[Mike]

Jon,

Thanks. Good catch. Yes that was a typo. I’ve updated the tab and the download to reflect the correct fingering. Glad you’re enjoying the lesson.

– Mike

[Mike]

Tom,

Thanks for checking out the lessons. I used to use an iPhone to record my early video lessons. You can get an external microphone that plugs in so you can get even better quality.

Another to check out for audio recording would be the Zoom recorder. They have a bunch of different models but they’re very good for audio recordings in the “field” and make really good quality recordings.

Several of my musician friends use them to record when they’re on the road.

You could also record the audio and video separately (with an iphone and zoom for example) and then sync them together in Garageband or Pro Tools after you record.

Thats what I do with my video lessons now. That way you can have better audio quality than the video camera microphone.

If you have any other questions let me know.

– Mike

[Mike]

Do you mean you can’t see the videos or they won’t play? You should see all the videos on the lesson page if you’re logged in to your account.

Mike

[Mike]

Allan,

Sorry I don’t currently have a way to upgrade from tab-only to video but I sent you an e-mail!

Best,
Mike

[Mike]

Thanks for your questions. Let me try and answer.

1. Yes, you could improvise a backup like this with practice over time. The goal of these backup tabs is to give you basic ideas you can use in lots of songs. So I recommend taking your favorite backup licks from this tab and trying to apply them to other songs you know.

2. No, this backup would be difficult to play and sing at the same time. I’d probably recommend simplifying it quite a bit if you were going to sing the song as well. This type of backup works best if someone else is singing (which is why you don’t see a lot of singing banjo players).

3. It’s hard to predict how long it will take for you to make progress as everyone is different. If you’re working on new things for 1 hr a day, you’ll definitely see improvement. The most important thing is having fun which is the biggest predictor of whether of not you’ll keep playing.

4. You can play any type of music on the banjo. You could look up the chords to a Greek folk song and find them on your banjo or learn the melody play the notes. I’d start with the chords and try doing some basic rolls, after that see if you can find the melody notes.

5. No there’s no set pattern for finding the melody in a bluegrass song because every arrangement is different. Some stay closer to the melody and some venture further away from the melody. The melody is usually found in the chord tones (the notes that make up the chord you’re playing). Knowing those notes (G,B,D for a G chord) is the best way to start finding the melody to a song.

Good luck.

Mike

[Mike]

Yes, I provided some basic practice tracks that just play a “C” chord over and over so you can practice the licks at different speeds.

Mike

[Mike]

I think you’ll be able to keep improving with practice!

There are no shortcuts to speed so you’ll need to be able to play at 81-99 BPM before you’ll be able to reach 100 BPM.

I recommend checking out the practice tool “The Amazing Slow Downer” which allows you to adjust the speed of any mp3.

This will allow you to find the exact speed you need to work on and gradually increase the speed over time.

I highly recommend the software. I use it all the time in my daily practice. If you have any other questions let me know.

Best,
Mike

[Mike]

Yes I already offer this option!

If you go to https://mikeheddingmusic.com/guided/ you can enroll in any of the courses and it will show my recommended way to work through the lessons.

Once you enroll in any of the courses you’ll also see a drop-down menu on the lesson pages that will allow you to see the order of the lessons and jump around between them.

If you have any more questions let me know.

-Mike

[Mike]

Yes definitely!

If you go back to the lesson page for Amazing Grace you’ll see the tabs on the right hand side.

You can click the link under “Lesson Tabs” and then print off the tab.

Or you can download the tabs/tracks under “Lesson Downloads” to your computer and then print it out.

If you have any more questions let me know.

Thanks.

Mike

[Mike]

Obie,

Thanks for your question.

Sure you can certainly use the 7th fret barre D chord if you want.

But you’re correct, there’s certain songs where that would be a pretty big jump to get all the way up the 7th fret and back down quickly.

A couple other D chords to try (starting with the easiest).

1. One finger D chord (2nd fret/3rd string) commonly used in a lot of lead songs. You can let the “band” play the rest of the chord.

2. Two finger D chord (2nd fret/3rd string and 3rd fret/2nd string). This is another one I use a lot. Much easier to play than a 4 finger D chord but still works great for most songs.

3. Three finger D chord. (Same as 2 finger D but add your pinky on 4th fret/1st string). This is another one you can do if you feel that adding your 4th finger makes the D chord more difficult.

If you have any other questions let me know. Thanks!

Best,
Mike

[Mike]

Steve,

The tabs do include the chords but sorry I don’t include the backup I played on the practice tracks as I’d rarely if ever play that the same way twice.

I go over the backup techniques I used in the “Backup” video I include with each lesson.

Sure, I can e-mail you tracks with no banjo if that’s what you’d prefer.

Best,
Mike

[Mike]

No, you should be able to watch the videos as much as you’d like.

It seems to work switching back and forth between the videos when I test it. Sorry it’s not working for you.

Can you try clearing your internet browser? Or what are you device/browser are you viewing the site on?

– Mike

• This reply was modified 5 years, 11 months ago by Mike.

[Mike]

Jon,

Thanks for your question.

You could definitely use a D7 if you wanted in this backup, there’s nothing that rules that out in hymns and nothing harmonically that would make the D7 not work.

This just came down to personal preference in this case, a D7 has a little more tension harmonically (because of the C note) than just a standard D chord. I just enjoyed the sound of the standard D chord when I wrote up this backup arrangement.

But there’s definitely times when I’ve played this song and added a D7.

If you have any more questions let me know.

Best,
Mike

• This reply was modified 6 years ago by Mike.

[Mike]

You can see all the songs played here for reference:
Intro To Melodic Banjo Video Playlist

Or you can search for any of the particular songs on my site if you want the video walk through of any of the songs.

If you have any more questions let me know.

Best,
Mike

• This reply was modified 6 years ago by Mike.

[Mike]

Sure, you can add your capo on the 5th fret and spike your 5th string at the 10th fret (C) and you can play this exact tab and that will transpose it to the key of C!

If you have any more questions let me know.

Best,
Mike

[Author]

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