For 5 String Banjo Players based in the British Isles.

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8 Months into my journey...

From simesa on 7/18/2014 6:52:50 AM

Thought I'd post something, as I've not for a while and it's now around 8 months since I started learning the banjo.

Well -  not sure if I am pleased with my progress or not - but I was surprised at how tricky they are to play! I now understand that the journey is one without a destination, and it's important to enjoy the ride!

Started off with a bargain basement Ozark 2109RG resonator and have progressed through a couple to now having the banjo I want to keep for a good while.  It's an Ozark 2145RG resonator with Walnut neck and pot.  Lovely dark sound.

I've been pretty much practicing in isolation, not having found a teacher, or even a local banjo friend yet. Leicestershire seems to be a quiet area in the banjo world. I have been to one folk session run by one of the gents on this forum, and it was quite fun - but unfortunately it's on a Thursday night and as I'm currently working 160 miles from home I'm usually sitting on the M25 or M1 for most of Thursday evening, swearing quietly at the traffic, rather than playing the banjo.  Also, although it was fun, I felt it was more of a folk gathering than a picking banjo/bluegrass session.  Everyone was very friendly though and one day I will be back there!

I've, so far, managed to learn a few tunes, some using downloaded tabs - for example I can play the basic banjo version of Greensleeves from Banjo Ben Clark's site quite recognizably now - thanks to Ben Clark for the tabs!

Also I've taught myself a version of Tom Dooley, mostly based around and alternating forward roll - and (of course) Cripple Creek.  All basic versions though - I can't seem to get the synchronization in my fingers and brain to play it the way you hear it on records, where the sheer number of notes being played means you can't work out what's going on... I've tried slowing them down too and it's not as much help as you'd imagine...

I'm getting there though - sometimes it feels like several weeks go by and I learn nothing, then all of a sudden one day things drop into place and I'm back feeling all joyful about it :-)

It's slow and steady journey, and fortunately I'm not on a deadline, and have to fit in practicing around two small girls, a partner and a more than full time job. But, sitting of an evening in the conservatory at home, plunking away, a small tiffin within reach, sometimes makes the world seem OK.  If more people played the banjo there'd be much less violence in the world - for a start their fingers would be too sore to use guns.

So - the journey has been an interesting one so far, and I'm not giving up, but, if you're in Hinckley or Leics anywhere and fancy having a play with someone who's no good, feel free to get in touch!

4 Comments
	AndyC100 says: 7/18/2014 7:30:22 AM Hi Simon, always good to hear and see how a fellow banjo player is doing, tho Im a few months behind you with only 3 under my belt but fortunately have found a tutor the last cohple of weeks to keep me on the straight and narrow. Most definatley agree its a journey with no destiny, tho such an awesome journey I dont particularly mind whefe I end up at the minute, like you I also play alone and looking for similar people in my neck of the woods but that doesnt stop me and the family are actually fecog ising a tune or two now, not sure if thats cos they actually know them, are being nice or think they know them cos Ive played them so many times..... One thing that does confuse me at the minute is the number of differwnt arrangements for each tune and knowing which one to stick too.... Great to hear of your progress best wishes Andy
	joemac says: 7/18/2014 8:08:13 AM If you ever feel like making the short hop to Corby in Northamptonshire for an afternoon I would gladly help you with your journey. Sitting beside someone and seeing the secrets of it open up to you is totally priceless. No charge for this offer, many on here will vouch for me I'm sure....good luck with it all, joe.
	simesa says: 7/18/2014 8:33:47 AM That's a jolly decent offer - thank you Joe. I'll pm you over the next week or so and we'll sort out a date that suits you.
	joemac says: 7/18/2014 12:42:31 PM My pleasure mate. Email add is joehelenmac@aol.com if you prefer.
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