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I'm a hard rock guy that's always loved the twang of a banjo, but not so much the music it typically plays. Recently, I found outlaw / dark country (hard rock with a banjo) and immediately fell in love. I bought a banjo and started torturing my wife with bad rolls. (I'm getting better, she ain't left or bought earplugs). I've just realized it's all stupid AI. (I'm old and hated computers before they started thinking). Do any actual people play this or am I on my own to figure it out?
First thing you need is a teacher to show you how to play. You need the basics: chords, slides, hammer ons, pull offs, licks, rolls. After you get the basics down, you can play however you want to play with whatever music you wish to play.
If you can't find/afford a live teacher, there are teachers on line who can help.
If that isn't an option (you said you don't care for internet), then find a good beginner book and take it from page 1.
quote:
Originally posted by TexasbanjoFirst thing you need is a teacher to show you how to play. You need the basics: chords, slides, hammer ons, pull offs, licks, rolls. After you get the basics down, you can play however you want to play with whatever music you wish to play.
If you can't find/afford a live teacher, there are teachers on line who can help.
If that isn't an option (you said you don't care for internet), then find a good beginner book and take it from page 1.
Thank you for that, I'm using youtube and a phone app for said basics. And working the heck out of my poor fingers. I'm as much looking for a band to enjoy as much as I am a teacher. I know Im a LONG way from being able to play what I'm looking for. I can ALMOST find C without muting my strings .... lol
Druid
If you're having trouble making chords, it may be your hand position. Try this: put the fleshy part of your thumb on the back of the neck and arch your wrist (limp arch) over the fretboard. Now, in that position you should be able to fret a C chord (or any other chord) cleanly,
Many beginners try to strangle the neck and that just doesn't work. Be sure your fingers are close to the fret without touching it. See if that helps (and problems like this are why you need a teacher).
Did you get fooled by Shunned at a Funeral? I know I did… I LOVED the music, and was mind blow when I found out they were an all AI band. SCAREY convincing. But…nothing stopping a live band from playing like that! If I was younger, I’d be all over that! You are exactly what the banjo needs to expand into the future.
What you describe in the original post sounds like something I would like… I despise AI creeping into our creative outlets like this — but I’m off to seek out Shunned at a Funeral for inspiration…
quote:
Originally posted by TimFosterWhat you describe in the original post sounds like something I would like… I despise AI creeping into our creative outlets like this — but I’m off to seek out Shunned at a Funeral for inspiration…
https://youtu.be/bEA33AT-cWA?is=ZIYQ25INn-8SE2Zh
That's the one that got me. Fair warning there's ALOT of bad language. Definitely not for kids or sensitive ears.
Haha, for sure… The tone and cadence of the banjo gives it away a little bit, at times sounding a bit too static like MIDI/sample playback… but definitely a cool idea and I’m surprised nobody has really leaned into that sort of thing yet?
I have a little studio setup leftover from my weekend warrior rocker days — guitar amps setup, drumkit mic’d and ready to go… Nowadays my two sons, 11 (drums) and 15 (guitar), jam out on heavier sludge metal in there…
I’m always so tempted to crash the party with some banjo, but don’t have a great way to amplify my banjo — my usual gig setup isn’t gonna cut it at the extreme volume levels they play at. Maybe one day if a great deal on a Deering crossfire comes up….
Edited by - TimFoster on 09/07/2026 09:49:09
quote:
Originally posted by Dean TDid you get fooled by Shunned at a Funeral? I know I did… I LOVED the music, and was mind blow when I found out they were an all AI band. SCAREY convincing. But…nothing stopping a live band from playing like that! If I was younger, I’d be all over that! You are exactly what the banjo needs to expand into the future.
Holy cow dude! That's almost scary real.
quote:
Originally posted by TimFosterHaha, for sure… The tone and cadence of the banjo gives it away a little bit, at times sounding a bit too static like MIDI/sample playback… but definitely a cool idea and I’m surprised nobody has really leaned into that sort of thing yet?
I have a little studio setup leftover from my weekend warrior rocker days — guitar amps setup, drumkit mic’d and ready to go… Nowadays my two sons, 11 (drums) and 15 (guitar), jam out on heavier sludge metal in there…
I’m always so tempted to crash the party with some banjo, but don’t have a great way to amplify my banjo — my usual gig setup isn’t gonna cut it at the extreme volume levels they play at. Maybe one day if a great deal on a Deering crossfire comes up….
Was looking at a Chinese knockoff till the wife found the america 250th special edition we bought. It looked like they just put a small button Mic on the inside of the rim. I'm sure it doesn't sound the best, but grunge metal sounds crappy on purpose so it's fine .... lol
https://youtu.be/e4Ao-iNPPUc?si=BpuEs3eNUJDHi84L
Not exactly what you were looking for maybe, but I've seen them live. They are real.
quote:
Originally posted by Jon Borcherdinghttps://youtu.be/e4Ao-iNPPUc?si=BpuEs3eNUJDHi84L
Not exactly what you were looking for maybe, but I've seen them live. They are real.
Like them boys alot, hadn't seen that one yet tho, thx!
You should probably try the band called 16 Horsepower. All of their releases are good, but Low Estate or Sackcloth & Ashes are probably the most rock-oriented and good entry points.
quote:
Originally posted by Druidquote:
Originally posted by TimFosterWhat you describe in the original post sounds like something I would like… I despise AI creeping into our creative outlets like this — but I’m off to seek out Shunned at a Funeral for inspiration…
https://youtu.be/bEA33AT-cWA?is=ZIYQ25INn-8SE2Zh
That's the one that got me. Fair warning there's ALOT of bad language. Definitely not for kids or sensitive ears.
Holy smokes! A young me would have ate that up. Lord have mercy if/when that style and attitude breaks through to the mainstream. That's actually what the instrument needs. If someone brought that kind of banjo attitude to something like the Monday night Football theme song, or NASCAR, or MMA, etc... Deering would sell out their Zombie Killers...
Edited by - Dean T on 09/07/2026 11:05:28
quote:
Originally posted by Dean Tquote:
Originally posted by Druidquote:
Originally posted by TimFosterWhat you describe in the original post sounds like something I would like… I despise AI creeping into our creative outlets like this — but I’m off to seek out Shunned at a Funeral for inspiration…
https://youtu.be/bEA33AT-cWA?is=ZIYQ25INn-8SE2Zh
That's the one that got me. Fair warning there's ALOT of bad language. Definitely not for kids or sensitive ears.
Holy smokes! A young me would have ate that up. Lord have mercy if/when that style and attitude breaks through to the mainstream. That's actually what the instrument needs. If someone brought that kind of banjo attitude to something like the Monday night Football theme song, or NASCAR, or MMA, etc... Deering would sell out their Zombie Killers...
I own and am learning to play because of it ..... too damn close to 50 to start a revolution, but can still make some noise .... lol
This is the stupidest thread i have ever encountered.
quote:
Originally posted by Peg LegThis is the stupidest thread i have ever encountered.
Must be new to internet, keep reading it gets worse.
hard rock covers a lot of different eras can you name a band or 2--to designate the rhythm you are trying to hit
You might like The Earl Brothers. I don't know much about them.
youtu.be/S7WSuCt-dyU?is=XhXITKJ1OIX2-Gln
Contact Braeden Lewis -- jamalong.org .. he'll get you going on whatever style you want. I think he is on this site.
We play a lot of 60/70's pop -- rocknroll tunes. I often turn to him when I'm out of ideas and need help.
The fun thing about playing rocknroll, when it comes to taking a lead, is a lot of it is NOT melody driven. Unlike fiddle tunes and most bluegrass, where you really need to establish the melody prior to taking liberties. The rock and roll songs are surpisingly slower too (even though they sound fast). You can get away with a lot more triplets and double timing.
on that thought--I have always said a ''raise in tempo ''can be matched with the same tempo but more available notes and ornaments and --finger speed to the audience--could be the same--
Coleman Williams IV (of Hank Williams kin) is touring with banjo player Joe Perreze. Not sure if you are into traditional outlaw country (waylon and such) as the video you posted sorta sounds like if puddle of mudd produced an album in nashville
Edited by - pghmatt on 09/11/2026 06:47:48
quote:
Originally posted by pghmattColeman Williams IV (of Hank Williams kin) is touring with banjo player Joe Perreze. Not sure if you are into traditional outlaw country (waylon and such) as the video you posted sorta sounds like if puddle of mudd produced an album in nashville
I really wish I could argue with that, but your right dammit..... lol. thanks for the heads up, I'll see if there comming my way. Sounds like a good show
Druid
haha yeah don’t sweat it. The good news is once your chops are up to speed you can make something much better. Just a side note for down the road; if you plan on using effects pedals or anything, distortion sounds terrible on a banjo. Reverb, delay, chorus/tremelo and wahs have been used with success by others though. You might want to explore 2 finger banjo as well - I think it bodes well for that genre with sort of making haunting melodies.
Also peruse around the playlists for The Wolf Tones. They are a Pittsburgh Bluegrass band but they veer into other genres often (like during their halloween shows). Archive found here
Edited by - pghmatt on 09/11/2026 07:55:51
my own taste in fx--the modulating kind (phaser-flanger-chorus-delay etc.)are 'one trick pony types--in other words not on and on with the same one--but nice especially some early transistor types,digital rack units have good ones.a favorite is a lexicon brand leslie preset midi clocked to tempo--my baritone banjo loves a bit of overdrive on my mesa boogie amp
reverb is just a regular
compressor I never got down but I some folks seem to get a cool rubbery tone enhancement with it
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