Are you a songwriter? Would you like to be, but not sure how to go about it? Today is your day to get that notebook out, and write down your ideas for songs. Sometimes it’s just as simple as scratching out a theme, or story line that can be put to music, or perhaps it can be a poem you’ve written. The point is that song writing is not as difficult as it seems. You just have to start writing out your thoughts and ideas about a story you’d like to tell. Keep in mind that any song you write, does not have to rhyme on every line. You just have to tell a story that the listener can relate to.

Submitted By: Dave R.
Visit his site at: www.BluegrassSongwriter.com

Be very careful about who you allow to work on your instrument. Reports of complete disaster have been told about instrument repairmen who attempt work on a particular instrument, only to cause damage. Is this an insight into the obvious? Perhaps, but that does not explain the number of seasoned musicians who have paid the price of having their valuable instruments damaged by well-meaning repairmen. Ask around, and find out who the seasoned musicians trust. Call some of the professionals in the industry to
get their recommendations. Best of all, get it back in the hands of the original maker if you can.

Submitted By: Dave R.
Visit his site at: www.GlassCityOpry.com

If your banjo is too heavy, and you need a quick padded strap… check out the auto supply store! They have all sorts of these seat belt comfort straps that you just velco on and they’re inexpensive and work GREAT for the banjo strap! Many have soft sheepskin to pad under the strap right where most of the weight rests on your shoulder.

Submitted By: Sherri
Visit her site at: www.GlassCityOpry.com

A tennis ball or similar rubber ball that you cut a hole in for your upright bass’ bottom pin to fit in is a good thing to have in your gig bag for when you play at folks houses and they have nice carpeting. Just slip that soft ball cover over it and you prevent wearing a hole in their carpet with an evening of jamming!

Submitted By: Jeff B.
Visit his favorite site at: www.deepwaterbluegrass.com

Jamming is a great way for beginning and intermediate musicians to learn better how to play with others. If you’re just learning to play, don’t be afraid to grab your instrument and make your way to the local jam clubs, and try your hand at playing. Don’t worry about making mistakes, or sounding weird, bad, etc., just get in there and play. Make sure to ask a lot of questions of those who are better players. Most jammers love to help others learn, and they rarely ever forget that there was a time when they couldn’t play all that well. Check out this website to find jams in your neck of the woods.
www.bluegrassmusicjams.com. Remember, be patient, and have fun. If it ceases to be fun, then it’s not worth doing

Submitted By: Dave R.
Visit his favorite site at: www.MichiganBluegrass.com

Remember not to hog the jam by playing original songs or complicated chord changes and such… jams are social and fun and too much “showing off” only makes sour fun…

Submitted By: Dirk D.
Visit his favorite site at: www.banjohangout.com

If you’re in a band that is seriously making a run for performing professionally, then you might want to consider investing in wireless in-ear monitors. What you can hear with this technology makes live performances so much more exciting and clean. The technology is not cheap, that’s if you want a good system with longevity. Most of the professional touring bands utilize this technology (though they can better afford it), but it’s not as if you “must” have it to succeed. If you can save you nickels and dimes (as a band), it’s definitely worth the investment, and just one more tool to help get you on that road to the next level.

Submitted By: Dave R.
Visit his site at: www.HotBanjoLicks.com

Don’t loose your valuable stage equipment, even by accident. Customize all your band’s gear in a clever manner that makes it easy to spot and find when the show is over. One way is to use an odd color of electrical tape and just wrap cords and mics with a little stripe of color. Another way might be to use the band name on sticker stock and overcoat it with a piece of clear tape. Make sure everyone in the band knows the ID and that will help to make sure YOUR equipment comes home safely!

Submitted By: Sherri C.
Visit his site at: www.BuckeyeBluegrass.com

Be sure to keep your campsite clean and well lit during festival picking. I saw a fellow once fall over a bag of charcoal and bust up his expensive guitar by falling on it. That was a sad evening and easily avoided by keeping the place cleaned up especially when you have people wandering in and around the camper.

Submitted By: Ron B.
Visit his favorite site at: www.banjohangout.com

There are many aspects to playing in a band, but one in particular can make or break you, and that is properly backing up the lead singer. Nothing can be more irritating than to hear a band member stepping all over a vocalist with their instrument, sometimes playing the exact notes they are singing. Back-up does not involve copycatting the lead singer, but instead think of it as complimenting them. The lead singer sings a line, then you can come in behind them with a fill-in lick or phrase that mimics, but doesn’t exactly copies what they are singing note for note. You sometimes look at instrumental back-up of a lead singer as even mocking them, though in a most respectful way. Keep it simple, have fun, and stay out of the microphone when it’s not your turn to shine.

Submitted By: Dave R.
Visit his site at: www.HotBanjoLicks.com