Learn Roots Music
Jake Schepps
Modern Banjo - Ideas and Techniques
"Modern Banjo Ideas And Techniques With Jake Schepps" is intended for those who want to add a more broad-based approach to their playing. Although what he teaches is not that advanced technically, Schepps take the viewer through some worthwhile music theory which might be of some help if you feel that your playing has gotten stale or if you're looking for more open-ended ways to approach the instrument rather than just learning licks. Topics include scales, position playing, using the bar position to work on chord scales, playing 6ths, playing with a metronome, transcribing solos, uncommon keys, and more. Schepps does more explaining than Nickerson, but he has a nice, relaxed, informed teaching style and well worth the price of the DVD ... recommended.
- review from Bluegrass Unlimited magazine June 2008
JAKE SCHEPPS is known for his intelligent touch on the banjo and his imaginative variation on stringband music. Jake is a frequent contributor to Banjo Newsletter, the banjo community's premier print journal.
Let Jake show you important techniques and ideas that will incorporate some modern sounds into your playing. In this lesson, Jake teaches the magic of the harmonized major scale as well as how to harmonize a melody in your solos. Banjo players at the beginner/intermediate level will get lots to work with from Jake's Modern Banjo Techniques DVD.
In this collection of Modern Banjo - Ideas and Techniques, Jake discusses:
- naming the notes on the neck of the banjo
- building a major scale
- intervals
- building chords from scales and intervals
- major vs. minor
- the harmonized major scale on the banjo neck (chord scales)
- position playing on the banjo (F, D, G)
- building minor chords off major shapes
- building a 7th chord
- using the bar position to work on chord scales
- playing 6ths
- applying 3rds and 6ths harmony ideas into 'Goodbye Liza Jane'
- playing in Dm (intro to modes) using the C harmonized scale
- Shady Grove using the minor key
- Tuning the 5th string to A
- Shady Grove harmonized with 3rds and 6ths
- Playing with a metronome
- Learning Techniques
- Transcribing Solos
- Tips on playing in uncommon banjo keys
- arranging 'Goodbye Liza Jane' in D
- And more!
Jake is known for his intelligent touch on the banjo and his imaginative variation on stringband music.
He is a frequent contributor to Banjo Newsletter, the banjo community's premier print journal, having published several feature articles for the magazine. Additionally, Jake is at work on an advanced instruction manual called The Modern Banjo Toolbox: A Compendium of Advanced Banjo Techniques. It will feature contributions from over 20 of today's top progressive banjo players.
Jake's primary musical project is Jake Schepps and Expedition. With engaging, dynamic material that reflects the Colorado aesthetic of roots music, the band focuses on creative composition, melodic ideas and tasteful solos. The Expedition Quartet remains true to the artistic values of stringband, yet draws on certain jazz sensibilities, such as improvisation and more extended harmonies.
Over the years, Jake has performed on stage with Leftover Salmon, Yonder Mountain String Band , Matt Flinner Trio, Runaway Truck Ramp, Abigail Washburn, Jangeun Bae, Brian Prunka, the Classical Mandolin Society's Orchestra with Don Stiernberg, Tony Furtado, Boulder Acoustic Society and many more.