Amazing Grace Played on the Zither

Terry brought this zither into the shop today. I've never seen one quite like this and decided to tune it and try to play it. I haven't actually seen anyone play one and I've never heard one before, so I figured there were a lot of other people out there who hadn't either. I think I spent almost an hour tuning the thing, but it actually has a really pretty sound to it. I know I don't have the right technique, but I did figure out how to play Amazing Grace on it:

Silent Night on Banjo

Okay! For all you banjo players out there -- here is how to play Silent Night on the banjo. It's not super easy, but it's also not too hard, so you can probably do it!

3rd Annual Bluegrass Shack Student Christmas Party!

Yeah!!! We have a date now for our 3rd Annual Christmas Party! This party is for students of the Bluegrass Shack and their families. Make sure you pick up a flyer at the store so you have all the details. The party will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2008, from 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. Bring a snack to share and your instrument! Grandparents and family are welcome, too.

Sailor's Hornpipe by Colton

This is 9-year old Colton playing Sailor's Hornpipe. He really likes this song and only started learning it two weeks ago! I believe Colton has been playing for 4 or 5 years.

Introducing Ashley!

This is 15-year old Ashley. She has been taking lessons with me for about 4 years now. Ashley is also a talented guitar and piano player, and she sings and composes her own songs.

Videos from Espenscheid Chapel

Hello Everyone! The Chris Talley Trio played in Mascoutah, IL at the Espenscheid Chapel on Sunday. We had a very nice crowd, and the chapel has absolutely fantastic acoustics for our type of music! Here are some videos that Earl took for those of you who couldn't attend.

Goodbye Little Darling

Margaret's Waltz

Frisco Line

Pig in a Pen

Goodbye and So Long to You

Old Joe Clark

Orange Blossom Special

Faded Love Duet

This is 9-year old Millie playing Faded Love with me. She is playing the melody and I am playing the harmony. Doesn't she do a great job?!!!

Nikki in Springfield

Here is the video of Nikki playing her banjo in the Showcase Saturday morning at the Springfield, Illinois bluegrass festival. Way to go, Nikki!

Chelsea, Chris & Ron in Springfield

Here is the video of us playing in the Showcase Saturday morning at Springfield Bluegrass festival. Many thanks for Larry for taking the video for us!!!!

22nd Annual Greater Downstate Indoor Bluegrass Festival

Wow! Did we ever have a great time in Springfield this year! Nikki, my 11-year old banjo student, won a banjo scholarship to attend the Bill Evans banjo workshop on Friday. She had a blast and did so well! Nikki also played in the Showcase on Saturday, as did Chelsea. I played guitar for Nikki, and then Chelsea and I worked up Orange Blossom Special as a duet and got Ron to play guitar for us. We are using toothpicks halfway through instead of our bows. I am posting the videos in separate blog entries, so you'll have to check out the next two entries for the videos.

On Sunday when we were packing up to leave, a camera man from a local Springfield television station came by and filmed Chelsea and me for the news. Here is a picture of Chelsea being interviewed for the news!

Bluegrass Wood Carving

Yesterday I went to the Wood Carving Show at the fairgrounds in Belleville. There was this absolutely wonderful carving of an entire bluegrass band. Zane was kind enough to take a picture for me and he e-mailed it to me this morning. What do you think??? Isn't it great?

Banjo Fingerpicks - Types and Fitting

Due to an overwhelming number of people asking about proper fit of fingerpicks, or how to make them more comfortable, or how to keep them on while playing, I decided to make this video to explain all of this. It is in Two Parts due to size.

Part One:


Part Two:

Chris Talley Trio Plays in Mascoutah November 16

The Chris Talley Trio will be playing in Mascoutah, Illinois on Sunday, November 16th. The concert will start at 2:00 and will be held in the Espenschied Chapel (Mascoutah Cemetary Chapel) located at 317 County Road. This will be our last public concert of the year, so come one and all!! The cost is $5.00 at the door. Since the chapel is not affiliated with any church and is self-supporting, your money helps with the upkeep. Hope to see you there!

Indian Head Fiddle

This is a one of a kind indian head fiddle. The scroll was carved by Zane Prosser and is absolutely exquisite! I have posted two videos and some pictures for you to look at and to hear the fiddle.