pastyman - Posted - 11/07/2009:  12:43:28

i finally went out today and bought my first banjo (its a 5 string by vintage) is this model ok to learn with?

apart from this site where is the best place to look for advice for a complete novice(im after decent videos etc)

thats all from me for now as i never know what to say in these introductions

cheers

pasty

jerrylee - Posted - 11/07/2009:  12:46:18

Hi Pasty, guess you are in Cornwall or Devon?

Welcome to the banjo hangout from Devon.


Jerry

pickingfive - Posted - 11/07/2009:  13:01:16

The five string is the banjo model used in bluegrass music. Generally, the more expensive the banjo, the easier it is to fret the strings, as they tend to be closer to the fret bars than on an inexpensive banjo. ("Action" is the word applied to strings in relation to the frets/fretboard. So, a really good banjo will have a "low action," while a less expensive one will have a high action.
I recommend The Murphy Method (www,murphymethod.com) for one source of excellent DVD's/videos on how to learn to pick bluegrass music three finger style, (a metal pick on your index finger, and one on your middle finger, and a thumb pick - usually plastic) or to learn how to play the banjo "clawhammer" style (where no picks are used.) Start out with Murphy's "Beginnig Banjo Volume 1" if you want to learn the three finger style of banjo picking. On Murphy's web site are also Lynn Morris' "Clawhammer Banjo, Vols. 1 and 2" if you want to learn the clawhammer (also called "frailing") style of playing the five string banjo.

pickingfive

CG - Posted - 11/07/2009:  13:02:40

Welcome to the Hangout. Enjoy your banjo which is perfect for learning on and enjoying for many years. You will find you can get all the help and advice you could ever need on this site.

=====
Clive
Stay nice!

pastyman - Posted - 11/07/2009:  13:03:23

sorry forgot to say im in sunny plymouth

Edited by - pastyman on 11/07/2009 13:04:57

bplumlee - Posted - 11/07/2009:  13:06:51

Welcome to the hangout. I have found that the folks here are ready and willing to help. There are many on this site that are willing to help with tabs and others have video lessons that a very good. This site has helped me a great deal in my playing.

I also like Geoff Hohwald and Janet Davis books and videos.

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

Good Luck

Texasbanjo - Posted - 11/07/2009:  13:27:14

I suggest you purchase a good beginner book and start from page 1 and take it slow and easy.

Since you put this in the bluegrass forum, I presume you're wanting to learn bluegrass banjo. I suggest these 2 beginner books:

1. Jack Hatfield's Beginning Bluegrass Banjo Method Book #1 with CD (and he may have a DVD, I'm not sure. Jack highlights the melody notes so you know where they are, puts a roll around it and plays the song slow so you can pick along and at tempo so you can hear what it sounds like. After book 1 are books 2 and 3 and many, many more tab books after that. www.hatfieldmusic.com
2. Janet Davis' You Can Teach Yourself Banjo with CD. Janet is also a prolific author of banjo tab books and after the beginner book you can check out Back Up Banjo, Splittin' the Licks, Up the Neck and many, many others. www.banjostore.com.

Of course, there are many other excellent teachers, but these are two I'm familiar with and have worked with.

Good luck on your banjo journey. Have fun!

Let's Pick!
Texas Banjo

big bird - Posted - 11/07/2009:  13:27:51

Hi Patsy, not familiar with the "Vintage" banjo. If it is an inexpensive one sometimes that's a good way to start just in case you decide later that you don't want to continue. Then you haven't invested a lot of money. But we hope you continue this "Great Banjo Journey" I would try to find yourself a good teacher and take private lesson's, this will start you off on in right direction. There is a whole lot of excellent material out there. What's great about private lesson's is that you are going to have lot's of question's and with a teacher to start with, that person can answer/show your question's.

Big Bird

big bird - Posted - 11/07/2009:  13:50:20

Patsy, check out "Joemac" topic 11-02-09 also 11-07-09 "UK beginner's workshop scheduled in January" this might be in your area.

Big Bird

BryanWB - Posted - 11/07/2009:  14:07:37

Good for you Pastyman. It seems I'm just up the road from you in Ivybridge, Devon.
I can't hear you practicing!! LOUDER!!
Bryan.

BryanBanjoBeginner - Have banjo, will travel!

harold saxton - Posted - 11/07/2009:  14:49:35

Pastyman,
Welcome to the hangout. If you go to this website

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

Geoff Hohwald has an abundance of free beginner banjo videos. Give it a try. I think you'll like it. Good Luck

Harold

Edited by - harold saxton on 11/07/2009 15:10:32

Pablo9364 - Posted - 11/07/2009:  15:19:46

hello pasty

'the banjo am the instrument for me'

wrentree - Posted - 11/07/2009:  17:52:40

Youtube will give you some good videos too.

Harold

10gauge - Posted - 11/07/2009:  18:28:07

Welcome to the hangout. I like just fooling around on my banjo as well as using the tablulature on this site to learn some songs.

Jonathan O'bug

davidcava - Posted - 11/08/2009:  17:21:45

Hi pastyman, I have a totally free website called davidcavage.blogspot.com

I have over 200 free videos. My lessons cover the very basics, for someone whos never touched a banjo, through more progressive ideas. I tried to make the videos so you could chose on your own, between playing by ear, playing through tab, and also some vids on the basics of reading music. If you have any questions about the vids, you can email me at davidcavage@hotmail.com

One thing I'd like to mention.....if you go to the homepage, on the right hand side of the screen, you will see a little triangle, then (april 135). Click the little triangle, then all the lessons will drop down from the beginning. Best of luck to you.
David Cavage

5stringpicker2 - Posted - 11/08/2009:  18:05:52

Welcome and glad to have you aboard the Good ship Banjo.

"There Can Be Only Only!"
(I )===='----<::)
http://tinyurl.com/c263xk

Gold Star GF-85 - Posted - 11/09/2009:  09:00:41

Welcome Pasty, enjoy the Banjo Hangout and visit often, lots of good resources here.



Big John,
1987 Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard
1986 Stelling Sunflower

pastyman - Posted - 11/09/2009:  10:37:36

thanks for the warm welcome everyone, its only my second day of playing now and im thoroughly enjoying it i just wish ide got round to it sooner.

also thanks for advice on sites etc and dont worry i'll be asking loads of questions once ive started to understand what your all talking about in the posts :)

saphine - Posted - 11/09/2009:  10:41:08

Hi Pasty, Welcome to the best site ever. Great bunch of folks her who always offer help and advice, just don't be afraid to ask.
I live in Inverness...email me your address and I will post you a couple of beginner books to get you started if you want.
Elizabeth

Be who you are and happy, life's a party, go and have some fun.

kingfisher78 - Posted - 11/09/2009:  11:30:12

I bought a cheapo banjo off ebay ( had a goodun many years ago) to see how I would go now (arthritis) and it worked out ok. I now have a better banjo that stays home while the cheapo goes walkabout. When I reach the next level (determined by me), I'm going to treat myself to a custom made banjo.

Just google banjo (add things like bluegrass, tabs, mp3, pomgolian, etc) and you will find heaps of good stuff, like this site .
For learning (apart from stuff found with google and on here) I bought half a dozen books an the best by a huge amount was a mel bay book - first lessons banjo. Every song's a winner . If You buy books, make sure they come with CD's so you can compare/play along.

It's like giving up drinking (shudder the thought), you've made the first step.

Shane.

Limey Bar steward - Posted - 11/10/2009:  04:52:06

Hi Pastyman I see your in the forces so possibly regular lessons might not be practicle, but look on ukbluegrass.com/ you could find help closer to home I know there is a good BG community in Bristol but thats a good way away, but welcome to the Hangout.

Cheers Graham