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 ARCHIVED TOPIC: First Year Of Learning Bluegrass


Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/107142

jrsinamd - Posted - 02/03/2008:  17:53:38


HI,

Well I must say there are many fantastic players who post here on Banjo Hangout. I promised myself after 1 year of learning to pick (with lessons from an instructor) that I would be brave enough to post a few songs, mistakes and all. Hoping for some feedback on what I am doing wrong from the Banjo community. Planning on attending Joe Val and hoping to play a few of these songs with some other folks.

/Joey




RONLD - Posted - 02/03/2008:  18:19:48


sounds like you are comin along very good friend!!!!!!!!!!

KEEP ON A PICKIN & A PRAYIN!!!!!!!!

Wes Lassiter - Posted - 02/03/2008:  20:19:43


Keep at it your doin fine

Banjo Wes Lassiter

All things excellent are difficult as they are rare

Spinoza

Rick Woods - Posted - 02/04/2008:  08:07:49


Isn't it just great Joey when you look back and see how far you have come? Just to be able to make the strings sound like a song?
I think that you have accomplished a lot for one year. I listened to all your song posts and you did a fine job on all of them. Keep up the good work my friend and you will never be disappointed.

Rick
Sullivan Bardstown
Fender Leo

They ain't nothin' that a good banjo pickin can't cure! My therapy starts with three picks and five strings! YeeHaaw!!

jrsinamd - Posted - 02/05/2008:  00:13:09


Hi Rick, Wes & Ron,

Thanks for the nice words. I have been working pretty hard this first year
learning to pick after 25 years or more of not touching the Banjo. Lessons really
help. I am having lots of fun. Thanks for listening to my posts.

/Joe



bosborne - Posted - 02/05/2008:  11:08:58


Joe, you asked for feedback so...

Your tone is great, your fingers are strong, each one, you've got great speed already, it sounds like music, you've had an amazing year! Now the thing to pay attention to is playing on the beat. Listen to your recordings, Ballad of Jed Clampett for example, and start to tap your foot. OK, first few measures sounds fantastic then ... whoops, we're off the beat, what happened? Ah, you sped up. When you start to analyze where the beat gets lost you're going to find that you're losing the beat in specific places, there's nothing random about it at all. Start to think like a drummer where e-vry-sing-gle-note-that-you-play-has-to-be-on-the-beat.

Once you've solved that you're going to be fantastic.

DelusionsOBanjer - Posted - 02/09/2008:  14:19:20


Dude, you've been playing a year?! You're doing great. That up-the-neck part on "John Hardy" still tortures me. I nail it about half the time, even though I've played it approximately 2.9 million times. Keep at it!

..............................

jrsinamd - Posted - 02/09/2008:  16:29:13


Hi Bosborn,

Thanks for the feedback. You are absolutely right about Jed Clampett I changed speed. My biggest problem is a try to play to fast and get out of control with respect to my ability. Thanks for the encouragement. Sometimes after you play something over and over you just stop hearing it. This type of feedback is what I need. It would help it I played with people.

/Joe

briercreekcook - Posted - 02/22/2008:  19:27:55


I bought my first banjo last week as an age 48 birthday present. It would be awesome to play like this in a year. Your posts are an encouragement to me. Thanks for the posts.

jrsinamd - Posted - 02/23/2008:  09:21:14


Glad you liked the posts. Banjo is huge amounts of fun and for me a great stress relief from my job as I can get lost in trying to make music and not worry about other stuff.

Some words of advice from a beginner. All this stuff had been said before but has helped me to make progress.

1. I find I have good days and bad days. That is to say there are times where I can tell right away I am making progress and times when I think I have made negative progress. Negative progress days are not as much fun but I love holding the instrument and thinking about one day maybe being really good!

So don't give up!!!!!!! Everyone learns at a different pace but as far as I can tell the more you play the better you get. Period! There is no easy way!

2. Find an instructor. This is the single most important thing I can recommend. Waystation (search this site) is mine and Rich has spotted many things and points out
lots of stuff to make learning easier. This is especially true when it comes to trying to make your left hand work efficiently.

3. Play slowly (my biggest problem) and in control. Learning the many rolls is not hard but getting the timing right is tough (at least for me). It is a huge temptation to play fast and it is unavoidable because it is part of what draws you to the music (notes flying everywhere is so so cool!) but playing slowly brings control and speed with practice.

4. Try to practice something everyday for about an hour (or more if you have the time). Don't neglect the family! I have had some hand problems (and now that I am 50 they get stiff.) Moving your fingers everyday helps!

5. Make sure you are having fun and try to play relaxed. There are times I find myself holding the instrument too tight. I always play better when relaxed (have a small glass of wine if needed!).

6. It's never too early to start playing with other people. Learn how to vamp and learn the chords up and down the neck (still working on this myself). It adds a whole new dimension to the fun!

/Joe




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