tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247073532024-03-12T18:37:31.723-07:00Bluegrass Banjo at Sheldon's Place - Surrey, BCSurrey, BC, right in the heart of the lower mainland, with beautiful weather, wonderful scenery and lots of opportunity for pickin'. You'd be hard pressed to find a finer place to live and pick bluegrass. Check back often for my take on things with five strings!Sheldon Friesenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066440763528899923noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24707353.post-50380952066844570002013-03-24T20:00:00.000-07:002013-03-24T20:47:40.623-07:00My New Website Under ConstructionHi,<br />
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I want to let you know about my new website with an all new look coming soon.<br />
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Check it out at:<br />
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<a href="http://sheldonfriesen.wordpress.com/">http://sheldonfriesen.wordpress.com</a><br />
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See you there!Sheldon Friesenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066440763528899923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24707353.post-1143324235307126442013-03-24T19:00:00.000-07:002013-03-24T20:48:22.773-07:00Who's That Banjo Pickin' Guy?<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/1600/banjoredhead.2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/400/banjoredhead.1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a>I've had this banjo obsession since I was young boy. When I was fourteen years old, I was able to pool all my life's savings from part time jobs and purchase the banjo you see me playing in the picture. At sixteen years old I began teaching banjo at a local music store in the small southern Manitoba town were I was living at that time. I'm not a teenager anymore, I'm not too good looking, but not so bad as to spoil the music, and I still pick and teach.<br />
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I moved to the picturesque Cowichan Valley which runs through central Vancouver Island in the winter of 1999 with my wife and two boys. Leaving the sub-zero temperatures of Manitoba for the moderate Pacific Coast climate was a real treat and we've never looked back.<br />
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My wife and I owned and operated a small restaurant called 'Heather's Tea Room' located in historic downtown Duncan, BC. We closed at 3:00pm when the restaurant transformed into my music studio where I taught bluegrass banjo to aspiring players who are filling the valley with those high lonesome sounds.<br />
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In the summer of 2007 my wife and I packed up once again and made the move to Surrey, BC were we are actively involved in campus life with the students of Pacific Life Bible College. On top of the great things happening on campus, I am also teaching and pickin' banjo!<br />
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Life is good! The venue is perfect, and it is a joy to help promote bluegrass in the lower mainland. Hope you can come on down sometime and jam a little!<br />
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I'll be waitin' fur ya!Sheldon Friesenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066440763528899923noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24707353.post-64215531398041637802013-03-24T18:00:00.000-07:002013-09-24T19:06:16.360-07:00Gig Schedule<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJQ4LXyTHN4/SOOsPUf8nDI/AAAAAAAAAB8/Rsnx2MFXvxE/s1600-h/sunnyside_frogs.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252230969644850226" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJQ4LXyTHN4/SOOsPUf8nDI/AAAAAAAAAB8/Rsnx2MFXvxE/s400/sunnyside_frogs.jpeg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Check here to see where an with whom I'll be playing next!</span>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">May 22</span> - Wired Monk @ 32 Ave White Rock - 6:30pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">May 29</span> - Historic Steward Farm, Crescent Beach - 2:45pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">May 29</span> - Wired Monk @ 32 Ave White Rock - 6:30pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">May 31</span> - Sunnyside Acres 20th Anniversary @ 24 Ave @ 148 St White Rock - 11:00am (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">June 2</span> - Aldergrove Seniors Tea - 1:30pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">June 5</span> - Wired Monk @ 32 Ave White Rock - 6:30pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">June 13-15</span> - Summerland Bluegrass Festival (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Aug 3</span> - Sea Fest, White Rock - 1:00pm Remax Centre Stage (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Aug 4</span> - Otter Coop 10:00am - 1:00pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Aug 9</span> - Private Event (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Aug 10</span> - Private Event (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Oct 10</span> - Kent St. White Rock - 1:30pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Oct 19</span> - Aldor Acres, Fort Langley - 11:00am (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Oct 26</span> - VBMS @ Elks Hall, Aldergrove - 7:00pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Nov 20</span> - Private Event (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dec 4</span> - Salvation Army, Abbotsford - 5:30pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">2009</span>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Feb 21</span> - Skinny's Grille - Hope, BC - 8:00pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Feb 24</span> - CJSF FM 90.1 - 8:00pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Mar 28</span> - Elks Hall - Whiterock, BC - 6:30pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Mar 29</span> - VBMS - Elks Hall - Aldergrove, BC - 7:00pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">April 8</span> - Jake's Steakhouse & Piano Lounge - Surrey, BC - 7:00pm (Ish & Sheldon)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">May 9</span> - Elks Hall - Whiterock, BC - 8:00pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">May 15</span> - Kent St. Seniors Centre - Whiterock, BC - 1:00pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">May 17 </span>- Fort Langley - Heritage Centre - 2:00pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">May 30 </span>- Wired Monk - Crescent Beach, BC - 3:00pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">June 20 </span>- Heritage Trolley Tour - New Westminster, BC - 11:00 am- 4:00 pm (Ish & Sheldon)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">July 9</span> - Riverside Park - Music In The Park - Kamloops, BC - 7:00pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">July 10/11</span> - Merritt Mountain Festival - VIP Tent - Merritt, BC (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">ug 3 </span>- Otter COOP, Aldergrove, BC 1:00 pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Aug 15</span> - Merritt, BC - private event (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Aug 27</span> - Crescent Beach Park, BC 6:00 pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Sept 8</span> - Newlands Golf Club, Retired Teacher's Assoc., BC 10:00 am (The Bullfrogs)
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</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Oct 10</span> - Cranberry Festival - Fort Langley, BC - 11:00 am (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Oct 25</span> - Aldor Acres - Fort Langley, BC - 11:00 am - 4:00 pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Nov 4</span> - Wednesday Night @ Clements - Surrey, BC - 7:00 pm (Sam, Silas, Tyler & Sheldon)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">2010</span>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Feb 17 </span>- Fort Langley Historical Park, BC 3:00 pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<br />Aug 2 </span>- Otter COOP, Aldergrove, BC 1:00 pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Oct 16<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span>- Elks Hall, White Rock, BC 7:00pm (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Oct 26</span> - Aldor Acres, Fort Langley, BC 11:00AM (The Bullfrogs)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">2011</span>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Jan 19 </span>- Come Home, White Rock, BC 1:00 pm (Hardtimes)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Jan 20 </span>- Ceilidh, Fort Langley, BC 7:00 pm (with friends)<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Feb 17 </span>- Ceilidh, Fort Langley, BC 7:00 pm (Stillhouse)
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Apr 9 </span>- Elks Hall, White Rock, BC 7:00 pm (Bullfrogs)<br />
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<b>2012</b><br />
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<b>June 10</b> - Relate Church Promo<br />
<b>June 15</b> - Greenhouse Studios - Recording Session<br />
<b>June 17 </b>- Relate Church Country Fair (Ryder)<br />
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<b>July 7</b> - Historic Stewart Farm Pioneer Days (Ryder)<br />
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<b>Aug 5</b> - Tlel Fair, Queen Charlotte Islands (Ish da Fish)<br />
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<b>Sept 29</b> - Breakout West 2012, Regina /w Award nominee Ish da Fish<br />
<b>Sept 30</b> - Western Canadian Music Awards, Regina /w Award nominee Ish da Fish<br />
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<b>2013</b><br />
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<b>Mar 24 </b>- Farmers Heritage Society, Fort Langley (Lounge Brothers)<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Setp 28 - Langley Private Function (Stillhouse)</span></div>
Sheldon Friesenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066440763528899923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24707353.post-46775840839788252882011-01-02T09:16:00.000-08:002011-01-21T16:34:18.648-08:00The Bullfrogs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WJQ4LXyTHN4/R---v1i5YcI/AAAAAAAAABM/Ld4O4zESGv4/s1600-h/wiremonk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WJQ4LXyTHN4/R---v1i5YcI/AAAAAAAAABM/Ld4O4zESGv4/s400/wiremonk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183571425163305410" border="0" /></a><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://cache.reverbnation.com/widgets/swf/13/widgetPlayerMini.swf?emailPlaylist=artist_351836&backgroundcolor=5C2424&font_color=FFFFFF&posted_by=artist_351836&shuffle=&autoPlay=false" height="83" width="262"></embed><br /><a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/c./a4/13/351836/Artist/351836/Artist/link"><img alt="The%20Bullfrogs" src="http://cache.reverbnation.com/widgets/content/13/footer.png" border="0" height="12" width="262" /></a><br /><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="http://www.reverbnation.com/widgets/trk/13/artist_351836/artist_351836/t.gif" border="0" height="0" width="0" /><a href="http://www.quantcast.com/p-05---xoNhTXVc" target="_blank"><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-05---xoNhTXVc.gif" style="display: none;" alt="Quantcast" border="0" height="1" width="1" /></a><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.11NXC/bHQ9MTIzMzc4MjUwOTcwMiZwdD*xMjMzNzgyNTYwMzg2JnA9MjcwODEmZD1taW5pJTVGbXVzaWMlNUZwbGF5ZXIlNUZmaXJzdCU1RmdlbiZuPWJsb2dnZXImZz*xJnQ9.gif" border="0" height="0" width="0" /><br />I want to introduce you to the guys I pick with. We are the Bullfrogs, a great bunch of pickers who love to harmonize and make good music.<br /><br />Here's what others of saying about the band:<br /><br /><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.11NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNTcwMzQwNTg2ODImcHQ9MTI1NzAzNDA3MjU*NCZwPTI3MDgxJmQ9cHJlc3NfZmlyc3RfZ2VuJmc9MSZvZj*w.gif" border="0" height="0" width="0" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://cache.reverbnation.com/widgets/swf/32/press.swf?page_object_id=artist_351836&backgroundcolor=000000&font_color=FFFFFF&posted_by=artist_351836" wmode="transparent" height="110" width="400"></embed><br /><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="http://www.reverbnation.com/widgets/trk/32/artist_351836/artist_351836/t.gif" border="0" height="0" width="0" /><br /><br />You can find us on myspace, <a href="http://myspace.com/thebullfrogsband">http://myspace.com/thebullfrogsband</a>.Sheldon Friesenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066440763528899923noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24707353.post-91213578908694752292008-06-21T16:26:00.011-07:002008-10-18T16:22:16.881-07:00Summerland Bluegrass Festival 2008The weekend of June 13-15 was spent by the Bullfrogs (the band I play in) in the town of Summerland, BC.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WJQ4LXyTHN4/SF2S_VfhfvI/AAAAAAAAAB0/VuFsMthCgoI/s1600-h/P6140051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WJQ4LXyTHN4/SF2S_VfhfvI/AAAAAAAAAB0/VuFsMthCgoI/s400/P6140051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214485560363679474" border="0" /></a><br />It was the 13th Annual Summerland Bluegrass Festival. The estimated number of people attending the event was 650.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WJQ4LXyTHN4/SF2RwTrBxKI/AAAAAAAAABs/d7NnyzmRMxo/s1600-h/DSC06355.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WJQ4LXyTHN4/SF2RwTrBxKI/AAAAAAAAABs/d7NnyzmRMxo/s400/DSC06355.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214484202665395362" border="0" /></a><br />Many bands played on the open stage including the Bullfrogs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WJQ4LXyTHN4/SF2QYp3YfZI/AAAAAAAAABU/Pe4iomhTdQY/s1600-h/DSC06354.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_WJQ4LXyTHN4/SF2QYp3YfZI/AAAAAAAAABU/Pe4iomhTdQY/s400/DSC06354.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214482696794307986" border="0" /></a><br />Evenings where spent jamming with friends at our campsite.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WJQ4LXyTHN4/SF2RGl-Wu5I/AAAAAAAAABc/c-YB5Re20Jk/s1600-h/DSC06342.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WJQ4LXyTHN4/SF2RGl-Wu5I/AAAAAAAAABc/c-YB5Re20Jk/s400/DSC06342.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214483486023793554" border="0" /></a><br />Saturday afternoon, several pickers were chosen to play on the Kettle Valley Railway during it's vintage trek through the beautiful countryside. I had the pleasure of meeting Felix, the railway's permanent entertainer and enjoyed picking with Michael (mandolin), Bill (fiddle), Jake (guitar) and Ched (bass).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WJQ4LXyTHN4/SF2RZJ8UyEI/AAAAAAAAABk/XnPvVRkfJME/s1600-h/P6140074.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WJQ4LXyTHN4/SF2RZJ8UyEI/AAAAAAAAABk/XnPvVRkfJME/s400/P6140074.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214483804916598850" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks to all who made this great event happen and hope you can come on out next year to join in the fun.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzQosku97IV_V-Dc1nko-2dOdausQrvPXoBxrhlDORZwOd1WF9B1CvOIwB8Z_GwRbah5KVr9iyXhy8' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Sheldon Friesenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066440763528899923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24707353.post-42089854854387046942007-03-03T19:10:00.000-08:002007-03-03T19:28:49.113-08:00Duncan Jam Attended By MOB Members<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJQ4LXyTHN4/Reo4ze0V0kI/AAAAAAAAAAw/hiGQ9PcjDhM/s1600-h/sheldon_pickin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WJQ4LXyTHN4/Reo4ze0V0kI/AAAAAAAAAAw/hiGQ9PcjDhM/s400/sheldon_pickin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5037901590264402498" border="0" /></a>Just recently I received an email from a fellow bluegrass picker in Manitoba. His name is Joe Cotie.<br /><br />Joe plays guitar and sings bluegrass. Joe and his wife Lil, were making their way to Duncan to visit family when they stumbled across this web site and then decided to contact me.<br /><br />Before long, we were making plans to get together and pick.<br /><br />Well, let me just show you the article Joe wrote for the Manitoba Old Time Bluegrass Society's newsletter, the Dill Pickle Rag, where he talks of his time here in Duncan.<br /><br />I'm sure you'll see that bluegrass music has a lot more to offer than just great pickin' but it also encompasses a whole bunch of great people that you wouldn't meet otherwise.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><br />Here's the article:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WJQ4LXyTHN4/Reo7P-0V0lI/AAAAAAAAAA4/BmzeGNLQZQ4/s1600-h/Dill_Pickle_article.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WJQ4LXyTHN4/Reo7P-0V0lI/AAAAAAAAAA4/BmzeGNLQZQ4/s400/Dill_Pickle_article.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5037904278913929810" border="0" /></a>Thanks a bunch Joe for looking us up and we sure hope you'll stop in again sometime!<br /></span>Sheldon Friesenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066440763528899923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24707353.post-1153006228018410792006-07-15T16:08:00.000-07:002006-07-15T16:32:23.860-07:00Left Hand Finger Independence Exercise Two<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/1600/fretsnewsprint.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/200/fretsnewsprint.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>A number of posts ago I suggested a left hand independent exercise to enable you to have greater control over where your fingers go on the fret board. That exercise actually focused on the actual brain signals we send to our fingers. Essentially it was a motor control development exercise.<br /><br />In this post I want to again look at developing left hand finger independence but in this post, I want to focus on actual muscle development and stretches.<span class="fullpost"><br /><br />First, place your fingers on the fret board with your index finger on fret 10, middle on 11, ring on 12 and pinky on 13. Do this so all four fingers are on the same string. Any string is fine, but if your like me you'll find that the second string is probably most comfortable.<br /><br />Now, lift just your pinky and move it from fret 13 to 14 on the same string while keeping your other fingers firmly planted on their existing positions.<br /><br />Next, lift your ring finger from 12 and place it on 13 where your pinky finger was previously.<br /><br />Then, move your middle to the 12th fret and finally your index to fret 11.<br /><br />It's almost like playing leapfrog with your fingers on the fret board.<br /><br />The main focus with this exercise is the stretch the pinky has to make from the rest of your fingers and also the ring finger stretching away from the middle finger.<br /><br />Do this leapfrog drill up the neck a little ways then try it in reverse until you eventually work your way back to the original starting position.<br /><br />You'll find your muscles limbering up and your ability to stretch your fingers increasing to enable you to play those fancy licks with greater control.<br /><br />Pick Away!<br /></span>Sheldon Friesenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066440763528899923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24707353.post-1147320078697168572006-05-10T20:49:00.000-07:002006-05-10T21:16:59.643-07:00High On A Mountain Sound File<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/1600/banjo.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/400/banjo.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Previously, I posted my tablature arangment for "High On A Mountain". I thought that in this post I would follow up with a sound file for the same arrangement.<br /><br />The song is played at a fairly moderate tempo but does not drag in anyway.<br /><br />Listen closely for that slide all the way up the neck to get a sense of what your trying to accomplish as you practice this piece.<br /><br /><span class="fullpost">You'll also notice that the song is played in the 'key of D' giving you a much different sound on the banjo than we are normally used to hearing when the banjo is played out of a G position. The capoed fifth string along with the different chord inversions we encounter in this key make for a unique sound that is especially pleasing for this particular piece. You might like it so much that you will think I purposfully chose to play it in D for this reason, but in fact, I chose D because my voice feels most comfortable there with this song.<br /><br />So here it is: <a href="http://geocities.com/stfriesen/highonamt.mp3">High On A Mountain</a><br /><br />Keep at it!</span>Sheldon Friesenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066440763528899923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24707353.post-1145756211812880352006-04-22T18:36:00.000-07:002006-05-11T06:30:51.896-07:00High On A Mountain Tablature<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/1600/AWAGON1.2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/400/AWAGON1.1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Howdy!<br /><br />In this post I want to deal with a topic that many banjo players resist. Playing in the 'Key of D'.<br /><br />All right, all right now, pipe down! It's not that bad. I know your banjo is tuned to 'G'. I know every song written should be played in 'G'. I know 'G' is God's key signature. Well, that's going a bit far but I really do understand.<br /><br />Nevertheless, we banjer pickers will need to play in 'D' from time to time.<br /><br />You have a couple of options. You can retune your banjo and learn to play in a new tuning. I personally try to stay away from this option because it really is a nuisance in a jam or concert setting.<br /><br /><span class="fullpost">You can't really capo up to the seventh fret and still sound respectable so you are often left with playing out of a 'D' position. I generally capo my fifth string up 2 when playing in 'D'. This brings the fifth string up to an 'A' which works really well in a 'D' key signature.<br /><br />Ok, here's the tab.<br /><br />This break of 'High On A Mountain' has some really nice highs to catch the soaring melody line. It also makes good use of the open forth string to give it that deep old-timey sound that a song like this cries out for.<br /><br />With a little work, you'll be feeling like your playing up in -<br /><br />"Them Thar Hill"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/1600/HighOnAMountain.2.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/400/HighOnAMountain.2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></span>Sheldon Friesenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066440763528899923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24707353.post-1144542188321023432006-04-08T17:21:00.000-07:002007-03-04T22:59:09.797-08:00Do You Have What It Takes?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/1600/banjolineart2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/400/banjolineart2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />As a music teacher, I have noticed differences in students and how they view themselves and their musical ambitions. I have also noticed how students view other musicians and compare them to themselves and to others. Many players look up to someone they consider as a hero, a superstar player, an untouchable. "If only I could be like that person!"<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, I think that having those you look up to, to aspire to play like, is a positive and even a necessary thing. But, too often we place those people on a pedestal and they become superhuman in our eyes, someone who has achieved things we will never be able to achieve. "They are talented, I'm not," would be the way we view them. Or, "They have a gift, I do not."<br /><br />I want to address these notions of being talented, being gifted and being a genius. I don't know if everyone will agree with me on these points, but this is how I've come to view these terms based on my experience. I hope they will encourage you.<br /><br /><span class="fullpost">Talent is often thought of as an elusive object that you either have or don't have. I disagree on this notion. If this were true, then I would be born with a talent to play the banjo. I can guarantee that is not the case. When I first started playing as a young boy, I was not making pretty music. I was not born a talented banjo player.<br /><br />The first pancake I cooked for breakfast, many years ago now, was not an award winner either. But, I do say, that if you now come over to my place for Saturday morning breakfast, you would be quite pleased with the state of my pancaking abilities. I was not born a pancake gourmet but over time, through many mistakes and some victories, I have achieved an acceptable level of pancaking talent.<br /><br />You are not born with talent, you achieve it and develop it. A talented banjo player is one who's achieved a level of proficiency at the instrument through many hours of practice, trial and error, and through a discipline of small sustainable achievements.<br /><br />Can anyone become a talented player? I would say yes, but I qualify that with an 'if'. If you are willing to put in the effort and time required you can become a talented player.<br /><br />Then, what is a gifted player. A gifted player has achieved the prerequisite of being a talented player. Gifting is more of a natural attribute, though I wouldn't go as far as to say that one needs to be born with it. Gifting is the ability to take talent to another level. To understand the talent, to be able to fine tune the talent, to be able to develop the talent to new personally unprecedented levels; that is the ability of a gifted musician.<br /><br />A gifted banjo player is one who's learned how to practice. He or she will, almost without thought, know where their weakness are and be able to create exercises to grow beyond these hurdles. The gifted player seems to have a sixth sense in these matters. The gifted musician, has a love for the instrument that eventually enables them to do more than just play the instrument but to also express themselves through their instrument; to communicate through their instrument.<br /><br />Can everyone be a gifted banjo player? I said that anyone could be a talented player 'if'. That 'if' results in a world population where not everyone is a banjo player but a world where many have taken up the challenge to become talented players. From that talented player population, I would say that a smaller percentage are gifted players. Why, only a smaller percentage? That is not so easy to understand but let me say a few things on this subject.<br /><br />Gifting, as I've described it above requires that the musician gets the music firstly out of the head and into the fingers. That is talent. Then, he or she must get the music out of the fingers and into the heart. That is gifting. This requires that one loves the music so much that the instrument begins to be an extension of themselves, another means of communication like speech. Not everyone has that deep of a love for the music. That isn't to say they can not achieve great things on the banjo and it also does not mean that they do not like the music. It simply means that some have this passion to a greater degree. I believe that passion for the music will lead us on to its greater depths. It's what eventually turns a talented musician into a gifted musician.<br /><br />What about genius? OK, first let's get a perspective of the banjo playing population. Many banjo players are talented players. If you work at it, I believe you will; if not yet, be a talented player. You'll have lot's of fun, play at jams, maybe play in a band. People will enjoy your music. Doesn't sound bad to me. Well worth the effort you put in. A smaller part of this talented group will become gifted. If you have the passion and the lifestyle that will allow your passion to take you on it's journey, you will likely become a gifted musician. Not everyone can sacrifice what it takes to get to this level and not every one has the desire to be this kind of player. Then there is the genius. I personally don't believe that many will ever achieve this. Genius is not so much the ability but it is the historical record of creating what no one else has ever created. Only a few have ever achieved it.<br /><br />Genius is not required to be a good player. I don't think that genius is a pursuit either. It is an outcome, and achievement. The majority of banjo players, whom I consider to be great players, do not have genius; but they have taken their talents to the level of giftedness.<br /><br />I don't feel this is an exhaustive treatise on the subject but I do hope it will give you a more realistic perspective on your place as a student, player, musician, banjo picker!<br /><br />TIMTIMTIMTIM</span>Sheldon Friesenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066440763528899923noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24707353.post-1143959671147511782006-04-01T22:14:00.000-08:002006-04-08T18:09:14.263-07:00Left Hand Finger Independence Exercise<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/1600/fretsnewsprint.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/200/fretsnewsprint.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>You've just finished supper, worked hard all day and now you want to take the rest of the evening off to play the banjer. Only, when you pick it up, your fingers feel like sausages, I mean frozen sausages and they just don't do what you tell them to do. In fact they sometimes even feel like they're tied together and can't move independently.<br /><br />What can you do?<br /><br />First off, a big mistake when practicing is to not take the few minutes necessary for warm up. There are numerous warm up techniques and I won't be able to get to all of them in this post but I wanted to share one technique I've found helpful. It's a left hand finger independence exercise. Let me explain.<br /><br />Plant your index finger (finger number one) on the D string about fret eight ( not too important which fret you start on). Now, finger two on fret nine, finger three on fret ten and finger four (pinky) on fret eleven. This is our starting position.<br /><br /><span class="fullpost">Here's where we teach our fingers to move independently, starting with this opening position, only lift fingers one and three (at the exact same time) and plant them on the B string while keeping your other two fingers firmly on the D string.<br /><br />Could you do it? If your not used to it you probably had a lot of trouble. You see, the brain and the fingers don't always speak the same language and thus don't always do what you tell them to do. Take your time and you will teach your fingers to obey.<br /><br />Now, take those two fingers still on the D string and lift them at the same time while keeping the two fingers on the B string down, planting fingers two and four on the B string. You should now have finger one on the B string at fret eight, finger two on the B string fret nine, finger three same string fret ten and finger four on fret eleven, all on the same string.<br /><br />Repeat this exercise to walk up the strings to both the G string then to the fourth string D.<br /><br />Now, once you've mastered this, walk back to the first string and end up in our opening position.<br /><br />This exercise will really help your fingers to move indepently of each other and make it easier to do that fancy fret work that your getting so good at :)<br /><br />Keep up the good work!</span>Sheldon Friesenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066440763528899923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24707353.post-1143701080411508572006-03-29T22:14:00.000-08:002006-04-22T19:48:24.286-07:00How Long Will It Take?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/1600/banjoplayer.1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/400/banjoplayer.1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />When that new excited banjo student arrives for their first lesson, undoubtedly there is one question they all have whether they voice it or not.<br /><br />"How long will it take me to be a good banjo player?"<br /><br />I can't answer that question with a simple statement and be fair to the student. Sure it would be nice to say that it takes so many months or so many years but its different for everybody.<br /><br />So how do I answer that question? Well, here goes.<br /><br />First, someone once said that the difference between someone who can play and someone who can play well is about 3000 hours of practice. This is not a precise amount of time because so many things affect it like previous musical knowledge, quality of the actual practice time, is there experienced tutoring or music lessons involved, and even some personal aptitude or gifting. (That is a subject for another post at another time). Having said all that, I still think that 3000 hours is a fair appraisal that would generally get an average student from beginner to proficiency at playing the banjo.<br /><br />So please read on and let me explain.<br /><br /><span class="fullpost">OK, let's say you spend 1/2 hour a day practicing for seven days a week with no holidays. That means your goal would be achieved in 6000 days or about 16 1/2 years. Now, that may sound just absolutely scary to most aspiring musicians but its not that bad. Look! Practice 1 hour a day would then drop that time to about 8 years. Two hours a day would drop that to 4 years. And remember, there are a multitude of joyous victories along that path to your goal as well. You, definitely will not be in the closet the whole time. In fact, you should be playing with others as soon as you can play three chords. That won't take long and you'll have lots of fun too.<br /><br />Now, most of us can't spend 8 hours a day practicing so you have to be realistic with how long it will take you to reach your proficiency goals. However, the more you practice will greatly increase the years you have left to enjoy your instrument at a higher skill level.<br /><br />So, let me try to sum it up here. Don't get discouraged, don't quit, you're not any wierder than any other banjo picker :) and you will get better with time. No; shortcuts don't work, only dedicated time to practice.<br /><br />OK, you still want me to tell you how long you will have to play before your any good. I knew you'd force me to this point, I don't like to make general statements like this but here goes. I don't think you should make a decision to quite before at least 5 years of consistent progressive practice and learning. I think at that time you'll know yourself better regarding your ability to play and if you still can't get it, you might want to try the accordion. But, most likely, you'll find that after this amount of time, you'll have developed enough skill to have lots of fun, and to understand where your strengths and weaknesses are and you can then chart a course for the next five years of playing.<br /><br />Hope this helps you to keep the big picture goal in mind.<br /><br />Keep pickin'</span>Sheldon Friesenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066440763528899923noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24707353.post-1143525813504158622006-03-27T21:47:00.000-08:002006-03-27T22:03:33.523-08:00Old Joe Clark Sound File<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/1600/banjo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/400/banjo.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I've heard banjo players tell me that they can play Old Joe Clark just fine at home but, when it comes to playing it at a jam, well it just doesn't hold together.<br /><br />What is it about this old fiddle tune that messes up so many banjo pickers?<br /><br />Old Joe Clark has a unique melody line in the 'A' part that defines it. The problem is that this melody line emphasizes beats most banjo players are not comfortable with.<br /><br />I've recorded a break for you to listen to. Listen for the melody line in the 'A' part and listen for the metronome in the background. Notice where the melody notes fall. If you have trouble hearing the metronome all the time, tap your foot to help you identify where the beats are.<br /><br />This should help you get that Old Joe Clark to behave himself at the next jam.<br /><br />Once, you licked the 'A' part, I'm sure you'll find the rest of the song easy to master since the melody adheres to a more normal meter.<br /><br />Here's the link to the sound file: <a href="http://www.geocities.com/stfriesen/SheldonFriesen-OldJoeClark.mp3">Old Joe Clark.mp3</a>Sheldon Friesenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066440763528899923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24707353.post-1143427738136205892006-03-26T18:42:00.000-08:002006-03-26T21:23:45.226-08:00Banjo Player Jokes<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/1600/banjolineart.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/400/banjolineart.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></div> As a banjo player, I'm sure you've experienced being the brunt of the jokes at your local jam. I thought I'd list just a few things others are saying about us so you can be prepared for the next barrage.<br /><br /><ul><li>Banjo players spend half their lives tuning and the other half playing out of tune.</li></ul><ul><li>What will you never say about a banjo player?<br />That's the banjo player's Porsche.</li></ul><ul><li>"Doctor, doctor will I be able to play the banjo after the operation?"<br />"Yes, of course…"<br />"Great! I never could before…"<br /></li></ul><ul><li>Why do fiddlers pick on banjo players?<br />Because they can't pick on their fiddles.<br /></li></ul><ul><li>Anyone can play one of them things - all you need is three fingers and a plastic head.<br /></li></ul><ul><li>If you practice, tune, make a sound check, and sit down to play it's Folk music -- otherwise it's Bluegrass.<br /></li></ul><ul><li>"Some people call this next song Cripple Creek -- but they're wrong!"<br /></li></ul><ul><li>A few years ago a lost group of banjo players were discovered on a remote island in the Pacific.<br />When asked how they survived for so long, they answered, "from the supplies dropped by the helicopters…"</li></ul><ul><li>What's the difference between a banjo player and a savings bond?<br />A savings bond eventually matures and earns money.</li></ul><ul><li>No matter how much you tune it -- it will still sound like a banjo!</li></ul>Sheldon Friesenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066440763528899923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24707353.post-1143331864429984732006-03-25T16:02:00.000-08:002006-03-26T22:00:01.960-08:00Cripple Creek Tablature<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/1600/AWAGON1.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/400/AWAGON1.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>Here is an intermediate arrangement of the traditional tune Cripple Creek. You'll want to practice it capoed on the 2nd fret since it is usually played in the key of A during jam sessions. </span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">If you find that you can't keep up with the thumb work in the B part, create a drill for yourself using an alternating thumb roll at slow speeds. Slowly increase the speed of the roll as your hand warms up.</span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Don't get discouraged if it takes a long time to build up the speed of thumb work. It is normal to find this part difficult and to get up to speed.</span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">No you're not weird! Well on second thought you do play banjo. Right?</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/1600/Cripple%20Creek.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/400/Cripple%20Creek.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Sheldon Friesenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066440763528899923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24707353.post-1143328116987651662006-03-01T14:55:00.002-08:002009-06-29T18:20:54.236-07:00Practice Pointers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/1600/banjoplayer.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2364/2567/400/banjoplayer.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><style> <!-- @page { size: 8.5in 11in; margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Practicing needs to have a structure to maximize its benefit. I've included some tips to help you organize your practice time better. Put the principles to work and you will find your progress maximized.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">As far as practice goes, it’s most important to have a daily procedure to follow:</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Always keep the big picture in front of you...</span><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">You can use books, DVDs or your own personally written list of goals. This will be your personal point of reference to help keep you on track. You'll see where you've come from and where you are heading. This will help to keep you inspired by knowing that you've made measurable progress and that all your practicing is beginning to pay off. Keeping a list of what you are wanting to achieve in the future will give you a goal to aspire to, providing purpose to your lessons and efforts.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: bold;">2. Keep a record of exercises and songs for your daily practice.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">These exercises will help you build a solid foundation for playing. They will be the ground work for your more advanced studies making them easier to master.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: bold;">3. Always set aside your time for practice.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">You will want to practice every day. A minimum of 1/2 hour per day should be your beginning goal. As you advance, you will need to set aside larger time slot for your daily practice. My former music teacher used to tell me as a young boy that if I missed one day of practice, the next day was just catchup practice. Do the math, 1 lost day = 2 lost days of progress. Miss 2 days = 4 lost days of progress.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: bold;">4. Be patient with your progress.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">It's easy to become down on yourself and discouraged with your progress. Often you will find that progress is not as rapid as other times. This is normal. Think of these periods of time as the time it takes to build a solid foundation. It is not wasted time. Great musicians are not born but made over thousands of hours of practice. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: bold;">5. Always reinforce your current lessons with your previous lessons.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">As a student, make it your responsibility to remember what you've learned in the past, applying these lessons to your current lessons. For instance, your hand positioning that was taught to you in the first weeks of your studies will need to be applied to all your lessons for the rest of your playing career. Make it your responsibility to apply everything you've learned to the current pieces you are practicing.</p>Sheldon Friesenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066440763528899923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24707353.post-1153278367939662242006-01-01T01:00:00.005-08:002008-10-01T10:14:32.342-07:00Other Banjo Stuff<a href="http://banjoredhead.blogspot.com/2006/07/whos-that-banjo-pickin-guy.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">Who's That Banjo Pickin' Guy?</span></a><br /><a href="http://banjoredhead.blogspot.com/2008/10/gig-schedule-bullfrogs.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">Gig Schedule - The Bullfrogs</span></a><br /><a href="http://banjoredhead.blogspot.com/2006/03/banjo-player-jokes.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">Banjo Player Jokes</span></a><br /><a href="http://banjoredhead.blogspot.com/2007/02/cowichan-valley-bluegrass-jam.html"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></a><a href="http://banjoredhead.blogspot.com/2007/03/duncan-jam-attended-by-mob-members.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">Duncan Jam Attended By MOB Members</span></a><br /><a href="http://banjoredhead.blogspot.com/2008/06/summerland-bluegrass-festival-2008.html">Summerland Bluegrass Festival 2008</a>Sheldon Friesenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066440763528899923noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24707353.post-1153278138441852862006-01-01T01:00:00.001-08:002006-07-18T20:02:18.443-07:00Tablature and Sound Files<a href="http://banjoredhead.blogspot.com/2006/03/cripple-creek-tablature.html"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cripple Creek Tablature </span></a><br /><a href="http://banjoredhead.blogspot.com/2006/03/old-joe-clark-sound-file.html"><span style="font-family: arial;">Old Joe Clark Sound File</span></a><br /><a href="http://banjoredhead.blogspot.com/2006/04/high-on-mountain-tablature.html"><span style="font-family: arial;">High On Mountain Tablature</span></a><br /><a href="http://banjoredhead.blogspot.com/2006/05/high-on-mountain-sound-file.html"><span style="font-family: arial;">High On Mountain Sound File</span></a>Sheldon Friesenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066440763528899923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24707353.post-1153277589254942192006-01-01T01:00:00.000-08:002006-07-18T19:57:21.166-07:00The Art of Practicing<a href="http://banjoredhead.blogspot.com/2006/03/practice-pointers.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">Practice Pointers</span></a><br /><a href="http://banjoredhead.blogspot.com/2006/03/how-long-will-it-take.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">How Long Will It Take</span></a><br /><a href="http://banjoredhead.blogspot.com/2006/04/left-hand-finger-independence-exercise.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">Left Hand Finger Independence Exercise</span></a><br /><a href="http://banjoredhead.blogspot.com/2006/04/do-you-have-what-it-takes.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">Do You Have What It Takes?</span></a><br /><a href="http://banjoredhead.blogspot.com/2006/07/left-hand-finger-independence-exercise.html"><span style="font-family:arial;">Left Hand Finger Independence Exercise Two</span></a>Sheldon Friesenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066440763528899923noreply@blogger.com0