We live in the age of information. Today you can go online, search for how to play banjos in the style of the Northwest or in North Carolina, and learn it. Traditionally, you had to physically find the people playing and spend some time with them to learn, but not anymore. 

However, with so much information, it’s easy to lose sight of the artists. So make sure you find the people who are actually playing and ensure whatever self-education you’re doing is supplemented with actual relationships. There is so much that can be transmitted through the relationship that cannot be transmitted in any other way. 

In this episode, Max Wareham, a banjo player, shares his journey in music and the lessons he has learned in his mastery process. Your dream in music, banjo, or guitar mastery is valuable, and it’s worth spending the time to make it happen.


“It’s easy to lose sight, but it all comes back to the people and relationships.”


Snapshot of the Key Points from the Episode:
[02:34] Max shares how he got started and where he is today. How Max shifted his career to become a professional musician.
[05:25] Two greatest skillsets that have helped Max navigate his journey.
[08:23] How Max incorporated archeology with what he was doing in music.
[12:15] Max's most memorable performance/project that he has worked on. 
[15:46] Things that Max has been doing to engage his fan base.
[17:47] How Max navigates the business side of his career.
[20:12] Max’s definition of working from his happy place. 
[23:25] Practices that Max does to continue with his learning journey. 
[25:38] Max's advice to someone who wants to master banjo or guitar.



About Max Wareham - 
Wareham, who studied with banjo masters Tony Trischka and Bill Keith, was introduced as a significant voice on the instrument with the release of Peter Rowan’s latest album, Calling You From My Mountain, on which he plays banjo and sings harmony.

Prior to joining the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Wareham taught music extensively, played bass with the psych-pop outfit Sun Parade, and wrote songs and produced several albums under various aliases. Much of his work in bluegrass and education is focused on early bluegrass banjo styles and how they can offer alternative paths to expression within the bluegrass idiom.

Resources Mentioned -
Rudy Lyle: The Unsung Hero of the Five-String Banjo: https://www.maxwareham.com/product-page/rudy-lyle-the-unsung-hero-of-the-five-string-banjo

How to connect with Max Wareham:
Websites: https://www.maxwareham.com/ https://maxwareham.bandcamp.com/
Listen to Max’s music at: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/max-wareham/1290349278 / https://open.spotify.com/artist/30LXom98tWrl14BKI1xNUI


About the Host -

Belinda Ellsworth is a Speaker, Trainer, Best-Selling Author, and Podcaster

She has been a professional speaker, mover, and shaker for more than 25 years. Having built three successful companies, she has helped thousands of entrepreneurs make better decisions, create successful systems, and build business strategies using her "Four Pillars of Success" system.

Belinda has always had a passion and zest for life with the skill for turning dreams into reality. 

Over the last 20 years, she has been expertly building her speaking and consulting business, Step Into Success.
 

How to Connect with Belinda:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/stepintosuccess
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/belindaellsworth
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stepintosuccess/
Website - www.workfromyourhappyplace.com