Posted by kb2dhg on Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Hi Folks,
OK so I am playing for 3 months now, And although I never thought I would be where I am right now being that I never played an instrument of any kind I still feel that I am not progressing as I should? I see some of these new players on this site that have become so good in only one month or two and I am wondering if I am just not getting it or can?
I practice religiously an average of one hour a day and on weekends have that banjo strapped on almost the entire weekend ?
Why do I seem to be at a platoue where I am not getting any better? Is this something that happens to some newbies or is it just that I just don't have it?
11 comments on “feel like I am not progressing?”
Karen Kruske Says:
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 @5:58:30 AM
It happens to everyone. Just keep going and you'll have an "ah-ha" moment at some point. If you look at some of the posts in the forums (do a search) you will see lots written about this very topic. You will also find recommendations for getting together with other players (jams if possible). That is a very good way to stay motivated and to make progress. Keep pickin'
-Karen
kb2dhg Says:
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 @6:18:26 AM
Thanks Karen, I would LOVE to be able to get together with some other folks but I live in New York in the city limits... I am a fish out of water living here and well, bluegrass just don't exist here... Pleanty of yellow grass!
Well, I will just keep pickin, I love it so much and I guess that I just have to be patcent and keep at it.
Thanks again and I'll let you know how I am doing!
This is a great site with wonderful people!
Karen Kruske Says:
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 @6:31:08 AM
Lou, I just googled "bluegrass jams NYC" and found a lot of websites that list banjo activities in NYC. I'll bet there is something in there that is in your area.
tgaryc Says:
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 @6:51:35 AM
try FolkJam.org. I have played guitar for over 50 years and read music and tab and play at several jams a week and do alright at the jams but I am not satisfied with my progress on banjo, like they say everone goes through it. I am just starting to learn Fireball Mail this week and it showed me I need more work on the forward roll, and I use the forward roll all the time.I am starting on my 4th year on banjo.I think the banjo is very hard for someone who hasn't played a string instrument,but not impossible. I don't have any trouble with the left hand at all,the right hand is the hard part for me, I do OK on melodic songs and single string. I am 65 and things come slower for old gezzer like me. Try some Free online lessons and make sure you memorize the songs, I think memorizing them makes you progress faster. Best of Luck, and have some fun Gary C
beetlegeist Says:
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 @8:23:40 AM
You have just reached a plateau. Do not worry because you will progress. Just change your practice routine a little. Practice at different time and for different lengths of time.
joemac Says:
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 @8:34:24 AM
Dont pay too much attention to those that say they are playing hot after short times, its more the fact that they feel good about what they are doing instead of actually doing it. Anybody who has taken up an instrument for the first time will feel the same as you after such a short space of time, pleas just enjoy being where you are, take your time.
Beckyboy Says:
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 @8:44:18 AM
Take your time, it's not a race. I have been playing for just over a year and have only a few tunes under my belt. But those tunes i now know I like to work on and polish until they are reasonable. Somedays I feel the same as you and other days I feel motivated and after an hour or so feel like I made progress but it is very much a frame of mind. I realise now that you need to enjoy the practice bit as much as the playing a tune, it's all a part of mastering anything.
keep it simple , get yourself into a practice routine and stick to it best you can. If you put the time in you will get better. the guys that we all love to watch have been doing this for many years and many of the tunes they don't even have to think about now
in time you will do the same
Keep at it and set your self a small goal each week,we all learn at differnt paces what some will find easy others will find hard and vise versa
Regards Mark
VancePants Says:
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 @9:16:56 AM
Great advice here... mine will likely be redundant... but here's a bit of it. First of all, some of us have played guitar in the past or even currently. I KNOW my guitar background gave me a "leg up" and I did learn b'jo rather quicky since I finger-picked folk guitar in the 60's:) Also, get in touch with whatever motivated you to take up the 'jo. For me, there were certain tunes that drove me... inspired me, to learn. Finally, stay on those tunes at slow speed... only occasionally try to push it to a normal tempo. You'll be surprised that at some unexpected time, your wired brain will take over and you'll "rip" through it. Which is the final tip: don't overthink it... allow yourself a mistake or three, but try to get the feel of the tune... played YOUR way. Don't be a slave to the exact copy, note for note routine. If your version evokes the song, then that's good enough for now.
Cheers and ENJOY the ride!
Beckyboy Says:
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 @11:17:42 AM
Lou
Bluegrass gets every where!
I did a search on members of the hangout in the state of NY and this is the result
Your search returned 1440 players
I bet there are a few people here who would love to pick with you and possibly a teacher amoungst them?
why not ask on the Forum?
Regards Mark
Augie Says:
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 @6:41:57 PM
Hi Lou, I had told myself that I wouldn't answer any more of your posts, but one last one and then I promise to be quiet.
You are worrying too much about progress. Most of the people that put the videos out there that show great novice progress, have an advantage in one way or another. There are very few people who can pick up an instrument like a banjo and make music.
You are not going to be an Earl Scruggs anytime soon, and to be quite honest not everyone wants to be him, I certainly don't. Be you, but be the best you, that you can be and quit worrying.
Having the banjo tied to you all the time may be part of the problem. They used to tie a dead cat to a dog's collar after the dog had killed it. The dog would get so tired of the cat hanging around it's neck, it would never think of chasing or killing another cat.
Perfect practice makes perfect playing. If you get tired, you start goofing up. Continuing on only worsens things. If you do not have a well defined plan or program then you will not appreciate the progress that you have made. You will hit plateaus, everyone does. You have to know when to lay the thing down and go do something else. It will be there waiting when you return. Good luck Augie
kb2dhg Says:
Wednesday, April 27, 2011 @5:06:50 AM
HEY GREAT ADVICE ALL, Thank you...
YEP, I guess your ll right. Bottom line no matter what I do love picking my Banjo and I am sure in time I can progress, I guess I just want it now! Last night I had a good practice secession. I was able to do a roll and change some cords without looking at what i was doing...This was a first! HEU AUGIE, I LAWAYS love hearing from you and your words of wisdom... I have also done a local search of some places here in NY and have actualy attended some of these events. I just wish I had someone closer to jam with..
OK My Fellow pickers, Again you all are very helpful...
HAPPY PICKIN!
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