Bradley Laird's Grass Talk Radio - Bluegrass

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 156 Survival Strategies In this episode we hear an audio submission from a fellow listener. Then, I share 8 ways I have attempted to stay sane in this time of no picking, no festivals, no shows and very little fun!   I also discuss my downloadable book "The Mandolin Song Book" . If you listen to the show you will learn how to work out the puzzler and get a 25% discount...

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...

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'...

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.   In the episode I also mention my book The Flint Hill Scrolls. You can read about it and download it here .   If you play another instrument there is plenty to listen to her...

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 an...

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...

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 growi...

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...

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 h...

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 growin...

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.  ...

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...

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...

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 "defini...

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....

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-...

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...

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 enoug...

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 r...

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...

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...

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 th...

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...

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 M...

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 bec...