bluegrassbrown - Posted - 05/20/2009:  14:42:51

What should be my focus? The teacher isn't bluegrass musician and he is borrowing a 5-string from the owner of the music store but he does know his stuff and is a good teacher.
What I have is the standard bluegrass songs already on CD's. Should I bring them and a CD player and work on them or go for general music theory first.
Thank you for all your help so far. I did bring one of you guys suggestion to the teacher which was that If I supply the teacher with a banjo I should charge him 20$ (which is the cost of a lesson) the owner of the store is going to supply the teacher with a 5-string. But hey! I tried.

majorwoody75006 - Posted - 05/20/2009:  14:56:09

Hi, Well if you are starting out you need a plan. I suggest you get a good book that will help you progress through the basics of the banjo, the rolls and some simple songs and follow that with your instructor. There are several books available. "You Can Teach Yourself Bluegrass Banjo" by Janet Davis is a good beginner book that covers the basics. Work with it with your instructor and then pick up what you can on your own. There are several other books that are good. But Janet Davis' book was easy for me to follow. Good Luck!

Banjov1 - Posted - 05/20/2009:  14:57:05

Technique is very important early on. Here's some things I'd be concentrating on

1) how to shape and put on your fingerpicks
2) the proper way to arch your wrist
3) how to plant your fingers.
4) where your fingers should be striking the strings in relation to the bridge and neck
5) the proper striking angle of the fingerpicks on the strings

Non technique related...

1) Some basic roll patterns
2) simple chords C G D7
3) Simple tune to practice

Good luck and let us know how it goes


Tony

mtnpckr - Posted - 05/20/2009:  14:58:21

Wait a minute, if he isn't a bluegrass musician and he doesn't own a banjo, just what is he /she going to teach you???

"Never take yourself seriously, others are always ready to do it for you"

o2playlikeEarl - Posted - 05/20/2009:  15:01:32

how does he know his stuff if he's not versed in bluegrass or bluegrass banjo? just a question? To me it's like trying to learn mandolin from a piano teacher? IMO

kevin0461 - Posted - 05/20/2009:  15:20:30

I did that once... started guitar lessons, then switched to banjo (the guitar wasn't kind to my tendonitis) and my guitar teacher supposedly knew how to play the banjo and the bluegrass side of it. It became evident after two lessons that he knew some rolls and some songs but was more of a guitar player than banjo. In his defense though, he owned a banjo...

Needless to say I did better on my own... since then I've hooked up with a "real" banjo teacher and what a difference!! With regards to a good book to start with... my banjo teacher has recommended the Earl Scruggs 5 String Banjo book as the banjo "bible". Earl explains everything as you go... very methodic and detailed. It's worked with me and to be honest, I was getting a bit discouraged teaching myself. A good teacher with a great book to assist helps tremedously!!!

Banjov1 - Posted - 05/20/2009:  15:24:04

bluegrassbrown has already gotten all the admonitions for taking banjo lessons from someone who doesn't own a banjo.

http://www.banjohangout.org/forum/t...IC_ID=147226

I think at this point he's already committed to the lesson(s) and just wants to make sure he gets the most out of it.

Tony

kevin0461 - Posted - 05/20/2009:  16:01:44

You're right on that... a commitment is a commitment, especially if you know everything up front when you make the commitment. I did like the part about charging the guy rent for borrowing a banjo... that was pretty funny!!!

djgretzkypup - Posted - 05/20/2009:  20:35:21

I have to agree that if the person doesn't own a banjo, he is not committed to teaching banjo. He sounds like he is interested in getting another student. You mention that he knows his stuff and he is a good teacher. Who are his references? What exactly makes him a good teacher and what makes you believe he knows his stuff (as you stated). A person who does not own a banjo also likely does not have banjo reference materials to teach a student. I suggest you keep looking for a teacher who not only knows how to play a banjo but knows how to teach a banjo as well. Good luck.

paulrobertwagner - Posted - 05/21/2009:  03:00:55

It's good you're starting lessons. I found that I was unable to make much progress on the banjo until I began lessons in April. I've made more progress in a month with a teacher than I did in a year on my own. The man's in a bluegrass band and sure knows his stuff. He's also really enthusiastic about the banjo, and that helps a lot.

Edited by - paulrobertwagner on 05/21/2009 03:03:41

Gold Star GF-85 - Posted - 05/21/2009:  03:20:03

You got some good advice from the other posters, but before you start taking a lesson from someone who doesn't play Bluegrass or own a Banjo maybe you have time to look around and find someone in your area that does, it might make a big difference in what you are bing taught.
Good Luck


Big John,
1987 Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard
1986 Stelling Sunflower
1980''s Iida Arch Top