Max Sand - Posted - 11/14/2011:  20:04:18

quote:

---

Originally posted by iSteve

Soon to be new beginner here.  My wife and I are talking about getting me one for Christmas.  I'm really excited about this.  I started playing the banjo as a teenager, but did not last long at it.  It's one of my life's regrets.  Now 30+ years later I'm going to try to resurrect the dream.  I'm under no illusion of becoming another Earl Scruggs or Pete Seeger, but I would like to get good enough to enjoy my own music.  I have quite a bit of time on my hands and need to find a way to occupy myself and find some joy. 

I plan on taking lessons at a local music store.  I also ordered the Scruggs book, too. 

---

 best of luck to you Steve.  I took up my banjo again in October and it's really getting to be fun.  I've had it for over 10 years but it was just gathering dust. I tried in 2007 with a few lessons (the teacher was useless as a banjo player).  in 2009 I tried again with Mel Bay's 'How to teach yourself Banjo'.  I'm now back at that again and it's a great book and DVD with Janet Davis. There are also great resources on this website that inspire me to keep on practicing and I can tell you that my fingers are getting damn good already. Get at it and keep at it!  :)

trock - Posted - 11/14/2011:  20:38:30

Yea good luck isteve. I learned some guitar in junior high, i always enjoyed it but didnt have a guitar at home so I never stuck with it. I have my first banjo lesson thursday. I'm ready.

mudlakesandy - Posted - 11/14/2011:  21:23:27

Loading the Janet Davis(Mel Bay) or Scruggs CD's on your IPOD is very handy in getting the timing, emphasis right- and easy to go back and hear it again and again until the correct pace is imprinted between your ears............................................................

courgettelawn - Posted - 11/15/2011:  00:44:12

Good luck iSteve! I can't think of a better Christmas present that will last you far longer than a wooly jumper! Now it has been a few months since I first started teaching myself I am feeling more relaxed about going where the music takes me while trying not to put pressure on myself to 'achieve', although I still enjoy reaching my little personal milestones.

quote:

---

Originally posted by iSteve

Soon to be new beginner here.  My wife and I are talking about getting me one for Christmas.  I'm really excited about this.  I started playing the banjo as a teenager, but did not last long at it.  It's one of my life's regrets.  Now 30+ years later I'm going to try to resurrect the dream.  I'm under no illusion of becoming another Earl Scruggs or Pete Seeger, but I would like to get good enough to enjoy my own music.  I have quite a bit of time on my hands and need to find a way to occupy myself and find some joy. 

I plan on taking lessons at a local music store.  I also ordered the Scruggs book, too. 

---

chasq - Posted - 11/15/2011:  01:29:51

since taking up the banjo ,properly this time,i have received helpful tips and comments from my 2 new friends at the hangout.,I would like to say that i appreciate even the shortest comment from you guys as it keeps me picking.

My fingers have finally passed the hurting stage but i still hate f and d chords ( full that is)

i sometimes get frustrated when i see these young protege's on you tube barely big enough to hold a banjo yet alone play it, but as I play only for myself its no big deal.

There are some wonderful tunes out there in the banjo world and am always amazed at the beautiful melodies that can be produced on our wonderful instrument,and despite taking my banjo to bits and looking there doesn't seem to be any in mine!!

i am no poet but i could talk all day about my love for the banjo and I constantly berate myself for leaving it so late in life to try again....but i have.

in the words of Linus from peanuts" there would be no strife in the world if every child was given a banjo".

Jazz Country - Posted - 11/15/2011:  05:53:48

To all my fellow banjo students who are thinking about taking lessons: you will soon realize it was the best decision ever.

Tehmina, I'm almost scared to ask, what's a wooly jumper?

Larry

courgettelawn - Posted - 11/15/2011:  10:07:32

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jazz Country

To all my fellow banjo students who are thinking about taking lessons: you will soon realize it was the best decision ever.

Tehmina, I'm almost scared to ask, what's a wooly jumper?

 

Larry

---

Larry,

A traditional and usually unwanted Christmas gift in the UK is the wooly jumper--a sweater, jersey-- sometimes hand-knitted by somebody's grandmother in a pattern no one could think suitable for human consumption, in a wool that makes you understand why the sheep was so happy to shed it.

Jazz Country - Posted - 11/15/2011:  10:43:28

quote:

---

Originally posted by courgettelawn

 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jazz Country

To all my fellow banjo students who are thinking about taking lessons: you will soon realize it was the best decision ever.

Tehmina, I'm almost scared to ask, what's a wooly jumper?

 

Larry

---

Larry,

A traditional and usually unwanted Christmas gift in the UK is the wooly jumper--a sweater, jersey-- sometimes hand-knitted by somebody's grandmother in a pattern no one could think suitable for human consumption, in a wool that makes you understand why the sheep was so happy to shed it.

---

As if fruit cakes weren't bad enough!

flintlock54 - Posted - 11/15/2011:  15:34:05

Hello all, some interesting stories here. Bought my first banjo in Norfolk, VA. In 1978, just a few days before we deploying for a Med. Cruise on USS. Nimitz. Thought I was going to learn myself while on cruise. Bought it from a Norfolk music store. Had no idea what I was doing, just told salesman wanted a good banjo. He sold me a new Stelling that he said was top of the line. It was a Stelling, don't remember model, but it was heavy and was maple in blond finish. Didn't know what I had, but cost $475., hate to think what would be now. Any way, had a couple books but never gained much and sold it after getting home. Best part was the Chief of the jet engine shop was a pain in everyone's backside, but happened that he was trying to play banjo and had a junky Harmony. He loved my banjo and the guys would say, please let him go play your banjo, he's driving us nuts. All I had to do is go " Chief, would you like to go to the test cell control room and use my banjo and he would jump at the chance. So I didn't learn much, but everyone loved my banjo. Anyway, now I have another and taking lessons.

cmtpres - Posted - 11/15/2011:  17:25:16

quote:

---

Originally posted by chasq



My fingers have finally passed the hurting stage but i still hate f and d chords ( full that is)



 

---

 Just keep trying and suddenly for no particular reason, your fingers will decide to correctly chord a d and an f. 

edhanzel - Posted - 11/16/2011:  19:13:45

Flint....
Love the story. My dad sometimes will tell us stories similar to yours and they are always fun to hear. Try to get them all written down as your kids and grandkids will eat them up. My kids are getting to the age that they are asking grandpa about them all on their own.

iSteve - Posted - 11/16/2011:  20:53:17

I think I would rather have a banjo than a wooly jumper, too!  Now I can't wait for Christmas to come so I can get started pickin'.  

iSteve - Posted - 11/16/2011:  21:19:50

Just thought I would throw this out there - what banjo accessories would you recommend for a beginner getting his/her first banjo?

I made a list of things I'm considering buying to go with my banjo:

• 
  either a hard case or a gig bag


• 
  picks


• 
  extra strings


• 
  capo


• 
  banjo stand


• 
  strap


• 
  and a digital tuner

Thoughts?  Suggestions? 

iSteve - Posted - 11/16/2011:  21:22:43

By the way, I want to invite other beginners to friend me if you are interested.  I'm here for friendship and "socializing" too,

courgettelawn - Posted - 11/17/2011:  01:00:14

This is what I got with my open-back Goodtime and the bits I thought most essential:

Gig bag-included
Strap-included
Electronic thunder-included
Set of standard picks-included but as you will see from other posts I replaced them with my own to find a more suitable set.

I don't have the need for a capo yet and the 5th string capo business kind of put me off. So far I place in normal gDGBD tuning for picking and recently started teaching myself clawhammer in dCGCD. A stand depends on the type of banjo you get, an open back one would have more trouble up on a stand but I have seen some lovely ones out there including a make called cooperstand.

I think you said you would find a teacher but if you don't straight away I definitely recommend a book, or to trawl the videos on this site for inspiration to get started.

Good luck! May it be a wooly jumper free zone ;-)

quote:

---

Originally posted by iSteve

Just thought I would throw this out there - what banjo accessories would you recommend for a beginner getting his/her first banjo?

I made a list of things I'm considering buying to go with my banjo:

• 
  either a hard case or a gig bag


• 
  picks


• 
  extra strings


• 
  capo


• 
  banjo stand


• 
  strap


• 
  and a digital tuner

Thoughts?  Suggestions? 

---

Jazz Country - Posted - 11/17/2011:  04:06:37

Hey Steve - Have you checked out the Shopping Advice section of the forum? I was given loads of guidance from a number of pickers there when I started looking for a banjo. 

I don't know how far you want to travel, but there's a store called Turtle Hill Banjo in southern Maryland. I've never been there but a few people have highly recommended them.

As to accessories you will eventually get a 5th string capo or spikes, but it's not necessary right away. I make do with the famous Bic pen cap 5th string capo. 

Good luck on the hunt!

Larry

Jazz Country - Posted - 11/17/2011:  04:07:32

quote:

---

Originally posted by courgettelawn



This is what I got with my open-back Goodtime and the bits I thought most essential: Gig bag-included Strap-included Electronic thunder-included Set of standard picks-included but as you will see from other posts I replaced them with my own to find a more suitable set. I don't have the need for a capo yet and the 5th string capo business kind of put me off. So far I place in normal gDGBD tuning for picking and recently started teaching myself clawhammer in dCGCD. A stand depends on the type of banjo you get, an open back one would have more trouble up on a stand but I have seen some lovely ones out there including a make called cooperstand. I think you said you would find a teacher but if you don't straight away I definitely recommend a book, or to trawl the videos on this site for inspiration to get started. Good luck! May it be a wooly jumper free zone ;-)

quote:

---

Originally posted by iSteve

Just thought I would throw this out there - what banjo accessories would you recommend for a beginner getting his/her first banjo?

I made a list of things I'm considering buying to go with my banjo:

• 
  either a hard case or a gig bag


• 
  picks


• 
  extra strings


• 
  capo


• 
  banjo stand


• 
  strap


• 
  and a digital tuner

Thoughts?  Suggestions? 

---

 

---

How about a wooly gig bag?

courgettelawn - Posted - 11/17/2011:  04:44:22

Larry--you are a genius. When I relearn how to knit and need to while away dark evenings (when not picking or strumming) I am going to knit a wooly gig bag. I can see it now:

'Keep your loved one warm this winter with a hand-crafted banjo warmer, available in a range materials and colours from soft lambswool to luxurious cashmere for the instrument that deserves a more luxurious touch...'

erikforgod - Posted - 11/17/2011:  05:00:43

For me the banjo is a "sit down and relax on your favorite chair" instrument...its so light that with a strap it gets kinda "floppy" On my list I would add "Waverly planetary tuners" which is what I want to put on my Goodtime Crow.

cmtpres - Posted - 11/17/2011:  05:39:43

quote:

---

Originally posted by iSteve

Just thought I would throw this out there - what banjo accessories would you recommend for a beginner getting his/her first banjo?

I made a list of things I'm considering buying to go with my banjo:

• 
  either a hard case or a gig bag


• 
  picks


• 
  extra strings


• 
  capo


• 
  banjo stand


• 
  strap


• 
  and a digital tuner

Thoughts?  Suggestions? 

---

 I have a couple of suggestions for items on your list Steve:

1.  5th string Capo to go with whatever regular capo you want - thesuspendercapo.com/index.htm    $13.00

This is inexpensive, works great and doesn't require any modification to your banjo.  I play with a bluegrass/gospel group that has a lot of different instruments and singers and everyone wants to play with a different key.  This capo will let you set the 5th string to any fret you want.

2.  Here is a stand I bought that handles my banjo fine both with and without the resonator.  amazon.com/gp/product/B003ZUCH...0_details  $11.00

Enjoy!

Edited by - cmtpres on 11/17/2011 05:41:48

5th string capo

iSteve - Posted - 11/17/2011:  06:34:19

quote:

---

Originally posted by courgettelawn

Larry--you are a genius. When I relearn how to knit and need to while away dark evenings (when not picking or strumming) I am going to knit a wooly gig bag. I can see it now:

'Keep your loved one warm this winter with a hand-crafted banjo warmer, available in a range materials and colours from soft lambswool to luxurious cashmere for the instrument that deserves a more luxurious touch...'

 

 

---

 Too funny!  While you are at it, knit one for me, too.  You'll be paid.  But I just have to have a banjo warmer! 

iSteve - Posted - 11/17/2011:  06:37:47

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jazz Country

Hey Steve - Have you checked out the Shopping Advice section of the forum? I was given loads of guidance from a number of pickers there when I started looking for a banjo. 

I don't know how far you want to travel, but there's a store called Turtle Hill Banjo in southern Maryland. I've never been there but a few people have highly recommended them.

As to accessories you will eventually get a 5th string capo or spikes, but it's not necessary right away. I make do with the famous Bic pen cap 5th string capo. 

Good luck on the hunt!

 

Larry

 

---

 Larry,

I have heard of Turtle Hill Banjo.  I'm interested in visiting the store.  Today I'm going to the Pickers' Supply in Fredricksburg. 

iSteve - Posted - 11/17/2011:  06:39:00

quote:

---

Originally posted by trock



Yea good luck isteve. I learned some guitar in junior high, i always enjoyed it but didnt have a guitar at home so I never stuck with it. I have my first banjo lesson thursday. I'm ready.

---

 Thanks.  I hope your first lesson goes well today.

Steve

iSteve - Posted - 11/17/2011:  06:40:46

quote:

---

Originally posted by cmtpres

quote:

---

Originally posted by iSteve

Just thought I would throw this out there - what banjo accessories would you recommend for a beginner getting his/her first banjo?

I made a list of things I'm considering buying to go with my banjo:

• 
  either a hard case or a gig bag


• 
  picks


• 
  extra strings


• 
  capo


• 
  banjo stand


• 
  strap


• 
  and a digital tuner

Thoughts?  Suggestions? 

---

 I have a couple of suggestions for items on your list Steve:

1.  5th string Capo to go with whatever regular capo you want - thesuspendercapo.com/index.htm    $13.00

This is inexpensive, works great and doesn't require any modification to your banjo.  I play with a bluegrass/gospel group that has a lot of different instruments and singers and everyone wants to play with a different key.  This capo will let you set the 5th string to any fret you want.

2.  Here is a stand I bought that handles my banjo fine both with and without the resonator.  amazon.com/gp/product/B003ZUCH...0_details  $11.00

Enjoy!

 

 

---

 Good suggestions.  Thanks.

Steve

minstrelmike - Posted - 11/17/2011:  08:08:57

I would -not- get a stand.

There's a lot of advice about leaving it on the stand so you can grab it whenever and get more practicing in.

There's a lot of other advice saying always put it in it's case when you aren't using it. I'm in that camp. Banjos can fall off stands too easily and stands can get knocked over.

It ain't that hard to pull the banjo out of the case or pull it from the closet (don't leave it laying on the couch where bad things can happen either).

aardwolf55 - Posted - 11/17/2011:  08:23:36

This forum is a godsend

I've been 'playing' for 3 months now and thought I was alone with hands that don't listen to my brain.

I feel so much better knowing that its a worldwide phenomenon.

Now instead of cursing,  I will have a wry smile when I hit the wrong string for the 100th time, knowing that somewhere else on this planet some other poor sod will be doing the same.

Can someone tell me is it normal to have a numb little finger, or have I got something bad?

cmtpres - Posted - 11/17/2011:  09:06:53

quote:

---

Originally posted by minstrelmike

I would -not- get a stand.

There's a lot of advice about leaving it on the stand so you can grab it whenever and get more practicing in.

There's a lot of other advice saying always put it in it's case when you aren't using it. I'm in that camp. Banjos can fall off stands too easily and stands can get knocked over.

It ain't that hard to pull the banjo out of the case or pull it from the closet (don't leave it laying on the couch where bad things can happen either).

---

 That advice goes both ways  - some say keep it in the case and sone say keep it on the stand.  I keep my banjo in its case but do use a stand when alternating banjo and guitar.  I play both in a couple of groups and use a stand then. 

flintlock54 - Posted - 11/17/2011:  14:57:23

iSteve No one has mentioned it here, but on your choice of banjo, you should look at the recording king RK-R35. I love mine and it has the same tone ring and 3ply maple rim as there pro modle. Many on banjo hangout have said it's the best value. There are some clips on YouTube. My instructor and the banjo setup tech at elderly instruments said they are impressed with it.

Jazz Country - Posted - 11/17/2011:  15:18:26

quote:

---

Originally posted by flintlock54



iSteve No one has mentioned it here, but on your choice of banjo, you should look at the recording king RK-R35. I love mine and it has the same tone ring and 3ply maple rim as there pro modle. Many on banjo hangout have said it's the best value. There are some clips on YouTube. My instructor and the banjo setup tech at elderly instruments said they are impressed with it.

---

That's what I settled on, and I'm sure glad I did.

Larry

iSteve - Posted - 11/17/2011:  16:52:07

quote:

---

Originally posted by flintlock54



iSteve No one has mentioned it here, but on your choice of banjo, you should look at the recording king RK-R35. I love mine and it has the same tone ring and 3ply maple rim as there pro modle. Many on banjo hangout have said it's the best value. There are some clips on YouTube. My instructor and the banjo setup tech at elderly instruments said they are impressed with it.

---

 Thanks.  I'll look into it.

trock - Posted - 11/17/2011:  20:20:43

The music store where I am taking lessons from has some type of time warping device. Has anyone else seen one of these at there lessons? We couldnt have been in there more than 5 minutes.
I no more than exchanged howdy's and got (?) out of her case (she doesnt have a name yet) and we talked about my banjo and he showed me his clip on tuner ( dang I just remembered he said i should buy me one of them fancy tuners) anyway we tuned her up then he picked around we talked about notes and tab, we went into rolls forward and backward he told me to learn them well. He helped me with my right hand position said to push more forward with my thumb I was bringing it back towards my index finger he said this would lead to problems with my thumb running into my index, when i would get down to the third string.
He also said to get the rolls down good slow. He says alot of players can mess up when playing fast and cover up well but if they have to slow down when they mess up they cant cover up the mistakes as readily, so get the rolls down pat.
It will be two weeks till my next session and I am to work on rolls while changing three main chords. G, C, and D7. He said these were the three main cords to learn.
We discussed reading notes and tab. I am leaning toward notes because I may want to learn other instruments in the future. He didnt discourage me but kinda leaned toward tab. He thought it is alot easier. He had never seen tab until he started playing banjo and he seemed to like it. Any thoughts, or discussions on this?
Ok after looking back at my long winded post I guess we were in there 45 min or more but it really didnt seem more than 5 minutes.
Time flys when your having fun!

Edited by - trock on 11/17/2011 20:32:08

Max Sand - Posted - 11/18/2011:  06:44:51

Hey Trock, here's something that will come in real handy when you're practicing your rolls.....

bestmetronome.com/

Also, this tuner works great and it's free

get-tuned.com/online_banjo_tuner.php

There is actually a much better tuner than the above which shows when you have reached the right pitch. I will post the link later (it's on my other computer).

minstrelmike - Posted - 11/18/2011:  07:03:25

Tab shows you how to play specific strings with specific fingers. It's useful but limited.

Reading sheet is far more versatile but then you have to add all the stuff the rolls bring on your own.

Frankly, I would start with sheet music and work on figuring up your own stuff from a knowledge of chords, rolls and the actual melody notes. After you've got some of that, learning fancy arrangements of instrumentals with tab/demos will give you a lot of the specific banjo techniques you might want to use in songs.

For a good in-between thing, Wernick's Bluegrass Songbook has melody line tabbed out for most of the songs.

For reading sheet, there are two different things to learn. One is the note names from the sheet. That never changes no matter what instrument you use. The other skill is finding that particular note on the instrument. Sheet music _is_ tablature for piano but for banjo, it's a suggestion that doesn't specific which octave the note will be in.

How to read sheet: moxcey.net/mike/minstrel/readm...ndex.html

trock - Posted - 11/18/2011:  13:05:22

Thanks for the info max sand. I just got back from town and bought the tuner before seeingyour post. You got me thinking about the metronome, I found several free apps for my Iphone so thats the route Im going.
Nice jeep by the way. I have a 5
Minstrelmike. Thanks for the explanation. I like the idea of being able to read sheet.

Max Sand - Posted - 11/18/2011:  14:27:21

quote:

---

Originally posted by trock



Thanks for the info max sand. I just got back from town and bought the tuner before seeingyour post. You got me thinking about the metronome, I found several free apps for my Iphone so thats the route Im going.

Nice jeep by the way. I have a 5

Minstrelmike. Thanks for the explanation. I like the idea of being able to read sheet.

---

 Yeah I love my JK and i've done my share of off-roading with her. Incredibly capable, most people will never know what their Wrangler can do. I took off the big mud tires, off-road bumper/winch in October. Unfortunately they add too much weight which really adds to gas costs. I'm now back to stock and quite happy with that!  :)

At the moment i'm doing some practicing. I try to spend an hour doing chords and rolls and and then another hour working on songs. I'm currently waiting for the 'Banjo Jamming' DVD from Ross Nickerson. From what i've seen so far, that DVD will add a lot of fun to practice sessions.  I'll keep ya posted.

Decon - Posted - 11/20/2011:  19:55:35

I'm just starting out on the banjo myself, saved up and bought a goldtone cc100r, banjo for dummies for christmas however as you can tell from the date i didn't exactly wait til christmas to open it and I have been learning the past few days now, i've got janet davis's book and a chord book on the way too. I love the banjo and don't see giving it up anytime soon and think this site is great for information and other people's experiences. The wife won't let me spend money on a teacher so looks like i'm on my own for a while at least til i find other people that play the banjo, that is if they exist around here guess ill google it.

fire suppressor - Posted - 11/25/2011:  04:36:55

Hey guys I've been playing my banjo for almost four weeks now and am playing boil dem cabbage down and half of old grey goose! The first few weeks I thought it was too hard to learn but kept at it because I was still having fun. I had a ah ha! moment and all of the sudden a lot of things clicked. All of the sudden music started coming out of my banjo and I haven't been able to put it down. I can now play boil dem cabbage without even looking at the sheet music, I am not perfect at it yet but am really impressed with my self. Old grey goose had me intimidated at first but once I started on it I figured out it was not a impossible song to play. My old grey goose is still a little rough but after a little practice I am playing about half of the song. I have always loved the unique sound of banjos they take me back to a different time of American history and now that I am able to get sounds and music out of my own banjo I find it almost impossible to put down. I am not sure if my progress is slow or fast for four weeks but am happy with myself. I put off buying a banjo for years because I assumed it would be hard to learn, it's not easiest thing I have ever done but it's not impossible and it is one the more enjoyable hobby's I have ever got into

Jazz Country - Posted - 11/25/2011:  05:48:06

It's always so good to hear about yet someone else getting hooked on music.  Congratulations on your new obsession. If you really start smokin' on Boil Dem Cabbage at least you have the necessary skills to put out the fire :-))

It's a really good idea to sit with a real live teacher, if if only once in a while. You won't believe how much feedback and guidance you can get from one hour with a qualified instructor. It will make all the difference and even ramp up your enthusiasm by a few notches.

Keep on pickin'!

Larry

sam-i-am - Posted - 11/25/2011:  10:11:40

Jazz Country is right. Now is the time to find out if you are getting into bad habits. It takes a long time to fix them.

blugraz - Posted - 11/26/2011:  05:55:34

Steve......U wany a wolly jumper  !!!!!!!......   Try one of these....the best!

youtu.be/uOPhBPXSfns 

courgettelawn - Posted - 11/26/2011:  12:10:01

Oh my! At least 8 sheep went into the Clanchy Brothers ! Great video.

quote:

---

Originally posted by blugraz

Steve......U wany a wolly jumper  !!!!!!!......   Try one of these....the best!

 

youtu.be/uOPhBPXSfns 

---

JAFO - Posted - 11/26/2011:  17:57:21

Enjoyed he Clancy Brothers, haven't heard them in many years. Thanks for the clip.

Different subject:  AM I the only guy who comes home from a lesson and feels like his head is gonna explode? The lesson tonight was over and hour and a half and I was having a lot of trouble absorbing all the info near the end (ok, from the middle on). Thank goodness I have it all on tape. I will be going over this stuff for a month or more. I only take a lesson every month to 6 weeks, depending on when I am ready or hit a new wall. So I know my beloved instructor is trying to give me a load to work with and he seems to believe I can make it work, even if I don't have a lot of confidence in myself.

I was there around 2 hours and had a great time, but wow, I have a lot of work to do in parsing all this stuff out.

Just wondering.

JAFO

sam-i-am - Posted - 11/27/2011:  07:53:39

I have a half-hour of instruction usually on a couple of topics or techniques. Then I practice for one to two weeks. That is more focused and easier to absorb. I'll be 68 at the end of January so maybe it's me that can't absorb much more than that. Learning a new instrument as complex as a banjo requires a LOT of repetition for muscle memory or just memory or both. I think in my case it's the same.

bkdraft - Posted - 11/29/2011:  14:03:33

Newbie here, kinda.  Back in high school, late 60's, early 70's I decided to play the banjo. Went to the music store and the owner talked me into a 4 string, said the 5 was too hard to play. Did not want the 4 and ended up trading it for a guitar, which I learned to play a little, did fine with rhythm, but never picked up on any lead stuff, it got put in the closet for a while. Then, in the 80's got to playing again with some locals and ended up in a country band playing ryhthem. Decided to play the banjo again and picked up a Lotus at the music store. Learned on my own to play G, C, D7 and little bit of roll to play it with couple of songs we did. Band broke up soon after that and the guitar, Fender Stratocaster, and the Lotus got put in the closet. Couple of weeks ago, the former band members got together and started jamming again and begged me to get out the banjo, so out of the closet it came, installed some new strings, and basically started over from scratch. In the last two weeks I have managed to get Bile them cabbage down fairly well with some basic rolls with couple of pinches thrown in. I have the Murphy book/DVD in route. We are planning on getting together at least once a month now to jam, so I think that will help me out tremendously. This site has been a GREAT help in getting me back going again, and I am determined to learn it right this time. Kids are all gone, wife is very supportive, life is good!!!

bigmoose - Posted - 11/30/2011:  16:54:45

Hello all!!  I've been playing about a month now - got a Goodtime Classic 2, and it seems pretty good for a newbie to learn on.   Having a blast , but it is certainly frustrating at times when ones fingers just don't do what you want them to!!!!!!!  I've been trying to use fingerpicks whenever possible, but find them to be more awkward than picking with bare fingers.  When does using picks start to get easier and sound less sloppy???!!! 

courgettelawn - Posted - 12/01/2011:  01:34:52

Hello both,



Welcome to the hangout--it is the best support for those teaching themselves to learn (particularly slow ones like me).



bigmoose, you hit on one of my 'favourite' subjects. You can read about my experience with picks here: tehmina.org/2011/09/20/learnin...ght-hand/ which will save me repeating myself.

Since then I found that starting off with the thinnest picks I could find (the thinnest gauge of dunlop silver nickel picks) suited me best as I felt I retained some sort of sensitivity. I recently bought a new pair of brass picks -- I had started with these in a small size as my fingers are small but I actually in the end found them too small and too much of the end of my finger was being squashed. They are the standard size but broader split wrap ProPiks. The brass is soft and you can shape it easily and I like the sound of the brass picks on my Goodtime open back Crow. My regular thumb pick is also the adjustable ProPik but I also have a normal white Dunlop one. Neither have helped me to stop hitting the head--that's something that seems to come and go depending on where my right arm position has ended up.

My advice (from my limited experience) is to get yourself a range of inexpensive picks of different materials and gauges (say 2-3 sets) and try them all out. Pay attention to the position of your right arm if you find yourself hitting the head. Practice will help strenghten your anchor finger or fingers--it's unusual I realise but I find my ring finger the most comfortable anchor finger.

Good luck but keep persevering with the picks if you are learning bluegrass style as it really does make a difference to the tone and you will be happier with the results--I am glad I took this advice on when I asked the same as you a few months back!

Tehmina

bigmoose - Posted - 12/01/2011:  09:27:01

Tehmina - thanks for your advice and encouragement!!  I read your piece on picks and will do just what you did and order a couple different types and experiment away.  I'm sure it will eventually get easier and start to sound better - but it's still frustrating at times!!!  

sam-i-am - Posted - 12/02/2011:  05:36:47

Try the Ernie Ball "Picky Picks" that are pointed at the end. Click on link: shopatron.com/products/product....0.0?pp=8& 

I tried several and wound up with a standard pick on my index finger and the Picky pick on my middle finger. Tried a lot of thumb picks and found one that fit and is the right length. For the finger picks, you'll have to shape them for your picking style. Unless you are going to do claw hammer, you have to use picks. Don't even try to learn without them. I strongly suggest that you find an instructor to assist you. It is the only way you can get feedback on  bad habits and details not found in DVDs.

mudlakesandy - Posted - 12/02/2011:  15:58:18

Ended up with Nationals about 5 minutes each with two pairs of needle noses do the trick, and for the thumb went with the Janet Davis plastic- a pan of boiling water and the fit super- still contemplating sanding down the point a a bit. The Earl Scruggs book has a good section on pick fit- used that as a guidline.


Ok, what is the trick to locating the bridge correctly to get the 12th fret harmonic?????? I am certain this will improve tone etc etc etc Checked the links, but not really clear-
-S