i belong to a bluegrass association that is really depressing me. they claim they want to help the beginner get integrated into the jam but the evidence points against their claim.. i am really feeling like i dont belong there anymore and believe that i would be better off giving up the banjo.. any thoughts
10 Comments |
 | Spitfire-Smith says:
1/31/2012 2:53:00 PM
Never give up. Remember why you started playing. This group doesn't sound very helpful. Maybe you just need to try and learn on your own or look at other avenues of learning.
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 | JAFO says:
1/31/2012 3:01:48 PM
You need to ask yourself why you are playing Banjo. Are you doiong it to meet people in this group, or are you doing it for yourself. Perhaps giving up the group and looking to play the banjo in ways and places that make you happy would be the better way to go. Banjo is all for you, not them. Find an outlet you can enjoy and do what feels good.
JAFO
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keysoftune says:
1/31/2012 3:08:34 PM
i like the banjo and i want to mix with a groupbut its hard when the group dont want to mix with me
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 | dthomas says:
2/3/2012 9:32:52 AM
don't ever give up if you have started it finish it, remember there are those in life that make it happen, there are those that watch it happen, and those that wonder what just happen, there has to be others out there feeling the smae way as you, put a call out and start your own group, in life we hit many walls and it is our job to go around them or over them or though them, never give up never give in, always do what makes you happy, start a other group, banjo beginners need you!!!
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 | banjogal12 says:
2/4/2012 8:53:57 AM
You have just gotten some of the best advice and encouragement. Like Don said, put out a call and start your own group. Life is just too darn short to worry about other folks problems and hangups. If it makes you happy, that happiness spreads to others. The banjo is a happy instrument, I always feel energized after pickin. Remember why you started pickin and let it carry you on down the path. Happy pickin.
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 | Butter1313 says:
2/6/2012 12:06:59 PM
I have a Question and it is this, could it be that there is some one there that is watching to see how you react? Understand that people are careful with there emotions and even more so with there talents. I have been going to a blue grass group for 6 months and have just started to break the ice. It feels wonderful. In the beginning i got the typical yep and nop reply's to most questions and comments. Some times perseverance wins the day. Also don't forget most people like to know that you are interested in them as well, be willing to speak up.
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keysoftune says:
2/6/2012 4:06:49 PM
i have talked to the people in the group ive offered ideas to help those of us not as good as everyone else .. i was told they arent there to teach and wont teach but they offer advice that goes over the beginners head
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 | Harmonyjoe says:
4/27/2012 2:45:19 PM
Keep at it at home, but don't quit going. You can't expect folks who are at an advanced level to come own to a beginners, but if you keep at it as others have suggested above, you will begin to catch up, and then they will start looking for you.
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 | jeffryp says:
7/22/2013 6:37:39 AM
hi Robert:
I read your original post with lots of interest. And sorry that you've experienced such a 'cold' reception. I truly hope you won't let that stop you, on your banjo journey. I had an opposite experience many years ago when I started -- a folk group that was welcoming and supportive (it wasn't just a bluegrass group, I should add) -- but my experience doesn't deny the reality of yours, that's for sure.
You've already had several good comments, each of them worth thinking about. The more you share your experience and ask about it, the better you'll be able to understand it and take action that's in your own best interest.
They told you they 'aren't there to teach' -- which says a lot (tho not what I wish they would have said). Are there other banjo teachers in your area?
I've done some teaching of beginners myself. I try to repeat my own experience: that is, be as supportive as possible, encouraging as possible, helpful as possible.
I don't play 3-finger myself (2-finger, basic strum & frailing). I've had beginner students who want to get into 3-finger. I tell them I can help them learn how music works on the banjo, which might be a good basis for them to move from, later on, into 3-finger. I have a sense that much 3-finger instruction is 'rote' stuff -- based on memorizing tab -- which, imho, is not useful for beginners. Much better to help a beginner learn about what it's like to 'pick a banjo' -- how the music works on the banjo -- then later move into 3-finger stuff, which actually, I'd say, is pretty 'advanced' banjo-playing.
I have seen Tony Trischka's 'beginner' 3-finger book and it does look very good -- he goes slow, talking about how music 'works' on the banjo before he ever gets into memorizing rolls -- which, imho, is just the way to go. He also has a website.
If you'd like to correspond more about this, write me at jpiker@kingston.net
One more thing I'll say (and I'm sure to get disagreements from some people who read this): in bluegrass culture, there's a certain macho mentality among many banjo players. (certainly not all of them!) 'I'm better than you.' 'I'm faster than you' '3-finger is the only real banjo style'. That kind of thing. It might be that your banjo group has a bit of that mentality in its own group culture. If that's so, I'd avoid the group -- at least for now.
wishing you all kinds of good luck,
Jeff Piker
Kingston, Ontario
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KiwiGrass says:
2/12/2015 7:49:40 PM
Some great, encouraging comments - esp Jeff's.
It would be interesting to hear how, 3 years later keysoftune is getting on.
I'm a bit jealous of the resources you guys have access to in the US. There aren't many of us down here.
David
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