Fretmentor’s Blog is for Everyone
Here you will find music related articles of interest to all musicians and music lovers. We provide product reviews, concert, places and event summaries, historical topics, profiles on current or past artists, music theory and more.
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Category Archives: Banjo
The Minstrel Show & the Banjo
This morning, I watched a segment called “Blackface” on the Sunday CBS Morning Show. The show accurately portrayed this time in history as “Unmasking the racist history of blackface”. It reveals the sad and disturbing portrayal of racist stereotype in … Continue reading
Posted in Banjo, History
Tagged Carolina Chocolate Drops, David Holt, minstrel show, Rhiannon Giddens
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Es Mi Suerte – Alan Munde & Billy Bright
Since I started playing the banjo, I followed the career of Alan Munde. I fist purchased his tabs and learned his arrangements some 45 years ago. I also had the honor of hosting Alan at one of my fretmentor workshops … Continue reading
A Musical Journey In Phoenix
A trip to Arizona for spring training baseball offered my buddy Jim and I the opportunity to visit the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix last week. It was our first visit there, but certainly not our last. Located just north … Continue reading
Country Music Hall of Fame
The Country Music Hall of Fame A Visit Down Memory Lane My wife and I spent the weekend in Nashville for our anniversary. We live an hour and a half south and believe it or not, had never been to … Continue reading
Posted in Banjo, Fiddle, Guest Columns, Guitar, History, Mandolin
Tagged Bill Monroe, Country Music Hall of Fame, earl scruggs, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Nashville, Tennessee
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Tuning Your Banjo Head Using A Drum Dial
What is a drum dial and how can you use it to set up your banjo head correctly? Fretmentor student, Justin Lambert, explains the process of tuning your banjo head with a Drum Dial, in today’s guest blog. Drum Dial … Continue reading
Posted in Banjo, Guest Columns, Recording & Technology
Tagged banjo head tuning, drum dial
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Jingle Jammin’
It’s Not Too Early … To Learn Holiday Tunes That time of year is right around the corner. The Christmas holidays are fast approaching and while you may be asking why I am writing about it so early, it is … Continue reading
Posted in Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar, Mandolin, Music Technique
Tagged Acoustic Christmas Music
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Road To Nechville
Have you ever been to Nechville? I bet you didn’t know it’s located in Minnesota. Nechville, however, is not a Town but a wonderful toy store for the banjo enthusiast like me. Since 1989, Nechville has been manufacturing professional banjos … Continue reading
Earl & Doug – Gone But Not Forgotten
Within a couple of months, we said goodbye to two of the great banjo players in the world. Earl Scruggs, the father of three finger picking, and Doug Dillard, one of the great melodic banjo players and an artist who … Continue reading
Day 1 – Fretmentor’s Workshop 2012
The first day of Fretmentor’s 3rd Annual Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar and Mandolin Workshop, featuring Alan Munde, Jim Hurst and Byron Berline, was a memorable one. Approximately 50 attendees arrived from as far as England, New York, Georgia and various communities … Continue reading
Pickin With Alan Munde
You know life is good when you get the chance to play music with one of the all-time great banjo players in the world. That is what we did today not far from the Atlantic Ocean. Alan Munde, the legendary … Continue reading
Fretmentor’s 3rd Annual Workshop – A Bucket List Item
Alan Munde, Byron Berline & Jim Hurst Fretmentor’s Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar, & Mandolin Workshop Lake Worth, Florida Almost everyone has a bucket list and I guess you can add my first meeting with Alan Munde, Byron Berline and Jim Hurst … Continue reading
Posted in Banjo, Fiddle, Fretmentor News, Guitar, Mandolin, News & Events, Uncategorized
Tagged Alan Munde, Banjo, Byron Berline, Fiddle, Fretmentor Workshop, Guitar, Jim Hurst, Mandolin
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A Moment With Bela
Bela Fleck .. An Innovator on the Banjo I had the pleasure of seeing Bela Fleck and the Flecktones perform on October 13, 2011 at the Lyric Theatre in Stuart, Florida. Joining Bela on stage were Victor Wooten on bass, … Continue reading
Posted in Banjo, News & Events
Tagged Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Belas Fleck, Futureman, Howard Levy, Victor Wooten
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Music Festivals – While On The Road
Are You a Fan of Music Festivals? If so, I have something for you. Keep reading to learn more. In Southeast Florida, each summer there is a popular waterfront music festival that attracts people from all over the country and … Continue reading
Recitals, Video & Nerves
Does A Videotaped Music Recital Assist A Student? I remember when I was in high school and had to give a demonstration speech. It was videotaped. Right from the beginning, I hated the thought of having to demonstrate something in … Continue reading