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    The Natural Banjo Player
    The Natural Banjo Player
    The Natural Banjo Player
    Ebook90 pages1 hour

    The Natural Banjo Player

    By Rick McKeon

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    About this ebook

    If you study nature closely you will understand the strategies and techniques that the natural world has developed over millions of years! Many of these strategies can be applied to the banjo. With practice, your banjo playing will become enjoyable, natural and effortless!

    This is not a "how to play the banjo" book for beginners. In this book you will learn beautiful and powerful nature-based approaches to banjo playing.

    Nature flows. Wind and water move effortlessly through an environment filled with obstacles. Observing plants and animals can teach us how they accomplish amazing feats with minimal effort. You might be thinking, "I'm not a tree or drop of water. What does this have to do with me?" Well, that's what I hope to explain in this book.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRick McKeon
    Release dateJun 23, 2019
    ISBN9781393351139
    The Natural Banjo Player

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      Book preview

      The Natural Banjo Player - Rick McKeon

      Chapter 1. Flow Like a River

      Figure 1.1: Flow Like a River

      1.1 Water and Wind

      Nature has a balance and flow that we can learn from. Think about water and wind. Think about nature's cycles both short and long, and let your banjo playing become fluid.

      This first lesson is about fluid motion and how to allow your left hand to move over the fingerboard like water flowing in a stream. What a lovely and natural concept! After all, we are playing music. Shouldn't the mechanics of right and left hand be smooth and fluid?

      Activity 1.1 Spend Some Time Observing Nature's Flow

      To understand this concept we need to spend some time observing nature's flow. This is important. Don't just think about it, go out and do this activity. Even if you have spent a lot of time in nature, do this again.

      Find a nice quiet spot by a stream where you can sit comfortably for a while. Don't be in a hurry - take plenty of time to relax, to listen, and to watch the motion of the water. Observe how the water finds its way effortlessly around obstacles. What does it sound like? Do you hear higher and lower pitched sounds? Is there a little waterfall where bubbles are formed? Become familiar with this stream. Get to know it as best you can.

      Now, picture the banjo fingerboard and your left hand moving over it like the water in this stream. Imagine fretting notes and forming chords with this same smooth flow between them. For the motion of your left hand to be smooth you have to know where you are going ahead of time. So think of moving smoothly between specific chords or fretting specific notes.

      This should be a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Don't struggle with it or get frustrated. We're starting to build the habit of relaxed concentration.

      If there isn't a stream close by, you can accomplish the same thing by observing the wind blowing through the trees, ocean waves lapping the shore, or any similar natural flowing motion.

      Exercise 1.1 Practice This Approach on the

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