We had a great house session here on Thursday night. This is becoming a monthly thing, and it’s inspired me to play more. There’s only one public session per month here in Lubbock. Not enough.

House session 6 Aug 2026

Onto last night’s banjo practice log:

  • Barndance that I can’t remember the name of or find anywhere. Beautiful tune in D major.
  • Trip to Durrow at 95 bpm.
  • Kiss the Maid Behind the Barrel at 93.
    • Focused on breathing and light pick hold.
  • John Naughton’s / Trip to Durrow / Kiss the Maid Behind the Barrel at 92.
    • Focus: breathing, pick hold, and E string discipline.
  • Paddy Fahy’s at 92.
  • Major Harrison’s Fedora at 90.
  • Triplet and high B exercises.
  • Master Crowley’s at 90.
  • Langstrom Pony / Pipe on the Hob / Hag at the Churn at 105.
  • Virginia Reel at 92.
  • Ships are Sailing (playing around with)

The focus for all these – from the third tune to the end – was breathing, light pick hold, and E string discipline.

The E string is the lightest – and the only plain steel (unwound) – on the tenor banjo, so it’s the least forgiving of overly aggressive picking.

You pick too hard, you get sharp notes and a nasty tone.