joeytg - Posted - 03/07/2007:  21:58:54

I'm new to the banjo & to this site. I'm working off a beginner book/CD by Tony Trischka. I've heard a lot of positive comments about the Janet Davis "Learn How to Play Blugrass Banjo" So, I have a question for the group, is it good to learn off multiple books/CD's/DVD's? Maybe, alternating lessons/songs at every practice session or changing back and forth from day to day?

Or, is this a recipe for disaster?

When looking for the Janet Davis book should I look out for an udated version? A quick search on EBAY pulled up 1991 & 2004 editions.

Thanks in advance for any assistance!

joe

Logger - Posted - 03/07/2007:  23:52:24

Joe,
I have tried alot of different learning aids, I personally got more out of the Murphy Method Beginning Banjo 1 and 2 dvd's . But I got something from all the others as well...Id say If it teaches you something no matter how much it was worth it...after all the all have one thing in common...learning the banjo..

It ain't no disgrace to be poor, but it's just so darned unhandy.

cartwheel - Posted - 03/08/2007:  00:31:56

I am an addict to various instructional methods/materials. I once read a post here by someone who wished he had stuck with just one method. I love moving around among different ones, but perhaps that is because I am looking for a magic bullet. I am curious to see how banjo teachers/advanced players respond to this question.

dogsplus2 - Posted - 03/08/2007:  06:08:11

Joey,

I've been learning from the Janet Davis book for 8 weeks now, and I've had a lesson every week also. My tutor gives me a new tune or tunes to learn each week and I find this helps because you work harder to try and learn it.

I have other beginners banjo books also, but I find that if I go to them, I just confuse myself because they are written slightly differently from the Janet Davis book. My plan is to continue through the book, by which time I should be ready for something a bit harder.

If you are using Janet Davis, by the CD, not the DVD. The DVD is good, but it only covers up to page 31 (misses out 2 thirds). The CD covers everything.

"Life's a learning curve dontchaknow."

AD3AD3AD3 - Posted - 03/08/2007:  08:09:45

I'm from the multiple systems school. Pretty much any of these self teaching book/cd combinations will get you playing banjo but having things explained and demonstrated several different ways is a help to me. I prefer systems that start the rolls with the thumb but those that start rolls with the index finger are equally valid - both are useful. A lot of people here on the Hangout swear by Janet Davis books, or the Murphy method, orSokolow, or Ross Nickerson, whomever. YOur Trischka book is excellent (eventually move on to his 20-easy solos book) but I'd recommend you get the most recent edition of the Scruggs book/cd as well. Add the others in whenever things get stale and go back and forth as necessary - your abilities and comfort level will change over time.

AD3

Texasbanjo - Posted - 03/08/2007:  08:41:30

Some people need to have several books to stay interested, others do well with just one. Sounds like you want to try other books and if so, go for it. Janet Davis' book/CD is an excellent teaching/learning source. Another great book is Jack Hatfield's Beginning Bluegrass Banjo Method Book/CD #1 -- and there's a book #2 and then several jam tapes. I like Jack's books because he highlights the melody notes so you know where they are. www.hatfieldmusic.com.



Let's Pick!
Texas Banjo

Loner154 - Posted - 03/08/2007:  08:53:15

Everyone has their favorites. I cannot speak to the Janet Davis book/CD but I have heard good things about it. I started with an Alan Munde VHS video (the name escapes me but it's very basic, how to plant your fingers, how to strike the strings with your picks, basic rolls, etc.). Then I found The Murphy Method (vol. 1 and 2) to be the most help to me and still review those videos. I personally feel you will learn more from a source where the audio is included be it a DVD or a book with a CD. Learning from just a book or tab is tougher, to me anyway. But they are all helpful and have their place, so what you said is intuitively correct – alternating between methods is probably a good idea and exposes you to everything. The main thing is to have fun!!

"My wife is the sweetest, most tolerant, most beautiful woman in the world. This is a paid political announcement."

Loner154

pierce - Posted - 03/08/2007:  08:59:59

I too have tried a bunch of different methods over the years. The Janet Davis book/CD/DVD, I thought, was still the best teaching aid I tried. I would say, though, that the most important thing is finding a good teacher and a group to play/learn with. Try to avoid becoming a closet picker.

BJ Saalfeld - Posted - 03/08/2007:  09:02:51

I seem to like the Murphy Henry DVD"S. She gets you learning and playing.
Now I also have the Janet Davis Book with Cd and Dvd. Those are some of the ones most recommended on the BHO.
Good luck with learning. It's a fun journey.

BJ

Love to play the banjo!

thomas15 - Posted - 03/09/2007:  12:24:57

As others have reported, I'm also from the multiple source school of thought. As has been stated by others, I'm looking for the magic bullet and have discovered that there isn't one. But the truth is I like to collect banjo methods. I have most of the ones available today and it is strange to me how ones that don't really float my boat others swear by.

My advice, which considering the source is not expert opinion by any means, is pick a method and go with it. If after a while you feel that it isn't working, try another one. Personally, I have tried 2 methods at once as you suggest and it did not work for me. If you find a place where you get stuck, just keep trying and you will get through it.

Just keep picking

Tom

Thomas

BrianBanjos - Posted - 03/09/2007:  13:14:32

I was (OK still am..) a serial guitar book buyer. I found too much information very frustrating and it seemed I was looking for the one magic book and not finding it. For me it was discouraging and confusing though ultimately I became a pretty fair guitar player. With the banjo I've decided for now on a one book approach, You Can Teach Yourself Banjo, along with some tab from an old book "Bluegrass Banjo and Guitar Styles". Sooner or later I will branch out with more. At the moment I'm really enjoying staying focused with one book which will help me better understand others later.

Part of my frustration with multiple guitar books was an inability to focus on one style of guitar playing. I'm strictly bluegrass on the banjo so perhaps multiple books wouldn't be so confusing. Your mileage may vary.

BANJ58 - Posted - 03/09/2007:  13:38:20

HI
MOST BOOKS ARE PRETY GOOD BUT I STRONGLY RECOMMEND "THE COMPLETE BLUEGRASS BANJO METHOD" WRITTEN BY FRED SOKOLOW. IT ALSO HAS A CD WITH IT.
THIS BOOK TEACHES YOU TO PLAY WITH OTHERS. I WISH I HAD FOUND IT 20 YEARS AGO. LOTS OF GOOD STUFF HERE.

GOOD LUCK
STEVE

ITS ALL GOOD IF YOU MAKE IT THAT WAY

STEVE@WVRVPARK.COM
http://WWW.WVRVPARK.COM

ALL PICKERS WELCOME, LETS JAM !!

BanjoJohnny - Posted - 03/09/2007:  15:44:40

I have both Janet Davis "Learn How to Play Blugrass Banjo" and Murphy Henry DVD"S. I like them both. I use Janet's YCTYB more than Murphy's DVDs. I ike the idea that I can easily go back a couple or more pages and try something again.


Johnny
If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

BanjoDiva - Posted - 03/09/2007:  17:14:02

Joeytg, my teacher has me using Neil Griffiths book, but I have a pretty good collection of instructional books in addtion. I find them all to be useful. Something that is not clear in one book may be better explained in another. Its also useful to have alternate exercises for the same concept to keep you from getting bored. When I find something in one of the books other than the one my teacher has assigned, I photocopy the page and keep it in a 3 ring binder on my music stand. That way I don't have to try to remember which book it was in, etc.

Regards,
Reid
Proud Member of the RK Dynasty
RK R-80 #67
One set of metal finger picks.... $2.95 The complete and utter ecstasy for the dog who's back you are absent-mindedly scratching while still wearing the finger picks..... priceless.

rstieg - Posted - 03/09/2007:  17:56:20

I originally learned with Janet Davis' YCTYB and about half way though I started supplementing it with Murphy videos and other books, CD's, and DVD's. I think it's good to primarily focus on one book for consistency and thoroughness (I also hear a lot of good things about Jack Hatfield's beginning book), but I think it's good to get a variety of approaches from various sources as well.

Also, Janet doesn't teach any backup in that book as I recall, and I personally think you should start working on backup by the time you're roughly half way through her book. Her backup book and CD's and/or the Acutab backup DVD's would be my suggestions there. Similarly, Janet covers the primary closed chord positions late in the YCTYB book, and I'd recommend working on those earlier. These are skills you'll need to start jamming, and I think it's important to start playing with others earlier rather than later.

RICH
Pleasanton, CA

The truth is a moving target... perception is more important than reality... everything is relative...

slowlybutsurely - Posted - 03/09/2007:  23:17:05

I like a variety. Keeps me practicing better. Murphy Henry, Casey Henry, Jim Mills, Warren Yates, Earl Scruggs book, and You can teach yourself banjo. Waiting om the YCTYB. I like to break it up. I stick with the Murphy Method DVD'd for the basics and read the Earl book. Seems to be working for me. I would like to have a teacher and have considered driving to Nashville and trying Casey Henry. Had someone tell me she was great. Welcome to the hangout and happy pickin'

Tim Nash
"Awaiting my Huber"

Trower67 - Posted - 03/10/2007:  00:47:27

I am one whom loves the Murphy Henry cds. I have played other instruments too and never personaly liked tab or reading music,I like to play by ear. Murpys cds beggining banjo 1 and 2 are where I am at now.I also practice my rolls and am slowly gaining faster time.
I have a friend who knows a instructor that I may also go to soon for a little one on one.

Kevin