Below is information about the workshops that have been held previously in the Brainjo Virtual Classroom (click here for the schedule of upcoming workshops).
Videos of prior workshops (along with access to all future workshops) and related materials are all available to members of Breakthrough Banjo. If you’d like access to the workshops, then click the button below to become a member ($7 for the first trial month).
In addition to these topical workshops, tab-walkthrough tutorials and Ear Laboratory workshops (learning how to play a song by ear) are also held regularly in the Virtual Classroom. Click here for the upcoming schedule.
WORKSHOP – “Secrets of Playing Clawhammer Banjo Up the Neck”
Workshop Description
Are you neglecting half or more of your banjo?
Do you tremble when you fretting hand begins to venture beyond the 5th fret?
If so, you’re not alone!
“Up the Neck Neglect Syndrome” is endemic in the world of clawhammer banjo world, and it’s time to do something about it.
It’s time to tackle that fear. As with all things, we fear the unknown. So the solution? Make it known.
In the “Secrets of Clawhammer Banjo Up the Neck” we’ll demystify the approach to playing “up the neck,” and in so doing open up an entirely new set of great banjo sounds to be had.
In this workshop, things you’ll learn include:
- How to create entirely new “up the neck” solos for any tune you already know
- The fretboard “landmarks” to know in standard G and double C tuning
- Simple tricks for improvising an up the neck break “on the fly”
- Shortcuts for navigating your way around the fretboard
The “Secrets of Playing Clawhammer Banjo Up the Neck” Workshop is now available in the Workshop Archive for Breakthrough Banjo members.
Click here if you’d like to join and access it.
WORKSHOP – “Clawhammer Backup Made Easy”
Workshop Description
Clawhammer technique is perfectly suited for playing backup, yet there is surprisingly little instruction on the subject.
And the great thing is, with a few simple concepts and picking patterns, there’s a lot you can do.
In this workshop, you’ll learn:
- The primary tunings and the primary chord positions
- Percussive picking techniques (palm muting, clucking)
- The essential backup picking patterns
- Shortcuts for easily finding chords up and down the fretboard
- How to play in different situations
- Playing backup in old time jams and in other genres
- How to easily move between backup in different keys
The “Clawhammer Backup Made Easy” Workshop is now available in the Workshop Archive for Breakthrough Banjo members.
Click here if you’d like to join and access it.
WORKSHOP – “Getting Started with Fretless and Gourd Banjo”
In this workshop, you’ll learn:
-
- The best tunings to use
- Great first songs to start with
- Tricks for getting good intonation (i.e. knowing where to put your fingers!)
- How to adopt songs you already know how to play
- How learning fretless develops your ear
- and more!
The “Getting Started with Fretless & Gourd Banjo” Workshop is now available in the Workshop Archive for Breakthrough Banjo members.
Click here if you’d like to join and access it.
— Click here to view the schedule of upcoming workshops —
