This method is your best option when there is very little space in between the head tension bracket hooks on your banjo. If you cannot fit the cradle strap through these hooks, you will need to use this option to attach the strap. Most beginner and open back banjos require the use of this technique. Other professional bluegrass banjos can typically use the standard cradle strap technique. Stand the banjo in your lap or on a working surface. The neck should stand straight up, in the "12 o'clock" position of the banjo.  The strings of the instrument should face you. Note that you can alter this position to something more natural or comfortable once you familiarize yourself with the correct placement of the strap. While learning, though, it helps to hold the banjo like this.

Summary: Check the banjo. Hold the banjo upright.


You may have a set list of chores to do or there may just be a general understanding that you will help your parents out when they need it. Whatever the rules are in your own household, you should take the initiative and help out your folks even before they ask for it. Whether this means washing your dishes, doing your own laundry, mowing the lawn, or picking up groceries, you should make a point of helping out without being forced to or without expecting a reward, because that is one of your duties as a son. The least you can do is to always clean up after yourself, whether this means doing your own laundry or dishes or keeping your room clean. But after that, you should go above and beyond and help scrub the bathroom floor, take out the trash, or even clean out the fridge. Your parents don’t expect you to be a rocket scientist or to get into Stanford. However, they would be happy if you respected your teachers, did your homework, and kept your grades up to the best of your ability. If you need help in school, ask your teachers or your parents for help, and make studying a priority over socializing. Not only will this set you on a path to succeed in your future endeavors, but it will also make life much easier for your parents. The best you can do is to respect your learning institution instead of playing hooky or complaining about it all the time. Your parents shouldn’t have to force you to see the value of your education. As you grow older, you’ll find that you can’t depend on your parents to do everything for you. Your parents will appreciate that you’re independent and willing to do things on your own — though they’ll still want to love and care for you, of course. Once you’re in the neighborhood of 10-12 years old, you can start thinking about cleaning up after yourself, not asking your mom’s help with basic tasks like laundry or washing dishes, and starting to think for yourself a bit more. This will help you develop strong character and will make you a better son.  Your parents will appreciate it if you learn to do things on your own, from making your own meals to cleaning up on your own initiative. Your foresight will help them out a lot. Don’t be afraid to be different from your parents. They don’t expect you to be a clone of them. One of the best things you can do to be a good son and a good brother is to be kind to your siblings. It’s not always easy to get along with your siblings, whether they are older or younger, but you should try to develop relationships with them that are encouraging and non-competitive. This will not only help you be a good role model to your siblings, but it will help your parents out more than you know. You can also be a good son by helping your siblings do their schoolwork, clean up, or learn basic skills. This will give your parents some more time to relax. As you grow older and develop your own personality and ideals, you may find that you and your parents fundamentally disagree about many things. Maybe your parents are devout Catholics while you struggle to believe in a higher power. Maybe your parents are conservative while you identify as a liberal. The important thing to keep in mind is not that you have to agree with everything your parents believe, but that you have to know how to respectfully disagree with them instead of starting a fight over every little difference you may have. If your parents want you to do something you don’t want to do, such as go to church, try to explain why it’s not the path for you. Don’t just outright refuse, but make a point of staying calm while you explain your own beliefs. If your parents won’t budge, find a way to keep things civil and even friendly and to avoid topics that will cause you to fight. As you grow older, you should begin to see your parents as people who are more than just “Mom” and “Dad.” They have busy lives, friendships, relationships with their own parents, careers that they may or may not be happy with, and at least one child to take care of. Take some time to consider how busy and overwhelming life can be for your parents, and consider how certain difficult situations may make them feel before you start an argument or protest too much.  It takes character to be able to step into someone else’s shoes. The next time you have a fight with one of your parents, try to see the situation from his or her perspective to see if it gives you a better understanding of why they disagree with you. This can help strengthen your relationship and will give you a deeper understanding of who your parents really are. To see them as people, you can also ask them questions about their friends, their job, their childhood, or anything else that will shed some light on who they are. It’s okay to make mistakes as a son, and your parents won’t expect perfection from you. However, they will expect you to be accountable for your mistakes, and the best thing you can really do is to apologize when you’ve made a mistake. If you’ve done something wrong, no matter how big or small, it’s important to sit your parents down, look them in the eyes, and tell them that you’ve really messed up. It’s also important that you make a point of not repeating the mistake again.  Make sure that they know you really mean it, and that you’re not just saying it so they’ll stop being mad at you. If you’ve upset one of your siblings, it’s just as important to apologize to them as well.

Summary: Help out around the house without being asked. Do as well in school as you can. Establish your independence. Be kind to your siblings. Know when to agree to disagree. Learn to see your parents as people. Apologize when you’ve made a mistake.


These "solar blankets" minimize water evaporation, just like a regular pool cover. As it insulates the surface of the pool, solar blankets also allow some of the sun's energy to go through the cover and into the water, where it turns into heat. This makes your pool water warmer, which means the swimming pool heater is required to run far less often and for shorter periods of time. Solar pool covers are one of the most effective and energy efficient ways to heat your pool.  Solar pool covers can extend your swimming season and reduce the amount of water that needs to be added by 30 to 50 percent. They can also reduce the amount of chemicals a pool needs by 35 to 60 percent, and help keep dirt and debris out of the pool, which reduces cleaning time. Solar pool heating panels collect heat from the sun to warm pool water. Once installed, they have no operating cost, are very easy for a home owner to install and are typically very durable in all climates. The only drawback is that if the sun doesn't shine, your pool isn't heated. Solar pool heating panels are an excellent solution for those who live in warmer climates and have a lot of sunny days throughout the year. These systems are in the same general price range as gas and heat pump heaters. Solar heating systems have minimal operating costs and they are the most cost-efficient choice for people who live in warm, sunny climates. These systems include 4 main features – a solar collector, a filter, a pump and a flow control valve.  The pump sends water through the filter and then through the solar collector, which heats the water and returns it back to the pool. If you live in a hot climate, the solar collector can help you cool your pool water down during the summer months. It does this by running the water through the solar collector during the night.
Summary: Use a solar pool cover. Install solar pool heating panels. Invest in a solar heating system.