Mountain Cruise - Posted - 07/06/2021:  15:43:56

So, what’s your opinion? Should I be striving for accuracy in playing a new song , like being able to play it with no mistakes consistently, before I trying to pick up new material? Or is it okay to be working on several pieces at one time? Bear in mind I am a beginner banjo player. Thanks.

jwong - Posted - 07/06/2021:  16:09:16

I think it’s ok to work on multiple things at the same time. The one thing I would recommend though is not to take shortcuts, i.e. don’t skip over a difficult part that might be giving you trouble by substituting a simpler roll or fingering. You don’t necessarily need to play it exactly like that all the time, but investing in those difficult passages during practice will improve your technique later.

thisoldman - Posted - 07/06/2021:  19:01:52

When I was first learning tunes, I had a tune that I had memorized and was working on polishing it up, a tune I was working on memorizing, and a new tune I was learning from tab. Once I was past that (having learned more than 3 tunes), I would warm up with some tunes I wanted to keep fresh in my mind. I like variety, so working on more than I tune works best for me.

pickn5 - Posted - 07/07/2021:  02:59:26

As you learn a tune strive for accuracy even if it means playing slowly at first. Once you have learned a tune it is ok to start learning another as you continue to improve the ones you already know. Don't forget to work on learning backup playing, the F, D, and Bar chord shapes. Use those shapes to learn the major chords up and down the neck, along with a simple vamping pattern. As your accuracy improves, speed will follow. Keep picking.

phb - Posted - 07/07/2021:  03:11:04

I'm sure your understanding of "playing with no mistakes consistently" will change over time. I remember how I learned "Cumberland Gap" and thought I could play it. And then I listened again to Earl Scruggs play it... I would certainly have stopped playing altogether if I had to stick with "Cumberland Gap" until I can really play it.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 07/07/2021:  04:43:42

Good information above by all.

I will add this: people learn differently. Some need to work on just one song until they get it right, someone else will work on several and try to get them where they're playable and even be willing to take a few mistakes as okay. You have to decide which type of person you are then then go the way that suits you best.

Pick-A-Lick - Posted - 07/07/2021:  09:52:46

As a beginner you should have a good understanding of the six or so basic banjo rolls and practice playing them until you can bring them up to a respectable speed (135 bpm - 150 bpm).

This will make learning songs much easier and playing the banjo will feel more natural after practicing these rolls several hundred times each bringing them up to speed using a metronome.

Practicing rolls is also a good way for a new player to warm up before a session of working on learning a song.

To answer your question; As a new player it would be easier to concentrate on one song and learn it by taking each measure and playing it over and over until you feel you have a fair grasp of it, then move to the next measure. After you get to the point of being able to play it through by memory then it is time to tie it all to gather using your metronome. When you reach this point then it's time to start learning another song. After learning several songs in this fashion you will then have a good idea of how you want to proceed and know if it’s beneficial to learn one song at a time or work on several at once.

It is important for you to NOT become frustrated and loose interest by trying to cram too much into one practice session. It’s also important to understand that repetition is your best friend. The more times you play through a lick, measure, passage, phrase, or song, the better you will be able to play it (think, several hundred or more times).

Good Luck!

Edited by - Pick-A-Lick on 07/07/2021 09:56:12

BanjoYeti - Posted - 07/14/2021:  04:49:24

I'm a pretty new player myself and I think having a handful of songs to work on helps with frustration.

Some days I try and get Cripple creek as clean as I can but keep messing up so I'll change song to banjo in the hollow or bile them cabbage and get some momentum going.
Then when I jump back into cripple creek I nail it haha

FenderFred - Posted - 07/14/2021:  05:52:51

quote:

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Originally posted by Mountain Cruise

So, what’s your opinion? Should I be striving for accuracy in playing a new song , like being able to play it with no mistakes consistently, before I trying to pick up new material? Or is it okay to be working on several pieces at one time? Bear in mind I am a beginner banjo player. Thanks.

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Your goal should be accuracy, but we all make mistakes even the pro-players, so don't get hung-up and frustrated if you make a few mistakes. When I was a beginner I worked on several tunes at the same time I still do. As your main goal is about learning to play banjo just be aware you will find the same ( identical ) licks and phrases used in multiple tunes. I find that If I am struggling with a tune I take a break and go work on something else. Other people work differently, Find a practice routine that suits you.    Take it slow, be patient with yourself but above all have fun.

Edited by - FenderFred on 07/14/2021 05:56:47