Hooks & Nuts

Learning to play the banjo these days is easier than ever.  With the popularity of the banjo and acoustic music growing at a record pace, there are more...

Beginning musician’s struggle with this concept: play the music how you “feel” it. What does that mean? How can that be quantified?

Have you ever noticed that the best hitters in baseball have an incredibly smooth swing?  They don't "swing for the fences" - that's what hitters with a...

Ever notice how many “experts” there are on “learning to play banjo”, or anything, for that matter? While I urge all of us to explore their recommendations...

I recently wrote an article about strengthening your fretting hand’s pinky and ring finger.   A common question that I have heard over the years is; “what good...

The Issue

Bridge placement is important to get the best sound out of your banjo. The intonation is improved by having the bridge in what is called the “sweet spot” on...

Admired and feared, improvising has sometimes been shrouded by mystery and misunderstanding.   New banjo students are often baffled by top players who pick...

These days we all have limited time to do the things we like. We always have to make the most out of our time. If you are reading this, one of the things...

Learning anything new can be a challenge. In the past I have approached most new songs with excitement and a good dose of trepidation! After all, my  banjos...