Banjouke,Banjolele,Ukejo It's the crazy family member that nobody talks about. Let's here from you if you love the Banjo Uke

80 Members, Created 11/21/2011 -

Administrators: cb56 (owner)

May I Have Some Help? New To Strings!

From Mothstradamus on 2/25/2019 12:13:17 AM

I've wanted a banjo for as long as I can remember, and I've always been entranced by the sound of them. I've played flute (I wanted to play banjo, but apparently they don't let you have those in a youth band. Rude.) for 18 years, so I'm familiar with music in general, but today at my local music shop, I happened across a used Alabama Banjolele for sale in really nice condition in my relative price range.

... and I fell in love. I made the dream into a reality! 

So now I pretty much have no money, but a very small instrument that I've always wanted. (I can eat songs!) I thought that learning 4 strings would be easier to wrap my head around at first since I'm coming from simply a "notes" background. I am not familiar with chords. Do strings have notes, or just chords?

However, I have no idea where to start on the fingerings. Which fret do I start on? Where do I strum? Do I need a pick?

I tried to watch videos, but the ones I keep finding just leave me more confused because they seem a little more advanced than I am.

Are there any videos or charts anyone can suggest for an extreme n00b like me? I mean, I don't even know which way the tab charts are supposed to be pointing. (Take pity on me, please, I was convinced to be a woodwind gal as a child.) Towards the neck or the round bit?

I know the general tuning and kind of know the strings, but that's about all. I don't know what the dots on the necks in between the frets mean, or if the frets are the metal bits or the wood between the metal bits.

I feel very silly. I'm just very eager to learn something I've wanted to know for about 20 years... so I thought I'd come ask some pros.

Thank you for your time and expertise! Have a lovely (insert time zone appropriate greeting here)!

Edit: I think I figured out an A chord, but I don't know if I put my fingers at the top or the bottom of the neck. The bottom sounds better and more like an A, but I'm not sure. I'm getting confused again, but I'm determined to learn!

I want to eventually graduate to a full banjo in a couple of years!

Page: 1  2  3  4  Last