I'm on my 6th banjo lesson and my instructor said I like a challenge so he had me learn foggy mountain breakdown. Do I play it fast? No, but I play it. I learned my chords, the variations, transitions, etc. Now, my lessons are 2 weeks apart so I'm practicing anything I learn for 2 hours a day, for 14 days before I see him again. I'm doing pretty well.
I've always heard practice 4 to 6 hours each day. Never put down a banjo when learning for too many days. Try it as much as you can .If you've got time to breath you got time for music !!!!
Good advice. I played guitar and upright bass in bands for many years. When I got a banjo I didnt get lessons, just dived in head first. It worked, kinda, but I hit a plateau. Then I moved where there was no bluegrass or old time jam scene and I quit the banjo for several years and concentrated on guitar and bass and other styles of music. Recently I picked the banjo back up and I sounded really terrible. Trying to play too fast, very sloppy. There were lotsa bad habits Id taught myself and a lot of good habits I'd forgot. So now Im taking lessons, going back to basics. Simple songs played excruciatingly slow to a metronome but precise and correct. Its paying off, even after only a month. Things are cleaning up and Ive corrected a lot of slop and Im starting to sound like I know what Im doing. I know the speed will come but Im not rushing anything. Slow and steady and right wins in the long run.
After over a decade of guitar playing, I picked up a banjo for S&G’s and have been poking around TH-cam for any tips. I found your video and was curious what you had come up with and can say without a doubt that your advice is great and applies to absolutely every instrument. I can say that in place of family/friends, an open mic night at a bar or coffee shops can be a good stand in. It gives you a chance to play in front of others without worrying about what folks you know might think. Another “bonus tip” would also to make sure you are not ONLY listening to banjo music. The modern bluegrass, folk, and celtic albums are a great way to learn about different techniques, but there are many more possibilities to banjo (and any other instrument) than its current mold. Experiment with rock and jazz and blues and classical. You’d be surprised what works well and sometimes really shines on the “lowly banjo”.
Extra bonus tip 13, If you go to a jam and your a beginner, Realize there is a Jam etiquette, meaning not to over play your abilities. Play in the back round until you get better.
great video! i can relate to all these things lol i just started learning (Nov.4th 2022) clawhammer banjo. i spent a long time on just my right hand getting the bum ditty and location of strings down. then started to learn the chords C, Em, D7, F, G, alternating through them. i first bought the Deering Goodtime Americana and then i heard the Vega Vintage Star with the Dobson tone ring and fell in love with the sound so i bought it too! LOL. i have tried other instruments in my youth but gave up as it was becoming a job/chore to play. i can say whole heartedly that the banjo i am excited to get home from work and play every night. i finally found a teacher on skype and hopefully i have not picked up too many bad habits that i cannot correct! lol i do like to play a couple of songs like cripple creek and old joe clark with some slides, pull offs and hammer on's. my struggle is to keep it slower and not try to go too fast! i am loving this journey so far! thanks for your videos, they are so helpful to beginners like me!!
I wish I had seen this when I started. I feel like on one of the tips - playing songs over your head- that you hit the nail on the head. Sometimes better to quit and wait until you're ready to learn the song. I feel like it's almost obligatory to attempt Foggy Mountain Breakdown early on and get defeated a little - lol.
NONSENSE on #8!!! A Nechville Galaxy will make me better (someday). I’m actually debating at what point do I get my next banjo. I’m thinking of when I hit 1000 hours. It will be a good motivational goal.
i tried to have time set aside to practice daily...it never worked out to more than a few minutes...i leaned the banjo against my easy chair and play more than an hour a day..having it avalable and visable was a huge help
Ha ha! I’m hoping this is a joke. If not, it is the dumbest thing to tell another banjo player. Well unless you are a pompous ass trying to prove to everyone how superior you are to them.
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I'm on my 6th banjo lesson and my instructor said I like a challenge so he had me learn foggy mountain breakdown. Do I play it fast? No, but I play it. I learned my chords, the variations, transitions, etc. Now, my lessons are 2 weeks apart so I'm practicing anything I learn for 2 hours a day, for 14 days before I see him again. I'm doing pretty well.
that is awesome! great job!
I've always heard practice 4 to 6 hours each day. Never put down a banjo when learning for too many days. Try it as much as you can .If you've got time to breath you got time for music !!!!
Good advice. I played guitar and upright bass in bands for many years. When I got a banjo I didnt get lessons, just dived in head first. It worked, kinda, but I hit a plateau. Then I moved where there was no bluegrass or old time jam scene and I quit the banjo for several years and concentrated on guitar and bass and other styles of music. Recently I picked the banjo back up and I sounded really terrible. Trying to play too fast, very sloppy. There were lotsa bad habits Id taught myself and a lot of good habits I'd forgot. So now Im taking lessons, going back to basics. Simple songs played excruciatingly slow to a metronome but precise and correct. Its paying off, even after only a month. Things are cleaning up and Ive corrected a lot of slop and Im starting to sound like I know what Im doing. I know the speed will come but Im not rushing anything. Slow and steady and right wins in the long run.
yes! nothing beats a metronome at a mind numbingly slow bpm.. its hard to recognize but it makes a world of difference in the long run!
After over a decade of guitar playing, I picked up a banjo for S&G’s and have been poking around TH-cam for any tips. I found your video and was curious what you had come up with and can say without a doubt that your advice is great and applies to absolutely every instrument.
I can say that in place of family/friends, an open mic night at a bar or coffee shops can be a good stand in. It gives you a chance to play in front of others without worrying about what folks you know might think.
Another “bonus tip” would also to make sure you are not ONLY listening to banjo music. The modern bluegrass, folk, and celtic albums are a great way to learn about different techniques, but there are many more possibilities to banjo (and any other instrument) than its current mold. Experiment with rock and jazz and blues and classical. You’d be surprised what works well and sometimes really shines on the “lowly banjo”.
Appreciate your insights and honest approach to the Banjo journey. Respect.
I started learning to play banjo about six months ago and every 1-2 weeks, I go outside and play in front of my pigs.
Extra bonus tip 13, If you go to a jam and your a beginner, Realize there is a Jam etiquette, meaning not to over play your abilities. Play in the back round until you get better.
great video! i can relate to all these things lol i just started learning (Nov.4th 2022) clawhammer banjo. i spent a long time on just my right hand getting the bum ditty and location of strings down. then started to learn the chords C, Em, D7, F, G, alternating through them. i first bought the Deering Goodtime Americana and then i heard the Vega Vintage Star with the Dobson tone ring and fell in love with the sound so i bought it too! LOL. i have tried other instruments in my youth but gave up as it was becoming a job/chore to play. i can say whole heartedly that the banjo i am excited to get home from work and play every night. i finally found a teacher on skype and hopefully i have not picked up too many bad habits that i cannot correct! lol i do like to play a couple of songs like cripple creek and old joe clark with some slides, pull offs and hammer on's. my struggle is to keep it slower and not try to go too fast! i am loving this journey so far! thanks for your videos, they are so helpful to beginners like me!!
I wish I had seen this when I started. I feel like on one of the tips - playing songs over your head- that you hit the nail on the head. Sometimes better to quit and wait until you're ready to learn the song. I feel like it's almost obligatory to attempt Foggy Mountain Breakdown early on and get defeated a little - lol.
I still feel like everything i try to play is over my head! lol
NONSENSE on #8!!! A Nechville Galaxy will make me better (someday). I’m actually debating at what point do I get my next banjo. I’m thinking of when I hit 1000 hours. It will be a good motivational goal.
Thanks for the PEP talk. I like your insights. Very helpful to look back and think forward. Your Number 1 is now mine.
Glad it was helpful!
i tried to have time set aside to practice daily...it never worked out to more than a few minutes...i leaned the banjo against my easy chair and play more than an hour a day..having it avalable and visable was a huge help
Your videos are always fun and informational. Thanks so much. Best wishes from the San Francisco Bay Area. - Tim
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the tips! I need all the help I can get!
you are welcome!! thank you for watching!
Really useful tips! Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure!
What was a book that you studied by?
heres a video on all the books i used
th-cam.com/video/xq5lRsQLhHI/w-d-xo.html
I play in my lounge chair, just as comfortable as possible is my moto.
Subbed!😊
Thank you
Are in Indiana?
Another advice : put your banjo in tune 😉
Ha ha! I’m hoping this is a joke. If not, it is the dumbest thing to tell another banjo player. Well unless you are a pompous ass trying to prove to everyone how superior you are to them.
There really is no way around it...all natty callous FTW lol
Mistake number 1: not tuning your banjo………🤦♂️
Thank you for taking the time to watch and making the world a better place with this witty comment!
I just received my banjo yesterday and am loving your videos and advice! Thank you so much. ❤❤❤