Bradley Laird's Grass Talk Radio - Bluegrass

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 ba...

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...

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 ....

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 b...

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...

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...

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 th...

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...

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 scop...

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....

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.pay...

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 055 Choose One Thing - In this episode I discuss one of the best ways to improve the quality and results of your practice. I make the case for constructive tunnel vision. 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...

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 054 Just Go - In this episode I give an "after action report" on a recent trip to see the Del McCoury Band perform in Athens, Georgia. I explore why you absolutely cannot "do bluegrass" from the comfort of your couch. I also get into the financial realities of the music world and a lot of other thoughts that crossed my mind on the way home. Have fun! If you enjoy the sho...

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 053 You Can Write a Tune - In this episode I do my best to encourage you to try writing your own tunes. I divide my time between technical tips and philosophical considerations of devising new tunes. 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...

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 052 Trivia Night - The worlds oldest profession and performing music have a lot in common. Sell it and you still have it. I yak about that for a bit and then, for the meat of the show, I test your bluegrass knowledge and we play trivia. 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...

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 051 Tuning Talk - This episode goes down the rabbit hole of this thing called tuning. The discussion twists and turns more than Earl's D-tuners. I examine the A440 standard, talk tuning gizmos, introduce you to the concept of equal temperament and the false notion of perfection. Have fun! If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store a...

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 050 Timeless Advice - This episode discusses a bit of wisdom which I found lurking in the preface to a 1909 music book stashed in my mother's organ bench. I read it and thought "I've said the same thing to every student I ever had!" 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 addi...

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 049 Magic and Music - There are striking similarities between the art of pulling a rabbit out of a hat and performing a great bluegrass show. In this episode I share what I learned as a magician before I was bitten by the bluegrass bug. Part illusion, part sleight of hand, smoke and mirrors, and a lot of work behind the scenes. Have fun! If you enjoy the show you can sup...

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 048 Finding The One - Finding that perfect instrument for you is a lot like finding a mate in life. Every sort of instrument, be it a mandolin, guitar, banjo, upright bass or slide trombone, will present itself in 5 quality categories. Learn the difference between "barely playable junk" and the coveted "working musician's axe". If you enjoy the show you can support what...

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 047 The Beaver Effect - In this episode I explain The Beaver Effect and give examples of the amazing things it can do for you as a musician or in nearly any endeavor in life. I also talk a little about my early experiences as a bluegrass bass player and how it led to my Bluegrass Bass Instruction Course. If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting m...

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 046 Band Marketing Basics - In this episode I blast through the list of things you need to think about to get your band some gigs. The basics are pretty simple but a lot of folks miss out because they overlook crucial items. Have fun and happy gigging! If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird...

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 045 Crafting a Good Set List - The set list is the script for your performance. Poorly thought out set lists, or just wingin' it, may lead to less than great performances. In this episode I share my thoughts on putting together good sets. If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doing by visiting my online store at http://www.payhip.com/bradleylaird . For addition...

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 044 Who You Hang Around With Counts - In this episode I discuss how other people rub off on you, musically and otherwise. The reverse is also true. Think about who you hang out with. Have fun and let me know you are out there! 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,...

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 043 P.A. System Basics - This episode picks up where I left off in #42 and will walk you through the entire signal chain of a typical bluegrass P.A. setup. It concludes with a short course in microphones. You may not need this today but you will some day–with any luck at all! Have fun and let me know you are out there! If you enjoy the show you can support what I am doin...

GrassTalkRadio.com Episode 042 Playing Over P.A. Systems - This episode discusses the mindset and skills you need to play over other people's P.A. systems. When you are starting out that will be most of your gigs. Or if you do a lot of festivals. This episode will help you deal with the reality of that situation. A future episode will talk about running your own sound. Have fun and let me know you...