That sounds like the best way to learn Steve!

-Zack

Hey folks. I had a local music store re-setup my banjo. It made a big difference in the sound and playability. My wife bought it for me for Christmas. I had never played any musical instrument in my life. Allen Music in Paducah, KY sold it to her. It's a Johnson BJ100, a definite beginner's banjo but it is a wonderful banjo. I can play it for an hour, and it stays in tune. How do I know? I have a chromatic tuner on the headstock. I think Savannah sells them now but they are great. They don't have a tone ring but the BJ300 does. Best deal you can find. The banjos are really beautiful.

Thank you to the OP and everyone that has contributed to this thread ~ it helps so much, I was getting kinda scared when I was listening to all the awesome players that had been playing for so long.  The old timers are so good that when I pick up my banjo it just sounds like noise and still difficult to tune for me so it sounds like bad noise, lol.  I can get my hound to sing to my harmonica, so maybe if he chimes in on the banjo it won't sound so bad. 

Thanks y'all, really....I mean it.

Daisy

I'm glad this subject has kept going.  I'm in to my 8th month now and while I'm taking a break from lessons, for the summer, I'm still improving.  As I said before I bought a Goodtime Classic and while it has no metal  tone ring (like the Special) it seems to be plenty loud.  My neighbor says he can hear me from his garage with the door closed when I play in my driveway.  I made my debut at my mother-in-laws 90th birthday party . I played happy birthday for her and a few familiar (very short) tunes.  She liked it, mistakes and all

I'm getting "smoother" with my cord changes but it is still a problem at times.  I was watching an old black and while movie a few weeks back (Sargeant York with Garry Cooper and Yule Brenner) and they were singing "Give me that olde time religion".  I got the tune in my head and figured out how to play the melody pretty quick then looked for some tab on line.  I love that song.  It is easy and fun to play and sing.

Thats my update for now.

Thanks for all the support you guys give us beginners, this is a great site.

Levi

JollyPenguin and Steve, that is great that you have other musicians to play with that will help you learn even faster. Jolly what I would recommend to you is to learn to vamp some chords and then join in with the other musicians at the bbq and just play backup. It will help you develop your ear for when the chord changes occur and give you a chance participate. Then you can start tossing in a lick here and there with your backup and it wont be long until you will be ready to play a break or two.

First time poster:

Hi everyone. I've enjoyed reading the 'newbie' postings and thought I would add a bit about my experience so far. I played brass in the high school band and have been playing the guitar and bass for about 35 years. Started on the resonator guitar about 6 months ago and liked it pretty well but I've always wanted to try the banjo. Well, I took the plunge and bought the Mastercraft Classic burled walnut about 2 weeks ago. Now, at 46 years old I'm starting my latest musical adventure. To be honest, I've hardly been able to put it down!!

It's helped my progress tremendously that I've been a guitarist for the past three decades and the last six months on resonator has already built up my 'roll' abilities. I've chosen to start out with the Specialty Music Production's Beginning Banjo. I've used their DVDs in the past and they seem to be a good starting place for me...a little basic technique and some songs to get you going. I find that it works best for me to practice at least a little everyday (opposed to a bunch once or twice a week). I try to play a minimum of 1/2 hour each day and I usually play several hours each day of the weekend. During the week when i have less time to practice, I tend to go over the songs and techniques that I have already been working on. Sort of a daily review. Then on weekends when i have more time, I try to learn new songs, chords, rolls, etc. This regimen helps me to progress at a fairly steady pace as well as keeping things interesting.

Well, that's it for now. Happy pickiin' folks.

Chuck

Hi Chuck,

Welcome.You and I have similar histories. I played guitar for decades and started on banjo 6 months ago. In addition to 3 hours of daily guitar practice I manage to squeeze in another hour for banjo. I am so glad I decided to do this, now I just need to go to a jam and see if I can keep up with the real bluegrass players.

Larry

quote:

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Originally posted by Jazz Country
...In addition to 3 hours of daily guitar practice I manage to squeeze in another hour for banjo...

---

I've pretty much packed up my other instruments and devoted myself to the banjo. It's difficult enough for me to try to tackle this thing alone!!! I keep my upright bass handy in case i want to jam and need to be proficient enough to keep up...

Chuck

I've been reading these wonderful posts all day and feel much better about my banjo playing progress. I am taking weekly lessons and found them to be more than just lessons because many playing areas simply require time and practice so no real progress will occur between individual lessons. However... simply knowing that I must face my instructor sort of forces me to practice daily and I recognize the progress over a monthly period.

I could not read music and I have never played any type of music instrument. I'm 68 and I started banjo lessons last December. I try to work daily on strumming, and picking as they are very different and I've found strumming is the most rewarding because it requires less skill than picking and you can sing along.

Other than my instructor, the two best things to help me progress are: (1) learning to strum the "bum ditty" over and over until it is almost second nature and then while strumming without paying attention to my right hand, focus on three chords G C D7. And the second (2) I purchased "Mel Bay 101 Three- Chord Songs" song book and started playing the simple songs I recognized without looking at my fingers.

I can now play most of the songs in the book pretty well with few or no errors per song. I've also come to realize that although I can play the songs, It's the special effects that really make the songs sound really good and in time I will start adding some of them.(Slides, pull-off, etc,)
I practice the rolls daily and am now learning the pinches.

I just ordered the 3 chord Christmas songbook and am anxious to start learning some of these songs as the holidays approach.

Thanks to all in this beginner section for the advice and suggestions.

don

Question for everyone. How much (or long) do you practice every day? How much should I practice each day in order to make progress? I suppose "progress" is subjective and it also depends on how much free time I have. I can devote an hour a day currently. I tried using tab but became frustrated. I recently got vol 1 of the murphy method. (and no I'm not trying to start a debate here--it's just I'm having waaay too many problems with tab...). Anyways, what do you all think?

Hey Moose - an hour a day is plenty enough if your time is balanced between effective practice and study. A good teacher can show you the proper way with a structured method that is designed to constantly build your knowledge and technical skill while learning songs. For most of us that has proven to be extremely beneficial. If you have a local teacher available, great. If not, there are plenty of them that can help you through Skype or iChat. The key is to make your time productive, and all the books in the world can't communicate the "zen" of playing music. Take just one lesson from a good instructor and you'll see. I've heard teachers say that some of their students make remarkable progress with only 30 minutes a day of daily practice. My daily practice runs about 4 hours a day on weekdays and 5-6 on days off but that level of dedication is not necessary.

Larry

Edited by - Jazz Country on 09/15/2011 07:14:57

Mountain Moose - I peeked at your profile, we seem to be around the same age. I have heard younger guys & gals pick up learning a bit faster than us seasoned folk so I try to practice a little more to make up for that learning curve. I'm about three months into this now and my practice time remains the same as when I started, which I would say on average is about an hour a day. Some days I'll play for two hours, some days only a half hour. Just depends on what sort of groove I'm in at the time, but I rarely miss a day. I even take my banjo with me when my wife goes grocery shopping or any other errands she runs and just sit there in the suv and pick away. I wouldn't say I'm making huge  leaps and bounds, however I'm very pleased with my progress thus far. I think you will really like Murphy's DVD. I have picked up so much from her lessons so far. I've never tried anyone else except a few videos on You Tube. If you search for Rob Bourassa on you tube he has some great clear clean and easy videos to learn by ear. I am currently awaiting a DVD from Pete Wernick that I'm excited about, but over all I plan to mainly stick with Ms. Henry. Good luck, let us know how you like your new switch from tab to ear!

Butch B..

fear not fellow neophytes.  i walk with you.  but this isn't about me, or, ahem...i guess it is. 'but.'  please don't fear not playing.  since we started, we've been trying to figure this all out.  me too.  we worry about picks, set up, the phuckin' d chord!  how much to practice.  but recently i had to take a break.  a week's worth in fact.  life gets in the way sometimes.  well, the first born is nicely settled in his first year of college, and just tonight i picked the beater up.  played one of the best forty five minutes or so i've played since re-up on this contraption back in january.  muscle memory is an amazing thing.

so don't be afraid to leave it alone and have it whisper to you from across the room.  mine did.  and because i rewarded her for persistence, she made me good.  i like that about my banjo.

b

Edited by - stymie on 09/15/2011 19:57:02

On the subject of instructors. As I reflected on my banjer journey (two months in), I thought "where would I be on my quest had I went it alone"?

I purchased my banjo on suggestion of my soon to be instructor. As it turns out, 400.00 for an Epiphone MB250 with case, tuner, and metronome was quiet a good deal.

I record each lesson played on my banjo by my instructor so I know how the tune should eventually sound and therefore I know it is not the instrument but the player. No guessing about it.

If I get stuck on something, he'll address it on my next trip. Shows me proper teqnique and mechanics to get me to my goals in the shortesr time possible.

Theres a hundred things that could happen to frustrate a person. And soon, with enough frustrations, you could think of better things to do with your time.

I'm glad I have an instructor and I think I'll tell him that on my next visit.

Sometimes I wish I had the luxury of being able to practice for hours like some of you. But then, I practice for 30-40 minutes and reach a point where things start to go downhill and realize that's not what works for me. Everyone is different and learns differently. I do it to have fun, not to try to get so good that Rhonda Vincent calls for me to tour with her (though I wouldn't turn her down, lol). I will say that regular practice by far trumps longer, more sporadic practice sessions.

I'm not sure if I posted this before or not, but when I first looked into getting a banjo and learning to play (with no real musical experience in 46 years) far too many people told me it would be really difficult, that the banjo is really hard to learn, that I should take up guitar first instead. Well, in only a few months I've taught myself to play a couple songs enough that you can recognize what they are at a pace that isn't glacial. It can be done, particularly if you do it for the enjoyment and don't treat it as a job or task you have to do. I practice when I want to. And it's funny how that goofy looking instrument will call to me. There are days I can't wait to get home and pick it up. Summation:  if a middle-aged idiot like me, armed only with a Murphy Method DVD and a cheap banjo can learn to play, so can you.

Moose, you are a youngster at 55. I'm 67 and just started. No experience with any instrument. I'll echo the message of getting an instructor. You will need feedback and only a live person can give you that. On tabs, my secret was to learn one measure at a time and add each new one until you get the whole song. An instructor can help you on that as well. I will never be able to play as fast as the pros but I'm doing it to just enjoy the challenge and be happy I've learned another tune.

Your question is how long to play. I don't play everyday, but play most days. I practice until I get tired or begin to make a lot of mistakes. That is about one hour or so. Sometimes more and sometimes less. I do a lot of roll repetitions and chords then practice or learn new songs. It's funny but when I lay off for a couple of days, I can play better than the time before.

My teacher is now starting to teach me how to play by ear and plays the guitar with me accompanying him, which is a blast. Whatever you do, don't get so serious and stressed out about it that you lose sight of your goal - to have fun.

Edited by - sam-i-am on 09/16/2011 05:12:57

Hear, hear Sam I Am! Well said.

Thanks to everyone for their input!  Living in a rural area, there's not much chance in finding an instructor.  If I wanted to learn piano or guitar (which I already play) there wouldn't be a problem.  I never thought about the Skype etc options, though.  I will check it out. Also thanks for the comment on being "seasoned" (versus the "o" word!). I don't feel old at all, and getting encouragement from seasoned campaigners that are a decade or so more "seasoned" helps a lot.  I'll keep y'all posted.  This is a great group!

Mike

Went to Nashville today with my wife and toured the Rhyman auditorium. Saw Grandpaw Jones' Vega banjo and other memorabilia like Stringbean's outfit. Go there if you can. It's great.

Well...I bought one of those cheep banjos back in July and I love being able to play it.
Bought my banjo from Guitar Center and had to have it replaced three times for one reason or another.
I can tell it is not what I want long term, but it is what I could afford at the time and the staff at Guitar Center have NO experience with banjos, so I was left to fend for myself.  When I enquired about them a year ago, they had one staff member from Nashville, but he had moved on since then.

I can tell the sound is not great...but it does provide an avenue to learn from.  I cannot wait till I feel like I can play the thing and can justify spending more money on one.

I have been learning from You Tube and a Hal Leonard Banjo Book.  Lot of good stuff.  Still working on the rolls and playing cords at the same time.  Have yet to start working on pull-offs and hammer-ons.  I will be posting for help on those soon, so....stay tuned.

Welcome edhanzel. NOT speaking from experience, because I have been playing only two months. But from reading advice from more experienced players, it may be worth looking into a better banjo right away. After all, we need all the help we can get in the beginning. Avoid frustrations where you can. I have a used Epiphone MB250 that I got for about 400.00. It came with hsc, tuner, metronome, picks and a book. My instructor comments on the good sound almost every time I go in for a lesson. Now I know when there's a problem, I don't have to be concerned with it being the instrument. He records my lessons, played on my banjo, so I know it's ME. You can find some good deals on this site for good, beginner banjos.

Good luck,

David

What brand and model did you get? And, was it new? I have to assume that they also did not set it up for you.

Find a live instructor if possible.

Edited by - sam-i-am on 09/18/2011 13:34:25

I have located a website that has the most detailed list of Asian banjos I have found. Click on the link:

http://www.paulhawthorne.com/asianbanjos/index.htm

I've played guitar for several years, and decided, on a whim, that certain songs on CD's I have would sound cool if played on a banjo. So, I have a banjo, now.It's a Framus. I really like it. I can already play 3 chorded songs on it ,but it'd be extremely cool to be able to strum a melody and chords, at the same time. Since I got it yesterday, my biggest thing is learning the chord placement,and remembering that a C chord on banjo is somewhat different than a C chord on guitar. When I get 'Banjos for dummies," I'm going to go through it from beginning to end. Yes, I can play it like guitar, but it'd be cool to play it with melody and chords, like bluegrass.

Creekrunner,
I have the next version down from yours....MB100. They say it is the same but without the resonator.
i like not having the resonator since I often put a small pillow in the back to quite the instrument when I practice in the evening. Found that little trick online and it works great.

How far along are you in your playing? I am still working on alternate rolls and playing the cords without stopping. Lot harder making both hands work together at the same time. Was tinkering with Tablature today and that was fun. I keep thinking that I should be futher along, but not sure if I am putting undue pressure on myself.

Sam,
I have a Epiphone MB100.
I like that it stays in tune. I have three little kids that like to beat up the strings, so I am always checking the tuning when I play. As far as having them set it up for me...that is it's own story. The original one worked fine till the 5th string came loose from the neck as I was tuning it. I returned it to the store and the second one was still in the box. I had to tighten the head, place the bridge and start over. Never could get that to play well, the bridge was too high and i had a terrible experience filing the bridge down. I ordered a new brige from a music store, but again I had trouble with the 5th string popped off the neck. I took it back AGAIN and they gave me my original banjo back with everything repaired.

Been working great now and I am happy with it. If I had to do it all over again, I would have paid more to by it a the local music store and not the Cosco of Guitars.

I would love to do lessons, but I am trying to watch the dollars right now. I also have no idea what the weekly costs will be.