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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Jul 2015
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Hi guys n gals, Firstly, hi my name is Terry am in my 50's and started to learn the Banjo about 1 month ago and am learning the ClawHammer technique. I live in the uk but like the old Blue Grass / Southern States Banjo styles. I do not own BIAB software yet as I just wanted to understand just how it will help me before laying out the investment. Following a guy on youtube and think he is a brilliant tutor. So far I am learning / practicing in the key of Open G (which is what am normally tuned to) Although I have also been learning 'Nine Pound Hammer' in the key of A. Learning chords C and D7. Just started practicing the F chord. (Not easy lol) I practice with a Metronome hitting boom notes and strums too. Tunes I play right now are the real beginners stuff like, Crawdad Song, My Homes Across The Blueridge Mountains, Going Down The Road, Amazing Grace and Kentucky Waltz. (Waltz Time) 9 Pound Hammer and Crawdad in key of A. I am a real greenhorn when it comes to learning music, but have found I now have the time and the patience and am doing rather well. How will BIAB aid me in my learning apart from giving me a few real songs to play along with ? Is it really beneficial to play along to tracks etc ? Remember am a real greenhorn so please be gentle on me  Any information / advice greatly received. Thank you. Terry.
Last edited by TerryT; 07/13/15 09:23 AM.
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Sep 2010
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It's a lot more fun to play along with a group, instead of playing everything solo.
I used it quite a bit when teaching my kids to play electric bass. They could play at very slow tempos, again and again and again, gradually bring things up to speed. It was especially good for creating exercises built around particular chords.
When it came time for them to play in the church choir, I'd put the songs into BiaB and again start very slow, until they had the changes down. Then I'd bring them back up to tempo, and a bit beyond that. It really helped them be prepared when it came time to play with others.
So I'd say that it could be quite useful to have if you're learning a new instrument like the banjo.
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Jun 2012
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Hi TerryT and welcome!
I bought my first 5 string banjo a few years ago and I learned to play clawhammer from a few Youtube videos and from a music teacher. David makes a good point about playing with others. If you can find some folkis close to your skill level or willing to help a beginner that is great!
I am not sure how strongly to recommend Band in a Box to you for this purpose though. It feels like it might be overkill for what you are looking for. If you want to make music and build accompaniment it really cannot be beat but if all you need is some backing tracks to practice with you might find those online for free.
Last edited by JohnJohnJohn; 07/13/15 12:53 PM.
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Aug 2011
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Hi Terry,
Welcome to the forum. I sent you a private message with a link to a banjo tutorial website called the Banjo Hangout.
Many people use Band-in-a-Box to create songs to practice. It is a good way to develop your sense of timing. As others have noted it helps to play within a group too.
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Jul 2015
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Hi again guys, Thank you so much for the replies. The information is very helpful  I can see how playing along with songs would be very beneficial and having the ability to slow down the tempo = priceless. I can't ever see myself writing my own music so my next question would be is there plenty of content to keep me happy for a long time ? I can also import songs into it right ? Slow them down also ? If so I guess I will always have more and more challenging BlueGrass to play along to. So I am thinking maybe BiaB would be good for me ? Terry
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Hi Terry, I teach guitar and I have used BIAB from day one. I just got the program and it has been worth every penny I spent. Started using it with students on day one. Believe me you will be writing music so fast with BIAB it will make your head spin. I don't teach or know how to play Banjo but if you need some help getting started with BIAB send me an email at planobillyfl@gmail.com and we can talk on Skype if you like. Like I said I just got the software and I am no expert but I found it really easy to use, and I would be happy to help you get going....no charge or anything...just want to help Plus young guys like you and me need to stick together..lol I live in Miami Florida but talk to friends in England on Skype several times a week. Cheers, Billy PS...I could even make you a little Bluegrass track so you can get a idea what it sounds like...I will do it in G and post it...something really simple. OK...took me about three min to do this...I can leave the Banjo out, slow it down...speed it up...as you like...I don't think we are going to the Grand Old Opra with this...lol https://soundcloud.com/planobillydfw/test-track-for-a-banjo-studentwav
Last edited by Planobilly; 07/15/15 05:51 PM.
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Terry,
BIAB offers advantages in so many directions, it is truly a software package you can "grow into" (like buying clothes for the kids that are a size too large so they can grow into them)
Here are a few aspects of BIAB that might appeal to you NOW (and as you get more experience with it, I'd bet money that you will discover mant more ways to use the software.)
I'm not sure if it came with BIAB or if I found it elsewhere online... but there exists a set of many, MANY bluegrass standards in BIAB format. You can play along with the songs at any tempo you like, you can view the sheet music for any of the instruments, and you can even mute some instruments so you can hear exactly what your instrument is playing.
Lots of people here perform for pay with BIAB as their backup band. Once you start getting paid to play, BIAB pays for itself in just a few gigs.
I could go on and on.. I've owned the software for a long time, and I'm still discovering new features and ways to use it. Although, some of that might be old age, and rediscovering things I had previously discovered, then forgot. ;-)
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Jul 2015
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Hi Billy and Pat, I am really sorry you guys for the late reply. Honestly I thought I had read all the replies but somehow I had missed yours. I was in Miami for a few days last year Billy. I love Florida and visit almost annually. That would be very kind of you and yes I would be up for chatting on Skype Mostly so far I have been doing the 'Boom - Chicka Strum' or the Bum Ditty Strum whatever you want to call it. Changing chords G C D7, and retuning to C. Am just learning connector licks. Yes Pat I can see just how this will be of enormous value to me in learning Banjo. And I know what I am like for trying to perfect / learn something so I won't be giving up. I shall go ahead and purchase this, then go seek out the Bluegrass tunes. Thank you again guys and I will be in touch very shortly again. Terry - England
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,077
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Terry, you have a private message.
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,745
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Hi Terry,
Just drop me a line a planobillyfl@gmail.com and we can set something up. A bit rushed at the moment, and the boss....my wife...is calling...lol
Cheers,
Billy
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Woodshedding - Learning to Play!
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4
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OP
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Hi again Jim,
Am such a numpty. I have only just noticed again that I had your message.
Now it is too late to download that list you was supplying.
Is there any possibility you can reply to me again with the link ?
I am in the middle of a house move and my head is all over the place.
Best regards
Terry.
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