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For people who play bluegrass music... or want to!
Episodes
Tuesday May 19, 2020
Tuesday May 19, 2020
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 155
The Mail Bag
In this episode I catch you up on what's been happening around the Principality of Lairdonia (very little) and then I dive into the mail bag a read a slew of listener emails. Have fun!
You will find the garden photos and other show notes for this episode here: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-155-show-notes.html
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.
My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy!
Monday May 04, 2020
Monday May 04, 2020
GrassTalkRadio.com - Bonus Episode 10
Mando Workshop
This bonus episode is in two sections. The first part talks about "workshops", what they are, how they tend to go down, and my experiences being on both sides--sitting in the audience or presenting the program.
The second part is almost like sitting through one of my mandolin workshops. Download the free 18 page "handout" and follow along! It's almost like being there. You'll learn my version of Franz Liszt's hand exercises to increase your finger control and flexibility and a lot more!
You can download the fabled 1988 "workshop booklet" as a PDF here so you can follow along. The hand exercises and everything else I mention is in the PDF. Grab it!
The show notes for this episode are at: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/bonus-episode-10-show-notes.html
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.
My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy!
Monday Apr 27, 2020
Monday Apr 27, 2020
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 154
The Banjo Masters
At the request of a listener and patreon supporter I put together this hour long romp through the albums I consider to be essential listening for all bluegrass banjo players.
If you play another instrument there is plenty to listen to here for you too! Have fun and thank you Henry for the very good question.
The show notes for this episode are at: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-154-show-notes.html
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.
My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy!
Thursday Apr 16, 2020
Thursday Apr 16, 2020
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 153
Hunkering Down
After the old one-two punch of lockdown followed by storms which knocked out the electricity, I thought the clouds were parting. Then, 45 minutes later the internet went out and stayed out. I am right now at the McDonald's parking lot in Americus, Georgia uploading this for you.
In this episode, after I vent all of my frustrations, Jackson reads another email from a fellow listener named Henry and I talk about growing potatoes and other such nonsense. Pardon the short description and the lack of an episode specific graphic. We are getting bad vibes sitting here and scamming the free wifi so I'll add the show notes page if and when the internet comes back on at home.
The show notes for this episode are at: http://www.bradleylaird.com/podcast/episode-153-show-notes.html
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.
My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy!
Tuesday Mar 31, 2020
Tuesday Mar 31, 2020
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 152
Ad Lib Thoughts
I started this episode three times. Each time I hit record I began wandering off on little rabbit trails and I would hit stop, gather my thoughts, and then begin anew. I have an idea that I am not the only person with that type of thinking processes right now.
In this episode, after a quick email from one of your fellow listeners (who only had one simple question) I talk about breathing and its relation to relaxed playing, I talk about the ultimate master of focused, laser beam concentrated picking (the pickle jar effect), how fear can harm your playing abilities, and I give a little shout out to the Josh Cole Bluegrass Podcast.
Keep your chin up, folks!
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.
My full website is located at http://www.bradleylaird.com. There you will find free lessons, free videos, jam tracks, full descriptions of all of my books, video lessons and courses... plenty to keep you busy!
Friday Mar 20, 2020
Friday Mar 20, 2020
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 151
The Underground Tape
A little humor is in order. To wit, I present you with what I consider to be the classic underground tape, handed from picker to picker over decades, of Bill Monroe and Lester Flatt burying the hatchet and ending their longstanding feud.
Smile folks. This too shall pass.
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.
Wednesday Mar 11, 2020
Wednesday Mar 11, 2020
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 150
Tristan Scroggins Interview
This episode features a conversation with mandolinist Tristan Scroggins discussing the differences between Old-Time and Bluegrass jam sessions, his new book of fiddle tunes for mandolin, how to get over fear of taking solos and more. Additional show notes and links to Tristan's website and his new book are found 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. Thank you, patrons!
You can also support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird.
Tuesday Mar 03, 2020
Tuesday Mar 03, 2020
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 149
Ear Training
How can you improve your solos? How can you take breaks on songs you don't know? How can you express yourself better through your instrument and with your voice? Get started with "ear training!"
Grab your instrument (it doesn't matter what you play!) and try playing along with the sample ear training exercises I present.
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.
Thursday Feb 20, 2020
Thursday Feb 20, 2020
GrassTalkRadio.com - Bonus Episode 09
Do Me a Favor
"Breaker breaker one nine. How 'bout a radio check? Come back."
After over 150 episodes I am doing a radio check, so to speak. I want to hear from you. Send me an email if you are listening to this show. It will only take a few minutes and I would really appreciate it.
If you like this 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.
Monday Feb 17, 2020
Monday Feb 17, 2020
GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 148
Dynamics
Often skimmed over with beginning students, and sorely needed by many long-time players, the art of employing dynamics can add a great deal to your musicianship and sound.
As a prelude to this discussion I update you a bit on keeping "the farm" operational, report from a recent gig, and a job I did running sound for the 3 Redneck Tenors act. Fun stuff.
In the heart of this episode I attempt to explain the concept, the terminology and give you a road map for improving your dynamic abilities.
The outro music is a demo recording of a good bluegrass gospel song called "Final Hour", written by Randy Godwin and Darryl Wilson. My job was to stand in Randy's closet and play banjo and mandolin. As I recall, Randy played the bass and guitar parts.
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.