Old Time U

04/21/2023

Hey folks,

Here's how I play Muddy Roads from Sherman Hammons on the banjo in the key of G modal. If you tune it up a whole step or use a capo it will match the fiddle version of this tune I posted last week. This tune is in the Salt River/Salt Creek tune family and is one of dozens of great old time tunes from you can find full lessons for on my Patreon site at:

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11054137

For just $5 a month you'll have full access to a range of banjo and fiddle lessons covering beginner to advanced tunes and techniques. The collection is nearing 100 lessons and is growing fast!

Thanks everyone for your support and as always, happy pickin' y'all!

04/03/2023

Hey folks,

Here's how I play Muddy Roads from Sherman Hammons of Pocahontas County, West Virginia. It's in the Salt River/Salt Creek tune family but I find it to be a fun and unique tune to play apart from the standard versions of those tunes. Hope you enjoy!

Please join us for fiddle and banjo lesson content at on Patreon at:

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11054137

There are dozens of lessons on both fiddle and banjo from fiddlers including Melvin Wine, Israel Welch, Ernie Carpenter and now Sherman Hammons along with beginner courses in clawhammer and three finger banjo and bulegrass and old-time fiddle. For just $5 a month I'd say that's pretty hard to beat.

Happy pickin' and thanks for your support!

03/20/2023

Hey folks,

Here's how I play Big Sciota (Scioty) from Sherman Hammons of Pocahontas County WV on banjo. It's a little different than the version most people are familiar with. Hope you enjoy and hope you'll come over and learn the tune on Patreon at:

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11054137

As most of you know I've been covering both banjo and fiddle versions of traditional West Virginia tunes and have been featuring lessons from a few friends as well. When this series of lessons on Sherman's playing wraps up we'll break the 100-lesson mark. For just $5 a month, you'll have access to them all!

Thanks for your support and as always Happy Pickin' Y'all!

04/10/2020

Hey folks,

Here's what you'll learn on this week's installation of "Soldier's Joy from the Ground Up" a beginner/intermediate study of banjo techniques learned through variations on the popular tune, Soldier's joy. The skeleton melody and this variation are aviable now for just $6 at:

https://old-time-u.teachable.com/p/soldier-s-joy-from-the-ground-up

04/02/2020

Who wants to learn soldier's Joy??

Starting this week I'm going to do very short teaching videos of soldier's joy building from the skeleton melody and evolving it into a fluid piece of music with lots of variations and banjoey licks and tricks.

each little mini class is ONLY $3 and you can jump in at any time!

here's the link:
https://old-time-u.teachable.com/p/soldier-s-joy-from-the-ground-up

Hope this helps pass the time.

01/06/2020

I'm trying out one of Jim Morris's fine fretless banjos tonight and I realized I've got mics set up from working on his record today and I might as well sit down and record a one and see what you folks think. Is it a keeper?

Also, I'm thiking about starting a bit of a game. If I happened to be a guy that's about to own 3 banjos for the first time in his life and was considering making a solo banjo album what tunes/songs would you want to hear on it?

And second question on which banjo? Options are:

1) fretted Vega tubaphone
2) fretless Christopher Dean banjo - steel strings
3) fretless Jim Morris banjo - nylon strings and hide head

Dreaming this thing up and really have no preference between tunes these days. What do ya'll wanna hear?

Don't forget to like, share and subscribe to Old Time U and keep checking back for new features and fun!

01/02/2020

Here's a link to the newest addition to Old Time U. Video Questions and Answers!!

You upload a question, I'll upload an answer and you can ask and learn at your own pace on your own time in the convenience of your own home.

It's all explained here and there's a link to start asking today.

http://www.oldtimeu.com/questions/

ALSO - for the month of January if you help us spread the word and share our Old Time U posts, We will send you a download code for any album on questionablerecords.bandcamp.com - a $15 value just for sharing.

Stuck with something that’s confusing or frustrating as you are learning? Perhaps it’s a finger position that’s unclear. Or a particular song that’s stumping you. Or curiosity about a particular approach or style.

01/01/2020

Happy New Year Everyone!

Is learning more about Old Time music one of your New Year's resolutions? If so start the year right with a new feature from Old Time U.

We are offering a video based question and answer service to cover anything and everything pertaining to old-time music and instruments.

Here's a video explaining more.

Hope to help answer questions all year long!!

Link to follow.

Please like and share to help us find more folks.

12/30/2019

I often get the question, “How hard is it to learn to play banjo vs the guitar?” The answer is that every instrument has its different learning curves and plateau points, but the 5 string banjo (the most common type of banjo) is probably the easiest stringed instrument to start off playing.

One of the biggest misconceptions about the banjo is that it is only used for bluegrass or folk music. Today musicians are using the banjo in all styles of music - rock, jazz, blues, classical, country, world music, even hip hop. The only thing limiting where you can play the banjo is your own imagination.

The banjo is just as versatile an instrument as the guitar, but for beginning players, it is by far much easier to get started playing.

Want to check it out for yourself—or know someone who does? Get a free online lesson instantly from my site:

Old Time U is an education platform where aspiring and professional musicians alike learn to play in the old time music style. From picking up a new instrument to refining your style to understanding the history and applications for old time music, you’ll find courses, tips and content designed sp...

12/28/2019

Come learn some banjo in Hampshire County, WV January 18th at the Cat and Fiddle!

12/24/2019

Merry Christmas and happy holidays folks.

Last chance to save 20% on a month of banjo or fiddle lessons. That's 5 half hour lessons in person or online for the price of 4 ($120).

May all your Holiday wishes come true and here's to making some great new music in the New Year!

12/20/2019

Have you thought about playing the banjo or fiddle...but not sure if it's for you?

Let me give you a free lesson!

You can sign up and get a free video lesson from each of my new courses at OldTimeU.com. You'll be able to watch and learn along with me straight away, and see what you think. Get a lesson here:

http://www.oldtimeu.com/free-lesson/