rebel angler - Posted - 09/22/2009:  21:24:55

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Hey whats going on everybody?
My names Drew and I'm from Boone, NC. Being from Boone has enabled me to hear bluegrass music all my life. I LOVE IT. Being around so much bluegrass has always made me want to learn how to play the banjo. If I have no music background what so ever, meaning nobody in my family knows how to play instruments besides the piano, would it be really difficult for me to learn how to play? I don't know anything about notes or music lingo, just that I love how it sounds.

If anybody has any advice for me I'd love to hear it!
Thanks,
Drew

bigfeller - Posted - 09/22/2009:  22:10:33

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Hi Drew, it's not too difficult to learn banjo. Take lessons if you can find a good banjo teacher in your area, that would be the best way to get started. But there is a lot of good instructional materials available- books, videos and the internet,- if there isn't a teacher in your area. Best of luck to you, and welcome to the Hangout









Travis

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Edited by - bigfeller on 09/22/2009 22:20:31

Hankulator - Posted - 09/22/2009:  22:15:18

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don't worry about not knowing music, drew, there's plenty of help out there. but you better understand the 5-string banjo is a very diffucult instrument to play. i know i've been playing for 38yrs, but if you want it bad enough you can do it, and believe me it's well worth it.

Hank

manfrommars - Posted - 09/22/2009:  22:15:29

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"loving how it sounds" is the first and most important step to becoming a musician, in my opinion. It helps to have parents or family that stick an instrument in your hands at a young age, but every musical family had to START with someone at some point picking up an instrument and learning to play it. Why not have it start with you? And who knows, you may have a gift for music that you don't even know about yet!

I say go for it, you have nothing to lose and a lot to gain.

Oalbrets - Posted - 09/22/2009:  22:52:00

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Go for it Drew and best of luck. Practice, practice, practice and then practice. Welcome to the BHO.

Poverty Ridge Bluegrass

10gauge - Posted - 09/22/2009:  23:03:13

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Hey Drew. It takes a lot of work and time to learn to play. You have to make a real commitment and play whenever you can. Do it for the love of the music and you'll never get bored. Do it to pick up chicks and you'll be sorely disappointed. Good luck and welcome to the hangout. Get a banjo, get some instruction material and get at it. Make sure and keep us informed of your progress.

Jonathan O'bug

asmcsgac - Posted - 09/23/2009:  03:03:41

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Drew...you can dew.

banjorandy - Posted - 09/23/2009:  03:44:55

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you can do it...........good luck

sjyokel - Posted - 09/23/2009:  04:17:10

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So, when did the piano stop being an instrument

You'd be surprised how much you can learn from somebody who plays the piano. When it comes to understanding how music works (music theory or "notes" and "music lingo") and things like how to practice an instrument, how to play in front of others, and a lot of other important things you'll need to know, I'll bet the family member(s) who play the piano can teach you more than you think.

RB5 - Posted - 09/23/2009:  04:26:57

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Some of us from Canada take on the banjo and believe me we don't get a whole lot of exposure to it.

That's my story and I'm sticking with it!

Robert.

tunetime - Posted - 09/23/2009:  05:07:56

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go for it and remember all good things come with time...

AD3AD3AD3 - Posted - 09/23/2009:  05:09:26

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First, welcome to the BHO. Second, follow your dream, make a commitment to learning 5-string banjo.
I suggest you get a decent banjo on which to begin your musical journey. Find a teacher with whom you can relate - there should be a number of them up there around Boone, indeed you can start with the music department at Appalachian State. The import part is that you and the teacher communicate clearly (an, of course, that the teacher be oriented toward Bluegrass.) Failing that, I suggest the Jack Hatfield learning materials (Vols 1 and 2) to start. Perhaps, if you're really comfortable online, you can benefit from the new Tony Trischka School of Banjo. People have been speaking highly of it and there is an interactive component.
It's important to develop good practice habits - play every day. Meanwhile, listen to all the quality Bluegrass banjo you can find on cd or load into your iPod.
Don't worry right now about not reading conventional music. Theory will come with the learning curve. Most teaching systems include use of TAB (similar to old time lute music notation) and it's easy to pick up.
Good Luck.


AD3

youdye - Posted - 09/23/2009:  05:26:56

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WELCOME! Remember, have fun!!!!!


Mike Montgomery

4+1=Hootnanny!
O=='={::}

KYSLOWFINGERS - Posted - 09/23/2009:  05:55:29

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quote:

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So, when did the piano stop being an instrument

You'd be surprised how much you can learn from somebody who plays the piano. When it comes to understanding how music works (music theory or "notes" and "music lingo") and things like how to practice an instrument, how to play in front of others, and a lot of other important things you'll need to know, I'll bet the family member(s) who play the piano can teach you more than you think.

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I couldn't agree more. The scales were very confusing to me til my father-in-law, who can play anything and has been a bluegrass musician for 60 years, explained it using the piano keyboard. I understood it almost imediately!

I'm always pickin' on my banjo, but it always beats me up.

John Allison - Posted - 09/23/2009:  06:19:16

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Welcome to the Hangout and enjoy the journey!

Froggie
"Courage is Fear that has said its prayers.

Jon Eric - Posted - 09/23/2009:  06:49:58

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It takes patience with yourself and practice
but the love of that bluegrass sound is a
HUGE step forward in the direction of playing the banjo.
Best of luck to you!

Jon Eric
http://www.JonEricMusic.com

greenhorn - Posted - 09/23/2009:  18:47:43

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Welcome! I've learned a ton just checking the hangout frequently. I picked the banjo up at age 26 as my first instrument and I now play every day. Try getting some lessons or if you can't do that try some beginner DVD lessons, Pete Wernick has a couple of good ones. If your willing to put in the time and set reasonable goals for yourself, it should be a very satisfying and rewarding experience. The hangout has been the best resource that I've found.

Nicholas Lawrence

"we're gonna fiddle-pick the bean soup outta this one," Doc Watson at Telluride BGFྑ

BanjoJoker - Posted - 09/23/2009:  21:17:01

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It was mentioned already but, I would like to say it again. Get a real good banjo. I just got mine a couple weeks ago (new goodtime). I have been practicing the basic rolls, chords, and by golly I learned the first eight notes of cripple creek. It is a lot of fun. I play guitar but, always wanted to learn banjo "someday". Well someday is "now".

Ozarkwoods - Posted - 09/24/2009:  04:43:01

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Drew if you want to play bad enough you will. I agree with the above go with an instrument that is good quality. You dont need top of the line but dont go with a $200 one either. If you put the investment into it both money and effort you can do it. There is one thing that I will tell you, I started when I was 15yrs had a poor teacher, very cheap banjo a used Harmony. Lost interest after a year (girls, cars) Now 35years later I am wishing that I would have stuck with it. But I have started and getting to the point my rolls are smooth and I can kickout some songs......No music background in my family either. Used instruction books and CDs and an instructor. There's my .02 worth ok maybe .04 worth. Good luck and welcome to the hangout.

Randy

If you walk through the doors of life you won't get stuck looking at the same four walls.

Micki - Posted - 09/24/2009:  05:27:49

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It is a very good trip- but it is a long haul. I don't think a 6 wk. Roy clark lesson works for to many. There is so much to learn, but that keeps the enthusiam going! Take your time and learn it right and you will be a winner. There are no short cuts in learning, and winners do what losers don't want to do. The better the instrument, the quicker you will learn very important. a good teacher will get you on the road to a happy ending. best of luck -Micki

dgill - Posted - 09/25/2009:  17:39:47

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I would say you and I have a lot in common. I started in dec 08 and feel like I could have been you by your description. It is a journey and you will never get to the end, but that love will help you more than anything to learn to pic. It is not easy, but if you want to you will, if not you will find an excuse.

japus - Posted - 09/25/2009:  18:25:31

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you just hit a double, second base and headed for home, first base was and is your love for this music, second base is where you live. If I only had that opportunity.

jimmy

wrentree - Posted - 09/25/2009:  19:02:05

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Well Drew, you are in good company as there are no less than 20 other banjo pickers listed for Boone, North Carolina. Welcome to the Hangout.

Harold

mdgodaat - Posted - 09/26/2009:  06:26:58

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If it's a feeling deep inside you go for it all the way because it is meant to be.
Bluegrass banjo is truly a passion.

Curiosity [only] killed the cat and his banjo playing.

Bluegrass in my blood. Now, if I can only get it to my fingers ?