Category Archives: Daily Frail

It is going to be a very busy May

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Bedford Banjo Shop  (Saturday May 11)
We are really looking forward to this. Workshops by me and Patrick along with jamming and singing. Mike Amato has done a great job setting this up and it should be a good time. There is plenty of parking and one of the local pickers will have a food wagon there so we don’t go hungry. The venue is just down the block from the banjo shop so be sure to stop in and say hi to Mike.

Banjo Retreat news (May 23 to 27)
Things are pretty much set for the weekend. Folks are coming from Ireland, Spain, Canada and all points around the USA. Patrick and I are looking forward to a long Memorial Day weekend filled with music and fellowship. I have actually hired someone to do the cooking this year so we can have more time to spend with our guests. Banjo builder Lowell Jacobs will once again be there sharing his knowledge and love of banjos. Patrick’s Spanish brother Carlos and our friend Randy Bott will be assisting us musically and will be available to help folks as needed. Remember, the workshops are fun but the learning is best achieved knee to knee with a fellow musician.

Contact me for more information
email: ask.patrick@gmail.com
phone: 410-968-3873

More later

Peace to all,
Pat Costello (Dear Old Dad)

 

 

The Daily Frail 3/11/13

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Hammer-on’s.

https://archive.org/details/Frail31113

MP3: https://ia601609.us.archive.org/9/items/Frail31113/frail-3-11-13.mp3

Obligatory YouTube video:

what the heck is a flying saucer sale?

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A whole lot of folks have obtained their copies of The How and the Tao of Old Time Banjo from sources such as Amazon who do not offer our Learn to Frail Package. They missed out on the special bundling and pricing of Patrick’s teaching videos and CD so we decided to offer the material at a super affordable price. If you have the book and want to complete the package this sale is for you.

I have absolutely no idea why Patrick named it “flying saucer” except that maybe he was watching a cheesy old movie when the thought came to him……. it is a pretty neat graphic though.

Looking forward to seeing you at the Bedford Banjo Shop on Saturday May 11 and two weeks later at the Memorial Day weekend Banjo Retreat.

Peace to all,
Pat Costello (Dear Old Dad)

 

Technique

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Martin writes:

I live in Sweden where pretty much no one has heard of frailing. In other words, its impossible to get in touch with a teacher. But I did find a teacher after a while; you. It was such a tremendous relief to come into contact with your style and personality after suffering through months and months of single note clawhammer. I have had tremendous benefit from your resources and would like to thank you for the effort. But there’s one thing I would like you to address in deeper detail, and that is proper right hand technique. I’ve come into the habit of flicking my wrist, and would like to use the arm instead. But I don’t really understand how its done. Do you perhaps have a youtube video where you explain this in a little more detail?

If somebody is just starting out I usually refer them to Old Time Banjo with Pat & Patrick on YouTube. Dear Old Dad is one of the best teachers I have ever seen when it comes to teaching the basics.

If you are already playing my advice would be to forget worrying about technique and start focusing on rhythm.

Start out with this practice track from Jun 4, 2008.

This practice track from the same year is also available in MP3 format.

As you work on keeping a steady rhythm playing along with me you will find yourself, over time, unconsciously and unceremoniously adjusting and adapting your technique.

Your wrist might move and your wrist might not move.

Your thumb may strike the head and your thumb might not strike the head.

You might make the motion from your shoulder, elbow or wrist.

There are countless variables and none of them matter because no two frailing banjo players have the exact same technique.

Have fun!

God bless,
-Patrick