ecole Bluegrass (also on Facebook) is a comprehensive, well structured, and prospectively very useful instructional guide. Seven introductory courses can be seen free of charge. The rates for others can be seen here. If you want to know more of Gilles Rézard, read the interview with him by Pete Wernick on the Banjo News Letter website. Gilles is now a certified Wernick Method teacher.

Two more banjo topics

A BIB reader in the Dublin area is disposing of a sizeable number of banjo magazines, including all issues of the monthly Banjo NewsLetter (BNL) from August 2010 to February 2014 inclusive, and all seven issues of the American Banjo Fraternity's twice-yearly magazine 5 Stringer from summer 2010 to fall 2013. The 5 Stringer is dedicated to 'classic' 5-string banjo; BNL covers all aspects of the 5-string and its players and makers, with its main emphasis on bluegrass and old-time music.

These magazines are offered free of charge to any club, group, or individual - preferably enthusiastic students of the banjo - that would be prepared to collect them in south Dublin. Call the BIB editor at 01-2984110 for further information.

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Thanks to Ray O'Brien and Adele Ingram for forwarding this message from Stephanie at the Andersonstown Traditional & Contemporary Music School in west Belfast:

Hi guys, we are in need of a G-banjo [5-string] tutor for our new term which is starting next week. We've got a group of pupils who want to be taught bluegrass. Do you know anyone that could help us out? If so, could you ask them to call us on 02890 434 894 or drop us an e-mail.

Bluegrass banjo classes have been held in the Belfast area and east Ulster for some time now, so we hope the ATCMS gets a good response.

Down the Road (USA) tour in Ireland... and more

Thanks to John Nyhan for this news and dates of what looks like a very rewarding tour for lovers of traditional bluegrass. Jeff Burke is already well known in Ireland as half of 'Jeff and Vida'. Josh McMurray is one of the most highly regarded younger banjo pickers. We note that John himself is one of the people thanked by Down the Road on their website for supporting the project.

Down The Road from Nashville, Tennessee, play a tribute to the music of Flatt and Scruggs. They feature Josh McMurray on banjo and vocals and Jeff Burke on guitar and vocals.

They will be playing all the hits of Flatt and Scruggs, such as 'Foggy Mountain breakdown', 'Roll in my sweet baby's arms', 'Will you be lovin' another man', and 'The ballad of Jed Clampett' (the theme from the TV show 'The Beverly Hillbillies').

Fri. 27th, Sat. 28th, and Sun. 29th Sept.: Bunratty Banjo Pickers Festival, Bunratty, Co. Clare. Tel. 086 8464509.

Mon. 30th: Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, 8.15 p.m.; with support act Jacob's Ladder, a six-piece gospel group. Tel. 087 7921771

Tues. 1st Oct.: TBA

Wed. 2nd: St John's Arts Centre, the Square, Listowel, Co. Kerry, 8.00 p.m. tel 068 22566

Thurs. 3rd: Dolan's Bar, Dock Road, Limerick, 9.00 p.m. Tel. 061 314483

Fri. 4th: The Tallyho Bar, New St., Longford, 9.30 p.m. Tel. 043 3346594

Sat. 5th: Rodden's Bar, Main St., Buncrana, Co. Donegal, 9.30 p.m. Tel. 074 9320790

Sun. 6th: Matt Molloy's Bar, Bridge St., Westport, Co. Mayo, 9.00 p.m. Tel. 098 26655

For more info: 087 7921771.

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Homespun Tapes continue to announce discount offers on items from their rich catalogue of instructional material. Their current 20% offer, which ends tomorrow night, includes a DVD/download by Natalie Haas on 'Celtic cello'.

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The schedule for coming events at the Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre in Naul, Co. Dublin, can be seen here, updated to 12 October 2013.

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Nigel Martyn's Old Flattop agency announces two imminent tours. The first is by acoustic blues guitarist Catfish Keith (USA):

Fri. 27th Sept. Ards Guitar Festival, Newtownards, Co. Down, 028 91 810803
Sat. 28th Sept. Bryson's, Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry 028 79 632473
Sun. 29th Sept. Whelan's (upstairs), Dublin 2, 01 478 0766
Mon. 30th Sept. Mick Murphy's, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Wicklow, 086 327 0780
Tues. 1st Oct. Cunningham's Bar, Kildare town , 045 521780
Fri. 4th Oct. The Sunflower Bar, Belfast, 028 90 232474

The second is by guitarist and singer/songwriter Nick Harper (UK):

Wed. 2nd Oct. Sandino's, Derry city, 028 70 309297
Thurs. 3rd Oct. Whelan's, Dublin 2, 01 478 0766
Fri. 4th Oct. De Barra's, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, 023 883 3381
Sat. 5th Oct. The Sunflower Bar, Belfast, 028 90 232474

Detached notes

The Old-Time Herald, founded by Alice Gerrard as the meeting place for old-time music enthusiasts everywhere, is making its annual appeal for support, which can be read in full here. If you love old-time music, the BIB strongly recommends subscribing to this first-class magazine. Donations can also be made through the OTH website.

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Want to play a part in the development and launch of a quality production budget-price 5-string banjo, made in these islands and bearing the name of a world-famous explorer born in Co. Kildare? Moreover, the historic banjo that inspired it was played by a Dr Hussey... Learn more about the Shackleton banjo and how to help it on to the market, for a proportionate reward, here.

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Tom Stapleton, to whom bluegrass fanciers in Ireland are indebted for the artists he has put on in the past, announces this programme of autumn gigs in folk and other genres:

Sat. 28 Sept. Ed Romanoff and Rachael Yamagata (see them on YouTube), Leap Castle, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, 9.00 p.m. Tel. 0872238040
Fri. 4 Oct. Jim Rooney, Arty McGlynn, and Mick Daly, Cleeres, Parliament St., Kilkenny city. Show 9.00 p.m. Tel. 056 776 2573
Fri. 18 Oct. Gretchen Peters, The Set, Kilkenny city, 9.00 p.m. Tel. 056 7721728
Wed. 23 Oct. Gretchen Peters, Town Hall, Galway city, 8.00 p.m. Tel. 091 569777
Fri. 15 Nov. Sweeney's Men, Town Hall, Galway city, 8.00 p.m. Tel. 091569777
Sat. 16 Nov. Sweeney's Men, The Set, Kilkenny city, 9.00 p.m. Tel. 056 7721728
Fri. 6 Dec. Josh Ritter Trio, Birr Theatre and Arts Centre, Birr, Co. Offaly, 8.00 p.m. Tel. 057 9122911
Wed. 11 Dec. Josh Ritter Trio, Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, 8.00 p.m. Tel. 057 8663355

Tom Stapleton, Mountheaton, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary
Mobile (+353) (0)872238040; land line (+353) (0)505 21647. Facebook

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Clawhammer banjo maestro Ken Perlman (USA), who toured Ireland this spring, sends his autumn 2013 newsletter. Much of the news is on Ken's thoroughly refurbished website. His newest book, Everything you wanted to know about clawhammer banjo, with 120 tunes and two accompanying CDs, is published by Mel Bay.

Ken has recently moved house and the new street address is not yet on the 'Contact' page, but his mobile number and e-mail address remain the same.

New Banjo Rolls Trainer

Thanks to the European Bluegrass Blog (EBB) for this news:

Back in June the EBB drew attention to a feature in Bluegrass Today on the Banjo Rolls Trainer, developed by Czech banjo player Jiří Markalous as an aid to learning all the important five-string banjo rolls and improving speed and accuracy, and available as an iOS app through the Apple App Store.

John Lawless has now featured on Bluegrass Today Jiří's further development of the concept, launched on 5 September: a Mac OSX version, combining all the features of the original with further options, including the ability to create and save your own rolls, and a speed-up feature, where the metronome setting will increase after a preset number of repetitions, at a user-determined rate. A video tutorial can be seen here. The new app is available through the Mac App Store for $14.99. John Lawless concludes: 'All in all, this is a very effective roll trainer'.