Stevewed - Posted - 08/17/2011:  08:56:16

quote:

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Originally posted by jollypenguin

I have some musician friends who love nothing more than to sit in the garden with the bbq smoking and play. But I just don't know how to join in! There is a song that I'm desperately trying to learn "Cornbread and Butter Beans" for the next bbq get together and I just can't get it. Should I move my efforts of fingerpicking to clawhammer? Should I get all my chords under my belt and then just strum along? I've been watching many a YOUTUBE to try the clawhammer but my fingers now seem to have a life of their own and I can't keep them still.

Sally



 

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Sally, funny you mention this. I got a banjo a few weeks ago and my neighbor decided to get a mandolin. (He's a trombone player. Go figure.) He and I have been learning together and playing while we keep an eye on the grills and the firepits. What I've found, and YMMV, is that if I bring a couple of rolls and a whole bunch of chords to the Adirondack chair I'm in pretty good shape. He'll strum along on the mandolin and pick out a few spots and I'll hit a couple of rolls and strum some chords.

As we progress, I'd imagine we each do more picking/plucking and less strumming, though we'd strum background, I'm sure. For me, it's great to get out there and just play with folks. I don't see any reason that I have to be an accomplished player to join in, as long as I don't make a jerk of myself. 

I figure everyone who joins in a jam session was once a n00b.

Anyway, that's my thinking, for whatever it's worth.

Steve

Edited by - Stevewed on 08/17/2011 08:56:45

Tunez - Posted - 08/17/2011:  10:00:17

That sounds like the best way to learn Steve!

-Zack

sam-i-am - Posted - 08/20/2011:  15:42:32

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.

Wild_Daisy - Posted - 08/20/2011:  21:07:17

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

Levi Fisher - Posted - 08/21/2011:  18:45:05

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

loukiii - Posted - 08/21/2011:  19:31:59

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.

chuckthompson - Posted - 08/22/2011:  12:35:28

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

Jazz Country - Posted - 08/22/2011:  13:03:55

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

chuckthompson - Posted - 08/22/2011:  13:49:22

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...

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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

dfltil - Posted - 09/05/2011:  14:46:39

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

MountainMoose - Posted - 09/14/2011:  20:20:20

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?

Jazz Country - Posted - 09/15/2011:  07:14:34

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

Peanutscreams - Posted - 09/15/2011:  15:23:15

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..

stymie - Posted - 09/15/2011:  19:55:05

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

CreekRunner - Posted - 09/15/2011:  21:40:24

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.

ddavidv - Posted - 09/16/2011:  03:50:29

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.

sam-i-am - Posted - 09/16/2011:  05:08:46

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

CreekRunner - Posted - 09/16/2011:  06:25:18

Hear, hear Sam I Am! Well said.

MountainMoose - Posted - 09/16/2011:  15:01:38

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

sam-i-am - Posted - 09/17/2011:  19:43:17

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.

edhanzel - Posted - 09/18/2011:  10:02:13

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.

CreekRunner - Posted - 09/18/2011:  10:19:35

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

sam-i-am - Posted - 09/18/2011:  13:31:48

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

sam-i-am - Posted - 09/18/2011:  14:08:32

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



paulhawthorne.com/asianbanjos/index.htm

Rhonlynn - Posted - 09/18/2011:  16:52:29

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.

edhanzel - Posted - 09/18/2011:  21:56:59

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.

sam-i-am - Posted - 09/19/2011:  05:38:50

I live south of Paducah, KY and my instructor charges $20/half-hour lesson. It wouldn't hurt to go every two weeks for awhile so you have time to practice. I'm not sure what they charge where you are but you should check it out. If you haven't already done so, get a chromatic tuner. It saves tons of time tuning. It costs about $25. Same for a metronome.

kb2dhg - Posted - 09/19/2011:  05:51:23

Yes a good electronic tuner is very helpful... Practice EVERY DAY even if it is just for a few minutes. I try to do at least an hour a day some days I feel like i can't pick one note others I am good. I never let it get me down. I play anyway and keep practicing... To me it is theriputic just to have that banjo strapped on...

edhanzel - Posted - 09/22/2011:  18:31:33

I was wondering why I had not seen any additional chats for several days and I just noticed we moved to another page.

I have that on the list of things to get, but I just found a bajno tuning app on the iPad I use for work, but have yet to try it.  I also think the $20-$25 an half hour is OK and should fit into the budget.  I will have to check online for banjo lessons near me.  It would force me to practice a little more.  Sometimes I only get 15 minutes a day to keep my fingers fresh.

I saw an earlier post about maybe using Skype for lessons and that gave me an idea....has anyone just connected together on Skype or another web service?  I just tried out using GoTo Meeting by Citrix and it lets six people connect over the computer.  Anyone want to try it one evening or weekend?  Be fun to get a few of us beginners making noise together.

sam-i-am - Posted - 09/28/2011:  11:35:39

Sounds like fun. I have Skype. Just make sure you have excellent bandwidth. Set it up and I'll join in.

mudlakesandy - Posted - 09/30/2011:  16:44:18

Electronic tuner is a must- Working through the Scruggs book- just when you think you are making good progress on CC he changes up the roll.................................................Working at it with several instruction books as no instructor in range- interesting the different approach, so if you get stalled with one go to another and then get back to the first. Using the Scruggs book as the measuring stick- but a number of the others offer interesting insights. Masters of the 5 String Banjo is an excellent source of insights/ technique comments from the sources

butter9487 - Posted - 09/30/2011:  19:30:29

quote:

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Originally posted by EggSalad



I've been playing for just over 3 months now. I've never played an instrument before, so this has been a challenge. I'm really enjoying it now though. The only thing I can figure out is that the more I play the better I get. So I'm just going to keep playing, and I figure one day I'll get there.



About a month or 6 weeks in to playing I hit a wall. I didn't play the entire week, and it crossed my mind several times to give it up. Making it through that one bad week has made all the difference. Not sure if that is a normal part of learning, but if anyone else is going through that, stick to it. It's only a temporary feeling. I'd have hated to give up back then.

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Yo Eggsalad that was me about 10 months ago i was not going any where fast and getting very frustrated and then i started taking lessons guess what i still get frustrated but i am making great progress. But the biggest lesson was when i told my banjo teacher about how frustrated i was getting and someone over heard this and recommended sometime off and to let the knowledge sink in .

Rhonlynn - Posted - 09/30/2011:  19:50:18

I've been so sick for 2 weeks. Suddenly my tmj started acting up, By actign up, I mean, pure horrific pain and I've not been able to do anything. I look at my instruments, and just lay down. that's not me. I'm getting better, and then I'm going to have dentist work done...go figure. Then, I'm going to start at my banjo again.

mfeltz1 - Posted - 10/03/2011:  06:09:00

quote:

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Originally posted by edhanzel

I was wondering why I had not seen any additional chats for several days and I just noticed we moved to another page.

 

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 EEK!  Where did we go?  I can't find the new page.

Rhonlynn - Posted - 10/03/2011:  06:39:05

We moved to a new page? lol....

sam-i-am - Posted - 10/03/2011:  11:20:41

Does anyone recognize my new "photo"?

sam-i-am - Posted - 10/16/2011:  07:05:25

Hey, what's happened to my newby peeps? Well, I've just found a new wrinkle that has helped me. My thumb is always hitting the wrong string. I found that if I hold it parallel with the strings it goes where it is supposed to go. I guess I missed this in my training. Now I have to overcome my habit of curving it. It also lets me play faster. Now I have to work on my index finger hitting the D string before the B string. Always something new to learn. What a trip!

jon1litty - Posted - 10/16/2011:  11:14:40

I'm a beginner and found hooking with others really helped me. I was lucky enough to fined a couple of wonderful Banjo Bands that welcomed me with open arms. I still can't keep up with them all the time, but Air Banjo works. The most important thing  is to practice, practice, practice and practice some more. Also don't become discouraged it does take time.

neqoda - Posted - 10/16/2011:  11:26:38

There are days (like today) it feels and sounds like like I've never picked up a Banjo before. Some days I think I'm doing good, making progress and I get excited about it. Then there are days like today. Some times I just want to hang it up.

courgettelawn - Posted - 10/16/2011:  12:54:58

Quick reply from a still newbie. Have not had a chance for regular practice of late due to moving and all but had a good session this evening which made me realise how much I missed relaxing with my banjo. I am progressing slowly but still trying to get rhythm and timing right before trying to speed up. Still have problems with my thumb but it is getting better. Really loved learning Blackberry Blossom and now getting cool endings down pat with Cumberland Gap. Yes I am really taking things slow... Nice to be back on he hangout too.

Peanutscreams - Posted - 10/17/2011:  06:21:48

I'm still here sam, but like Tehmina, had a small unplanned change in life. Like John Lennon says, "Life is what happens when your busy making other plans" My Mother took a turn for the worse so I had to pack things up in Oregon and drive out to Indiana. After loading all necessary items in our rig for the trip , there was no room for my banjo! Fortunately when I got here my brother from Louisville (Not far from your neck of the woods) had an old dusty Santa Rosa in his closet that he has let me use. I thought my Davison was bad, but this thing of his really has a "honky sound" haha. Bless his heart though he is letting me use it. I have not been trying to learn anything new on his banjo, just continuing practice with my rolls and the few songs I already know. Glad to hear you have your thumb problem solved finally. Have you mastered any new material yet? Also glad to here Tehmina is back with us and moving along - slow but sure. See she has learned Blackberry Blossom, think I may tinker around with that next.

Butch B.

GhostChile - Posted - 10/17/2011:  18:05:33

Great forum/thread!
I started on October 5th of this year, my mom bought me a banjo for my birthday! As I am a truckdriver, i dont get to practice as much as i want. Cuz sometimes I have to drive late at night and need to sleep when I pull over. Becuz of this I am progressing very slowly. I can make d7, a, g7 and c chords with a clear tone. Can do forward rolls pretty dang good. And I will not probly ever get a chance to play with anyone. So i am pretty much a lonewolf. HAPPY PIKIN' Y'ALL!

sam-i-am - Posted - 10/18/2011:  05:31:05

I went to a huge seminar yesterday at the Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville. At lunch I went to THE music store on Broadway where they have about fifty banjos hanging up with a salesman just for that department. They don't have new ones, just really good used ones, one of which had an $11,500 price tag on it. A lot of Stellings, pre-war Gibsons, Deerings, and you name it. I took down some and played Cripple Creek on them but without picks since I didn't take them with me. I was not prepared for the difference between my $200 banjo and those. They are so easy to play.  You can strike the string softly, and the sound is so clear and slides are so easy. Wow.

Butch, I understand what you are going through. My 88 year-old mother just found out she has ovarian cancer and at her age she wants to enjoy what time she has left and not go through anything that would take away her quality of life for what time is left. She lives in Panama City, FL where  grew up. Fortunately she is in great spirits. Her faith has let her relax and know she will be in a better place. She's also looking forward to seeing my Dad to give him a dope slap for dying twenty years ago and leaving her alone. (Joke).Glad to hear from my friends again.

Butch, I'm getting Tom Dooley with rolls down pretty good.

Keep on pickin'.

Sam

Edited by - sam-i-am on 10/18/2011 05:35:51

EggSalad - Posted - 10/18/2011:  11:51:54

quote:

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Originally posted by butter9487

quote:

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Originally posted by EggSalad



I've been playing for just over 3 months now. I've never played an instrument before, so this has been a challenge. I'm really enjoying it now though. The only thing I can figure out is that the more I play the better I get. So I'm just going to keep playing, and I figure one day I'll get there.



About a month or 6 weeks in to playing I hit a wall. I didn't play the entire week, and it crossed my mind several times to give it up. Making it through that one bad week has made all the difference. Not sure if that is a normal part of learning, but if anyone else is going through that, stick to it. It's only a temporary feeling. I'd have hated to give up back then.

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Yo Eggsalad that was me about 10 months ago i was not going any where fast and getting very frustrated and then i started taking lessons guess what i still get frustrated but i am making great progress. But the biggest lesson was when i told my banjo teacher about how frustrated i was getting and someone over heard this and recommended sometime off and to let the knowledge sink in .

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It's really cool to be cruising this thread and see your post.  I've been playing for just over a year, and I have hit a little wall again.  I don't feel I'm getting as much out of my teacher as I once was, and I just don't know how to attack learning the fretboard. 

Reading your post, as well as my quoted post from a year ago really is helping.  Just got to push through.

courgettelawn - Posted - 10/19/2011:  13:11:23

Hi Butch and others,

Butch--I'm sorry to hear about your mother, I hope things work out. How brilliant you still have a banjo to play on--maybe the poorer one makes your own one feel like a much better instrument!

Today I feel I had a bit of a breakthrough that didn't come about for any other reason than I was in the right mood to practice and wasn't afraid to give it some welly, as they say. So far I have deliberately been practising slowish to make sure I got rhythm and notes right but I found it didn't really help with timing so sped it up at the cost of some bum notes but a much better sound that I recorded part of so I could hear where I was going wrong.

Many folks here recommend recording as a way to improve. Now I feel brave enough I can recommend it too, even as a still beginner ploughing slowly through Janet Davis's course.

Butch--definitely try out Blackberry Blossom. It's sweet and just the right antidote to 'life'!
Tehmina

faulknej - Posted - 10/19/2011:  15:47:30

I'm another late bloomer, just starting out at 53.  I've always loved music, but I could never stick with an instrument long enough to learn to play.  My fingers are too short and fat to play guitar.  I bought my wife a mandolin last Christmas, just a $49 Rogue from Amazon.  While I was setting it up, I got interested in playing it.  Bought the wife a fiddle, which she said she really wanted anyway.  We started listening to lots of Bluegrass, and I fell hard for the banjo sound.  We went to a couple of local chain stores to see if I would like holding a banjo.  The local Sam Ash had 3 to look at, a Fender beginner kit, an Epiphone MB-100, and a great closeout deal on an MB-500.  I tried the two cheap models first, as they were hanging lower on the wall and easier to get to.  The head was loose on the fender and the MB-100 wasn't really set up either, so I took the MB-500 down.  I almost dropped it, the difference in weight was amazing.  I clipped the tuner on and plucked a string...  Oh boy was I in love!  Such a sweet sound.  My wife said "you have to buy that one.  I put it on layaway.  LOL.  5 months and a grand later, I'm finally playing it. 

While I was paying it off, I was busy downloading lots of free and some premium lessons and watching them a lot.  I spent the first week practicing rolls whenever I looked at the banjo.  After two weeks, I could play Boil Them Cabbage Down at 50 bpm with very few mistakes.  After a month, I can do it at 100 pretty consistently.  Next I memorized Salty Dog.  I'm up to 60 with that after 2 weeks.  So, six  weeks in, I'm definitely hooked.   While sitting at my desk, if I move my left hand 2 feet to the left, I can pick up the banjo, which I do a lot. 

The 2  biggest problems I'm having are the finger picks and my left hand.  The picks make my fingertips go numb,  The thumbpicks I have are supposed to be large, but I guess my thumb is an XL.  I keep trying to adjust them to make it better, guess it just takes time to get them all fitting right.  I did find one XL thumbpick on Janet Davis' site, I ordered 3 of them.  I'll let you know how they fit.

My left hand is another matter.(I can't rub my head and pat my stomach either. LOL)  I can switch fairly quickly between the open position chords, but if the song involves moving between the 10th and 5th and 2nd frets, you can take a walk around the block between the chord changes.  This will get easier, right?   I haven't found anyone in my area to jam with yet, except for the wife and her fiddle.  We have fun and are learning together.

I have read all of the posts in this thread and appreciate all the support given here.  Have fun!  Jim

Edited by - faulknej on 10/19/2011 15:52:17

My MB-500

MB-500

mudlakesandy - Posted - 10/19/2011:  16:42:00

I am thinking that the numbness I am experiencing is between my ears, not in my fingers. I continue to struggle with RH position- read the Hawthorne post here on a separate string is very helpful-got rolls, chord changes, slides, and hammers all working, then realized that I was in a "splayed" hand position. So now am starting again with- correct mechanics- as Sam above says, it is always something- but like the rest of the late bloomers I am not giving up- typing here is a momentary excuse not to practice so I will keep at it- it is clear that daily practice does help the muscle memory- so at the moment mostly working on mechanics and proper timing of CC.

Peanutscreams - Posted - 10/19/2011:  19:34:20

edhanzel - Posted - 10/24/2011:  22:14:30

Hey Sam and everybody.....
Still here, had to put the banjo down for a few weeks due to a project at work.

Sam.....sorry to hear about your mom. I will pray for her and for you to have the best quality time while she is still here. Almost lost my dad to lung cancer earlier this year, so we are all enjoying evry minute of quality time we can. He was here this past weekend and we got to play together. He on the guitar and me on the banjo with my nine year old singing. I did better than I thought I would keeping time with him. Straight alternating roll with some chords...made him and me proud that I could do it. It is a lot harder when you are trying to sing, play and matchup with another person.

That encouraged me to learn cripple creek using the you tube videos by Rob Bourassa. I can do each part, and now I am working on putting it all together. Can't wait to work on speeding the song up.

Edited by - edhanzel on 10/24/2011 22:20:21