Posted by GrassFire on Saturday, March 6, 2010
So, I've been learning the banjo for a few months now. I've got a great teacher, but even though I'm spending (at least) two hours a day working on my pickin' , I feel like I've hit a roadblock. Oh, I can knock "Cripple Creek" out and sound pretty good....but that's about it. I think I've hit what they call the "Beginner Plateau". It seems like no matter what I do, I can't get over the hump....everything sounds the same...I feel like the "Hootie and the Blowfish" of the banjo.
Matt's pretty supportive. He told me last night, after our useless lesson, that I would hit a spot where things would take off. I'm discouraged though. Not that it's gonna keep me from picking. I've got a repertoire of about 5 songs that should keep me pretty famous :). Somebody, tell me that you've hit this wall before...please?
7 comments on “Beginner Blues”
racer Says:
Sunday, March 7, 2010 @5:20:35 AM
hi you seem to be doing pretty good i was a that stage and it seemed like i was going no-were i was told that it goes in stages you have to walk before you can run take a day off that realy helps me i still cant play very good but every once and a while it comes to -gether and i am hooked again till i hit another wall dont give up you have the same problem as many others i can only speak for my-self but i have to keep trying ron
kcjc69 Says:
Sunday, March 7, 2010 @5:29:51 AM
From what I've been told it's like growing pains, your going to get them. There are times when you might play a little in the morning and it sounds great but by the afternoon something just doesn't click. Stay the course we've all gone through it. Your doing fine if you already have five songs in your repertoire, that's quite good!
thecowpokepicker Says:
Sunday, March 7, 2010 @6:10:09 AM
Yes, I have had several times when I can't play anything, then other times I learn a huge song in one day. You'll come arcoss points where you just slow down and get stuck for a day or two; and then after that stage you'll sound a lot better.
Good luck
rinemb Says:
Sunday, March 7, 2010 @8:30:48 AM
Yep, been through it, still go through it. When in a progress slump I listen, listen listen, to as much music per day as possible. Eventually, I hear a tune or a player or a lick that inspires me to get to that next plateau. Brad
TopCat Says:
Monday, March 8, 2010 @12:26:18 PM
It's all very normal. Love the Hootie and the Blowfish crack though - good one! ....and I have to admit to buying some of their CDs once upon a time.
BryanWB Says:
Monday, March 8, 2010 @2:53:10 PM
GrassFire - I've been a beginner/novice for two years now!! Guess how many 'plateaus' or 'roadblocks' I've come up against yes, zillions! You just have to play through them, you'll always come out the other side. Just like me, you love picking up the banjo. Sometimes it doesn't sound that good, but keep at it and you'll soon be rewarded with the benefits. Good Luck from Bryan, Devon, England.
Grumpy1 Says:
Saturday, April 3, 2010 @11:54:20 PM
I don't spend as much time as I should practicing and my playing shows it. That being said, not to sure how many more years I got left to sit and do drills. However, when I do hit a wall, I just quit struggling and blast out some fun stuff. Surprised the neighbors haven't complained yet when I do that but they're nice people and one is gone a lot. That's my solution. When I come back to learning I'm more refreshed at the prospect. And it has helped my foolin' around sound a bit better. GRIN
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