riveremember - Posted - 09/23/2015:  21:41:16

I am a beginner. I have been playing for about a month. I found Joff Lawson on youtube and learned Cripple Creek for free. Joff's teaching style is great (no Tabs) . As a side note. Cripple Creek is a great tune to learn as a beginner, but I find it hard as, a beginner,  to bring out the melody. So after this free video, Joff's charges for you to learn the rest. So I checked out other youtube banjo teachers. I am now learning I'LL FLY AWAY, taught by, Mike Hedding. He uses tabs, but plays the parts also so you can get the melody. But again, he teaches part, and charges for the rest. So I bought the rest of I'LL FLY AWAY.I find it harder to learn, for me, from Mike Hedding. I don't mind paying if I have,but I want to find one good teacher to stick with, that won't cost a fortune. Being a beginner, I want someone that goes nice and slow, and simplifies. Does anyone have any suggestions?There is no banjo teacher in my area, and I like learning in my home, with videos. That way I can take a break and get ice cream as a reward for playing a part right.

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/23/2015:  23:44:16

Hi Jeff

I started out using the Murphy Method Beginning Banjo Vol 1 & 2. These DVDs gave me the foundational skills to get on the learning ladder.

Visit Murphy's website here murphymethod.com/index.cfm?eve...cat=banjo

Are they the best, that is debatable be I believe they are. I also found Geoff Hohwalds video lessons very helpful especially his lessons on Chords Rhythm and Backup

freeguitarvideos.com/banjo/beginner.html

Here is a sample lesson of the Murphy Method

Edited by - Tam_Zeb on 09/23/2015 23:52:54

tommymc - Posted - 09/24/2015:  02:48:42

Have a look at banjobenclark.com

Paul Foytack - Posted - 09/24/2015:  05:30:43

Hey Jeff,
Give Rob Bourassa a look.
He has several great youtube lessons.
Also look at the second item under playing advice for a great step by step lesson on FMB.
I take lessons from him locally but he also does Skype lessons.
He is a big proponent of musicality and ear training which has helped me tremendously.

gospelman97 - Posted - 09/24/2015:  05:48:06

John Boulding's Lick of the Week videos.  You should start with the beginners series and the Scruggs Foundational Series.

jsutergraphix.com/LOTW/

CosmicCharlie24 - Posted - 09/24/2015:  06:14:45

I like Rick McKeon. He has plenty of beginner stuff to get you going. A lot is free and when he does charge its pretty reasonable. I also like Mike Hedding too. There are many options. Test drive a few and see what you like. Personally I like the tabs as it keeps me on pace and I can follow the lessons easier. Good luck!

riveremember - Posted - 09/24/2015:  06:23:54

Thank you all. I will look into each suggestion. Any other suggestions are welcomed. I am addicted to all things banjo, so I love to do the research. Again, thank you.

pops - Posted - 09/24/2015:  08:53:23

Yon might give these a try  davidcavage.blogspot.com/2009/...sons.html

bluenote23 - Posted - 09/24/2015:  09:59:57

I have had great success with Banjo Ben Clark at banjobenclark.com.  This is not a free service but a subscription to his ever growing library of banjo (and guitar and mandolin) video lessons. He adds a new banjo lesson every three weeks. 

You pay a fee to subscribe for a month or longer and you can access all of his lessons, whenever you want during the subscription period. He has several beginner lessons.

You can use his 'silver' option and have free access to his lessons for a short tryout period. You can first check out the 'previews' of the lessons (you don't need to log on to access these), see which one sounds interesting to you and then use the silver option to give it a try.

Rich Weill - Posted - 09/24/2015:  10:00:12

I have an inexpensive answer:  It's not a "video" but an audio CD.  It's "Roger Sprung's Play Along Instruction Record for the 5 String Banjo ... Bluegrass Style."  It was produced in 1970 as an LP.  It's now a CD and costs only $15.

Read my review here, and look here for more information and samples.  Roger teaches you how to play by ear.  You start with the chords, play a roll over the chords, and then add a melody to the roll.  You do this with three rolls for each song (so that later you can mix the rolls together in a single song in an almost infinite number of combinations).  You don't use ornamentation (slides, hammers, etc.) at this stage.  You are learning the foundation for play songs on the banjo:  melody, harmony (chords), and rhythm (rolls).

If you want to read more about Roger's teaching principles, read other entries in my BHO blog.

riveremember - Posted - 09/24/2015:  16:00:16

Thank you, so far I have looked at Rob Bourassa. His lessons look pretty good. Slow and easy. I will continue to research as I practice and learn the Hedding video for, "I'll fly away." I am almost half way through this song. He moves a little fast for me, good thing I can pause video, and he adds a lot of stuff in between notes, which confuses me a little, but I am plodding through. It is so great when you can hear that melody come through. It is so rewarding to hear the song punch through.

riveremember - Posted - 09/24/2015:  16:01:11

Thank you Rich I will check it out.

conic - Posted - 09/24/2015:  18:11:23

I have paid money for a lot of rubbish dvds , books etc but if I was to start from scratch again , knowing what I know now I would start with Rob Bourassa and get a few songs under your belt, practice them over and over and over for three months to keep you interested then I would stop learning songs for a while and buy some Geoff Hohwald lessons and learn to play the banjo , Rolls and chord positions basics , again practice them over and over and over for three months.

then buy jens kruger dvd and practice what he teaches, yet another spin and well explained

then join or start your own jam session but don't stick to bluegrass only, you can play banjo and join in any song from rolling stones, elvis, to afroman once you know your chord positions and rolls. bluegrass is brilliant but you will get more confidence playing any type of music..also , non bluegrass guitar players will be amazed at you banjo playing even if you aint that good so you can afford to make mistakes and learn to jam and they wont notice.

then go back and finish the rob bourassa lessons and Geoff howald backup, improvising and pentatonics... all will become clear in a couple of years.

saltcreek - Posted - 09/24/2015:  20:23:16

You should Skype with John Boulding, he is a awesome teacher.

riveremember - Posted - 09/24/2015:  21:59:37

Two very good suggestions. I agree about getting a few songs under my belt first. I actually attempted to play banjo many years ago. I had a book. It started with rolls. I practiced and practiced those rolls. Never became very fast with them so I never moved on before I became bored and tired of playing. The reason I picked up the banjo again is because I happened across a Joff Lowson you tube video. It was titled, "Play cripple creek if you never played banjo before." So I got out my old global and tried it. The sound came out and I was so excited. It took me about 3 weeks to play Cripple Creek halfway decently. But knowing how to actually play a song got me hooked like a starving catfish.(the roll practicing from years earlier did help). So I got online, looking to upgrade my banjo. (my Global sounded like fighting cats) I found a Recording King rk-20 at a decent price and bought it. Now I am learning, "I'll Fly Away" with tabs and video. I had to do a quick learn on tabs. I am not a fanatic about tabs but with the video it helps. "I'll Fly away" is much harder, to me, than "Cripple Creek." But I gained so much confidence from actually learning ONE song that I am, gladly, up for the challenge of the next one, even if it is difficult for me. The great thing is I have been playing a little over a month and I can play one song (although not fast) and am almost half way through another. It is so nice to pick up the banjo and just play a tune.
'

riveremember - Posted - 09/24/2015:  22:00:26

I checked out John Boulding. I like his technique very much.

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/25/2015:  02:52:45

quote:

---

Originally posted by conic

 

I have paid money for a lot of rubbish dvds , books etc but if I was to start from scratch again , knowing what I know now I would start with Rob Bourassa and get a few songs under your belt, practice them over and over and over for three months to keep you interested then I would stop learning songs for a while and buy some Geoff Hohwald lessons and learn to play the banjo , Rolls and chord positions basics , again practice them over and over and over for three months.



then buy jens kruger dvd and practice what he teaches, yet another spin and well explained



then join or start your own jam session but don't stick to bluegrass only, you can play banjo and join in any song from rolling stones, elvis, to afroman once you know your chord positions and rolls. bluegrass is brilliant but you will get more confidence playing any type of music..also , non bluegrass guitar players will be amazed at you banjo playing even if you aint that good so you can afford to make mistakes and learn to jam and they wont notice.



then go back and finish the rob bourassa lessons and Geoff howald backup, improvising and pentatonics... all will become clear in a couple of years.







 

---

Hi Conic

"I have paid money for a lot of rubbish dvds"

Tell me more so I know to avoid making the same mistakes.

conic - Posted - 09/25/2015:  05:54:50

hello Tam-Zeb three examples of ones that were not my cup of tea were ....
1, southern banjo styles - mike seeger,
2, Pete Wernick - Branching Out On Bluegrass Banjo 1 , Treasury Of Techniques
3, 5 String Banjo For Beginners - Happy Traum.


I did later get the Pete Wernick slow jam dvd which I forgot to mention is brilliant.

jbrookeiii - Posted - 09/26/2015:  08:22:35

I am big fan of Geoff Hohwald's video lessons and have great success with them. If you are interested in learning songs you can do that, if you want more specific help on backup or other things, he has lessons for that too. All of them have backing tracks at multiple speeds in addition to the video. They are also extremely portable if you get the digital download.

Since you are a beginner, learn a few easy songs and then expand as you learn more about the instrument.

gclaunch - Posted - 09/26/2015:  10:09:06

Certainly working with a teacher when first learning is definitely the best way to go. However, when learning on your own there is a virtual plethora of teaching materials to choose from and they all have their supporters.
I, also, of Geoff Hohwald's stuff, that I still use and learn from. However, another source I wish I had found when just beginning is "Splitting the Licks" by Janet Davis. Basically, starting with melody only then adding rolls you learn to play bluegrass arrangements of several songs, from basic to fairly developed.

riveremember - Posted - 09/26/2015:  10:31:08

I will check out Geoff Hohwald. I like the idea of learning to play the melody first, then adding the rolls. That way you get the meat first, you can always add rolls and pinches to fill it out. But it seems, as a beginner learning the rolls with the melody can be a little more confusing, because you then, have to pull the melody out. So I will definitely check out Janet Davis, "Splitting the licks." Unfortunately there are no teachers in my area, so I have to learn on my own.

CAPT Steve - Posted - 09/26/2015:  10:56:02

Jeff--if I were to start again, I'd try to find a teacher who listened to what I wanted to learn and mapped out a means to get there.  If I wasn't sure where I wanted to go, I'd want a teacher who had a good sense of direction to guide me.  Unfortunately, for the places I was stationed while in the Coast Guard and after I retired, I only found one teacher that helped me at all this way, and for only a short period before I was transferred.  So, I did go the book, CD, DVD route. I have quite a few Murphy Method DVDs, a lot of Janet Davis' material (her back-up book is encyclopedic--to the point of feeling like I was trying to drink from a fire hose until I worked through the series I talk about below--now it makes a ton of sense and is a highly recommended resource), Jack Hatfield material (he presents a nice, logical process and his back-up book is less detailed than Janet's, but also a recommended resource), and others.  As many will attest, it's easy to collect a bunch of stuff over time, some better than others.

Again, if I were starting again, I'd probably get Geoff Hohwald's Back-up series.  Songs are obviously fun to play, but if you learn a particular version, you may feel lost trying to play that version with others.  Now, if your main goal is to play songs for yourself or your family and friends, this may be OK.  But, if you want to play music with others, being able to hear chord changes and add some sound to the mix is much more valuable.  I've seen many people (teachers, pros, etc.) note that you'll play back-up 75-90% of the time.  I've worked through this series the last year or so, and really feel like I'm finally  'making music'.  He provides tab via PDF or book if you prefer (I do), DVDs that include very helpful instruction and a bunch of complete songs at the end of each DVD that you can accompany.  So, you can see the tab, then get off it and work by ear and memory.  Has worked great for me; well enough that I got his improv series (not very deep into it yet).  To me, a reasonably priced series for what you get, and they're often provided with a discount.  In fact, these are offered on BHO a couple times a year as a contest prize.  I've entered, didn't win, but got an e-mail offering 50% off their product (bought both the back-up and improv series this way--so great deal).  Long answer, hope it helps.

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/26/2015:  11:30:18

quote:

---

Originally posted by conic

 

hello Tam-Zeb three examples of ones that were not my cup of tea were ....

1, southern banjo styles - mike seeger,

2, Pete Wernick - Branching Out On Bluegrass Banjo 1 , Treasury Of Techniques

3, 5 String Banjo For Beginners - Happy Traum.





I did later get the Pete Wernick slow jam dvd which I forgot to mention is brilliant.

---

Thanks Conic

five-string fever - Posted - 09/26/2015:  23:46:57

I can't say enough good about the Murphy Method and I own several Wernick, Hohwald, Kruger, Trischka, Bill Evans, etc..downloads or DVD's. Direct, simple, memorable and hands on.

pickincat - Posted - 09/27/2015:  01:29:08

The Murphy vid was great. It taught me some new things and some new patterns. Video lessons are great. A true musician takes the lesson and puts feeling into it, even if it seems counter to the lesson. Some will say the video just messes them up. Look deeper and never think it is bad if it is unknown to to you. Explore it with feeling. You will learn and expand your own experience.

mdthib - Posted - 09/27/2015:  16:18:12

The biggest problem with any DVD or video is that they don't give you feedback. That's the advantage of a teacher: someone who can notice the things you don't realize you are doing, or are neglecting to do. 

One workaround: if you do learn by DVD or video, be brave and post here occasionally. You can solicit feedback and folks are fairly encouraging and often really helpful. Video of yourself is best, and of course not everyone has the same technique or musical ideas/philosophy/approach. People do it all the time and I really think they benefit.

And I can add to those who recommend a teacher by saying that Skype lessons can work very well. The real advantage there is that you can work with someone anywhere in the world, and find a teacher who really speaks to you. I've done that for the past several months and it has been life-changing. And, although I don't use instructional videos, I use YouTube to watch particular players and study tunes and technique constantly. What a resource! 

Happy playing! Matt

gospelman97 - Posted - 09/27/2015:  17:28:05

Tony Trischka's School of Banjo is another great option where you can get feedback, watch others and the feedback that Tony gives them, and a vast library of lessons. It's a little expensive when compared to DVDs, bust economical when compared to live lessons multiple times per month. Plus you have access 24 hours a day. 

CosmicCharlie24 - Posted - 09/28/2015:  14:02:43

This past weekend I purchased one of Geoff Holwald's lessons after listening to some of the recommendations. Personally I'm a little unsatisified. The lesson was very short and the actual meat of what he is teaching is only a few minutes long. I purchased a lesson to learn a song but only received 2 variations of 1 lick. What little there was in the lesson was good but it left me wanting for so much more. Oh well. I'll keep looking around.

South Jersey Mike - Posted - 09/28/2015:  14:17:17

In no particular order the sources I don't mind recommending.

• Geoff Holwald Banjo Backup


• Banjobenclark.com


• john Boulding Lick of the Week videos - banjo theory


• Rick McKeon - Banjo Theory


• Tony Trischka School of Banjo - the priciest but the video exchanges are invaluable in learning variations to songs, and you get to have a banjo legend critique your playing - good stuff.

bensonius - Posted - 09/29/2015:  13:02:53

Instead of going into a long description all I have to say is this:



I learned more from Geoff Howald's video packages than any one single thing. The backup videos were what actually got me out jamming with other people. From there I progressed through most of his videos, I'm currently on the "Up the Neck" videos.



They are worth MORE than what you pay for them, but you have to buy the bundles/packages to get the complete picture.

Edited by - bensonius on 09/29/2015 13:04:10

rfrizzle2 - Posted - 09/29/2015:  13:42:54

Benson, Rich Freeze here, where do you get the Tabs and are any of them in TablEdit Form. Thank You Rich Freeze

quote:

---

Originally posted by bensonius

 

Instead of going into a long description all I have to say is this:



I learned more from Geoff Howald's video packages than any one single thing. The backup videos were what actually got me out jamming with other people. From there I progressed through most of his videos, I'm currently on the "Up the Neck" videos.



They are worth MORE than what you pay for them, but you have to buy the bundles/packages to get the complete picture.

---

Tam_Zeb - Posted - 09/29/2015:  14:18:29

quote:

---

Originally posted by rfrizzle2

 

Benson, Rich Freeze here, where do you get the Tabs and are any of them in TablEdit Form. Thank You Rich Freeze

quote:

---

Originally posted by bensonius

 

Instead of going into a long description all I have to say is this:



I learned more from Geoff Howald's video packages than any one single thing. The backup videos were what actually got me out jamming with other people. From there I progressed through most of his videos, I'm currently on the "Up the Neck" videos.



They are worth MORE than what you pay for them, but you have to buy the bundles/packages to get the complete picture.

---

 

---

Hi Richard

To the best of my knowledge Geoff doesn't do.,tef files ( TablEdit ).  His TABs are in PDF or book format depending on how you choose to buy.

Here is a link to his website. freeguitarvideos.com/banjo/geo...wald.html

successteamnva - Posted - 09/29/2015:  18:00:08

quote:

---

Originally posted by riveremember

 

I am a beginner. I have been playing for about a month. I found Joff Lawson on youtube and learned Cripple Creek for free. Joff's teaching style is great (no Tabs) . As a side note. Cripple Creek is a great tune to learn as a beginner, but I find it hard as, a beginner,  to bring out the melody. So after this free video, Joff's charges for you to learn the rest. So I checked out other youtube banjo teachers. I am now learning I'LL FLY AWAY, taught by, Mike Hedding. He uses tabs, but plays the parts also so you can get the melody. But again, he teaches part, and charges for the rest. So I bought the rest of I'LL FLY AWAY.I find it harder to learn, for me, from Mike Hedding. I don't mind paying if I have,but I want to find one good teacher to stick with, that won't cost a fortune. Being a beginner, I want someone that goes nice and slow, and simplifies. Does anyone have any suggestions?There is no banjo teacher in my area, and I like learning in my home, with videos. That way I can take a break and get ice cream as a reward for playing a part right.

---

successteamnva - Posted - 09/29/2015:  18:02:09

quote:I found The Murphy Method Part 1 and 2 the best so far.  My second best is a DVD from Mark Wardle.  Both are excellent ways to learn!

---

Originally posted by riveremember

 

I am a beginner. I have been playing for about a month. I found Joff Lawson on youtube and learned Cripple Creek for free. Joff's teaching style is great (no Tabs) . As a side note. Cripple Creek is a great tune to learn as a beginner, but I find it hard as, a beginner,  to bring out the melody. So after this free video, Joff's charges for you to learn the rest. So I checked out other youtube banjo teachers. I am now learning I'LL FLY AWAY, taught by, Mike Hedding. He uses tabs, but plays the parts also so you can get the melody. But again, he teaches part, and charges for the rest. So I bought the rest of I'LL FLY AWAY.I find it harder to learn, for me, from Mike Hedding. I don't mind paying if I have,but I want to find one good teacher to stick with, that won't cost a fortune. Being a beginner, I want someone that goes nice and slow, and simplifies. Does anyone have any suggestions?There is no banjo teacher in my area, and I like learning in my home, with videos. That way I can take a break and get ice cream as a reward for playing a part right.

---

Edited by - successteamnva on 09/29/2015 18:04:55

conic - Posted - 11/24/2015:  12:15:30

If you want free then take a look at the master Rob Bourassa, he is a fantastic teacher and a really nice chap, He also does skype lessons for a fee.
Rob does not do tabs but goes through his lessons verrrry slow and repeats the different parts over and over and over so you will not miss anything. for free download you can get old joe Clarke, cripple creek, foggy mountain breakdown, man of constant sorrow, cold frosty morning and also he does a free lesson on the art of syncopation. foggy mountain breakdown and cold frosty morning only cover part A but I managed to work out part B and play with confidence though it took about 4 months, I can now play all these whilst watching the new or football on TV.
Even though I could play these quite well I could not improvise in a jam. for that I used Geoff Hohwald

As with any banjo lesson, practice for a lot of hours and it will click into place like magic

JStuart - Posted - 11/24/2015:  14:59:57

Man that's a lot of choices, and can be very confusing when everyone has their own particular hero. As a relative newcomer to banjo, and someone who lives regionally away from civilisation (but I do have local banjo teacher...), I think all players/teachers have something uniquely their own to offer. I have a few CDs, and I watch a number of banjo practitioners suggested here' and on the net. I have some that I relate to better than others (Rob Bourassa and Mike Hedding are a couple that I find very helpful) but lots of others, such as Geoff Hohwald, have their place too, and very pleasant, clear styles. For useful written works, I have Ross Nickerson's "Banjo Encyclopedia" and Tony Trischka's "The Complete 5-String Banjo" (both come with very useful CDs & a DVD). I might spend a couple of weeks on the Nickerson book, then move over to Trischka's for a change of perspective.

I think it's limiting to hitch your wagon to a single proponent, given the vast amount of info available from all sources, and for me, no one player/teacher covers all bases. Some do some things well, others might do other things well. Once you become a bit more proficient you'll be able to pick those from whom you benefit most, and switch between them to get a good mix of philosophies and skills.

dkr - Posted - 11/24/2015:  16:36:01

Google "todd davis banjo youtube". Todd has posted several several short videos that I have found extremely helpful for learing rolling backup, as well as a start on improvising.

rfrizzle2 - Posted - 11/24/2015:  18:17:17

Mike, Rich Freeze here, Have you tried the Murphy Method Casey and Murphy are great teachers No Tab. they  have DVD'd and they teach by videos or you can buy some of there lessons right here on the Hangout. Check out there website. Just do a search. Good Luck Rich Freeze

---

Originally posted by successteamnva

 

quote:I found The Murphy Method Part 1 and 2 the best so far.  My second best is a DVD from Mark Wardle.  

  

---

 

---

BanjerKen - Posted - 11/24/2015:  19:15:13

Jeff since you stated you like to learn at home with videos I would suggest you purchase and download Murphy Henry's Vol 1. I like the digital downloads much better than DVD's because they are a lot easier to work with and they don't get scratched. You can work with it on your computer or iPad. You can loop a section and play it over and over without having to do a lot of searching. If you work through that one  volume you will be able to play 5 songs, learned a lot of banjo technique, and then be able to have a good idea where you want to go from there.

I would also suggest to start learning to make the major chords and learn to play the chords to Cripple Creek and I'll fly away that you are working on now. As for bringing the melody out in your songs that will happen as you learn the timing and accents