Lonestar Newb - Posted - 08/09/2009:  19:09:22

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I just started learning about 6 weeks ago (so new at it that my left fingertips are still sore).
I've been trying to get in at least 1 to 1 1/2 hrs of daily practice. After a few weeks of working on a few roll patterns that I downloaded from someone on this site, I purchased "You can teach yourself banjo" by Janet Davis. This book seems to progress the student on a good path, learning a new step with each song.
I guess my question is this......how fast should I move through the book? Should each lesson take a week of practice? Do I need to master each lesson before moving on?

Russ

Tim-mater - Posted - 08/09/2009:  20:55:47

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"Master" the lesson... That's a pretty big bill to fill. Try to play each progressive lesson smoothly, and with a natural feel (to you) before moving on. If you shoot for lesson perfection you will probably get bored or frustrated after a while. Just look to playing smooth and naturally. With that in mind it really doesn't matter how quickly or deliberately you work your way through the lesson plan.

You may want to find a teacher or at least a helpful pickin' friend to help get a good start as well.

Any way, have fun Russ, welcome to the obsession.

Deaf David - Posted - 08/09/2009:  21:06:24

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With my learning (or lack thereof) style, by the time I had "mastered" a lesson or tune, I would be so sick of it I couldn't stand it. You pretty much need to master the roll patterns (that will actually be a life long process) before moving to the songs, each of which has another lick or technique.

I worked on a new song until I could play through smoothly it while looking at the tab, then I'd start mixing my work on that song with the initial steps of learning the next one. When I got so I could play the song at a reasonable rate without the tab, I then started working on polishing it--all the while working on the techniques for the next level song.

Before I start on any new song I'm working on, I play through everything I can play without tab, working on the details and rough spots. Then all the ones I can sort of play with tab. When I'm working on one I'm having difficulty getting the timing or a chord change, I avoid tensing up or getting frustrated by going back and playing one I know well.

So, I've usually got two or three things I'm "working on" at different levels and then a few that I'm polishing, and then a few that I just play for the fun.

One more suggestion: Learn Cripple Creek well. If you hit a really bad spot and the fingers just don't seem to work, Cripple Creek seems to get everything going again. I worked my way through the Teach Yourself book over a year ago and I still find myself pulling it back out on occassion. There is much there that won't sink in the first time through.

Don't forget, it's called "playing" the banjo, not "working" the banjo.

________________________________________________
Humans are capable of believing anything; and that explains a lot.
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Deaf David - Posted - 08/09/2009:  21:06:27

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With my learning (or lack thereof) style, by the time I had "mastered" a lesson or tune, I would be so sick of it I couldn't stand it. You pretty much need to master the roll patterns (that will actually be a life long process) before moving to the songs, each of which has another lick or technique.

I worked on a new song until I could play through smoothly it while looking at the tab, then I'd start mixing my work on that song with the initial steps of learning the next one. When I got so I could play the song at a reasonable rate without the tab, I then started working on polishing it--all the while working on the techniques for the next level song.

Before I start on any new song I'm working on, I play through everything I can play without tab, working on the details and rough spots. Then all the ones I can sort of play with tab. When I'm working on one I'm having difficulty getting the timing or a chord change, I avoid tensing up or getting frustrated by going back and playing one I know well.

So, I've usually got two or three things I'm "working on" at different levels and then a few that I'm polishing, and then a few that I just play for the fun.

One more suggestion: Learn Cripple Creek well. If you hit a really bad spot and the fingers just don't seem to work, Cripple Creek seems to get everything going again. I worked my way through the Teach Yourself book over a year ago and I still find myself pulling it back out on occassion. There is much there that won't sink in the first time through.

Don't forget, it's called "playing" the banjo, not "working" the banjo.

________________________________________________
Humans are capable of believing anything; and that explains a lot.
________________________________________________

Ira Gitlin - Posted - 08/09/2009:  21:19:08

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Two tips for using that book:

1) When she introduces a RH pattern that goes IMTIMTIM, replace the initial I with a T

2) When she introduces the "G lick" with RH fingering IMTIMITM. replace the initial I with a T, except when the previous measure ends with a T; in that case, use the I.

Trust me, this will make it flow better, and it's the way the heavy hitters--Earl, J.D., Sonny, et al.--do it.

That said. there's a lot of good stuff in YCTYB. Good luck!

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Edited by - Ira Gitlin on 08/09/2009 21:19:53

mralph - Posted - 08/09/2009:  23:24:04

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I completely agree with Ira. I had so much trouble learning them her way. Whenever I started taking lessons, I switched to using my thumb on those first notes of the roll. It was so much easier for me to stay in time doing it that way, as well help punch out that note.

banjologist - Posted - 08/09/2009:  23:58:45

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Dead right, Ira & mralph, J-D's books are in general "the best" but in this case it's far easier (for a rank beginner) to "lead with the thumb';- (MUCH) later you can lead with whichever works for the roll joining with succeeding bars.

Jon Priebe

truckee1 - Posted - 08/10/2009:  05:16:08

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Congrats Russ on starting this journey. I'm new myself having only played a couple of months. I'm using the same book. My biggest suggestion is get with a teacher that uses the book. More that likely, they will save you so much time and frustration that the money will be worth it for the lessons. You may elect to only take lessons as needed instead of weekly, but I feel the lessons are well worth it. The teacher will let you know when to move on from lesson to lesson in the book.

Scott

Lonestar Newb - Posted - 08/10/2009:  07:22:18

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Thanks to you all for your replies. As it is, I can't wait to get home from work each day and pick up the banjo. I will be more patient and work harder to be more proficient on each level before progressing.
There is no sense in being able to brag "I can play 7 songs, badly"

Russ

Joe Larson - Posted - 08/10/2009:  07:44:00

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I teach out of that book and it's the best I've found. It has a few things I'd change but all in all a terrific book.

I think most people, but not all, benefit from having several things to work on at once. The first few tunes are really just exercises that you can use as a warm up. Cripple Creek is the first 'real' tune in the book and it opens the door to Bluegrass Banjo. Once you get to it start there and go through them in order paying close attention to your timing. You don't have to "master" each tune before moving on but you should understand the concept and be able to play the tune slowly without having to stop.

j

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user...&view=videos
There''s more to life than playing the banjo, but not a lot more.

david64 - Posted - 08/10/2009:  12:23:42

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Changing the forward roll pattern that she teaches how would that change the playing of Bile Dem Cabbage Down? Would you use the thumb to go down and hit that second string?

Ira Gitlin - Posted - 08/10/2009:  12:33:25

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quote:

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Originally posted by david64

Changing the forward roll pattern that she teaches how would that change the playing of Bile Dem Cabbage Down? Would you use the thumb to go down and hit that second string?

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Yes. Start every measure with the thumb. That should make each measure (each repetition of that 8-note pattern) flow more smoothly into the next one.

sjyokel - Posted - 08/10/2009:  12:56:45

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Another way to approach it is to move on to another song once you've memorized the one before it.

You'll never really get any song to the point where it can't be improved, but once you can play the song through (along with a metronome or backup track) without having to refer back to the book, you're ready for the next song.

Accuracy and speed come along as you keep practicing and improving the songs you know.

In other words, think of your practice time as consisting of time you spend memorizing new material and time you spend improving the songs you know.

GHohwald - Posted - 08/10/2009:  13:13:06

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There are several free beginner video lessons at the following link. These were designed for middle school students in Dahlonega Georgia. They are very easy and have good melodic content.The easiest one is Blackberry Blossom

http://www.freeguitarvideos.com/banjo_lessons.html

quote:

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Originally posted by Lonestar Newb

I just started learning about 6 weeks ago (so new at it that my left fingertips are still sore).
I've been trying to get in at least 1 to 1 1/2 hrs of daily practice. After a few weeks of working on a few roll patterns that I downloaded from someone on this site, I purchased "You can teach yourself banjo" by Janet Davis. This book seems to progress the student on a good path, learning a new step with each song.
I guess my question is this......how fast should I move through the book? Should each lesson take a week of practice? Do I need to master each lesson before moving on?

Russ

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Geoff Hohwald
http://www.freebanjovideos.com
http://www.5dollarbanjolessons.com

Mountain Blue - Posted - 08/10/2009:  13:34:20

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quote:

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Originally posted by Ira Gitlin

Two tips for using that book:

1) When she introduces a RH pattern that goes IMTIMTIM, replace the initial I with a T

2) When she introduces the "G lick" with RH fingering IMTIMITM. replace the initial I with a T, except when the previous measure ends with a T; in that case, use the I.

Trust me, this will make it flow better, and it's the way the heavy hitters--Earl, J.D., Sonny, et al.--do it.

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Just checking... you're not advocating changing what string is played first? Just how to pick the opening string?

Joe

Edited: I see where you have answered the question in a followup post. I didn't see that post earlier this morning... lol

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When they find me out in the rain,
Be sure and tell them Thibodeaux''s my name.

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Edited by - Mountain Blue on 08/10/2009 13:46:07

ifish - Posted - 08/10/2009:  13:54:26

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I have been using it for over 2 years & I am not quite to the end. I have started to play much more by ear, & started a book on backup. There is a lot to learn & many avenues to get info from. I dosen't matter fast you get through it as much as how clear you play it. Timing is very important, & speed if you want to play with others. I suggest following other members to rate your progress. There are members that started when I did, that amaze me with what they do. Other that are having a much more difficult time. I guess I am somewhere in the middle.
Welcome & good luck.