Bradley Laird's Grass Talk Radio - Bluegrass

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 069 Pickers Paradise - This past weekend I practiced what I preach. My wife and son were off on a year-end 5th grade school field trip and I did what any devout bluegrasser would do. I loaded up and took off to a weekend bluegrass festival. In this episode I recount my experience, talk a bit about some of the bands I saw and heard, and describe the poor man's teardrop camper that was my humble abode for the weekend. If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-69-show-notes.html GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 068 Lemme See That Bass - This is the second episode in a series describing the things I look at with a student when they first walk in the door dragging an instrument behind them. We need to make sure the beast is set-up so that it can be played without torture and we want it to sound good. In this episode I talk bass fiddle, shot bags, leather feet, the "every third doorway" rule and a lot of other fun stuff. Even if you don't play the bass, you know a bass player and you need to show 'em some love. They make you sound so good and you need to thank them and throw them an extra twenty. That lousy $50 bucks you each got paid at the last gig will buy you a steak dinner and two new sets of strings. Your poor sucker bass player will need 4 gigs just to get some new strings. Quit dissin' da bass player! If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-68-show-notes.html GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

Lemme See That Banjo - As a teacher I have seen folks walk in the door with every kind and condition of instrument. Usually there are half a dozen simple things which need to be corrected to get the instrument in a reliable, playable condition. In this episode I walk you through the process with a banjo. This episode also includes a short technical update regarding the Mandolin Treasure Chest. A listener suggested a nifty solution to unzipping really large files. If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. Links to the free videos and books I mentioned are here on the show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-67-show-notes.html GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest (and most difficult to define) music in the world!

An Insomnia Cure - In this episode I suggest some exploration of keyboard instruments as a learning and understanding tool with music theory. Things which are so scrambled up on banjos, mandolins and guitars are laid out so beautifully and logically on a piano keyboard.My wife has often joked that I should market my podcast as a cure for insomnia. I think she may be on to something! I kid you not, when I was listening back to this episode I was out like a light before the half-way mark. So, if you are having trouble sleeping, put this on, get comfortable, and you'll sawin' logs in no time flat! On the other hand, if you want to learn something from this episode, I suggest a couple of double-espresso shots right before listening. If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. Links to the free videos and books I mentioned are here on the show notes page: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-66-show-notes.html GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest (and most difficult to define) music in the world!

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 065 Practicing Alone - How can you make the best use of your time woodshedding at home? Jams are great fun and there is a lot to be learned there too, but there is no substitute for getting in some quality practice time alone. In this episode I weigh the options, talk a tiny bit about metromones, playing along with records, using practice tracks, hiring a professional band to live in your basement and other more practical ideas. If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-65-show-notes.html GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

GrassTalkRadio.com Bonus Episode 01 Mandolin Treasure Chest - Imagine that you have come to possess an aged fragile treasure map. This pirate has for more than four decades roamed where he pleased and collected, not without a fight at times, a staggering quantity of perfect gemstones, pearls, dabloons, ingots, massive gold chains, silver goblets, and even a pouch full of gold teeth pried from the jaws of his feckless adversaries! The hoard is legendary and you have the map! You follow the sparse clues to the cursed spot and, with your trusted assistants, you begin digging in the pale light of a watchful moon. Thirty feet below, your spade strikes something solid in the moist sand. Nearing dawn, as the sun threatens exposure, you and your sweating and cursing cohorts unearth and hoist to the surface an oaken chest, encrusted and wrapped in rusty chains and iron straps. Under the glare of the dwindling carbide lantern you break the bonds with a pry bar and raise the creaking lid. At last! (Next you dispatch your foolhardy companions and throw them in the hole and make off with the treasure. Muwwaahaahaaa! Or something similar.) Enjoy this special bonus episode! If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/bonus-episode-01-show-notes.html GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 064 End of a Perfect Day - Was attempted murder justified? Would a jury have acquitted after hearing the accused plead "temporary insanity due to hormones"? I leave it to you to draw your own conclusions about this true tale from a bluegrass festival. If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-64-show-notes.html GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 063 How To Fill In - Inevitably, sometimes a band member can't do a gig and that creates an opportunity for someone else to get their foot in the door, help a band in need, and rack up more mileage on the experience-o-meter. Here are my thoughts from both sides of the issue on how to pull it off successfully. Enjoy! If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-63-show-notes.html GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 062 V.I.P. Interview - I have a hard time understanding folks with no kids. I am also quite sure they have a hard time understanding those of us with kids. Perhaps this long-promised interview with a very important person will shed some light on this. Dig a hole, put a chicken in the hole, put sand in the hole. Pure genius. If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-62-show-notes.html GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 061 Barb Rosenstock Interview - Join me for this interview with Barb Rosenstock, author of the new children's book "Blue Grass Boy", a biographical picture book about Bill Monroe. Listen as she tells how getting lost, winding up at Bean Blossom, and binge listening to Bluegrass Junction led to the creation of this wonderful book. The episode also has a quick bit of news for students using my mandolin instruction videos. If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-61-show-notes.html GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 060 Hecklng The Audience - For the audience, the band is the show. For the band, the audience is the show! Join me in this rambling diatribe on a few things I have observed from the stage. No offense to cloggers, cow bell clangers, spoon players, generous drunks, conga-line dancers, clap-along-ers, or any other supporter of live bluegrass music. Have fun. If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-60-show-notes.html GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 059 Saints and Sinners - This thought, like a pinball rattling around in my head, has attracted my mind for decades: Is bluegrass some sort of folk religion? Play along with my ride while I stretch this harmless analogy to its limits. Hmmm... Perhaps I'll paint it on velvet one day. If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-59-show-notes.html GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 058 Your Timeline - We are all on a timeline. Events and choices come along and affect our ability levels and our life. In this episode I run a timeline of myself and try to reveal what causes the ups and downs. If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-58-show-notes.html GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 057 Go To A Bluegrass Festival - Bluegrass festivals are the great tribal gatherings of folks like you. Tired of being surrounded by friends and co-workers who don't "get it" like you do? Pick a festival, make a plan, and go. The start of the show is a little commentary on technology and why you should back up your computer and why I love granny's old cast iron skillet. Have fun! If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-57-show-notes.html GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 056 How To Learn From Videos - Online video instruction is taking over from private lessons and books but I am not sure everyone knows how to make the best use of this one way stream of information. Try these ideas if you are using videos to improve your playing. Have fun! If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird. For additional goodies, be sure to scope out the show notes here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-56-show-notes.html GrassTalkRadio is a show for people who play or are learning to play bluegrass--the greatest music in the world!