Posted by rockrider1 on Thursday, November 24, 2011
Don't know if this has happened to anyone else or not, but if it has "How did you get through / over it"? I admit I haven't been at this too long, but I'm starting to build a library of songs (approx. 10) learned. I've started to see how portions of licks and runs can be used different songs. This is the problem. When I finally learn a new song I've pretty much got it, then. But then I seem to forget some of the ones' I've previously learned. Sometimes I can't even remember the beginnings. Then as mentioned before the licks, runs, and roll patterns as they are different in some songs even though they start out the same or pieces of them are the same. Then when I go back and fix the one I can't remember, then I can't remember another one. It's all running together in my brain and I have a tendency to want to play it like the way I learned it in another song. I'm afraid I don't have enough brain cells left from my early years as a result of my bar hoppin' and beer consumption. The other problem is, in some of the songs I've learned, the I can't hear the melody of it while playing the banjo part. I can if there's a guitar accompaniment, but at my level I can't play fast enough to keep up with a recording, and at this point question whether or not I'll ever be able to. And finally since I'm having this much difficulty with no more songs than I currently try to know, I can only imagine what it would be like knowing as many as most of you probably know. Any suggestions appreciated!
5 comments on “Gettin' Frustrated”
Banjosnob Says:
Thursday, November 24, 2011 @8:01:00 AM
Why don't you knock down the list to 5 and play all of them everyday...over and over. Then when you are "sick of them" you know then your really can play them... then add another song...but play the list everyday along with the new one.
tgaryc Says:
Thursday, November 24, 2011 @9:24:35 AM
I hve 2 songs that start out with the exact same notes but are in a different order and I sometimes get them mixed up but once I get started it is all good. My trouble is I have a hard time remembering how a song goes with out looking at tabs, but I'm 66 . I have noticed that most songs have common fingering (licks) and that makes it easier to remember them. On the speed thing , try playing eaisier (lighter) and with less pick contact and that should pick up your speed some, but nothing makes up for time in the saddle and repitition. we're all in the same boat. Best of luck Gary C
Oalbrets Says:
Thursday, November 24, 2011 @10:04:45 AM
Ha Ha, have you ever been pickin one song and the next thing you know you are picking another one? I think this is just part of learning the banjo. Good luck
Texasbanjo Says:
Thursday, November 24, 2011 @3:43:17 PM
Probably most of us have been where you are now. It's perfectly normal at this stage to forget a song you learned a couple of months ago if you don't play it every day or at least several times a week. Don't let it worry you. You're fairly new and have to get more experience under your belt before your brain will make sense of it all.
Banjosnob Says:
Friday, November 25, 2011 @1:26:35 AM
If you have media player on your computer. It has a "slowdown" feature so you can play a song at a slower tempo. You can practice your backup licks this way. Right click on the blue screen, then click on "enhancments" then"play speed"....them put some "Earl" on and go at it!
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