Bradley Laird's Grass Talk Radio - Bluegrass

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 147 Jamplification Are you satisfied with the sound you experience at your local jam session? Has someone suggested setting up a mic or two? Will it help or hurt? After a bit of discussion about what it means to be an "expert" I dish the dirt on the use of PAs at jam sessions.   Thank you to Charles Schlaufman for emailing me with his question and this show topic. You too can submit questions, comments or show topic ideas to me at brad@bradleylaird.com.   The outro music is a recording of "Rickett's Hornpipe" recorded on a Tascam 4 track analog cassette recorder in my living room back about 1999. That is Mike Estes on fiddle, Buddy Ashmore on guitar, David Ellis on banjo (with removed resonator), me on mandolin, and Randy Godwin on bass.   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons! You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bra

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 146 Your Bluegrass Bucket List In this episode I challenge you to create your own "bluegrass bucket list" of things you dream of doing, seeing, experiencing, or creating. First, dream it. Then, do it!   Get out a pencil and make a list. Start checkin' them off!   The show notes for this episode (and some embedded YouTube videos of some of Jackson's recent DAW creations) are located at  http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-146-show-notes.htm   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons! You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 145 Considering Duality It is rare to find anything in this world which is all bad or all good. It's always somewhere in the grey zone. In this episode I discuss the ten things I think are bad in bluegrass and ten things I think are absolutely superlative. You have to keep a balance.   I close the podcast with a comparison (for those frothing at the mouth for a "definition" of bluegrass) between the poetic form called a sonnet and the string band form we call "bluegrass".   The show notes for this episode are located at  http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-145-show-notes.htm   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Thank you, patrons! You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. This really helps keep gas in the car and food in the fridge. And, with luck, I will get a new set of bass strings in 2020.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 144 Metro Gnomes Personal practice with a metronome is one of the best ways to improve your playing. I have said that so many times. Unfortunately, a lot of folks just don't do it. Not for long anyway. In this episode I discuss the frustrations of that evil device and how you can turn that nasty little gnome into your personal slave. Or at least come to terms with him. My collection of metronome MP3 tracks can be downloaded here. The show notes for this episode are located at  http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-144-show-notes.htm   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 143 20/20 Vision Welcome to the new year and the new decade. In this show I talk about the idea of knocking out unfinished projects and ideas. I also talk about my never-ending tune book and a recent jam session with my pals in Atlanta. Here we go. 2020 is here. Let's pick! The show notes for this episode are located at  http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-143-show-notes.htm   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.    

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 142 Cases and Gig Bags Ah, gig bags! The luthier's best friend! In this episode I run through a list of the 8 major kinds of cases and gig bags. I talk about their purposes and give you my two-cents worth on the available types. The show notes for this episode are located at  http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-142-show-notes.htm   Now is the season to get your copy of Jackson's Christmas Songs for Mandolin eBook. You can get it here. Every purchase puts Christmas bucks in his pocket and maybe he can get me a really nice pair of socks or a set of strings with his massive profits. (Not bass strings. He can't afford that and neither can I!) Help the boy!   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   Additional information about th

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 140 Crabs and Bluegrass So I woke up from a horrible nightmare and starting thinking about fishing for crabs. Yes! That's a topic for GrassTalkRadio! Please indulge me and check out this episode where I rip on folks who have stolen the name "bluegrass" and give you step by steps for collecting your own bucket full of blue crabs. Yummmmy! (Be sure you have a large enough pot or you'll be releasing your crabs!)   Please go to the show notes. You are missing the extras if you don't. http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-141-show-notes.html   Now is the season to get your copy of Jackson's Christmas Songs for Mandolin eBook. You can get it here. Every purchase puts Christmas bucks in his pocket and maybe he can get me a really nice pair of socks or a set of strings with his massive profits. (Not bass strings. He can't afford that and neither can I!) Help the boy!   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on m

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 140 Get Out Of Your Rut   Lord, have mercy! Does every song have to be in G or A? As I recline on the shrink's couch I vent my frustrations of playing everything in just one or two keys and playing the same songs over and over (ad nauseum).   Just for novelty, if nothing else, try playing in B or B-flat just once! I'd happily play a song in G# or Eb just for freaking relief!   In this episode I share three ideas for getting out of your rut. Learn to play in new keys. Try new tunings and, for cryin' out loud, bring a new song to the table once in a while.   Now is the season to get your copy of Jackson's Christmas Songs for Mandolin eBook. You can get it here. Every purchase puts Christmas bucks in his pocket and maybe he can get me a really nice pair of socks or a set of strings with his massive profits.   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Suppor

GrassTalkRadio.com - Bonus Episode 08 Christmas Songs for Mandolin   When my son Jackson was 9 years old he was really interested in music notation software (and still is) and I set him on a project to create a book. Christmas Songs For Mandolin was the result and I am very proud of him!   The downloadable PDF eBook contains 12 popular Christmas songs written out in standard notation and mandolin tablature. (Dad helped steer him into the mando-friendly keys and double checked that everything was playable.) He is now eleven years old and took over the microphone of GrassTalkRadio to encourage you to purchase his book. He explains it all very well in this bonus episode.   As he said in the episode, he explains his financial needs but I would like to mention that he is also saving up his money to make a trip with his choir --Voices of The Valley-- to perform in New York City at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Some of his funds raised will also go towards that project... after he get's the backup drive he has h

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 139 Be a Good Student   Taking private lessons can be a wonderful learning experience or a complete waste of time and money. Much of it depends upon what you do as a student.   In this episode I share ten tips, gleaned from my observations with my own private lesson students over many years, that I think will help you make the best progress when taking lessons.   Don't forget that you can save a pile with the discount coupon code found in my free eBook The Ten Jammandments Discussed. Download it here.   I also mentioned Jackson's Christmas Songs for Mandolin eBook. You can get it here.   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://w

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 138 Humidity   As bluegrass musicians we all deal with instruments made of wood. Humidity should be understood to keep your instrument from self-destructing. It's not that complicated really. Listen in and I will give you the low down.   The outro music is the tune "Laird's March" written and played by me, myself and I.   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-138-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 137 Don't Count Yer Chickens Before They Hatch   We all face plans which might fall apart before our very eyes. Sometimes as a result of our own actions and some completely by chance. Sometimes a bit of both. Allow me to elaborate on my strategies for dealing with situations such as these.   I talk about being hired AND fired in under 4 hours as a guitar player. I talk about coming within mere inches of slamming the car into a herd of wild hogs just this morning. I talk about my dashed plans for becoming a quail farmer. I talk about Del McCoury showing up in Nashville at the same time as Bill Keith. Stuff happens and you learn to deal with it! Enjoy the show.   The outro music is the tune song "Swing Low" played by our band Pony Express. Patrons of this podcast can download the entire album as a bonus way of saying thank you for supporting the show.   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon pa

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 136 Class Is In Session   Close your textbook, get out a #2 pencil. We are having a pop quiz. But before we do let's talk about the importance of the right hand and I'll explain a great way to create custom right hand exercises which will absolutely improve the very tunes and breaks you are working on! It's easy. The "textbooks" I refer to in the episode are Mandolin Master Class and The Flint Hill Scrolls.   The outro music is the tune I wrote called "McDonough" played live at the Red Light Cafe, Atlanta, Georgia with the band Pony Express. Patrons of this podcast can download the entire album as a bonus way of saying thank you for supporting the show.   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   Additional information about the p

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 135 Guest Host: Stewart Crawford   This globe-spanning episode is our first listener hosted show. Stewart Crawford, banjoist in Australia, presents the story of bluegrass down under and outlines some excellent improvisation concepts.   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-135-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 134 Paradise and Paradox   This episode covers a wide range of topics beginning with my recent return visit to Picker's Paradise. I talk about fried chicken, Col. Sander's Mandolin Band, the R.Q. Jones reso guitar, jamming, some good bands I heard and then I wind up with a little paradox I want you to think about.   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-134-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio.com Bonus Episode 07   Strike While The Iron Is Hot   In this short bonus episode I am opening a door for you. Listen to the episode and don't wait around. You need to contact me soon.   Whether you are a beginning picker, an experienced performer, a teacher, or perhaps you build instruments or work at (or own) a company producing a product for the bluegrass world... this is your chance. Let's hear what you have to say.   You can be a "nobody" or be a really famous, big-time, hot shot. Both categories have something valuable to say. Podcasting is hot right now and this is a great chance for you to try your hand at it and the grasstalkradio.com audience will hear you.   Listen to this bonus episode and I'll explain and then contact me. Let's put YOU on the air. Contact me before October 15, 2019 if you want to be considered. It costs you nothing but your time and energy and you never know what doors it might open to your future. Besides that it will be fun and interesting!   T

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 133 Your Questions   This week I answer a pile of emails I have received from listeners. We talk banjo strings, what bass fiddle to buy, mandolin barre chords, how long do strings last and a lot more! Luckily, nobody asked "Hey, who cut your hair?" But, there is always next time.   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-133-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 132 Stage Patter and Talk   A huge chunk of your on-stage persona is created when you step up to a microphone and say something. Something pithy. Something funny. Something poignant. Make it count. Listen to this episode where I play samples of the greatest bluegrass emcees at their finest. Introducing songs. Introducing the musicians. Yakkin' it up with the little people... the fans who make it all possible!   I have samples here from Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt (one of the best!), Jesse McReynolds, and plenty more to get you on the right path. Samples and ten tips to sharpen your image on stage.   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page:

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 131 Capo Talk   Capos have been around for a very long time and are extremely useful in playing fretted instruments. It's funny that their use is almost required in bluegrass if you play banjo or guitar. But they are heavily frowned on with the mandolin. If you don't know how to use a capo you can learn here on my website.   If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   Additional information about the podcast is always found here on the episode show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-131-show-notes.html

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 130 Recording Options   This episode continues on the theme I started in Episode 129. In this show I talk more specifically about the options you have for recording. There are four levels beginning with the simple portable recorder, to the portable stereo digital recorder, to digital multi-track "porta-studios" and onwards to computer/software based recording.   I hope this information helps you choose where to begin when you want to record some bluegrass based upon the purposes you have in mind.   The Mandolin Treasure Chest which I spoke about at the beginning of the show is fully described here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/treasure    If you enjoy my podcast I hope you will keep this show going and growing by joining "the club" over on my Patreon page. Or, you can become a GrassTalkRadio Supporter here.   You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.   Additional information about the podcast is always