Mini-lesson: Messing with people with Mississippi Sawyer

[Michaelr1731]

I have enjoyed your videos but I wonder about your left arm and hand position. It looks (from an ergonomic position) very incorrect. I'm sure I'm not the first to point this out and I don't mean disrespect, but you could be heading for trouble down the road.

[pandapranks1]

Hick

[rjfpace]

holy cow. Man can you play.  I could listen for days.

[greekflatpicker]

Woa! You have a great timing and tone too.

I've enjoyed your video.

[Khalilullah]

That's great! I have a question that's been bugging me, tho. My grandpa and all the folks I grew up with, plus all the great old players that I've seen and seen pics of never used capos; why do most of the modern city-folk types seem to use them so much instead of natural tunings?

[BanjoMeetsWorld]

I don't know the history of capos, so I'm afraid I can't answer your question. But I personally use a capo because it shortens the neck, making it easier for me to play. Also, on one of my banjos, I think a capo improves the tone.

[Khalilullah]

Thanks! It's a mystery! I don't know much about the history of Capos either; just banjos and oldtime music...it's weird how many non-Appalachian people use them, considering how much they change the feeling of the music.

[Labrabob]

Thanks very much!

[darkstanley1974]

Would you be able to do a quick vid on how to tune the banjo to the tuning you have. I have a cappo and the tuning I have now is gDGBD. I started this when learning Bluegrass but after seeing your vid's I have started to learn Clawhammer. I just can't get the same tunes as you do with yours.

[BanjoMeetsWorld]

I plan to do a handful of "basics" videos, including one about tuning. In the meantime, for the aDADE tuning used in this video: if you have an electronic tuner, tune your open strings to gCGCD. Put your capo on your second fret, and either tune your 5th string up to A or, if you have a 5th string spike at the 7th fret, tuck the string under that spike. Either way, you'll end up with aDADE.

[moorekevinpaul]

Thank You, I love your lesson. I always pick up some thing new. I have been going with the claw hammer. The picks seem to add a space between the banjo and me. Last, you are very pretty and that helps to keep me very focused. Kevin Paul

[moorekevinpaul]

Love, you are great. That style works for me to the letter. Did you remove the back of your banjo, if so why? Thank you Kevin Paul.

[BanjoMeetsWorld]

Thanks. The banjo in the video was made in the early 1900s before it was common for banjos to have backs (resonators). I like to play open-back banjos because they're usually lighter and thinner than resonator banjos.

[mhecht01]

That was lovely, and thought provoking too. Thanks!

[artistfood]

good as always. :) what head is that? looks unique.

[BanjoMeetsWorld]

Thanks for your comment. The head is an Elite Fiberskyn that has seen some use and abuse.

[BrunoEspo]

incredible. truly inspiring. thank you :o)

[FilthCandy]

I currently can't play any sort of chordophone, just stumbled on here thru a throat singers fav list... so glad I did, yer rockin it out! niiice. U make me wanna pick up the Banjo (if only I had time!) TY fer postin'

[dirtyfeetforever]

Not to rave but it is ridiculous how good you are. I'm relatively new to the banjo and your playing is super inspiring plus your willingness to experiment with old forms. do you have any recordings available?

[BanjoMeetsWorld]

Thanks for your kind words. I don't have any recordings, but there are some MP3s on my site.

[dropthumb2]

I'm enjoying your lessons. Thanks for posting.