Judson Carroll

BTW, be sure to pull up some Ukulele Ike, Cliff Edwards on youtube.  He was the voice of Jimny Crickett and a fantastic musician.  His life was tragic, but his talent was immense.  He mixed chord melody with excellent single note soling that really put him on par with the greatest jazz guitarists of the era.  He also played a mean kazoo!

r ransom wrote:For people who know how to play musical instruments, when do they play it?  Or is it always just practice?

With tv, radio, and busy lives, it feels like there is very little occasion to just play music for music's sake. Or am I wrong?

If I did learn, I would play for my chickens.  They put up with my terrible singing every night, so maybe they would like this better?

But what do normal people do?

At first, it takes an hour a day, every day.  After a few years 10-15 minutes will do.  Leave it where you will see it regularly and just grab it in a spare minute. Most of the best players practice while watching tv.  Jerry Garcia and Joe Pass would just run scales and such while zoning out, developing muscle memory. Others, like Barney Kessel dedicated specific hours in a day for structured practice, but playing guitar was his job. The other end of the spectrum isn't healthy - John Coltrane would practice for more than 24 hours straight just playing variations on the C scale, modes and arpeggios.  That was driven both by an obsessive personality and drugs, and it probably killed him.  A lot of pros barely practice at all, but play live and jam several nights a week. Amateurs shouldn't push too hard - keep it fun. Finger soreness will be an issue for the first year or so, so don't play so much that it hurts or you'll stop. Coltrane did have some good advice - learn everything, practice everything, but once you have all that down, forget about structure and just play what you feel.  Always hum along when you solo so the hands connect with the brain, ear and voice.  Your instrument should become a second voice eventually.  Be sure to tap your foot because rhythm is the most important thing.  BTW, a lot of the successful rock and folk players I have met know very little about music theory and do what they do with just a few basic chords and pentatonic (5 note) scales.  You can do a lot with 3 chords and a few notes.

r ransom wrote:Any suggestions on a good book to get started?

I want to play style where the instrument is the melody and i don't have to sing.  What is that called?

I really like the old Roy Smeck books, but it depends on the style of music you want to play.  The old guys, pre 1940 or so, all played chord melody style because that is how early jazz was played.  Later, when folk, rock and modern pop became more popular, playing single note melodies became more common.  Most of the Hawaiian players do both.  Either way, a basic method book that shows simple, 3 note chords and basic scales is the place to start.

But.... if anyone ever needs a good mandolin book, I just published one!  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G7XXKVHZ

M Ljin wrote:

r ransom wrote:What i really like is something like the mandolin, but they are crazy expencive.

If I can learn the ukulele, is it close enough to the mandolin or lute?  They have strings, so it can't be that different.

Or am I dreaming?

I believe you can rearrange the strings and tune a ukulele to mandolin tuning. But the mandolin has four courses of doubled strings—so two of each ring out the same note at the same time. And I don’t know if most ukuleles can accommodate steel strings (which would make it more mandolin-like). Mandolin is also played with a pick which is unusual for nylon-stringed instruments. If you wanted to learn it as a step towards mandolin that might make sense.

As for lute, that is the entire family of instruments—all of the instruments above except the mountain dulcimer are lutes. It usually refers to ones with a rounded back but there are countless different kinds.

You could tune a uke to a 5ths tuning, but you couldn't use steel strings.  The 5ths tuning is much higher tension.  I have tuned my baritone like a tenor guitar, CGDA, but it is hard not to break a string.  A little, soprano uke might do mandolin tuning GDAE.  But, I think standard tuning would be best long term.  Any books or videos you learn from will use standard tuning.

r ransom wrote:That is such a beautiful sound.


Question.

How well does learning one instrument translate to learning another?

Mostly well.  The exception is violin.... the bow is a beast to learn!  I play guitar, bass, uke, mandolin, 3 types of banjo, tenor guitar, harmonica and a little piano.... probably a few others, but music is a language.  If you learn music, it is just a matter of getting used to different instruments.  Focus on scales and chord construction.  Then, all you really need to know is how an instrument is tuned.

r ransom wrote:What i really like is something like the mandolin, but they are crazy expencive.

If I can learn the ukulele, is it close enough to the mandolin or lute?  They have strings, so it can't be that different.

Or am I dreaming?

I did a video on how to buy a good quality, inexpensive mandolin and set it up.  But, the basics are to look for solid wood, not composite, check the top to make sure the bracing is good and be sure the neck is comfortable.  I have owned several, including very valuable antique mandolins.  I paid $75 for my current favorite!

I play a baritone uke occasionally.  Guitar and mandolin are my main instrument and tenor banjo is the current obsession.  Playing uke really helped me learn chord melody on guitar.  I highly recommend it and they are great for travel.  I love the old stuff - Roy Smeck and all that.  So, so having a light, little instrument I can strum old jazz tunes on is perfect for me.  A banjo uke may be in the near future.....

This is a sedum and probably the most well known of the species. It is also known as Live Forever, but that name is also used for a few other plants, especially a member of the succulent family also known as “hens and chicks.” Both plants are used in herbal medicine, but Orpine and several other sedums are popular wild edibles. One sedum I would caution against eating in large amounts is Rose Root or rhodiola. That is a potent medicinal herb. While I would consider many of the other sedums interchangeable, it would be best to do some research before eating any with which you are unfamiliar. The leaves of Orpine can be eaten raw when young and tender. They make a nice cooked vegetable using the steam/saute method, added to soups, etc. The roots may be harvested fall through spring, making this a valuable plant in times of food scarcity. They are not an emergency food though, as the roots must be soaked for a few days before eating. Then, they can be cooked and eaten or pickled.

Because Orpine is a succulent, the taste and texture is somewhat similar to cactus. If you like nopales, which are a popular ingredient in some Mexican and South American cooking, you will probably like Orpine. I’m a big fan of nopales, so I like the leaves of Orpine prepared with similar flavors. Orpine is much easier to harvest than cactus, as it does not have spines. The downside though, is that the leaves of Orpine are too small to grill like I would cactus pads, but they are small and tender enough not to need blanching, which is how I cook cactus pads on the stove. I like to give them a quick char along with onions and peppers on a hot cast iron pan and use them to make fajitas. Any browned meat or seafood works for fajitas, or you could even just use cheese. It is the charred flavors of the vegetables and a good, hot salsa or pico de gallo that makes them special. I’ll give a very basic recipe, but you can use most any wild edible in this book or anything from the garden that you like.

Basic pico de gallo:

Chop tomato, onion, garlic, hot peppers and cilantro. Combine with salt, pepper and lemon or lime juice.

Basic salsa:

Same as above but char the veggies first for the best flavor. You can substitute tomatillos for the tomatoes, and that is especially good if you are using both pico and salsa.

Basic guacamole:

Mash avocados with all the stuff you would use in the pico, and I like to mix in some sour cream.

Restaurant style red rice:

Add some olive oil to a pot and bring to medium heat. Pour in your rice – let’s say about a cup, and stir it gently until the rice becomes pearly and slightly browned. Add ½ cup of pico and 1 and ½ cups of either chicken broth or water and cook as you would normally cook rice. Salt and pepper to taste.

So, you see that the basic pico is the essential ingredient for my version of this meal. I have no Mexican heritage, and I know many who do who would object especially to my guacamole. But, this is the way I like it. Next, we’ll make the refried beans.

I always start with dry beans, usually either pintos or black beans. Soak them overnight. Pour off the soaking water and then add enough fresh water to cover. Some folks say that cooking your beans in salted water makes the skins tough, but I have never noticed any difference. I add chopped onion and garlic, crushed red pepper, cumin, avocado leaf and (if I have any), epazote to my beans. To my taste the avocado leaf is really essential. But, I know Mexican folks who would say the epazote is the essential flavor. Either way, it needs cumin. Salt and pepper to taste. When the beans are tender, add as much lard as you like and gradually cook almost all of the water out of them. Mash the beans into a paste.

How you prepare the meat or seafood really depends on what you are using. If I use flank steak or tough game meat, an overnight brine in salt, hot pepper, a little sugar and citrus juice with any spices you like helps. You can add a little wine or even soy sauce to the brine. I don’t usually bother to brine chicken or seafood, but that is up to you. For red meat or pork, the brine tenderizes it. But, for any meat it will also help season and brown it. I generally just season fish and fowl with dry herbs, spices and salt. Either way, slice everything into bite sized pieces and give it a good char on the pan. Cook it to the doneness that you prefer, but make sure the meat gets a nice char – the hotter the pan, the easier this is to accomplish, or you can use a grill. I usually cook mushrooms with the meat, being sure to get them nicely browned.

Char your veggies. I usually add some of the marinade to the veggies as they cook. The steam helps them cook through quickly and adds flavor. But, most modern health experts would probably not approve. So, if you want you can make up some fresh marinade or just use salt. Even a splash of beer will work... as I found out by a happy mistake!

Flour tortillas are the norm for fajitas, but you can use fresh corn tortillas if you like.... they will taste great, but some may object to still calling them fajitas. I often grill corn and other veggies to go inside, so flour tortillas work better for me. Either way, warm your tortillas.

The assembly can be just your meat and veggies with some hot sauce or salsa, with the beans and rice on the side. But, I always try to shove everything in there – the flavor combination in each bite is what I love! I spread a spoonful of beans and rice on, then the meat, mushrooms, cheese and veggies, guacamole and pico, and then dip or pour salsa over them as I eat.

Anything from Orpine to the ferns we will discuss next will be absolutely delicious in a fajita... only the purely root vegetables would be difficult.

This article is an excerpt from

The Spring Foraging Cookbook: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-spring-foraging-cookbook.html
Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRP63R54

Also, I am back on Youtube. Please subscribe to my channel: @judsoncarroll5902 Judson Carroll - YouTube

Read about my other new books:

Herbal Medicine for Preppers, Homesteaders and Permaculture People: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2021/10/herbal-medicine-for-preppers.html

Available on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B09HMWXL25

Medicinal Ferns and Fern Allies, an Herbalist’s Guide https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/11/medicinal-ferns-and-fern-allies.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMSZSJPS

A Daily Catholic Devotional Reflections on the Daily Mass readings July-December, 2025
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2023/12/a-daily-catholic-devotional-reflections.html

Medicinal Weeds and Grasses of the American Southeast, an Herbalist’s Guide
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2023/05/medicinal-weeds-and-grasses-of-american.html

Available in paperback on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47LHTTH

and

Confirmation, an Autobiography of Faith
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2023/05/confirmation-autobiography-of-faith.html

Available in paperback on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47Q1JNK

and

Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast An Herbalist’s Guide

Read about Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast An Herbalist’s Guide: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/06/medicinal-shrubs-and-woody-vines-of.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2T4Y5L6: by Judson Carroll


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Read about my new other books:

Medicinal Ferns and Fern Allies, an Herbalist’s Guide https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/11/medicinal-ferns-and-fern-allies.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMSZSJPS

The Omnivore’s Guide to Home Cooking for Preppers, Homesteaders, Permaculture People and Everyone Else: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/10/the-omnivores-guide-to-home-cooking-for.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGKX37Q2

Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast an Herbalist’s Guide
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/06/medicinal-shrubs-and-woody-vines-of.html

Available for purchase on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2T4Y5L6

and

Growing Your Survival Herb Garden for Preppers, Homesteaders and Everyone Else
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/04/growing-your-survival-herb-garden-for.html

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09X4LYV9R


The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Bitter Herbs: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-encyclopedia-of-bitter-medicina.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5MYJ35R

and

Christian Medicine, History and Practice: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/01/christian-herbal-medicine-history-and.html

Available for purchase on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B09P7RNCTB



Podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/southern-appalachian-herbs

Blog:

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Free Video Lessons: Herbal Medicine 101 - YouTube

Disclaimer

The information on this site is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or condition. Nothing on this site has been evaluated or approved by the FDA. I am not a doctor. The US government does not recognize the practice of herbal medicine and their is no governing body regulating herbalists. Therefore, I’m just a guy who studies herbs. I am not offering any advice. I won’t even claim that anything I write is accurate or true! I can tell you what herbs have “traditionally been used for.” I can tell you my own experience and if I believe an herb helped me. I cannot, nor would I tell you to do the same. If you use any herb I, or anyone else, mentions you are treating yourself. You take full responsibility for your health. Humans are individuals and no two are identical. What works for me may not work for you. You may have an allergy, sensitivity or underlying condition that no one else shares and you don’t even know about. Be careful with your health. By continuing to read my blog you agree to be responsible for yourself, do your own research, make your own choices and not to blame me for anything, ever.

The way my family did it in NC, VA, SC and GA before air conditioning was a two story house, with a sleeping porch upstairs.  The porch was above mosquito level, mostly, but netting and screens were used.  Downstairs was a big porch and breezeway.  They would dig a small pond downhill from there for air drainage.  There were tall trees for shade, weeping willows for natural air conditioning and bushes around the house to shade the ground. Fans were utilized as soon as possible.  In the summer, people got up at 4 AM and worked until 10 or so.  Then came in for a meal and rest until the heat of the day was over.  But, many, including my great, great grandfather died from heat stroke.  I have had 3 heat strokes... not fun!  I have to wear a straw hat to keep the sun off of my head.  A cabbage leaf under the hat, or a cloth soaked in ammonia can help.  Cold spring water is a must as is salt in the diet.

Herbal Medicine 101: Oregano

I tell you about the medicinal and culinary use of Oregano.  This herb is my "go to" for bronchial and sinus infections.  While mostly known as a tasty herb in cooking, it is powerfully medicinal.

https://youtu.be/xKS2sDqUr-g