icohen2 - Posted - 01/16/2014:  08:03:40

Got two questions for the group.
Wonder if anyone has any suggestions for speed building? Soon to turn 64, I have been playing for about a year and a half and am unhappy with my ability to gain speed in my picking... I have been working with a metronome to build speed slowly but it just doesn't seem to be there.... any suggestions, exercises etc. that might help? This brings me to my next question....

I have been learning almost exclusively through the use of Tabs for the past year and a half or so. I am coming to the conclusion that this may be hindering me in my ability to play with others as it seems as if I don't have the Tab, I can't play it. I hear a lot about playing by ear and am starting to wonder whether this is a better way to go? Anyone have thoughts on either question? All input appreciated.

Svenn - Posted - 01/16/2014:  08:10:35

Do you think youre being limited by your picking hand or fretting hand?

Hankon5 - Posted - 01/16/2014:  11:10:55

Nope! I have not a once of mobility problems yet(age 66).  Thank the Lord!!!  Since this thread has been awhile since it died on the vine..I would like to hear from other late bloomers who started late in life!! 

BanjoRW - Posted - 04/17/2014:  23:50:22

It's been a long time since one of us late starters had there say here. Anyone start playing the banjo late in life?

ildertongap - Posted - 04/18/2014:  07:36:55

quote: Sounds like we started at about the same time, I found that the best thing I did to improve my playing was to find a good instructor. If that is not possible then I would suggest trying the beginners and slow jam DVD's  by Pete Weirnick. From what I can tell if you put your focus onto the fundamental right and left hand elements while you work with a metronome to get rock solid timing, the speed aspect will definitely improve.

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Originally posted by icohen2

Got two questions for the group.

Wonder if anyone has any suggestions for speed building? Soon to turn 64, I have been playing for about a year and a half and am unhappy with my ability to gain speed in my picking... I have been working with a metronome to build speed slowly but it just doesn't seem to be there.... any suggestions, exercises etc. that might help? This brings me to my next question....



I have been learning almost exclusively through the use of Tabs for the past year and a half or so. I am coming to the conclusion that this may be hindering me in my ability to play with others as it seems as if I don't have the Tab, I can't play it. I hear a lot about playing by ear and am starting to wonder whether this is a better way to go? Anyone have thoughts on either question? All input appreciated.

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carrieb - Posted - 04/18/2014:  08:27:04

I entered the world learning to make/play music in October 2012. That was age 58 (never really gauged things by my age), my siblings and family thought I was nuts, yeah.......fooled them! Picked up the banjo in Feb of this year (61). Family, career as an XRay Technician, family farm took all my time. No regrets there, but upon retiring, WOOHOO, that little seed sprouted and I haven't looked back! Regrets? Sure, wish I'd done this sooner, but hindsight is always 20-20! Learning curve, heck yeah, do I want to be Roy Clark, heck no, never will be! I'm just enjoying it immensely, and the fact that I've reached the age where pressure to succeed is not a factor, just my own personal goals and desires to play and get better at it. Life is great and my thanks go to some super special friends and the Good Lord above for the Blessings bestowed upon me!

BanjoRW - Posted - 04/18/2014:  11:09:57

Good for you Carrie, and a belated welcome to the BHO! I too wish I had started earlier in life, but I'm enjoying the journey now.

roadstar75 - Posted - 04/18/2014:  11:11:22

quote:  Originally posted by carrieb

I entered the world learning to make/play music in October 2012. That was age 58 (never really gauged things by my age), my siblings and family thought I was nuts, yeah.......fooled them! Picked up the banjo in Feb of this year (61). Family, career as an XRay Technician, family farm took all my time. No regrets there, but upon retiring, WOOHOO, that little seed sprouted and I haven't looked back! Regrets? Sure, wish I'd done this sooner, but hindsight is always 20-20! Learning curve, heck yeah, do I want to be Roy Clark, heck no, never will be! I'm just enjoying it immensely, and the fact that I've reached the age where pressure to succeed is not a factor, just my own personal goals and desires to play and get better at it. Life is great and my thanks go to some super special friends and the Good Lord above for the Blessings bestowed upon me!

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It's great that you started out so young, try it at age 75 it definitely is harder.  I figure if I can keep at it for another year it should really start paying off as I can see improvement compared to where I was a year ago (now 76) it does take a little longer as you get up in years.

Richard

Edited by - roadstar75 on 04/18/2014 11:12:41

carrieb - Posted - 04/18/2014:  14:34:06

Thanks Bob, BHO has been a great place and a lot of help. Folks are top notch too!

Richard, my hat is off to you, I'm already finding that those Mach 7 songs aren't made to be in my repetoire, LOL! And yes, the learning curve might be a little steeper, but hey, it's all about the desire and enjoyment to play!

BanjoKat2 - Posted - 07/10/2014:  20:48:21

crankcaseNZ - Posted - 07/12/2014:  04:01:04

Well, I have just spent a couple hours listening to Dave Hum (RIP) while reading the 'late starting threads'. I can see I am in good company! I'm 42, and as so many others have said, I too have long had the desire to play, not necessarily the means. Going to take care of that in the next week or so...sell my wife's car  = banjo

There's a fiddle in the basement that apparently I took lessons on when I was in middle school last century, but I'd like to see photographic evidence of that - those spots on a page just look like join the dots to me now. So no lasting knowledge or experience with instruments and music, but a deep appreciation for the talent of others and a love of the gift of music.

I am looking forward to the journey I am soon to embark on and am glad to have found the hangout. I hope I get to know some of you, because I live at the bottom of the world, and the penguins don't play.

Glad to be a starter....even if it is a late one...may God bless me with years ahead that I can learn and practice enough for others to enjoy, so that this is not just about me.

Oh, and my wife will be getting her new car before I get my banjo BTW

 

BanjoRW - Posted - 07/12/2014:  20:48:39

Welcome to the BHO, crankcaseNZ. You have definitely come to the right place to learn!

Mr Walden - Posted - 07/13/2014:  03:54:58

I think that age can be a benefit in learning. With more life experience under our belts we can easier sit and listen to what it is we are supposed to be doing. At a younger age we want shortcuts. When I was a teenager I had a 4-string banjo, and I could pick out melodies on it, but that was it. In my 20's I tried to learn 5-string banjo, but couldn't understand the basics. I gave it up. In my mid 30's I tried again, and picked it right up.

crankcaseNZ - Posted - 07/13/2014:  12:12:13

quote:

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Originally posted by BanjoRW

Welcome to the BHO, crankcaseNZ. You have definitely come to the right place to learn!

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Thanks for the welcome :-) I'm convinced this is a great place to be. 

Reuben Dunn - Posted - 08/01/2014:  16:17:25

quote:

---

Originally posted by BanjoRW

It's been a long time since one of us late starters had there say here. Anyone start playing the banjo late in life?

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Well, l thought l would blow the cobwebs of of things here.

53 years old and a few weeks from getting my RK35.

Who cares about the destination, l am looking forward to the journey!

roadstar75 - Posted - 08/01/2014:  16:52:38

The journey is the destination.

Hankon5 - Posted - 08/01/2014:  17:04:03

For sure Roadstar75!  I  took up the banjo at 62 when I retired and never looked back.   I pick daily and am always tinkering with the axe, looking for sweeter sound to my ears. I have learned that a bridge can make or break the tonal qualities of your banjo.   I have been playing for 5 years now and have played on stage in front of large audiences...it is thrilling and VERY satisfying.  As I have mentioned many times before, the sound of a well set up banjo draws people in and also makes your practicing MUCH more fun!

roadstar75 - Posted - 08/01/2014:  17:14:24

quote: Originally posted by Hankon5

For sure Roadstar75!  I  took up the banjo at 62 when I retired and never looked back.   I pick daily and am always tinkering with the axe, looking for sweeter sound to my ears. I have learned that a bridge can make or break the tonal qualities of your banjo.   I have been playing for 5 years now and have played on stage in front of large audiences...it is thrilling and VERY satisfying.  As I have mentioned many times before, the sound of a well set up banjo draws people in and also makes your practicing MUCH more fun!

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Looks like I have 4 more years to go if it took you 5 years, but I'll be 80 by then, I better accelerate the practice schedule.  I will be happy to be able to play for some friends.  Don't know about the bridge since my Deering Calico is more than powerful enough for me, I never did a thing after taking it out of the box except tune it once in a while.

Richard

Hankon5 - Posted - 08/01/2014:  17:25:09

Thanks Bob for bringing up this thread again!

It has been awhile for some of us to post about taking up banjo playing late in life.  When I started this  thread quite awhile back I never expected that there were so many of us taking up picking and starting their banjo journey.  But not only that, it is so much more!   Pickin' has put much joy and fun in my retirement days.  Make many friends here on BHO and personally meeting them.  Played with a few and keep on meeting others around me who love bluegrass.  I look forward every day to practice...so that I would be able to contribute more to jams and a band or two.

Banjoukegirl - Posted - 08/12/2014:  17:03:17

I started at 69, and now close to celebrating my 70th this month. I can't imagine being bored. There is so much to learn, and the banjo is a challenge. People ask me if it is easy. I'm quite clear that I don't think it is! I had played guitar, fiddle and button accordian, and was surprised when I took it up how fascinating the banjo can be. I am playing clawhammer, old time, mostly. I am toying with a teeny bit of bluegrass, and I also have a 1910 English Cammeyer banjo that I am starting to figure out, with the help of the Classic Banjo folks (many in the UK). So much to do, so little time! It's fun playing so many wonderful tunes. Has anyone heard "Georgia Grind." (Classic banjo tune?)

kingfisher500 - Posted - 08/19/2014:  19:55:52

I hope that I have not already posted to this thread, but my memory ain't what it used to be.

I began playing banjo at age 70. Now I am 77. I have stuck with it for seven years and have made slow, but sure progress, primarily thanks to the great people on this hangout willing to share what they know with us novices. I tend to pick things up easily at first, but then reach a plateau from which further progress takes a lot of hard work.

I really enjoy old time music and looked forward to the next tune of the week. The historical background is very interesting and the new tune gives me something to focus my practice on.

countryman99 - Posted - 10/06/2014:  06:12:56

It's great to know you're not alone in later age at taking up one of the most wonderful happiest sounding instruments ever invented.

In 2011, at the age of 75 with no knowledge of music or instrumentation, I started to learn Clawhammer banjo and was progressing well,

until the last two years which were lost owing to family ill health and concentration was impossible. However recovery has since restored

and my Bucket List can once more commence at 79, which I have decided to restart from scratch, having the addition of a hearing aid

did not help what I was hearing from the strings of my banjo [incidentally older than me], so to get the sound I wanted without the harsh

tinny response I was receiving, no doubt due to the setting up of the hearing aid, but my solution was to use  nylon fishing line strings

and they work perfectly with the sound I was looking for, and now practice happily every day.

I'd like to say a massive Thankyou to All BHO members for the kind helpful messages bestowed on me since joining, with a friend list

from all parts of the world, it makes an old feller really alive. God Bless.

Porch picker

Mac.

Thirsty - Posted - 10/06/2014:  09:26:00

Tried to learn to play 30 years ago, busy work schedule with long hours, so I got fired by my banjo teacher. Retired at 60, last winter at 62 built my banjo figuring I'd be more likely to play it if I built it, and if I never sounded very good, I could blame it on the banjo. Well the banjo sounds much better then purty good but I don't, so I'm not finished with it yet I guess. If I'd a built it for me I might have already set it aside, but I built it "as unto the Lord", kind of a habit I've gotten into. I'm gonna practice until it sounds to everyone the way it sounds to Him, and my blessed wife who cheers me on and encourages me as I practice.