Dogspinner - Posted - 01/06/2012:  06:00:27

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bald-banjo-man

Dogspinner, I would suggest deciding on which style you want to play and then select what method will work best for you such as books, DVD's, personal lessons, etc. The hardest thing for me was to decide which style to start with. I like bluegrass but also love the sound of clawhammer so I am working on both styles. There are many good books and DVDs for beginners out there such as the ones listed in this forum by Hatfield. Finding someone else to practice with helps quite a bit also. Good luck!!

---

Thank you Bald-banjo-man for taking the time to post. Your advice really helped. I have tried so so many times before and gave up. I think because I was so intimidated. My banjo is so beautiful, I couldn't picture myself really playing it. Well thoses days are behind me now! I now have a book with even more small steps than I could imagine....steps even before putting on the picks! I'm loving the forward motion of it all....even if it means my banjo is now tuned and I can now say I can play the G chord! Don't laugh.....that really does mean progress for me. Today's mission....the D7 chord.....without the picks. The picks are so much down the road yet.

roboto65 - Posted - 01/06/2012:  22:38:17

---

The picks are so much down the road yet.

 

I would suggest if you are going to play Bluegrass put the picks on you will get used to them quick. Heck I had some bought local before I even had my Banjo it will take sometime to get them bent the way you want them heck I am still playing with mine trying to figure the best angle.

banjogal12 - Posted - 01/08/2012:  03:37:28

---

Wow, this forum is great.  I have read about 6 pages of posts and already learned a great deal.  It was also reassuring to know others where having some of the same issues.  Playing the banjo has always been a dream of mine and now I have the time to devote to learning.  Only thing is I am a leftie.  I tried doing it right handed but due to an injury to my left arm, had to switch so it was more comfortable to hold and so I could play a standard size banjo.  Does anyone know if there are any books for left handers?   I am working on my chords and changing from one to the other.  How much time are you devoting to practice?   Are you using any particular method of practice? 

Bald-banjo-man - Posted - 01/09/2012:  10:10:39

---

Banjogal12, I agree, this forum is great. It is nice to have a place where beginners can ask questions and share opinions with others who are also just getting started.  I try to practice everyday for 45 minutes -1 Hour, more if possible. I wish you well on your journey to playing the banjo.

belgianbanjo - Posted - 01/10/2012:  07:56:59

---

Hello everyone - I just want to drop a quick note as I am myself a brand new beginner at Banjo.  I am 42, I received my Banjo for Xmas (about 15 days ago) and I have no prior musical experience.  This being said, I love it!  I have been practicing as much as I can and I had my first one-hour lesson last week with a local teacher.  At this point I know my rolls and I can decently play (although not very fast) the first 8 measures of Boil Them Cabbage Down.  At first I was really struggling with the left hand, feeling that my fingers would never fit on that fretboard but my 'muscle memory' is slowly kicking in and I am able to swap between a D7 and a C rapidly and without looking.  I am now working on the next 8 measures of the song and learning some new challenging (for me!) chords along the way.  I am still wondering how I will ever be able to hit some of those four-finger chords though.  I can also really see the value of using a metronome while learning, otherwise I see myself slowing down (when changing chords) and speeding up (when doing a familiar roll).  Rather than focus on speed (easier said than done), I am now trying to play at a low bpm (80-100) focusing on the mechanics and the tone.  I realize that the learning curve will be steep but I am trying to enjoy the journey each step of the way.  It is such a reward to get some melody out of that instrument.

jackhatfield - Posted - 01/10/2012:  08:45:07

---

Even better than a metronome: A rhythm track CD. More fun, sounds better so you are motivated to practice more, helps train your ear to hear chord changes.  The rhythm "carries" you along and the chords changing require you to keep going when you make a mistake instead of backing up to fix it, a VERY bad habit.  You will be ready to jam with real human beings when the opportunity arises. Ask your instructor to tape guitar rhythm for you, or ask to use my books: First Lessons Banjo with DVD AND CD, all songs played at three different speeds, or Bluegrass Banjo Method Book One with everything played at two different speeds and split-channel CD. 

to learn more:

hatfieldmusic.com

Bluegrass Banjo Method, Book One

First Lessons Banjo

rfreeze - Posted - 01/10/2012:  12:02:58

---

Welcome Abord Dave. Rich Freeze here From Plymouth Wi. I've been playing for about a year now. Yes, this a challange, but I find that useing books like Tony Trischka's Master Collection of Fiddle Tunes has hepled me a lot because you play more of the melody notes in the songs. I was traying to play third level bluegrass or just songs that I wasn't ready for according to my teacher. Now it's a lot more fun beacuse you can here the melody more. It's still a lot of work, especialy with your left hand but I'm getting there. I also have a slow down software that let's me hear the songs at a slower speed so you can compair on how you are doing  I can Play all the major roll fairly fast. I pratice them a lot and useually pratice about 2 to 3 hours a day every day.Just keep on picken.

Rich Freeze

---

Edited by - rfreeze on 01/10/2012 12:06:01

Larry121047 - Posted - 01/10/2012:  12:13:15

---

I have now been practicing for 2 weeks about 1 hour per day and have, so far, gotten the rolls down and the pinches. My second lesson with my teacher brought more new things such as slides and hammer ons and pull offs. He has given me a song that has all of them in it, I'll Fly Away. I have played a guitar for several years so the cord changes and the hammer on and pull off are not new but picking with the index and the middle finger are. What a great instrument. I cannot believe I have waited until I am 64 to start this. Wooooo Hoooooo it is a blast. I even started Boil them cabbage down on my own yesterday and except for me being slow I can hear the tune.  My new goal is to learn this song by the end of the month and to have it at full speed by the end of next month. 

belgianbanjo - Posted - 01/10/2012:  12:15:56

---

Thanks for the words of support, I really appreciate that. In terms of learning materials, I subscribed to the Academy of Blue Grass (academyofbluegrass.com/) where I am following Tony Trischka's videos. There is a lot of material there and I am slowly working my way through the beginner curriculum. I have also subscribed to Banjo Ben Clark (banjobenclark.com/). I like that his videos have a picture-in-picture showing the exact position of the fingers on the strings. That is very helpful at my stage. His site was also cheaper, costing only $5/month. I have also found a great free banjo resource on Rick McKeon's web site (rickmckeon.com/banjolessons.html). Rick made a number of instructional videos and has published Tabs and lyrics for the songs he teaches. This is a wonderful resource. Most other sites make you pay for that kind of quality. So this is pretty much my list of 'raw materials' which I am combining with one-hour per week lessons and as much practice as I can spare. On average I am able to put in about one hour a day, sometimes more, but usually in a piece meal fashion, with 20 minutes here and there. I know that like everything else in life it's going to take a while to become truly proficient but I am not in a hurry and I am enjoying the journey.

Larry121047 - Posted - 01/11/2012:  12:31:26

---

I have a pick question. I have seen people with the picks bent over the end of their fingers and I have see the picks sticking straight out like a long fingernail (on the other side of the finger of course)
Which is the best way?

belgianbanjo - Posted - 01/11/2012:  13:14:57

---

From beginner to beginner: they need to be bent over the end of your fingers.

edhanzel - Posted - 01/12/2012:  21:03:26

---

David,
I like the picture in picture videos too. There are a few free ones on you tube that I used when I was just starting out. I probably should go back to them as a refresher. I will have to check out the other site.....$5.00 sounds like a good price point


Richard,
Any chance you could pass on the name of the software you use to slow a song down? I would love to get my hands on it

Jazz Country - Posted - 01/13/2012:  05:15:34

---

Ed - I've been using Transcribe! for a few years now. It not only slows down tracks but it lets you isolate any length of music so you can loop it over and over. It has many other useful features. You can download a demo version at seventhstring.com/ I have yet to use it for bluegrass, but for jazz it was indispensable.

There's also one called Amazing Slow Downer that a lot of people use.

Larry

 

Banjo Monty - Posted - 01/13/2012:  09:00:30

---

Hi everyone,

I started playing around July of last year and have been working with books and audio CDs.  I've been lurking here for a while and have learned a lot of what to do (and what not to do) with the banjo.  I hit a slump around November when I stupidly tried to repair my shoddy beginner banjo and it ended up...well, let's just say not all in one piece...But my lovely fiancee bought me a brand new banjo for the holidays and I now find myself absolutely hooked and practicing for upward of three hours a day.  I used to have a teacher but we have fallen out of contact, and unfortunately, the next closest teacher I can find is about 45 minutes away, can only meet on Thursdays, and is not exactly cheap, either.  I know you can't put a price on getting better at the banjo, but I have the family budget to consider...

Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself and say thanks for all of the great advice I've gotten simply by lurking here on the forums.  One sort of silly question I want to leave with:  does anyone else have an issue with cold fingers?  Even here in the South, the winter months get downright frigid, and I find it hard to keep my fingers warm, which in turn seems to slow down my picking hand.  When my fingers get cold, I become slower and less accurate with my picking.  Is there any way to keep my fingers warm enough that I can play with speed and accuracy, or is it just something I need to get used to?

Peanutscreams - Posted - 01/13/2012:  22:03:52

---

Banjo Monty,

First, welcome. Think we all lurked around a bit before jumping on in. Funny thing you asked about cold fingers; I may have a solution for one half your problem.

I always take my banjo with me when I take my wife grocery shopping or do other errands in and around town. Gets a bit cold here on the west coast also during the winter at times.

Other day I was sitting in the parking lot practicing and of course I have to leave the window down on my drivers side for the neck to hang out. Well, my fingers started numbing up from the cold and I looked on my dash at my gloves and thought ~ wish I could wear one of those and play. Well for the heck of it I put it on and low and behold was I surprised.

I haven't been playing much longer than you. I could still get my "C" chord down / perform the pull off on the "D" string well enough to practice "Cripple Creek"!

Sounds crazy and really not right, but heck, give it a try, you may be surprised. Sorry no solution for your picking hand, never tried the glove on that one, but maybe those weight lifting gloves.

Butch B.

Bald-banjo-man - Posted - 01/13/2012:  22:53:06

---

to warm up, I go through a series of rolls and cord changes and if that is not enough to warm me up, I try a little local Mexican food....:)
and a cold cerveza or 2....if you are getting cold then you are not working hard enough!

sam-i-am - Posted - 01/14/2012:  07:55:58

---

Butch is on the right track. I am a fly fisherman and wear gloves without fingertips in the winter. My main question is why doesn't your wife let you practice inside the house?

Peanutscreams - Posted - 01/14/2012:  10:54:39

---

Sam. ~ Haha,

She lets me practice inside the house. I love my banjo so much I just take it with me everywhere I go and take advantage of all down time.

I use to try and read when I sat in the truck waiting for her before the banjo, but that was always hard for me because I'm not comfortable isolating myself from my surroundings.

Now with my banjo practicing I can pick and people watch at the same time. Aint No body gonna sneak up on me and attempt to comit a crime. Kinda sad to have to have that sort of mind set, but in this day just too many drug heads out there that would not think twice bout trying to banjo - jack me. Of course they wouldn't get much from the jo I own, but they don't know that, nor did I when I purchased it, haha.

Hope all is going well for you my friend.

Butch B.

sam-i-am - Posted - 01/14/2012:  19:16:16

---

My wife had a total knee replacement on the 3rd so I've been a house husband full time. She is doing great but needs me to help her. I plan to catch up on my practicing tomorrow. She will go into the bedroom and listen to music with her earphones. If you haven't put new strings on your banjo, it's time. I got a set for Christmas and wow what a difference it made. I'm going to replace mine regularly.

---

Edited by - sam-i-am on 01/14/2012 19:17:41

Banjo Monty - Posted - 01/14/2012:  20:16:34

---

Speaking of banjos and significant others, I seem to have a problem with performance anxiety.  I get by fine when I have the house to myself, but whenever friends or family want to hear me play, I usually do decent but find myself messing up licks I destroy in practice or becoming too focused on 100% accuracy.  Part of it is I am self-conscious about both my skill and the noise of the banjo--though my soon-to-be stepdaughter plays the trumpet so mine is actually NOT the loudest instrument in our house.  I can't even imagine playing for a larger group, even though I know that's where I eventually want to be with my playing.

Fellow cabbage boilers, how did you manage to overcome your performance anxiety, if you ever had it?  I imagine it's probably just a matter of playing for other people more often instead of waiting until the house is empty before one really gets to practicing.  I did produce a short video with my friend today (it was a humor video, but he wanted the banjo in it--at least I'm a better banjo player than he is a singer).   I must say I actually sound better than I thought I did.  But I still feel like there were a few songs I butchered simply because another human being was there with me.

Thoughts?

ddavidv - Posted - 01/15/2012:  05:01:11

---

Ha, I have no idea how to fix performance anxiety. I guess just keep doing it until you get better. I have the same problem...wife loves my crappy playing and wants me to perform for all her friends. My version is sit in my man-cave and play while they are upstairs doing their thing. No eyeballs staring at me seems to help, but I still choke frequently.

sam-i-am - Posted - 01/15/2012:  06:44:29

---

My instructor who teaches violin, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and banjo tells me that everyone becomes all thumbs when they play something they have practiced. We become self-conscious and can't concentrate. Of course the folks who are on stage generally have been playing since they were children or have played for thirty years. Muscle memory is what overcomes the problem. So practice and one day it will be second nature. When I start to learn a new tune, my fingers can't do anything. But let me play a tune I've played hundreds of times and they just go where they are supposed to go... most of the time. My problem is my thumb which has a mind of it's own.

DrBobNeon - Posted - 01/15/2012:  11:54:34

---

Glad to hear someone other than me is at times, all thumbs. I practice, and when I try to play a song for my instructor (who has the patience of Job) I sound horrible. I took 8 lessons in 1976 and put my Saga banjo in the garage until last summer. I bought a Gold Tone about 6 weeks ago. The sound is better than my old banjo. My teacher gave me a tag lick to practice. It was really neat to master, even at my slow speed. Like others, the fingers are uncooperative and sore. I am very slowly learning stuff but having a BLAST! Keep the encouragement coming. I need all the help I can get.

Peanutscreams - Posted - 01/15/2012:  12:59:34

---

I have never had an instructor, live anyway. So I really don't know what it's like to have the ebbie jeebies of playing in front of him/her.

I have however been learning from Murphy Henry via her instructional DVD's and will be meeting with her in Portland in two weeks.

I am beginning to get a bit nervous due to the fact that she has emailed me with some certain expectations. Nothing really to difficult. She wants me to at least know how to play "Cripple Creek" "Boil The Cabbage" and "Banjo In The Hollow" I do know these tunes but she also would like her students to be able to lay down a few chords including the c - g- d - f in their perspective formations up the neck, which I don't know very well at all, so I am nervous about that. But I am confident by the end of her work shop I'll know how to very well.

So to answer Banjo Monty's question about over coming performance anxiety, I'm just gonna keep practicing to do the best I can and what ever my banjo and I produce, well, that's what it is.

Read something the other day about bluegrass music was never intended to be something perfect, mistakes are made all the time ie thumbs hitting wrong strings ~ (Sam). It's intended to just be fun, that's why it's called bluegrass.

So I am definitely not gonna get to wrapped up in worrying about butchering my playing, especially as a 7 month beginner.

Hope that helps; helped me just saying it, ha.

Butch B.

cmtpres - Posted - 01/15/2012:  13:06:22

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banjo Monty

Fellow cabbage boilers, how did you manage to overcome your performance anxiety, if you ever had it? Thoughts?

---

 I started jamming with a couple of groups in my area.  We always have an audience from just a couple of folks to 50 or more.  One "Group leader" told me to just enjoy the ride, everyone makes mistakes but most can't really pick them out.  So, if most folks cant hear my mistakes unless I point them out, I decided to just keep playing.  The playing gets better and the mistakes hide in the background.

I'll never be perfect so I just enjoy the music.

---

Edited by - cmtpres on 01/15/2012 13:08:01

Kkkkatysmom - Posted - 01/15/2012:  13:17:08

---

I have started playing for non discriminating audiences such as the kindergarden/1st grade sunday school class at my church which offers some simple kid size tunes for me to play. Also it gives me a goal to practice for.

Banjo Monty - Posted - 01/15/2012:  13:39:42

---

Good advice, all,

cmtpres, I know what you mean about just having fun with it.  I have noticed that if I mess up part of a song, I can usually get away with doing a few rolls until I can jump back into the song, so to speak.  When I was recording with my friend yesterday, I kept interrupting, saying I had messed up or "let's start over."  But he always told me it sounded fine to him, that he couldn't tell if I had messed up most of the time.  Of course it is ideal to hit all the right notes, but realistically, you're bound to make an error sooner or later, and it helps to have a backup plan.  I have read that one bad habit to form is teaching yourself to stop and correct a mistake instead of just playing on.  That makes sense, because in a real jam session, you won't have the opportunity to go back in time and fix your error.

Butch, good luck with your meeting!  I'm planning on moving to that area in a few months, so good to know there'll be some other banjos (and good teachers) in the area.  I have to admit I am no expert either on the up-the-neck chord progressions, though I am probably learning a lot of them by accident as I go.  The book I'm working with wastes no time in introducing you to up-the-neck breaks; my first was the basic breakdown and now the area beyond the 7th fret is still dangerous territory but is warming up to me.  When I had my first teacher, I was surprised to hear that it was a while before he learned anything past the 5th fret.

sam-i-am - Posted - 01/15/2012:  16:11:22

---

Josh, my instructor, has told me several times that if you make a mistake just keep on going. Like you said, no one will notice as much as if you quit and start over. It's tough to do that when you try to do it right the first time but I'm getting used to it. I'm a two hundred year old engineer so I'm rather anal retentive when it comes to perfection, but I'm enjoying the ride anyway.

banjogal12 - Posted - 01/27/2012:  11:35:14

---

My stupid question for the week...I am having trouble with my middle finger when trying to hit the first string. It is too long! Got any suggestions on how I can hold my hand to make using that finger easier??? Short of a surgical solution. I have tried several angles but can't seem to find a comfort zone.

bazron - Posted - 01/27/2012:  22:00:38

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by banjogal12

My stupid question for the week...I am having trouble with my middle finger when trying to hit the first string. It is too long! Got any suggestions on how I can hold my hand to make using that finger easier??? Short of a surgical solution. I have tried several angles but can't seem to find a comfort zone.

---

how many fingers do you anchor on the head? also make sure your fingers ain't anchored to far away from the 1st string.

Banjo Bud - Posted - 01/28/2012:  04:39:18

---

Good morning all, I received a Deering Goodtimes 2 as a Christmas gift from my daughters and wife. WOW, that was a total surprise!! Been playing for just over a month now and like many of you, still working on my rolls, struggling with chord changes, dead strings and fat fingers, sore fingers and hitting the head with my picks. I think thats all......

Sounds like I'm not enjoying this, but to the contrary I'm loving every minute!!!!

I also have been very lucky in that after receiving my banjo I found that I work with a fellow that has been playing for many years and picks with a local group that practices right in my neighbor hood on Tuesday nights. And one of the other pickers in the group is an old family friend that teaches and lives just down the road and has offered to teach me for nothing! Boy did I fall into a gold mine!!  Everyone has been very supportive and offers support and teaching material.  

I know I have a long road ahead of me but i also know the rewards will be great and fun.

Also thanks to everyone here at BHO for the advice and encouragement, this is a wonderful family to be a part of.

Thanks,  Bud

sam-i-am - Posted - 01/28/2012:  08:12:45

---

While my wife is recovering from total knee replacement, I have decided to go back to my instruction books (Jack Hatfield and Tony Trischka) and learn all of the tunes before returning to my instructor. It will also give me refreshers on all of the techniques.

I am enjoying it and find that I can play the ones I know much better than even a few months ago.  I can play Cripple Creek, Tom Dooley, and Boil Them Cabbage down much faster and accurately and it makes me feel happy.

Banjo Monty - Posted - 01/28/2012:  09:49:10

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by sam-i-am

While my wife is recovering from total knee replacement, I have decided to go back to my instruction books (Jack Hatfield and Tony Trischka) and learn all of the tunes before returning to my instructor. It will also give me refreshers on all of the techniques.

I am enjoying it and find that I can play the ones I know much better than even a few months ago.  I can play Cripple Creek, Tom Dooley, and Boil Them Cabbage down much faster and accurately and it makes me feel happy.

---

 

sam, I wouldn't go as far to say that this is a universal rule, but I have found that taking a break from something and revisiting it later can help you see a dramatic improvement in your performance.  For example, when my first banjo broke in November, I went about a month without playing.  When I came back to it, I was amazed at how much better my speed and accuracy had become.  It's always a nice feeling when you realize that some of that learning has, in fact, sunk in!

sam-i-am - Posted - 01/28/2012:  18:21:24

---

10-4 to that. A lot of instructors say that you should play everyday or don't bother. I don't know about you but I can't everyday. Sometimes I play two hours at a time and some days I play thirty minutes. Laying off for a week and it comes back easier like you said.

banjogal12 - Posted - 01/28/2012:  18:39:39

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by bazron

quote:

---

Originally posted by banjogal12

My stupid question for the week...I am having trouble with my middle finger when trying to hit the first string. It is too long! Got any suggestions on how I can hold my hand to make using that finger easier??? Short of a surgical solution. I have tried several angles but can't seem to find a comfort zone.

---

how many fingers do you anchor on the head? also make sure your fingers ain't anchored to far away from the 1st string.

---

 I anchor two fingers, my pinkie and ring finger.  I thought distance might be the issue but I start getting cramps in my hand and forearm after about 30-45 mins of practicing rolls regardless.  Is there a finger exercise that anyone knows that allows you to stretch?  I think it is my angle so am experimenting with  that for now.

---

Edited by - banjogal12 on 01/28/2012 18:44:29

bazron - Posted - 01/28/2012:  19:51:52

---

if your after exercises to stretch your fingers try here.



banjohangout.org/lessons/brows...&id=5



if your after stretchers for the hand and forearm try here.



youtube.com/watch?v=TSrfB7JIzx...ture=fvsr



 

BanjoStream - Posted - 01/29/2012:  04:44:03

---

As a beginner, I'm having trouble keeping my ring finger/pinkie anchored down while playing. It seems like they are constantly lifting. Are there any suggestions to address this...superglue?  Do most players anchor ring finger, pinkie, or both. Thanks!

Bob

Indiana, PA

sam-i-am - Posted - 01/29/2012:  06:24:29

---

My instructor and I only anchor our pinkie fingers. So do a lot of players I see on TV such as Alison Brown.  I started out with both fingers and after awhile I had to quit.  My middle finger just wouldn't work. Jack Hatfield says that you should try to do it with two but after awhile if you can't it's okay.  Jack, if you are still on this forum, could you elaborate? Whether you use one or two fingers, you have to do at least one. Try pushing down when you are playing. That helped me.

Sam

---

Edited by - sam-i-am on 01/29/2012 06:34:06

jackhatfield - Posted - 01/29/2012:  06:54:11

---

Some people just cant'. it's not absolutely crucial...but don't use this as an excuse not to try. J D Crowe used to anchor all three and have an exagerated arch in his wrist. In my SPBGMA/BNL workshoo a couple of years ago I notices he now just anchors two and has a less pronounced arch in the wrist. Probably old age /arthritis creepng in. (there is a photo of his new right hand position in my upcoming Mel Bay book "The Best of Jack Hatfield" The main thing is your hand does not rock when you play. When you strike a string you don't want any recoil from the entire hand. If you have a solid contact on the armrest and one finger is down solid you will be OK. However, a tripod is the most solid support there is. A four legged stool will rock if one leg is short. A two legged stool will fall over. A three legged stool will be stable even if one leg is short.

 

 

Hank2 - Posted - 01/29/2012:  11:55:47

---

Hi, I'm a rawbeginner myself I got my banjo only a couple of months ago. When I first got it I had no musical experince at all and had no books to learn from but my wife is a very good guitar player, I got some tab online and found out what notes were where so I srarted by rewriting some of my wifes guitar music into tab for banjo, I soon learned to play the melody of my first song (Amazing Grace) it sounded pretty good to me,so I did the same thing with other songs and learned Silent Night, It Came Upon A Midnight clear, Hark the Hearald Angels Sing,O Come All Ye Faithful,and Away In A Manger. In the meantime I found a book for beginners byDennis Caplinger(Banjo Basics) which is written both in Tab anstandard notation because I want to know both, that way I will be able to play either. When I hit a low spotin my learning ability I go back and just play some melody to break things up. this seems to help make me want to really get into my regular lessons again. I now have all my rolls and pinches pretty well down pat although not at great speed. I think rewriting the melody from standard notation to tab has helped me, takes a lot of time though
Hank 2

banjogal12 - Posted - 01/29/2012:  12:04:00

---

I got a finger grip to help me try and hold down both fingers but I find that darn old middle finger extends too far and makes it hard to hit the first string.   i just tried to use the pinkie only and place the ring finger on the outside edge of the grip.  It seems to give me enough heighth so I can form a comfortable arch.  I am still going to try the exercises that barzon suggested.    And BanjoStream you might try this grip, it is sold at Banjo.Com.  Thanks guys for all your help...now back to rolls...my problem one is the forward-reverse.   Got to get this down before my next lesson on Tuesday.  Keep on pickin!   

edhanzel - Posted - 01/29/2012:  17:03:34

---

Hank,
Been playing for just over six months now myself and just successfully started being able to play chords and rolls at the same time....I am so excited that I just passed that milestone. I also last night coverted my first song to tab. Found this post by Rob Bourssa that made it very simple for me....Although I already can read music. Check out this post about converting the songs to numbers...

banjohangout.org/topic/157339/18/#2877085

Hope this helps you as much as it did me.....

Ed

---

Edited by - edhanzel on 01/29/2012 17:05:48

Max Sand - Posted - 01/31/2012:  08:21:31

---

Anybody on this Beginners Forum got plans to go to a banjo weekend this coming spring or summer?  Maybe a bunch of us could meet up for some jamming, camping and general hanging out?

flyfish1317 - Posted - 01/31/2012:  10:03:51

---

I'm with Max Sand on this one.

Deb D - Posted - 02/03/2012:  21:29:57

---

This looks like the perfect place for my very first post!

I, too, found a banjo under the Christmas tree - Santa (disguised as my husband) suprised me with the Fender 300 because it's the one the local music store carried, and it came with a case! For years I've been saying, "Gee, I wish I had learned to play the banjo somewhere along the line..." so I guess he was listening after all!

I have a fair amount of musical experience, but none with strings, so I'm very proud of the calluses I'm developing on my fingertips.

I've been lurking for about a month - every time I think I have a good question to ask, I find the answer in a former post, so what original though-idea-question could I possibly come up with? And of course there's the risk of asking a ridiculously "newbee" question... (Like - what's the nut - and how would you possibly adjust it?!)

Anyway, I've rambled on enough - many thanks to everyone who has so freely shared their insights and advice - I think I'm gonna like it here. I have learned so much already.

Paulf - Posted - 02/03/2012:  22:18:07

---

You're lucky, wish Santa had left me a banjo (Deering please for next year) and due to funds at the time I bought a cheap SX.  I think I have learnt a valuabe lesson in not saving more and buying something decent to start off with.  I have had a few problems with it mainly with the neck so take it from me, don't get a real cheap chinese one like the SX.  Only been on this site a short while but really enjoy it. 

Bob, in regards to the pinky lifting I was told to use a rubber band around the two anchor fingers and it works really well for me.  Both fingers stay planted.

Paul

---

Edited by - Paulf on 02/03/2012 22:20:47

Max Sand - Posted - 02/04/2012:  05:00:03

---

Welcome Deb D! You might want to join the Slow Slow Beginners Group on here. Bunch of us newbies on there and we ask dumb questions all the time (at least i do lol)

Max Sand - Posted - 02/04/2012:  05:01:32

---

I'm going to this gig here in Toronto tomorrow. Will let ya's know how it turned out.

hughsroom.com/2011/12/the-12th...-pickers/

Stumble Fingers - Posted - 02/04/2012:  07:46:55

---

Looking forward to hearing about this show. I was hoping to attend, but I'm busy this weekend.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Max Sand

I'm going to this gig here in Toronto tomorrow. Will let ya's know how it turned out.

hughsroom.com/2011/12/the-12th...-pickers/

---