G'day from West Aus.

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Aussie Banjo Pickers

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For all Aussie Old Time and Bluegrass banjer pickers to get together, share ideas and picking around Australia

159 Members, Created 1/28/2011 -

Administrators: robmac07 (owner)

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From KevMcD on 5/19/2013 5:22:07 AM

G'day folks,

Not sure if this is the right place to do this but here goes........

Just purchased my first banjo (RK-80); have had it less than a week. Been around playing/gigging guitar for quite a while now. Went to Berklee back in the mid 80's doing performance guitar. I play most weekends down in Margaret River region in the sth west corner of WA.

Been wanting to get a banjo for years - was recently contacted by a booking agent looking for a banjo player at a wedding this September. Not knowing any, I volunteered and have placed myself in a pretty step learning curve - nothing like a bit of a challenge.

In my short banjo career (I think it's four days now) I've learned that it's a pretty difficult instrument to play 'well'. Banjo came delivered pretty poorly set up - I work on guitars here but never a banjo. Finger picks still haven't arrived. Bought a Lakota strap which I'm waiting for as well.

I've learned quite a bit in a short time (what do they say? A little knowledge is dangerous") No doubt I'll be looking to the group for some advice. Have my first Skype lesson set up in a couple of days.

Anybody from West Aus.? In particular the South West?

Regards,Kev

8 Comments
	Paulf says: 5/19/2013 1:03:34 PM Best of luck mate. Heaps of youtube and BHO lessons and videos available to learn from as well. Paul
	Dancing Horse says: 5/19/2013 3:27:57 PM Goodluck Kev, some people find it easy to play any sort of instrument & you must be one of those. Whereas someone like me who has played for a year, still wouldnt do anything in public. Let us know what style you intend to play, and the tunes you have chosen. Will be interesting to follow your journey. Ciao, Chris.
	KevMcD says: 5/19/2013 4:57:59 PM This is a little embarrassing. After getting the banjo on Wednesday I made this video on Saturday. I just want to document my progress. Listening to it - it's sloppy, poor timing - just plain terrible but it's a starting point. Nowhere to go but up. No finger picks yet (in the mail) had a thumb pick lying around I could never get used to. Every time I pick it up and play I can't help but smile. Should have started playing this years ago. youtu.be/KshFxkBQTkw Please be kind
	5strings3picks1banjo says: 6/18/2013 5:01:33 AM Hi mate. If you ever visit Melbourne I will gladly check your banjo setup for free. As for playing instruction I strongly suggest Pickers Academy. Glenn is awesome and he has video lessons you can watch all day and all night long for a low yearly fee. He also does live one to one cam lessons. Really good value and great guy.
Piccolo says: 6/20/2013 1:48:12 AM Hi Kev..I also played guitar for many years (classical?folk), then dropped the strings for a number of years to earn a living, but now I have retired thought I "fancied" banjo. Geez Lousie, talk about a learning curve, I "dabble " celtic/bluegrass but like the clawhamer, and after two years driving everyone nuts, I figure I am starting to sound good. I have even taught the dog to sing! I bought a CHEAP Ktone, as is the sound, and am embarking on my next project of making my own open back. I found Mike Eversons site helpful, there are a lot of great sites and BHO is one of the best. I think the banjo bug will keep me occupied FOREVERMORE, (regretably to some in this household LOL)
Ciao says: 6/24/2013 1:40:11 AM Hi Kev. Just listened to your vid playing Ballad of Jed Clampett. I'd say you're going to become a very accomplished player very quickly. That was very good for such a short time owning a banjo.
	hellvisbanjosaurus says: 7/15/2013 6:20:40 AM Just watched your vid. You don't need anybody else's help, Kev. Stick to YouTube . You are going to be unstoppable!
andreww says: 7/15/2013 6:19:12 PM A week? Take a bow.
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