The Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#119 - Pentatonic Power! May 15, 2023

Show notes

www.patreon.com

Explore the power of the pentatonic scale- a musical device that you've undoubtedly heard many times, but may not know how to take advantage of in your own composing, improvising, and general playing.

Topics:

What is a pentatonic scale, and how is it constructed?
Why is it important, and how is it used?
Why does it work the way it does?
When you learn major pentatonic scales, you're also learning minor pentatonics!
Melodic style pentatonics in the keys of Bb, F, C, G, and D
5 closed-position pentatonic shapes you can use in any key
Song & audio examples

Download the tablature sheet here:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/tab-sheet-119-83045957

Sponsored by Sullivan Banjos, Peghead Nation, and Elderly Instruments

Contact the show:

pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

#118 - "Screams Electric" by Ryan Cavanaugh May 01, 2023

Show notes

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast

Welcome to a Freshly Picked episode featuring a discussion with the incredible bluegrass/jazz/avant garde banjoist Ryan Cavanaugh about his new EP titled "Screams Electric" - and he does just that! The album features Ryan's typically amazing banjo prowess, as well as Doug Belote (drums), Kevin Scott (bass), Billy Cardine (electric Dobro), and Roger Tipping (electric piano).

Sponsored by Sullivan Banjos, Elderly Instruments, and Peghead Nation.

Ryan on the web:

www.ryancavanaughbanjo.com

Link to Alan Epstein's bluegrass ensemble class in Saratoga Springs, NY:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/school-of-music-bluegrass-ensemble-class-with-alan-epstein-tickets-621948674227

Contact the show:

pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

#117 - Ben Krakauer Apr 18, 2023

Show notes

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast

This episode features Ben Krakauer, a creative and distinctive banjo player, composer, ethnomusicologist, and educator. Ben is best known for playing with Old School Freight Train (a band that became David Grisman's backup band for a tour!), his two all-original instrumental solo albums, and as a music professor at Warren Wilson College.

Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, and Sullivan Banjos

Ben on the web:

www.benkrakauer.com

Contact the show:

pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

#116 - Cameron DeWhitt Apr 04, 2023

Show notes

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast

In this episode, we welcome Cameron DeWhitt back to the show! (Listen back to episode #82 for our previous podcaster vs. podcaster episode)

Cameron is a wonderful clawhammer/pitchfork style banjo player, performer, educator, and podcaster. Their podcast "Get Up In the Cool" is among the most popular in the world for a wide variety of old time and related music. Their band, The Tall Poppy String Band, has a fantastic album out and is playing tour dates across the country. Cameron also has some online banjo workshops scheduled, including the one that nobody asked for about playing rags on clawhammer banjo!

Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, and Sullivan Banjos

Cameron on the web:

www.camerondewhitt.com

www.pitchforkbanjo.com

https://getupinthecool.fireside.fm/

www.tallpoppystringband.com

Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

#115 - "Things Are Simple" by Bill Evans Mar 20, 2023

Show notes

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast

Today we have a Freshly Picked Epiosode featuring "Things Are Simple" by Bill Evans! With this appearance on the podcast, Bill secures his lead as world record holder for featured Picky Fingers appearances (currently at 3). We chat about his new album, and plenty of other updates including his family's scary brush with fate, his Peghead Nation courses, other musical projects, songwriters wandering off into the desert never to be seen again, and why he believes his dog witnessed a murder in Louisiana.

Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, and Sullivan Banjos

Bill on the web:

www.billevansbanjo.com

Contact the show:

pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

#114 - Keith Billik Mar 07, 2023

Show notes

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast

The Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast is now 5 years old!

In this episode, guest host (and featured guest from Episode #1) Davey Jones turns the mics on Keith, and subjects him to the torment and humiliation that is normally reserved for Keith's interview subjects. Learn all about the man behind the voice that usually just gets to be the one asking the questions! Keith discusses his background in music, his rise to small-time superstardom with bands such as Hot Toe Mitty, Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys, and now Wilson Thicket.

Sponsored by Sullivan Banjos, Peghead Nation, and Elderly Instruments

Keith Billik on the web:

www.banjopodcast.com

www.wilsonthicket.com

email the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

#113 - "Close Enough to Hear" by Mile Twelve Feb 20, 2023

Show notes

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast

Welcome to a "Freshly Picked" episode, featuring a discussion with podcast veteran and banjo phenom B.B. Bowness! She will be taking us on a banjo-centric tour of the new Mile Twelve album titled "Close Enough to Hear," which was just released on February 3, 2023. There are some great songs and sounds on the album and, needless to say, some incredible banjo playing!

Sponsored by Peghead Nation and Elderly Instruments

Mile Twelve on the web:

www.miletwelveband.com

Contact the show: pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

#112 - Joe Newberry Feb 06, 2023

Show notes

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast

Today's guest is the world-renowned, award-winning, snappy dressing banjoist, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and educator Joe Newberry! Per usual, Joe is eloquent and generous in discussing his career, banjo style, songwriting approach, and his collaborations with mandolinist Mike Compton and fiddler April Verch. Recorded at the 2022 Great Lakes Music Camp at Camp Blodgett on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, and Banjo Summit

Joe on the web:

https://www.joenewberry.biz/

Contact the show at pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

Theme music composed and performed by Keith Billik - available (with banjo tablature!) from www.banjopodcast.com

BONUS - Banjo Summit w/ Jake Schepps Jan 29, 2023

Show notes

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast

For this Bonus episode, I have a quick chat about the upcoming Banjo Summit with Jake Schepps, an extraordinary banjo player in his own right, and the Director of the Banjo Summit!

About Banjo Summit: 2-day online banjo workshop aimed at teaching accessible techniques to add color to your traditional playing or take you beyond bluegrass. Regardless of your favorite styles, the Banjo Summit will expand your expertise and inspire countless new ideas that will raise your playing to new heights. Faculty include BB Bowness, Wes Corbett, Matt Flinner, Adam Larrabee, Greg Liszt, Jayme Stone, a concert with Jake Blount, and a special guest lecture from the indomitable Jens Kruger. Visit www.banjosummit.org to enroll and learn more.

*** Use code "Pickyfingers" for a 10% discount ***

Contact the show:

pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com

#111 - Jim Mills Jan 23, 2023

Show notes

www.patreon.com/banjopodcast

This episode features the incomporable Jim Mills, one of the top banjo players of his generation and a purveyor of the traditional Scruggs-style of playing. Jim has won the IBMA Banjo Player of the Year award a record 6 times, as well as numerous Grammy awards. He has also established himself as one of the top experts, collectors, and dealers for Pre-War Gibson Mastertone banjos, a subject which he wrote a book about!

Sponsored by Peghead Nation, Elderly Instruments, and GHS Strings.

Jim Mills on the web:

https://prewargibsonbanjos.com/

Contact the show:

pickyfingersbanjopodcast@gmail.com