Rich Weill - Posted - 04/26/2013:  07:43:06

quote:

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Originally posted by Tim13

So for me, it has been 5 years to get to the point where I'm starting to get comfortable with the instrument, and the tempos that most jam pickers play.  It's really starting to get interesting now that I have a little bit of skill.

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Tim, I hope by this you don't mean to suggest that Jen, or anyone else, should wait five years -- or needs the two years you've had of focused study of Earl's specific style -- to start jamming with her banjo.

The term "banjo player" is highly subjective, and we all can give it whatever definition we want.  But to the extent that Jen's original post came to mean:  "How long does it take to become a jamming banjo player?" I would hate to have your fruitful studies interpreted as a reason to postpone the jamming experience.

jbaker7 - Posted - 04/26/2013:  19:12:34

Hi Jen,

Just keep playing 'til you get to where you want to be...Jack

quote:

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Originally posted by JMalmsteen

 

I have been at this for two years.  I'm wondering how long it takes to become a "banjo player," i.e. someone who can play banjo in a band or even a jam.  Is five years reasonable? I know some people take naturally to this kind of thing and can become proficient in the matter of a few months, but under normal circumstances if there is such a thing.  I'll post an example of two years in. I recorded this first take after practicing this maybe ten times through, so it's an accurate indication, nothing polished here. At the moment, if I go to a jam, I just bring a mandolin because the banjo players at the jam I go to, sound like "banjo players."  I'm not complaining.  Worst case scenario, I'm a guitar player, so I can always just play guitar, been doing that for most of my life so it's like breathing, but I really do like this banjo thing.  My long term goal with this is to play at jams and bluegrass festivals when I retire in twenty years.

(This is partially in response to reading here that you shouldn't play certain songs if you can't play them up to speed. I can't play them up to speed yet.  We've had the speed discussion, and there is the idea that if you can't play it, don't. I'm wondering how long the "being able to play it" usually takes people.  So, in my head, I think people feel that you shouldn't bring a banjo to a jam unless you can play maybe 70% as well as Earl, from what I've read here)

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bobsher - Posted - 04/28/2013:  10:24:01

Try not to play songs by memorizing them 100 Percent .Try to add some of your own style.Also,chord along and add licks in a jam.Eventually venture into a break.My two cents.

OSCAR82AA - Posted - 04/28/2013:  11:58:48

I think you sound great.

Just keep at it and you will get there. I'm sure of it.