Duke418 - Posted - 07/20/2011:  16:57:50

I am so glad i came to this site to hear folks battling the same things i am. Sam-i-am, i am sort of like you. I am 58 and my wife bought me a banjo for our 34th wedding aniversary as i have always wanted to learn to play an instrument and banjo music just makes me smile. I have been playing since April and i still struggle with the rolls but do get them going once in a while. I have been working on cripple creek working from robbourassa Youtube video but still a long way to go i think. I dont think my playing sounds like banjo playing yet but i am not discouraged at this point. Cords give me an issue too and i know the key is to practice practice practice but not sure what to practice so i practice the rolls and go through cripple creek as best i can but not sure how to progress. I do have Earl Scruggs book and CD as well as Banjo for Dummies. Anyway am glad i found this site and am excited about my quest to play the banjo.

piscesgrrl - Posted - 07/20/2011:  18:33:54

I'm having a blast. I know I have to work (struggle) for a while to understand the fret board and to get my fingers moving faster than a snail. I am okay sitting and figuring out scales (okay, I'm only on the G scale) because I just love the sound of my picking. I'm sure a day will come when I be will frustrated with my lack of progress, but that just means I have to play more. Also, it's really nice to know there is a community like this to offer feedback and encouragement!

sam-i-am - Posted - 07/21/2011:  05:15:26

quote: Duke, it really helps me to have a live instructor. He gives me feedback, helps by showing me certain things I'm doing wrong and helps me work through them. He also encourages me and lets me know where I am doing well.  He keeps me focused and I feel obligated to keep going and not slack off. I recorded my playing last weekend and wow. Am I really bad. It gives me incentive to keep working harder on things I could hear wrong...most of it. However, it is a good way to make you concentrate when you are playing. Rolls are nothing more than thousands of repetitions until you can do it and carry on a conversation and play them at the same time. One thing Josh got me doing is playing rolls quietly. It relaxes your right hand which you must do to play well. He also taught me to play the rolls and go through the major chord stops on the frets (g, a, b, c, d, e, f#, g) on each string backward and forward. Right now I am doing some music theory. He has taught me the key of every fret from the first to the 12th and on. So, making a short story long, I really encourage everyone to get a good tutor.

Sam

Originally posted by Duke418

I am so glad i came to this site to hear folks battling the same things i am. Sam-i-am, i am sort of like you. I am 58 and my wife bought me a banjo for our 34th wedding aniversary as i have always wanted to learn to play an instrument and banjo music just makes me smile. I have been playing since April and i still struggle with the rolls but do get them going once in a while. I have been working on cripple creek working from robbourassa Youtube video but still a long way to go i think. I dont think my playing sounds like banjo playing yet but i am not discouraged at this point. Cords give me an issue too and i know the key is to practice practice practice but not sure what to practice so i practice the rolls and go through cripple creek as best i can but not sure how to progress. I do have Earl Scruggs book and CD as well as Banjo for Dummies. Anyway am glad i found this site and am excited about my quest to play the banjo.

---

Cotton - Posted - 07/21/2011:  06:08:10

quote:

---

Originally posted by sugarcreekbanjo



I'm only into month three of my banjo journey. Got a Deering openback a few years ago, started to learn, but other things just got in the way, so I put it down. Pulled it out a few months ago after watching a live performance in Pigeon Forge, Tn. (and was awestruck by what the picker could do!). So, I'm back at it.



I don't get to practice as much as I would like to, so my pace is rather slow. Right now, I'm trying to separate left hand vs right hand, so they will work independently. My right hand doesn't have a good "auto-picking" control yet, so that's hindering my work on chords.

---

kb2dhg - Posted - 07/21/2011:  06:13:42

I have been at it for 5 months now and although my progress is slow, there IS progress...
I just love picking the dern thing! I too would love to have more time to practice ...
It is just nice to be a part of this cool community of banjo pickers :-)

Duke418 - Posted - 07/21/2011:  15:19:15

quote: Thanks for the advice Sam i am heading to upstate New York the first week in August and when i get back i think i will look into getting a teacher.  I think it will help me in just the things you have said.  i dont think i have relaxed my hand yet i will have to try to play soft and i am not sure i know what you mean by the major chord stops is that like doing the scales while you are playing the rolls?  Also i listen to what i play as i am playing so if i record it will it sound different when i play it back...guess one way to find out is to just do it huh lol.  Seriously thought thanks for the advice...seems like the more things i learn about the more questions and curiosities i have...What an exciting journey. 

---

Originally posted by sam-i-am

quote: Duke, it really helps me to have a live instructor. He gives me feedback, helps by showing me certain things I'm doing wrong and helps me work through them. He also encourages me and lets me know where I am doing well.  He keeps me focused and I feel obligated to keep going and not slack off. I recorded my playing last weekend and wow. Am I really bad. It gives me incentive to keep working harder on things I could hear wrong...most of it. However, it is a good way to make you concentrate when you are playing. Rolls are nothing more than thousands of repetitions until you can do it and carry on a conversation and play them at the same time. One thing Josh got me doing is playing rolls quietly. It relaxes your right hand which you must do to play well. He also taught me to play the rolls and go through the major chord stops on the frets (g, a, b, c, d, e, f#, g) on each string backward and forward. Right now I am doing some music theory. He has taught me the key of every fret from the first to the 12th and on. So, making a short story long, I really encourage everyone to get a good tutor.

Sam

Originally posted by Duke418

I am so glad i came to this site to hear folks battling the same things i am. Sam-i-am, i am sort of like you. I am 58 and my wife bought me a banjo for our 34th wedding aniversary as i have always wanted to learn to play an instrument and banjo music just makes me smile. I have been playing since April and i still struggle with the rolls but do get them going once in a while. I have been working on cripple creek working from robbourassa Youtube video but still a long way to go i think. I dont think my playing sounds like banjo playing yet but i am not discouraged at this point. Cords give me an issue too and i know the key is to practice practice practice but not sure what to practice so i practice the rolls and go through cripple creek as best i can but not sure how to progress. I do have Earl Scruggs book and CD as well as Banjo for Dummies. Anyway am glad i found this site and am excited about my quest to play the banjo.

---

 

---

rfreeze - Posted - 07/21/2011:  18:36:58

Hi Bill, Rich Freeze here from Plylmouth WI. I started Playing on December 25th of last year, Started out buying a bunch of books Cd and DVD's from Ross Nickerson banjoteacher.com, then I went to a local shop here in Plymouth, Found a instructor and have been taking lessions from her for about 4 months now. Yes at times you get frustrated. I started with Tabs and now I'm working on learing by ear because was getting a little over kill and I wasn't getting more progress. I started with the rolls and continue to work on them. Just keep Practicing. Have fun.
Rich Freeze

BanjoICT - Posted - 07/22/2011:  04:24:17

Hi, very new to the Banjo and have been taking lessons and practicing for about 3 weeks now. I have to say I'm having a blast. Being a flight simulation instructor, I came up with the idea of a banjo "simulator" so to say and made a right hand picking device (crudely done though with dremel tools) to practice rolls and various right hand picking patterns throughout the day whenever I can. I keep it in a camera case attached to my belt loop so it doesn't look to awful dorky and just unzip the case and practice away anytime I can. As you can see there are 5 raised ridges for the five strings spaced apart almost exactly the same as each banjo string. Being new, I'm sure someone has done the same thing before and for all I know, one could buy a really good one online somewhere made much better than I made. However, I have not been able to find anything like it so far. I have to say this thing really works! It's amazing how I can practice a new roll at various times during the day on this thing and then within' a few tries on the real banjo how quickly it comes!

Edited by - BanjoICT on 07/22/2011 04:25:42

Right Hand Finger Picking Trainer

sam-i-am - Posted - 07/22/2011:  05:16:15

quote:

---

Originally posted by BanjoICT

Hi, very new to the Banjo and have been taking lessons and practicing for about 3 weeks now. I have to say I'm having a blast. Being a flight simulation instructor, I came up with the idea of a banjo "simulator" so to say and made a right hand picking device (crudely done though with dremel tools) to practice rolls and various right hand picking patterns throughout the day whenever I can. I keep it in a camera case attached to my belt loop so it doesn't look to awful dorky and just unzip the case and practice away anytime I can. As you can see there are 5 raised ridges for the five strings spaced apart almost exactly the same as each banjo string. Being new, I'm sure someone has done the same thing before and for all I know, one could buy a really good one online somewhere made much better than I made. However, I have not been able to find anything like it so far. I have to say this thing really works! It's amazing how I can practice a new roll at various times during the day on this thing and then within' a few tries on the real banjo how quickly it comes!

---

Jack Hatfield (whose instruction book with DVD I got with my banjo) has a similar device that you can use when traveling or when you can't practice your banjo. On the back it has a list of several rolls. Click on link  hatfieldmusic.com/page6.html 

DrBobNeon - Posted - 07/22/2011:  05:39:38

I am another newbie.  Built a Saga from a kit in 1977 and took 8 lessons.  I then put it in the closet until 8 weeks ago.  At my age, the fingers are slow and stubborn.  However, I am more stubborn than they are.  I will learn it!  My teacher has the patience of Job and says I am not his worst student.  It is hard to believe that.  I am having a slow blast learning to play.  I also noticed that I do not have bugs or mice in the house any more!  

Pickin' and Definitely a Grinnin'

courgettelawn - Posted - 07/25/2011:  12:33:27

Part 4 of my banjo chronicles reviews my progress with Janet Davis's You Can Teach Yourself Banjo:

tehmina.org/2011/07/25/learnin...et-davis/

In short, I am having fun with it!

Jazz Country - Posted - 07/25/2011:  12:53:23

quote:

---

Originally posted by courgettelawn

Part 4 of my banjo chronicles reviews my progress with Janet Davis's You Can Teach Yourself Banjo:

tehmina.org/2011/07/25/learnin...et-davis/

In short, I am having fun with it!

 

---

What a good idea to chronicle your musical adventure. You show remarkable discipline in taking things slowly instead of jumping the gun - it's easy to surrender to the temptation of playing fast and hoping things smooth out. I'm sure Janet Davis would appreciate your excellent review and explanation on how you are stepping through the book. It's wonderful to make progress, isn't it? I took the day off to stay home and practice guitar and banjo today. I managed to step the Band-In-A-Box tempo up a few notches this afternoon on most of the song files. That sure beats spending the day at the office!

Larry

courgettelawn - Posted - 07/25/2011:  14:39:48

Thanks, Larry. I think we all work far too hard. I could only do a few hours at a stretch when I took the day off last Friday. Look forward to using some more of my leave doing the same. 

Duke418 - Posted - 07/25/2011:  17:31:52

I happened to run across the Murphy Method tutorial on Youtube of "Banjo in the Hollow" and she ran throught part A and i have been practicing it but dont see part B so am stuck with part of the song. Her tutorial's are very good, they go slow so i can keep up haha...I did track 6 of the Earl Scruggs book to mix the basic rhythm with the alternating thumb pattern and for the first time my playing actually sounded like banjo music...was quite exciting...

Peanutscreams - Posted - 07/25/2011:  20:56:19

Hey Duke,

Part B of the Murphy Method to "Banjo In The Hollow" is basically the same rolls as part A but only using that c chord down the neck played twice with a snap in between. That's it, song over. Very cool little song. Do not go back up the neck unless your starting over. Go to her web site and get her DVD for beginners, it's great.

Butch B.

dunaif - Posted - 07/26/2011:  14:09:24

Hi, Fellow Beginners:

Just wanted to share a few more words of encouragement: keep at it and it will definitely get easier.

I've just passed my first year mark since getting my first banjo. I'm not yet where I want to be, but as I look back, I'm pleased at the progress I've made. There have been ups and downs and periods of what felt like "backsliding", but as I continue to play regularly and jam with others, my playing gets better and better. There are so many great instructional materials available, as well as excellent teachers, that it's possible for anyone with the desire (and a banjo) to learn to play.

Thanks, BHO and all of you who share your knowledge and experience.

--Donna

Anjie - Posted - 07/26/2011:  14:44:15

Hey Duke!

I'm with Butch - they're great videos.  I actually downloaded Volumes 1 and 2 here on the Banjo Hangout with the Video Lessons Catalog - immediate gratification!  Conversely, you could take on a challenge and try to work it out yourself by watching some of the YouTube versions of Banjo in the Hollow.  Good luck!

Anjie

Duke418 - Posted - 07/26/2011:  15:43:43

Thanks Butch and Anjie i may have to do just that. I did try to watch Youtube but most the versions i ran into through me off in that they were playing around the 5th fret and i was used to playing the c cord for the second part of A...i will keep at it and am enjoying this adventure...

Peanutscreams - Posted - 07/26/2011:  16:08:15

Your welcome Duke, that's great to hear. Don't want to confuse you before you get Murphy's DVD but you probably got "Banjo In The Hollow" figured out by now. If you do, try throwing in a 4-2-1-5-3 roll after your backward rolls on this song. I know it's not the original arrangement that Murphy wants us to play, but I thought it fit in really good and sounds pretty cool.

Butch B.  

chickenbilljones - Posted - 08/07/2011:  20:46:41

Isn't playing the banjo fun!

Peanutscreams - Posted - 08/08/2011:  09:48:06

I posted a question earlier about my string action being way to high. I received a response from Aeroweenie recommending I have an experienced picker or luthier check the string height. At first I was skeptical about removing the resonator and adjusting this myself but since I had purchased the cheapest banjo I could find on amazon I decided to make my own adjustment. After removing the resonator I found the process quite simple, and also discovered how easy it was to tighten my head. The head was comically loose and the brackets that held it down were all out of whack (not perpendicular) After tightening and adjusting, my banjo finally sounds kinda what a banjo is suppose to sound like. This only makes practicing and learning that much more enjoyable. Bottom line, if I were to start this new adventure all over again I would never have purchased a cheap banjo. Sure, at first it sounded good to me because I have never owned a banjo before, in fact never even held one, but after hearing others I soon realized I had nothing more than a toy, I was shocked it never even had a tone ring in it when I removed the resonator! So beginners out there, invest your $$ in a better banjo. Not saying buy one with pearl inlays and such, but I sure wish I had bought a Gold Tone, Deering Goodtime, or Master Recorder now. 

Butch B.

AA  

mdgodaat - Posted - 08/08/2011:  09:52:30

RULE # 1 IS SLOW (you have to get it slow first, no matter what it is)

RULE # 2 IS SMOOTH (after you've gotten through it SLOW, continue to practice it slowly and get it SMOOTH, in time and rhythm. The "kinks" will work out with repetition during practice)

RULE # 3 - SPEED WILL COME TO YOU. YOU DON'T GO TO IT. Call it God's little reward for doing the first two steps thoroughly.

Remember clean, clear picking and fretting and in time rhythm. That's the secret to a great banjo player.

courgettelawn - Posted - 08/08/2011:  10:15:44

Can anyone help with my right hand picking misery? 



Actually that is an exaggeration. I'm not miserable because my thumb pick in particular (whichever one I use) keeps hitting the drum head but I am beginning to wonder what I can do to help me get it right. I do try and keep conscious of my right arm and hand position and I know that regular practice will help my roll patterns come out smoother but I just can't seem to get comfortable with a) my anchor finger and b) hitting the drum head with my thumb.

I have also on occasion got the thumb pick entangled with the string! This all tells me that the angle at which I am keeping my right hand doesn't seem quite right although even looking in the mirror I can't quite see what is wrong.

Any thoughts or tips?

Thanks,

Tehmina

courgettelawn - Posted - 08/08/2011:  10:25:43

HI Butch,

Sorry to hear about your banjo woes but I can echo what you have recommended to other beginners looking for their first banjo. I went back to a store just for curiosity to see how their cheap banjos (which were not all that cheap) compared with my Goodtime Crow and I really think the difference is vast. Firstly they continually went out of tune, the finish on the finger board was poor making slides difficult and mainly, as you point out, the action was too high (at least for me). The store owners were adamant that these were some of the best but although they looked the part I don't think even my beginner's fingers were wrong in the poor sound they created.

Well done for being brave and clever enough to fix it! I hope it improves and one day you get yourself a great banjo.

Tehmina

sam-i-am - Posted - 08/08/2011:  14:33:05

quote: Butch, what brand/model did you originally purchase?

---

Originally posted by Peanutscreams

I posted a question earlier about my string action being way to high. I received a response from Aeroweenie recommending I have an experienced picker or luthier check the string height. At first I was skeptical about removing the resonator and adjusting this myself but since I had purchased the cheapest banjo I could find on amazon I decided to make my own adjustment. After removing the resonator I found the process quite simple, and also discovered how easy it was to tighten my head. The head was comically loose and the brackets that held it down were all out of whack (not perpendicular) After tightening and adjusting, my banjo finally sounds kinda what a banjo is suppose to sound like. This only makes practicing and learning that much more enjoyable. Bottom line, if I were to start this new adventure all over again I would never have purchased a cheap banjo. Sure, at first it sounded good to me because I have never owned a banjo before, in fact never even held one, but after hearing others I soon realized I had nothing more than a toy, I was shocked it never even had a tone ring in it when I removed the resonator! So beginners out there, invest your $$ in a better banjo. Not saying buy one with pearl inlays and such, but I sure wish I had bought a Gold Tone, Deering Goodtime, or Master Recorder now. 

Butch B.

AA  

---

Peanutscreams - Posted - 08/08/2011:  16:57:16

Tehmina - & sam-I-am,

The banjo I purchased on Amazon kinda tricked me cause I thought it was a Davidson, but when I took it out of the box it said Davison. Never even heard of Davison, couldn't even find it by Google. So other than that name I see no other form of ID. Oh and a side note, after I tighten the head the resonator would not go back on, no matter what I tried, just would not line up again. So I'm just having to pluck away without one now. Oh, also, one of the bracket threads stripped loose and it wasn't even that tight, just a bit after finger tightening it. To top that off, the arm guard rest now hits the head if I tighten it down to much. So I am  very disappointed in the quality, but on a bright note the tightening of the head and action adjustment did help out quite a bit in reference to the overall tone. $169.00 got what I paid for and less.

Friend of mine down the road been playing banjo 30 years, I proudly took it into his paint store to show it off shortly after my purchase, told him I paid bout a buck and a half for it over the internet, He was amazed and stated a dollar fifty was indeed one heck of a bargain, and I said no, not a dollar fifty, one hundred and fifty dollars, he then kinda chuckled and just shook his head. I left his place feeling really foolish.

Tehmina, thanks for your thoughtful comment, I am glad you did a successful research before you purchased your Goodtime Crow, I would have defiantly followed your advice had it not been we both purchased the same time. Don't know what to say about your thumb pick hitting your head all the time, I tried to mimic what you may be doing but I can't get my thumb to hit the head unless I really bring it down low and purposely strike it. Sorry that is happening but I'm sure someone here must be able help you. Suggesting the obvious, filing the end of the pick down some, but I'm sure you experimented with that notion.

Butch B.

jajajavih - Posted - 08/09/2011:  03:45:22

quote:

---

Originally posted by BanjoICT

Hi, very new to the Banjo and have been taking lessons and practicing for about 3 weeks now. I have to say I'm having a blast. Being a flight simulation instructor, I came up with the idea of a banjo "simulator" so to say and made a right hand picking device (crudely done though with dremel tools) to practice rolls and various right hand picking patterns throughout the day whenever I can. I keep it in a camera case attached to my belt loop so it doesn't look to awful dorky and just unzip the case and practice away anytime I can. As you can see there are 5 raised ridges for the five strings spaced apart almost exactly the same as each banjo string. Being new, I'm sure someone has done the same thing before and for all I know, one could buy a really good one online somewhere made much better than I made. However, I have not been able to find anything like it so far. I have to say this thing really works! It's amazing how I can practice a new roll at various times during the day on this thing and then within' a few tries on the real banjo how quickly it comes!

---

ahhHAHAHAHAH Banjo ITC, you're cool!!! you have no idea how many times I've been thinking of that kind of invention going to the University in the subway!!! hahaha great job!! Amazing!

thetexan - Posted - 08/09/2011:  07:24:09

If you know that you know that you know that you want to continue with the banjo I always recommend that you go ahead and buy the best instrument you can afford from the beginning.  Too many times  people buy lousy, cheap instruments thinking that it's a small investment should they decide they dont want to pursue it.  The reverse is also true.  If you do want to pursue it then invest in your future and get a fine instrument now.

You may think that buying a $6000 Stelling is insane as a beginner but most people wouldnt think twice about spending that much money on a boat or $2000 on a new big screen TV.  It's just another choice.  But what you will have is an instrument that will last you a lifetime and a perfect instrument to learn on.

There is nothing more disappointing, discouraging and detrimental to learning progress than a poorly made instrument.

tex

sam-i-am - Posted - 08/09/2011:  07:32:10

---

Originally posted by Peanutscreams

Tehmina - & sam-I-am,

The banjo I purchased on Amazon kinda tricked me cause I thought it was a Davidson, but when I took it out of the box it said Davison. Never even heard of Davison, couldn't even find it by Google. So other than that name I see no other form of ID. Oh and a side note, after I tighten the head the resonator would not go back on, no matter what I tried, just would not line up again. So I'm just having to pluck away without one now. Oh, also, one of the bracket threads stripped loose and it wasn't even that tight, just a bit after finger tightening it. To top that off, the arm guard rest now hits the head if I tighten it down to much. So I am  very disappointed in the quality, but on a bright note the tightening of the head and action adjustment did help out quite a bit in reference to the overall tone. $169.00 got what I paid for and less.

Friend of mine down the road been playing banjo 30 years, I proudly took it into his paint store to show it off shortly after my purchase, told him I paid bout a buck and a half for it over the internet, He was amazed and stated a dollar fifty was indeed one heck of a bargain, and I said no, not a dollar fifty, one hundred and fifty dollars, he then kinda chuckled and just shook his head. I left his place feeling really foolish.

Tehmina, thanks for your thoughtful comment, I am glad you did a successful research before you purchased your Goodtime Crow, I would have defiantly followed your advice had it not been we both purchased the same time. Don't know what to say about your thumb pick hitting your head all the time, I tried to mimic what you may be doing but I can't get my thumb to hit the head unless I really bring it down low and purposely strike it. Sorry that is happening but I'm sure someone here must be able help you. Suggesting the obvious, filing the end of the pick down some, but I'm sure you experimented with that notion.

Butch B.

---

 It is odd that this is a Davidson. Phil Davidson makes high end banjos in England. Here is his website. www.davidsoninstruments.com  

 www.davidsoninstruments.com 

Peanutscreams - Posted - 08/09/2011:  10:49:35

quote:  It is odd that this is a Davidson. Phil Davidson makes high end banjos in England. Here is his website. 

No sam-I-Am -- Look at the spelling. It is not a Davidson, it's a Davison. I know, this is what tricked me.

Butch B. 

---

Originally posted by sam-i-am

---

Originally posted by Peanutscreams

Tehmina - & sam-I-am,

The banjo I purchased on Amazon kinda tricked me cause I thought it was a Davidson, but when I took it out of the box it said Davison. Never even heard of Davison, couldn't even find it by Google. So other than that name I see no other form of ID. Oh and a side note, after I tighten the head the resonator would not go back on, no matter what I tried, just would not line up again. So I'm just having to pluck away without one now. Oh, also, one of the bracket threads stripped loose and it wasn't even that tight, just a bit after finger tightening it. To top that off, the arm guard rest now hits the head if I tighten it down to much. So I am  very disappointed in the quality, but on a bright note the tightening of the head and action adjustment did help out quite a bit in reference to the overall tone. $169.00 got what I paid for and less.

Friend of mine down the road been playing banjo 30 years, I proudly took it into his paint store to show it off shortly after my purchase, told him I paid bout a buck and a half for it over the internet, He was amazed and stated a dollar fifty was indeed one heck of a bargain, and I said no, not a dollar fifty, one hundred and fifty dollars, he then kinda chuckled and just shook his head. I left his place feeling really foolish.

Tehmina, thanks for your thoughtful comment, I am glad you did a successful research before you purchased your Goodtime Crow, I would have defiantly followed your advice had it not been we both purchased the same time. Don't know what to say about your thumb pick hitting your head all the time, I tried to mimic what you may be doing but I can't get my thumb to hit the head unless I really bring it down low and purposely strike it. Sorry that is happening but I'm sure someone here must be able help you. Suggesting the obvious, filing the end of the pick down some, but I'm sure you experimented with that notion.

Butch B.

---

 It is odd that this is a Davidson. Phil Davidson makes high end banjos in England. Here is his website. www.davidsoninstruments.com  

 www.davidsoninstruments.com 

---

sam-i-am - Posted - 08/09/2011:  11:12:17

Butch, that banjo is the same one I have but mine is named Johnson. Johnson is now Savannah. It is most likely made in Korea and has the name imprinted for whichever manufacturer buys it to resell. I have seen this same banjo with at least four different names on it. Funny though, I have had no problems with it, and it needs little re-tuning. My wife went to a well-respected music store in Paducah, KY and bought it for me for Christmas. I won't sell it, but I will buy a high end banjo after I am comfortable playing well - in a couple of years. As a learning banjo it is great, at least the one I have. I'll encourage my grandson to learn on my Johnson and then will him whatever banjo I wind up with.

Davison Guitars sells the banjo as part of R W Jamison Guitar Co. Here is the website. davisonguitarcompany.com/james...tics.html 

Peanutscreams - Posted - 08/11/2011:  03:14:00

sam-I-am,

Yep, looks like the same banjo indeed. Glad your not having any problems with yours. Mine would probably be ok if I had not took the back off and tightened up the head. So if you want your grandson to enjoy it as a beginner banjo down the road, I would make certain it remains in it's factory built set up. Thanks for your information on this and the links my friend.

Butch B.

Jazz Country - Posted - 08/11/2011:  05:41:10

quote:

---

Originally posted by courgettelawn

Can anyone help with my right hand picking misery? 



Actually that is an exaggeration. I'm not miserable because my thumb pick in particular (whichever one I use) keeps hitting the drum head but I am beginning to wonder what I can do to help me get it right. I do try and keep conscious of my right arm and hand position and I know that regular practice will help my roll patterns come out smoother but I just can't seem to get comfortable with a) my anchor finger and b) hitting the drum head with my thumb.

I have also on occasion got the thumb pick entangled with the string! This all tells me that the angle at which I am keeping my right hand doesn't seem quite right although even looking in the mirror I can't quite see what is wrong.

Any thoughts or tips?

Thanks,

Tehmina

---

Hey Tehmina -  It looks like we beginners have to iron out the same wrinkles! I kept hitting the head with my thumb pick for a while, too. It got better as I concentrated on using a steeper angle. But it completely went away when I simply switched to a shorter pick. Unfortunately, that was when I began entangling my thumb pick as you describe. Fix one problem and another one pops up! After close analysis my guess is that's all in the follow through. After striking a note it's important for the thumb to travel down and slightly out before traveling back up. Of course I could be 100% wrong as usual. I'm sure you could search the forum for previous threads on the subject. Or maybe start a new thread so that the more experienced players will be likely to respond.

Larry

courgettelawn - Posted - 08/11/2011:  14:21:02

I think you are right. I've examined how my thumb naturally moves up and down and in fact it doesn't. It tends to move in an arc so comes down towards the string and then onto the drum, unless I concentrate very hard. I also find when I do try and strike more in an up and down motion I lose the angle of my index finger which, by the end of a song begins to strike the string at an angle of the pick/

I will take your suggestion and post this as a new thread.

sam-i-am - Posted - 08/11/2011:  14:25:52

Butch, it may be that you did not do anything when you tightened the head. Perhaps the resonator only fits in one location. What I mean is there are four screws about 90 degrees apart. See if you can get it to fit by rotating the resonator until the holes line up. Worth a try.

By the way, this picture of me was taken on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. That is one I checked off of my bucket list. Of course I wouldn't want anyone hearing what was coming out of the banjo. I did attract a big flock of crows.

Sam

sam-i-am - Posted - 08/12/2011:  06:01:42

Butch, I don't know what I was thinking. I went home and took off my resonator and it can only fit one way since the cutout for the neck is on one side. Sorry. BTW, what kind of tool did you use to tighten the top?

Sam

thetexan - Posted - 08/12/2011:  08:16:48

courgettelawn,

To cure the problem with hitting the drum head, place something about 1/8 inch thick and about 2x3 under the 5th string on the head, essentially raising the height of the head as far as your thumb is concerned.  You will strike it constantly until you train your thumb to strike in a more downward motion.  Using a pick with a longer tab along with this will also help.  Gradually reduce the thickness until you dont use it anymore.  I use a 2x3 section of a pocket memo pad.  I can remove sheets gradually.  You can use the sticky end of a post-it-notes pad that has been cut to size also.

The problem is that you have not had to train your thumb to be precise the same way you do with your other fingers.

tex

Jazz Country - Posted - 08/12/2011:  08:36:31

That's a great idea from thetexan!

Larry

Peanutscreams - Posted - 08/12/2011:  09:37:50

sam-I-am,

Thanks for that,

First thing on my to do list this morning was to get my little camera set up to take a picture of my resonator to show that it was impossible to rotate it. Thought for a minute there we did not have the same banjo after all.

Took my banjo in to see my friend the other day to see if he could help me get er back on. He's not a trained lutheir but does have 30 some years experience with banjo's. He also was not successful in getting this dern thing back on. But he did allow me to play his shop banjo which is a 1970's Gold Star. That was such a treat for me, so easy to play with low action and smooth fret board, not to mention the tone that was produced from that 3lb cast bell bronze tone ring!

The tool I used to tighten the head was just a basic small nut driver type device that came with the banjo.

Butch B.

Tunez - Posted - 08/12/2011:  12:49:47

Hey Guys, My name is Zack and I got myself a Banjo and now I'm ready to learn how to play it. I just wanted to introduce myself and throw a line out for any advice, references, etc. I bought a Fender FB-300 off of Craigslist. I wanted to start out on an open back but bought this one strictly based on price. I know it needs new strings, but I'm afraid to start the process on my own because I have never held a Banjo until a few days ago. I've restrung my guitar numerous times. Is it similar? Any recommendations for new strings? I use Elixir on my guitar and love them. Should I replace the head too? Is there a guide out there to replacing the strings? I've been watching some of the videos on youtube and trying to pick through the rolls and beginning bar chords. What is great beginning banjo method? I've been thinking about picking up the Earl Scruggs and the 5 String Banjo book. Well I think that's all the questions I have for now and all the questions you guys want to take at once I'm sure. Thanks for any and all assistance you guys can provide. I really appreciate it!

sam-i-am - Posted - 08/12/2011:  15:22:14

Zack, I suggest that you go back several pages or from the beginning on this forum and read the comments that have been made in the past. I helped me to see what other folks like us are going through and who offers what suggestions and advice. Great people in this forum.

Tunez - Posted - 08/13/2011:  11:43:11

Thanks Sam.  I will definitely comb through this forum and get all the advice I can!

dougzbanjo - Posted - 08/13/2011:  15:45:20

My story is almost exactly like Jimmer0's. I have been playing for 8 months and I have learned quite a few songs. I still make mistakes on every one of them from time to time. The best advice I can come up with is practice constantly even if its only for a few minutes. I leave my banjo out in the open, right in front of my favorite chair. When I see it, I want to play it. It will only make you better in the long run. I also struggle playing in front of other musicians, especially my banjo teacher. He says it is a common complaint. Almost everyone gets nervous in front of their instructor. But, keep on pickin'. It has many rewards.

sam-i-am - Posted - 08/13/2011:  16:23:28

I was so proud to play Cripple Creek for my instructor. When I started I couldn't do anything right. The sound could rid your house of rats. I told him that I had it down cold till I played for him. He said he'd heard it before. I guess I'm not the only one.

macT - Posted - 08/13/2011:  19:19:03

No Sam you are not on your own. I get all geared up before my lesson to show my teacher how well I have done my "homework" and how I have nailed it! What happens? its like I'm playing with my feet! Dont know what happpens? Maybe it is just nerves just like playing in public I suppose.


Pam

courgettelawn - Posted - 08/15/2011:  00:54:28

Tex,

What a great idea! I will try it with some post-it notes. I have two thumb picks, one slightly longer than the other so I will try with both. I will also refer to your advice when I write my next post in my learning chronicles if that's ok!

Thanks again,

Tehmina

Trapper Rich - Posted - 08/16/2011:  02:53:20

Hi.
I thought I would introduce myself.
I have ordered a bluegrass starter package from Zepp's music. I should have it tomorrow.
I'be never even held a banjo before, but I'm excited about learning.

I have a question... What is the first thing you do to get started? I don't have any idea where to begin...

brakeslide - Posted - 08/16/2011:  09:39:29

Hi all. Would like to introduce myself. I'm  56 years old. I just started playing about 5 months ago. So trying to teach an old dog new tricks. Went to a Bluegrass competition, found a banjo player and talked him into giving me lessons. Also I'm using the internet and some of Janet Davis tab books. I started with a Deering Goodtime banjo and recently bought a used Deering Sierra. My banjo teacher says if you have a good banjo you can't blame it if ya sound bad you can only blame your lack of practice. Made sense. This is a great forum and fun to hear everyone's experience learning the banjo.

jay 

CreekRunner - Posted - 08/16/2011:  09:59:42

Hey Trapper Rich and brakeslide, I too am a "just startin". Been pickin' a month now and have a good instructor and would recommend you get an instructor to assist you as well. There's a lot of info on BHO and folks willing to help. Hang in there.

David