Jim Mills Banjo DVD
A Winning Banjo Style with a Master

This article ran in the Summer 2005 Issue of the Bluegrass Journal

Written by David Russell • All Rights Reserved by the Author, July 2005
Reprint Rights Available by Contacting the Author or The Bluegrass Journal Editor

Review by Dave Russell John Lawless, owner of Acutab Publications, has been producing some outstanding products for bluegrass musicians at any level of proficiency. In addition to an evolving line of tablature books for banjo, mandolin, guitar, and dobro, Acu-Tab has been producing DVD/videos that musicians will find priceless.

The long awaited Jim Mills DVD is a treasure that every banjo player needs to get for their learning library. Four time winner of the IBMAÕs Banjo Player of the Year, Jim Mills takes us on a journey through his powerful style of playing, with close up split screen shots that allow you to observe his right and left hand movements. He is accompanied by guitar great Tim Stafford as he shows his technique behind nine tunes from his CDs (How Great Thou Art, Sledd Ridin, Bear Tracks, Take the D Train, John Henry Blues, Rebecca, Ground Hog, Cotton Eyed Joe, and Reuben).

When you really focus on what Mills is doing, you will see that he is not flogging the banjo to death to get quality tone. In fact, itÕs what he is NOT doing that catches your attention. Many of us have a tendency to over play at times; whereas musicians like Jim Mills have learned that playing less is better. The value in learning from experienced musicians like this is the insight and wisdom you can gain from them. Many have learned through years of struggle and hard work these insights into mastering a musical instrument. The greatest thing to keep in mind is that real practicing involves more than just picking up your instrument and running through a litany of songs. Real practicing involves identifying your mistakes, slowing things down, and using a metronome or rhythm machine to improve your sense of timing. The bottom line is that we all need to pay very close attention to everything weÕre doing as musicians.

Jim Mills starts by playing each song up to speed, and then breaking each section down very slowly so you can get a sense of his technique and the melody. The spilt screen shots are a great feature insofar as they allow you to see the left-hand movements, and right hand roll patterns simultaneously. The Mills DVD is different from most the other banjo projects that John Lawless has produced. Usually John sits with the musician (banjo in hand) and asks questions about how they got started, and their playing technique, but itÕs clear that he wanted to let Mills go to town with a maximum amount of playing.

Whether youÕre a beginner, intermediate, or advanced banjo player, this DVD is a must have if you wish to gain more skill and knowledge. Jim Mills is by far one the greatest pickers today and serious players need to listen to what he has to say and to what he is playing. John Lawless has done us a great service, not only by producing this DVD, but with all the other instructional DVDs as well. You will benefit from other fine DVDs by John Lawless, Bill Evans, Ron Stewart, Terry Baucom, and Sammy Shelor. If youÕre interested in learning how to bring great tone out in your banjo, check out Steve HuberÕs Killer Tone DVD/Video. For guitar players you can benefit from Kenny SmithÕs DVD, and mandolin players will find great treasures in DVDs by Alan Bibey, Herschel Sizemore, and Wayne Benson.

The Jim Mills DVD is 110 minutes, and can be purchased online at www.Acutab.com for $35.00 plus shipping.