jsinjin - Posted - 01/02/2026:  11:25:50

I had some achievable goals for 2025 as a beginner with a weekly one hour private lesson with a very good instructor.

I wanted to:

1) be able to play 6 songs from memory and I was able to do that with
A) Polly (Molly) put the kettle on
B) Cluck ol Hen
C) Farewell Trion
D) Shady Grove
E) Ducks on the Millpond
F) Good king Wenceslas

2) included in that list be able to play a Christmas song which I was able to do with Good King Whashisass (my kids jokingly call it that)

3) I sort of fell off of my efforts to learn chord shapes that relate to the music in a key such as Double C or standard G or A or sawmill. So I’d like to move that one forward for 2026

So for 2026
1) learn 6 more songs but not lose the first 6.

2) practice weekly moving chord shapes and learning the I IV V in a given tuning for the songs I’ve been learning

3) learn two more Christmas songs that the family likes.

In addition, keep up the practice daily and keep trying to play with my friend who has the mandolin. He can usually play anything I start learning by ear within a few minutes of hearing it. We get together a few times a week after morning workouts

Only peripherally related to clawhammer, I’m going to build a 12 inch open back with integral wood tone ring with the adaptations I’ve made in my shop to the jig I had used to make a couple of snare drums. This goal is more for the banjo building and repair sub forum. This is also just for fun to see if I can do it. I don’t need another banjo, I have just enjoyed making a few instruments.

Does anyone else have any learning goals for 2026? I love to track my goals and practice time.

pinenut - Posted - 01/02/2026:  12:26:49

That's exceptional progress for your ~second year and ambitious for a third. Nice job setting the bar. 

My goal for 2026 is the continuation of what began in 2025:  planning/following a more effective, organized and flexible path of my design.  

Edited by - pinenut on 01/02/2026 12:39:49