There's an older book called "Splitting the Licks" that explains this concept, but your "c'mon bro this shit is easy" way of explaining hit me waaaaay harder. Good stuff man.
Another great video from a great player! Very informative and fun to watch. I am composing my solos exactly that way... Just one thing to say....MORE PLEASE!
I am absolutely outside my depth here (pretty new to the banjo... and music theory... ok, music in general...), but I learned a ton from this! Great stuff.
Hey Ricky, great videos, love your approach and style. Outlining the melody and then adding the rolls is very useful……. But. You said nothing about how you chose the CHORDS to accompany the melody and with which you roll upon. Thanks again for all your work, you are a talented player and are bringing a ton of knowledge to the banjo world!
Thanks Colton! I'll come up with a melody first, then a bass line, and then figure out chords that work. Chords are weird and I need to study them a bit more. BTW, sorry it took me so long to get back to you, UA-cam has been suppressing my comment notifications >:(
Your Insane Dudeness, I don't have time to read all of the comments because I am too busy quarantining myself so this may have been asked already....but, Is there a difference between Arpeggiating the melody and Isorhythmation? What's the act of using Isorhythmation? is it Isorhythmating? Anyway, this is another in a long list of hella-excellent videos, so thanks.
Mike W Hey good question. To me, Arpeggiation and isorhythmation are kind of the same, but the former seems more harmonic in it's approach while the latter's is rhythmic
The rhythmic solfege as far as I know it is a bunch of licks basically, I don't know a lot of the compositions. You should make the solfeggio for rolls!!
Can't wait for next video been making alot of studies and etudes out of what you posted already banjo improved 10x that's wild considering been playing a couple years this was a missing element. By the way. I'm dumb so help me here at around 7:05 in the video and on you guy a nice forward backward roll. But your backward roll looks like it's a perfect alternating index roll (21t1) and it's pretty comfy to play that way. Cool I do it like that or not advisable? Again. Thanks alot for these puzzle pieces I couldn't find anywhere else.
Spooky tooth,thanks for waiting. UA-cam's notification system still bewilders me. You're right, I misspoke. That roll of which you speak is a 21t1, an alt index. It feels like a middle reverse roll, which is why I said it, but that last index is important because it allows you to begin the roll on the thumb of D7 chord. I'm working on the next video now! I'd love to hear your etudes btw
I've been trying to rely less on tab and more on playing by ear. This video is exactly what I needed. How do you choose which rolls you use? Are there certain rolls that work better in the beginning/middle/end of phrases, across chord changes, or when playing backup?
I choose what rolls I use by following my ear in fleeting moments of inspiration. I'll write those down, analyze them, and put them in different places. As far as the second question, I would write out a simple yet rhythmically accurate tab in tabledit, and then fill in the gaps with rolls that don't consecutively repeat a right hand finger and have convenient shifting in the left hand with open strings. Get your thumb forward middle reverse rolls together. Actually, try learning some of my songs to see how I use rolls. The tabs are available for free on my website
Hey good question. What I did for Bolinas Ridge is follow the melody. Gmi Eb Gmi F Gmi Eb C7 F D7. A given melody note is probably a 1 3 or 5 of whatever chord you're on, given those parameters, for this song, I played bass and listened to what fits, as well as what notes on the banjo sound right relative to the melodic note.
@@RickyMier thanks! That's some food for thought. I'd like to understand better why certain chords work better over a melody and use that in my playing.
I know you want views and to grow a little, so it's cool if you do like a coffin dance video or something bogus sometimes. But as long as you never quit totally doing stuff like this. Actual musicians music, stuff that really matters, definitely hanging around. In the long run it will be videos and musicality like this that keeps people around
Spookytooth92 Rock on Spookytooth, I appreciate your insight. I have no idea what kind of vids I'll be doing in the future. What is a coffin dance video?
@@RickyMier lol! It's a meme. Coffin dance song...... All the music UA-camrs making covers of the song and insane views coming from it. In fact. If you can make an arrangement a skit for it it may not be too late as an experiment. You would sort of blow up from it. Regardless I think that's junk. Anyway I know you have some background in music school. Maybe one day sharing a little more of your background would be cool would also love some listening reccomendations. I guess I listen to all the normal bluegrass stuff and Bela. I really like this group Cadillac sky too. Bobby Thompson
@@Spookytooth92 You know, last night I was watching some Davie 504 and I saw the coffin dance. Funny af. I'll incorporate a little bit of my background into the next video. As far as listening goes, Bela is the only one who has fully satisfied what I want, which is drums, bass, and banjo. Because he is so secretive, he hasn't really explained his process and these lessons I'm making are my approximation of some of his composition techniques. Def check out my album The New Age Connection on Spotify or whatever
@@RickyMier awesome. Thanks a ton yeah with banjo some things seem impossibly difficult or like someone is using a technique only they know. When it is found it's like well....that's simple af.....but until then like a magic spell sealed away only they know. Thanks for sharing so much I've watched all your videos multiple times over at this point it's. Very very helpful and I have you know....Tony trischka books and stuff. Thanks alot. And yeah. A thing here or there would give you views like that I'm all for you making a buck or two. I just don't want the best source for learning this kind of thing at the moment gone is all it's selfish. I'll share your album with a couple old music buddies too. Thanks
This is the most 'internet' the banjo has ever been 🙏
I agree, welcome to the future baby
There's an older book called "Splitting the Licks" that explains this concept, but your "c'mon bro this shit is easy" way of explaining hit me waaaaay harder. Good stuff man.
Same!
this youtube channel could easily double the number of banjo players in the world, this is hilarious, Ricky ! And informative, too!
03:54 has me laughing my ass off hahahaha
Stash Wyslouch You are flattering me Stash, thanks man
I've been playing banjo for a year and you're who I want to be when I grow up
Stay true to your heart and wherever you go, there you will be
Ricky, I am self taught (so far) and you are the first teacher to break it all down in a way that fits the way I naturally play. Keep it up.
Rock on Mike!!
Because of this video I signed up for your patreon today. You are an amazing teacher and player. And amusing as hell too.
Welcome aboard Bud! Thanks for your kind words
Another eye opener. Thanks for keeping it fun.
Hey my pleasure, thanks for commenting Mark
The holy Grail Of banjo instruction 🙏
Yeah this one is special
Ricky - you rock . Thank you for your inspiration and putting seriousness back in the banjo🤣
Waynemerris Hey it's my pleasure!
Another great video from a great player! Very informative and fun to watch. I am composing my solos exactly that way... Just one thing to say....MORE PLEASE!
Thank you! Composing solos this way was next level for me. More videos coming!
same here !
I've never seen you in my entire life, I hit that subscribe button at 19 seconds
J Harsch #bless
You really know how to make a fun instructional video!
Super! Thanks for the info. Great picking!
J Anderse hey my pleasure
Your content is addictive bro, gj
Bruh thank you
Really great video man! Looking forward to the next one!
Hey thanks Ben. It's been a while
You make great content, it's engaging and informative, I enjoyed this thoroughly, and your mustache is hypnotizing.
Hey thanks so much for your kind words buddy
I am absolutely outside my depth here (pretty new to the banjo... and music theory... ok, music in general...), but I learned a ton from this! Great stuff.
Thanks for watching just the same!
Another fine job! Thank you so much for sharing your musical knowledge and making me laugh.
Ken Short It's my pleasure Ken
badass tune man, you rock! thanks!
Thanks so much!
This is gold.
thanks😊
"ISORHYTHMATION", That's DEFINITELY a term I'll drop "casually" in the next jam.... and then watch the tumbleweed roll by :-D !
Just play the melody, add rolls to it
@@RickyMier Yes sir !
Ok I'm playing the melody. What else should I do?
sit back, relax, smoke a fat one, and add rolls to it
hella sweet dude! love the takadimi. it can go a long way in terms of teaching banjo rolls
I get 404 error when i try to go to your tab site
I took the tabs down and am slowly releasing them on my Patreon :/ sorry bud
another great video!! thanks!
Thanks Gigito!
Yo homey dat was Stoopit phat! Nice lesson!
diggin this series hard. I'm going from complete shit at banjo to expert shit at banjo
Soon you'll be the shit! Thanks for watching bro
Hey Ricky, great videos, love your approach and style. Outlining the melody and then adding the rolls is very useful……. But. You said nothing about how you chose the CHORDS to accompany the melody and with which you roll upon. Thanks again for all your work, you are a talented player and are bringing a ton of knowledge to the banjo world!
Thank you for making music less serious,and more dope!!.....☮️🔛🌎 + 🎶
haha thanks Jeanne, that means a lot!!! ☮️🔛🌎 + 🎶
I cant seem to find the tab on your Patreon.
I'll upload that tab to Patreon shortly. In the mean time, message me through my website and I'll send it to you
What model of banjo are using in this video?
It's a Robin Smith banjo, built to be a replica of Bela Fleck's banjo
So dope
Hell yeah, thanks bruh
Dude I love your videos! Do you come up with a chord progression before you write a melody or do you write a melody then "figure out" the progression?
Thanks Colton! I'll come up with a melody first, then a bass line, and then figure out chords that work. Chords are weird and I need to study them a bit more. BTW, sorry it took me so long to get back to you, UA-cam has been suppressing my comment notifications >:(
@@RickyMier all good man, thanks for the info!
The dopest, flyest, hardcore OG banjo instruction to be found anywhere. Is that a Robin Smith banjo?
haha thanks man. Yeah I have two Robin Smith Bela copies, one with a maple rim the other with a mahogany
Your Insane Dudeness, I don't have time to read all of the comments because I am too busy quarantining myself so this may have been asked already....but, Is there a difference between Arpeggiating the melody and Isorhythmation? What's the act of using Isorhythmation? is it Isorhythmating? Anyway, this is another in a long list of hella-excellent videos, so thanks.
Mike W Hey good question. To me, Arpeggiation and isorhythmation are kind of the same, but the former seems more harmonic in it's approach while the latter's is rhythmic
@@RickyMier Thanks, maybe there's even some isorhythmic-arpeggiation going on in there. pffff (turn head to left)
@@mikew5423 I mean thats kind of what it is. After make thing video I wish I named the concept equirhythmation. oh well
are you using a sort of solfege for the ta tadimidi stuff? (if you weren't, I've thought about making a solfeggio for rolls for a while now.)
The rhythmic solfege as far as I know it is a bunch of licks basically, I don't know a lot of the compositions. You should make the solfeggio for rolls!!
Can't wait for next video been making alot of studies and etudes out of what you posted already banjo improved 10x that's wild considering been playing a couple years this was a missing element. By the way. I'm dumb so help me here at around 7:05 in the video and on you guy a nice forward backward roll. But your backward roll looks like it's a perfect alternating index roll (21t1) and it's pretty comfy to play that way. Cool I do it like that or not advisable? Again. Thanks alot for these puzzle pieces I couldn't find anywhere else.
Spooky tooth,thanks for waiting. UA-cam's notification system still bewilders me. You're right, I misspoke. That roll of which you speak is a 21t1, an alt index. It feels like a middle reverse roll, which is why I said it, but that last index is important because it allows you to begin the roll on the thumb of D7 chord. I'm working on the next video now! I'd love to hear your etudes btw
I've been trying to rely less on tab and more on playing by ear. This video is exactly what I needed.
How do you choose which rolls you use? Are there certain rolls that work better in the beginning/middle/end of phrases, across chord changes, or when playing backup?
I choose what rolls I use by following my ear in fleeting moments of inspiration. I'll write those down, analyze them, and put them in different places.
As far as the second question, I would write out a simple yet rhythmically accurate tab in tabledit, and then fill in the gaps with rolls that don't consecutively repeat a right hand finger and have convenient shifting in the left hand with open strings.
Get your thumb forward middle reverse rolls together. Actually, try learning some of my songs to see how I use rolls. The tabs are available for free on my website
Dope
Thanks doo
1. Bolinas Ridge is “hella dope”.
2. These vids are banjo two point oh!
Thanks Ben!
Who’s that guy with the short hair?
So how do I figure out the melody? 😂
😂
I'm interested how you came up with the chords behind your songs, they're obviously not just I IV V. Great vid
Hey good question. What I did for Bolinas Ridge is follow the melody. Gmi Eb Gmi F Gmi Eb C7 F D7. A given melody note is probably a 1 3 or 5 of whatever chord you're on, given those parameters, for this song, I played bass and listened to what fits, as well as what notes on the banjo sound right relative to the melodic note.
@@RickyMier thanks! That's some food for thought. I'd like to understand better why certain chords work better over a melody and use that in my playing.
@@midnighttoker8663 Yeah trying think about what chord tone the melody is of the root note, that will steer you in the right direction
You know Rob, another thing to think about is not just chord progressions, but Chord Voicings. Some work better on banjo than others
Was going to be my question, thanks.
Hella easy dude! \m/
Great lesson :)
Ha! You got it
You're so cool
Nupur Joshi Thanks Nupur
Hell'a easy, I've been doing it wrong the whole time!
A Plus Carpet Cleaning It's about time you tryed easy
Shit's great, man!
Thanks bruh!
HELLA EASY!!
#SUP
I know you want views and to grow a little, so it's cool if you do like a coffin dance video or something bogus sometimes. But as long as you never quit totally doing stuff like this. Actual musicians music, stuff that really matters, definitely hanging around. In the long run it will be videos and musicality like this that keeps people around
Spookytooth92 Rock on Spookytooth, I appreciate your insight. I have no idea what kind of vids I'll be doing in the future. What is a coffin dance video?
@@RickyMier lol! It's a meme. Coffin dance song...... All the music UA-camrs making covers of the song and insane views coming from it. In fact. If you can make an arrangement a skit for it it may not be too late as an experiment. You would sort of blow up from it. Regardless I think that's junk. Anyway I know you have some background in music school. Maybe one day sharing a little more of your background would be cool would also love some listening reccomendations. I guess I listen to all the normal bluegrass stuff and Bela. I really like this group Cadillac sky too. Bobby Thompson
@@Spookytooth92 You know, last night I was watching some Davie 504 and I saw the coffin dance. Funny af. I'll incorporate a little bit of my background into the next video. As far as listening goes, Bela is the only one who has fully satisfied what I want, which is drums, bass, and banjo. Because he is so secretive, he hasn't really explained his process and these lessons I'm making are my approximation of some of his composition techniques. Def check out my album The New Age Connection on Spotify or whatever
@@RickyMier awesome. Thanks a ton yeah with banjo some things seem impossibly difficult or like someone is using a technique only they know. When it is found it's like well....that's simple af.....but until then like a magic spell sealed away only they know. Thanks for sharing so much I've watched all your videos multiple times over at this point it's. Very very helpful and I have you know....Tony trischka books and stuff. Thanks alot. And yeah. A thing here or there would give you views like that I'm all for you making a buck or two. I just don't want the best source for learning this kind of thing at the moment gone is all it's selfish. I'll share your album with a couple old music buddies too. Thanks
Day-om ! 😀
Thanks Greg!
You misspelled isorhythmation about a dozen times lol