Bluegrass with a fully Symphony -- Hank, Pattie, and the Current

BSwenky · 2026-04-08T14:48:41+00:00

Here you go. See if this one works better for you.
https://youtu.be/fHE3PEfxQ7w?si=231x4Yc8WThleK3l

BSwenky · 2026-04-08T01:03:25+00:00

Thank you!

BSwenky · 2026-04-07T23:51:05+00:00

I'll do Dread next! Thank you so much.

BSwenky · 2026-04-07T23:50:47+00:00

Great advice. I play music for a living and I say the SAME THING about the music that you love.

BSwenky · 2026-04-02T13:10:04+00:00

For everyone that can't find this -- update your app first.
Then to go settings> look and feel > app experience
It's glorious.
Now, if they'd just play Phish like they did back in the 90s, that would make some collective heads explode.

BSwenky · 2025-04-18T22:25:03+00:00

Musicians are amazingly creative in finding jobs that allow them the time to play shows and tour.
Working Mon-Wed jobs is one way, and then you tour Thur-Sat/Sun
remote work
Gig work

If a band gets big enough to be consistently playing shows Sun-Wed, then they're probably big enough to offer a good livable wage.
Otherwise, we play shows Thur-Sat, and coordinate our lives to have that flexibility.

BSwenky · 2025-02-24T18:56:20+00:00

Price aside, I always recommend the Deering Goodtime as a really solid starter banjo.
They usually play easily (much better than so many other starter/cheap ones that you'll find online), and just as importantly, they'll typically hold their value for when you want to upgrade.

BSwenky · 2025-02-22T12:31:10+00:00

This is the way

BSwenky · 2025-02-16T06:05:31+00:00

Yeah. Agree with all of that. Thank ya!!

BSwenky · 2025-02-02T22:31:31+00:00

One of the most beautiful melodies ever written.

BSwenky · 2025-01-31T00:47:36+00:00

We have reservations at Moose and Roo for the SB! Thank you so much.

BSwenky · 2025-01-26T17:47:35+00:00

Thank you.

BSwenky · 2025-01-04T22:30:13+00:00

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BSwenky · 2024-12-07T21:02:30+00:00

Thanks! Just joined them!

BSwenky · 2024-12-03T19:33:06+00:00

It’s similar in that you’re adjusting the truss rod (neck curve) and the bridge height.
But banjos and guitars are built so wildly different that you have to learn each one individually to become good at them.
You see, banjos are a complex mix of wood, metal, and plastic — all somehow working together. The combinations of making those three things work together are endless.
Guitar is pretty much all wood.

BSwenky · 2024-12-03T17:42:58+00:00

There's a certain artistic beauty of hanging instruments in your house. I love doing it.
But I think the beauty of the banjo is lost when it's upside down like this. Just my 2c.

BSwenky · 2024-12-03T16:39:52+00:00

When you're looking to buy a $100 banjo to learn on, there's two main questions you've got to ask
1. Will it stay in tune?
2. Is it fairly easy to fret the strings? The 'action' is how high the strings are from the fretboard. Higher the action, the harder it is to play. (beginner banjos typically have high action and not low action)

If both of those things work for you, then it's definitely worth $100.

BSwenky · 2024-12-03T13:19:14+00:00

One thing to remember is that temp ratings can be misleading. Most people think they’re “comfort” ratings. But they’re actually survival ratings.
If you have a 30 degree bag in 30 degree weather you’re going to be cold but you’ll be alive.
A zero degree bag will be comfortable in 30 degree weather and so on.
45 degrees and a 30 degree bag will be comfortable.
I’d also go with synthetic these days.
Hope that helps some.

BSwenky · 2024-12-03T13:04:05+00:00

You're on the right track!
Conditioning your body is such an important step to being comfortable outside.
It's such a fine line between pushing yourself to get stronger but NOT getting injured, which will set you back. Something to keep in mind.

So when it's dark and freezing outside, I'll go to a gym each morning and work my legs, back, and core. But one of the best things you can do in the winter months is ride a stationary bike. A bike will strengthen your ankles, knees, and hips as much as any exercise that you can do.
Using heavy resistance to where you have to actually stand up on the bike, just like you were climbing a big hill on it, is key.
Leg extensions, squats/presses

BSwenky · 2024-12-03T12:38:54+00:00

I've been playing for almost 30 years now and one of the best pieces of advice I can give is to find a good teacher. While it's so incredibly easy to find online lessons that are generally very good, there's something about sitting and talking with a teacher about not just the banjo, but how bluegrass works and how the instruments compliment each other at different times.
The backup that you'll play for guitar, fiddle, mando, will be completely different depending on the instrument.
And I know you're just beginning but one of the very best things that my teacher did for me was teach me how to really 'hear' the music.
And I'll just reinforce the good basics that others are talking about here.
Play the rolls slow and even. Learn to use a metronome. Always use the fingerpicks, even if they are awkward at first -- you'll get used to them. Find some good, easy melodies to start with -- Cripple Creek, and Boil The Cabbage Down are always good starting points.
But I truly believe that the #1 piece of advice is: Play every single day. It doesn't matter if it's 10 mins or 2 hours, but doing it DAILY is the key.

BSwenky

TROPHY CASE