Bradley Laird's Grass Talk Radio - Bluegrass

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 musicia…

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…

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 creatin…

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 te…

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 …

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 neve…

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 purpo…

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 …

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 jus…

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 projec…

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 st…

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 t…

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 comple…

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'l…

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 bluegra…

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 134

Paradise and Paradox

This episode covers a wide range of topics beginning with my recent return visit to Picker's Paradise. I talk about fried chicken, Col. Sande…

GrassTalkRadio.com Bonus Episode 07

Strike While The Iron Is Hot

In this short bonus episode I am opening a door for you. Listen to the episode and don't wait around. You need to contact me so…

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 133

Your Questions

This week I answer a pile of emails I have received from listeners. We talk banjo strings, what bass fiddle to buy, mandolin barre chords, how long…

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 132

Stage Patter and Talk

A huge chunk of your on-stage persona is created when you step up to a microphone and say something. Something pithy. Something funny. Somet…

GrassTalkRadio.com - Episode 131

Capo Talk

Capos have been around for a very long time and are extremely useful in playing fretted instruments. It's funny that their use is almost required in blu…