Rusty - Posted - 07/24/2012:  14:24:34

Fluff
That is an error, the other thing is if another finger works better and feels more natural use that finger.

Cotton - Eyed Joe on page 25 Third line, 3rd bar. For the 6th note It says pick the fifth string with the index finger. This just seems really odd after using the thumb to pick the fifth string for the second and fourth notes - and after using the thumb for the same note in the previous bar. (Also doesn't seem to fit after the TIMTIMTM forward roll practise introduced on the previous page) It feels really awkward compared to just picking it with the thumb (although to be fair - a lot of things are feeling "awkward" at the moment)

I hope you don't mind the brief copy I've made of this section - I thought it would help make the question clearer. (Please let me know if it's an issue and I'll delete it)

SRu - Posted - 07/24/2012:  18:02:44

Jack H, thanks for the great book! I've been working through it for about 6 weeks now, with a borrowed Aluminum/Asian Banjo. The plan was to learn for 6 mo or so & decide what sort of serious banjo to buy.

It's been so much fun, that I went on Craigslist & bought a very heavy (non-aluminum) banjo. It has new strings now, and sounds fabulous.

Do I practice with both? Alternate days? Save the lightweight one for travel? Put it in the trunk so I can practice at lunchtime?

In any case, my husband doesn't want to see any more banjos in the house. I think I'd better not check Craigslist or Ebay for just a bit.

Fluff - Posted - 07/25/2012:  13:25:21

Jack, Wayne, Rusty

Just wanted to say thanks for your replies to my post

Much appreciated guys.

Larry121047 - Posted - 07/26/2012:  12:05:28

Jack, Wow, just relaxing makes a tremendous difference. I always wondered why my shoulder felt tired and sore the next day after playing for a couple of hours. I was to tense and my shoulder was sore because of me holding it up. Kind of like when you lift weights and a day later you are sore. Great tip. Thanks.

BundyBear - Posted - 08/05/2012:  04:29:21

Hello all. Brad W here fom Newcastle, Australia.  This is my first post on BH.

Thanks too for this great thread. I'm glad to read that I'm not the only one going through the Jus' Startin' woes. I was starting to think I should throw it in, but now I'm keen again!!

I'm 45 years old & never played an instrument before getting a Jisheng electric banjo almost a year ago now. Got the Hoyer a couple of months later. Been learning mostly from the Bill Evans "Banjo for Dummies" book & CD. I seem to have basic rolls down now, but am very lost working out exactly what to do with them.

Have had two terms of lessons, but after reading some of the posts here I'm not sure that my teacher is what I need. He seems very knowledgeable and has recorded here in a bush band, however he is a guitar and (I think) mandolin player. I have asked him questions reqarding some stuff in the Banjo book (eg roll patterns) that I thought should be early steps for learning banjo and he does not seem to be up to speed on it. He uses an arpeggio(?) picking pattern that has you plucking multiple strings in a row with the same index or middle finger? Is this correct? He does not use finger picks either.

I'm certainly not down on him at all. I feel I have learned a lot in the last couple of months, although to hear me you wouldn't think so... Just wondering if I may have to "unlearn" some bad habits later on.

Again, thanks to all for the BanjoHangout site.

Samy - Posted - 08/05/2012:  05:04:28

Hi BundyBear,

I have been using the banjobenclark.com website with good success. I picked up a banjo for the first time 7 weeks ago and I'm playing cripple creek and rocky top all the way through. I have never played a stringed instrument before. I am happy with this progress. I get only 20 mins practice but sometimes an hour every day or two, usually not every day. I'm about to start learning my 3rd song! It's slow going but I try to hit every note properly and get my hands and fingers in the right spot. the hardest part is that I've never heard of these songs before 2 months ago but something clicked this year and I can't get enough bluegrass and banjo. I'm 30 btw ;)

Cheers

minstrelmike - Posted - 08/05/2012:  09:46:46

quote:

---

Originally posted by BundyBear



...He uses an arpeggio(?) picking pattern that has you plucking multiple strings in a row with the same index or middle finger? Is this correct? ...

---

 No that is not correct bluegrass roll style.

Your two basic rolls are square roll: TITM or TITI or TMTM or TMTI

and the forward roll TM TIM TIM  (Thumb Index Middle) No IIs or MMMs anywhere.

sam-i-am - Posted - 08/05/2012:  11:19:54

I just changed my profile picture.  My wife and I visited Boone, NC and I had my photo taken with the new Doc Watson memorial.

BundyBear - Posted - 08/07/2012:  04:34:57

Thanks heaps for your replies & advice.

It's good to get confidence that one of the few things I thought I knew with regard to rolls was right. It looks like I'll see this term out with the teacher I have and then maybe look elsewhere. There is an older fellow here in Toronto that teaches Bluegrass, but it would mean a bit more driving.

I'll also check out banjobenclark.com. It sounds like you are doing very well from it Samy!

pickn5 - Posted - 08/11/2012:  10:21:31

Hey all, just joined BHO this week after reading the forum for a few months. I've been learning the banjo for about 8 months now. The progress is slow, but steady, these 62 year old fingers don't always go where the brain tells them. I'm working on rolls, building speed on Boil Them Cabbage Down and starting on Cripple Creek. Geoff Hohwald's Primer book and DVD helped the most so far. I enjoy every minute of practice so I'll keep going. Plan on taking lessons soon.

The forum has been a great help also.

Mattchu - Posted - 08/11/2012:  17:34:50

Day #2 for me...

BanjoBelle - Posted - 08/13/2012:  13:00:53

I restarted this spring after excavating my aluminum rim Peerless out of storage (my 1st try was in the 90's and family life was too hectic then to be able to learn)

      Wayne Erbsen is my teacher (thru books) Workin with his Bluegrass Banjo for the complete Ignoramous book and love it. I'm of the mind I'll be a three fingered picker all the way as it reminds me of playing classical guitar & fingerpicking guitar (I took up guitar at 11 & am nearing the 50 yr mark) Starting to mess with fingerpicks but prefer bare fingered & just letting my fingernails be the picks. Having fun learning the tunes in the book,and different roll patterns are my challenge-working on the alternating thumb roll. 

dfltil - Posted - 08/14/2012:  03:58:11

Try this website

rickmckeon.com/banjolessons.html

I've found Rick Mckeon' site to be extremely helpful to learn how to jam. He goes slow enough for me to follow along.

Thank you Rick for your teaching.

don

Hank2 - Posted - 08/15/2012:  08:38:08

I have been trying to learn how to play for several months now and seem to have hit a brick wall with speed and timing. I'm thinking of getting a digital metronome and using it with an earphone to help with timing. My wife is quite good on the guitar and she has me learning to play a lot of basic melody to many songs mostly from our hymnal but I;m not quite sure this is a good way to go as my goal is to play the Scruggs style. Is this a good idea or not? So far speed and timing has been my greatest hurdle.I think I do fairly well on my rolls I practice  daily but still struggle with these two issues. Anyone have any advise? I am currently using Banjo Basics by Dennis Caplinger and trying to learn both notation and tablature however I do find tab easier but still want to do both, is this a good idea?

                                                                                                    Hank 2

mudlakesandy - Posted - 08/28/2012:  10:30:07

Find a good instructor if only to get your mechanics correct. I started on my own for 6 months with similar problems. It still took a very patient instructor 3 months to get that sorted out. Now the speed is coming along with everything else. If you look through this string you will find this " get an instructor" again and again- there is a reason. I think it most recently appeared in some of Jack Hatfield's posts, and he writes books on the subject. His practice guidlines are excellent- and very helpful in avoiding boredom and frustration. I drive 2hrs for a 1/2 hour lesson and would not even think about it it it wasn't working for me.
-S

CopperCarla - Posted - 10/23/2012:  14:11:59

Don't even have my banjo yet, but breaking the ice.

Been wanting to learn for 20 years, and after being at a scout leader training session last month, seeing a fellow scouter picking away at the campfiare, it reignited my desire. Found out that my uncle had an old Kay sitting in his closet that he bought to try and learn, and didn't go far. It's been cased for 20+ years, still in mint condition, and when they took it out last night, it was nearly in tune.

It should be a decent beginner instrument for me to start on as soon as I can get it (it's up in Michigan, I'm in Illinois)...

Looking forward to driving my family crazy while I practice. :-) I'm a woodwind player, so learning the string chords and progressions will be a new experience for me.

Nev52 - Posted - 11/17/2012:  15:09:00

I have been taking lessons for a year now. I can play Cripple Creek and Will the Circle Be Unbroken.  I think that I should be further along by now.  Does anyone have any advice?

somarmd - Posted - 11/17/2012:  15:15:50

I'm sure that I am a bit abnormal but I don't do well with live lessons. I think at some point I will when I am more advanced but for now I much prefer video lessons. Even when I did pick something up, I quickly lost it after I left. The two reasons for this is that I couldn't rewind and view again nor could I listen and hear what it's suppose to sound like.

For me Murphy Method helped me tremendously! You will learn 1 song per month maybe more depending on you. 1 song a month is quite doable for us beginners. I will have been playing a year in January.

Best of luck.....:)

Dave

Nev52 - Posted - 11/17/2012:  16:06:34

     Dave.      Wow!!! 1 song a month. I am really behind.  I practice 1 hour a day and take 1 lesson a week and  still can't play that well. I have been thinking of getting a new instructor.  Thanks for the advice on the Murphy method maybe I will give that a try.

Jazz Country - Posted - 11/17/2012:  16:16:41

Rod - I think I know what some of the more experienced players would say about this.Try starting a new thread in the Bluegrass forum regarding your situation. You will get plenty of good advice from people who really know what they're talking about.

The number of songs you can play is not the only indicator of progress. It's all about technique and the "language" of music.

Larry

somarmd - Posted - 11/17/2012:  16:32:50

Jazz Country must be talking about me.

I think everyones opinion is based on there experience whether limited or extensive. IMO one shouldn't give advice beyond what they have experienced and truly know. That's what I was trying to do. Some newbies, like me, enjoy hearing from other newbies as well as more experienced players.

I hope I have not spoken outside of my limited experience here.

Murphy method has been excellent for me. Maybe it can be for others too.

I agree the number of songs learned in a time frame is not (and should not be) a barometer of success. The only reason I mentioned it is that Murphy makes it clear, it can take a long time to learn a new song, and that's not playing up to speed either.

I hope I clarified and thanks for bringing to my attention.

Dave

Jazz Country - Posted - 11/17/2012:  16:37:18

Hey Dave - please know my response had nothing to do with your advice! I was just adding to what you had said.

I can see why my response may have seemed like a dig, but I assure you it was not.

Larry

Edited by - Jazz Country on 11/17/2012 16:47:20

somarmd - Posted - 11/17/2012:  16:46:19

Hi Jazz Country, No, no.....please.....you are absolutely right! I was trying to clarify my first post.

Truly no offense taken. I appreciate yours and all the other advice I read in here. Great cite.....great people.......:)

Dave

PS: I love your banjo cake!

Jazz Country - Posted - 11/17/2012:  17:12:47

It was almost a shame to destroy that cake - but it was delicious!

Larry

Nev52 - Posted - 11/17/2012:  18:15:11

Jazz and Dave

 Thank you both for your advice.  I asked this question for a guide line.  I feel I should be able to play better by now. When I ask my instructor what he thinks His answer is with Banjo you craw then run there is no between.  I am trying to have a scale to compare my self to. I just want other new players information on there progress.

  Rod

Larry121047 - Posted - 11/18/2012:  16:36:56

Rod, I too have been playing for almost a year and while I know 9 different songs I am only real good with one. I have a teacher and I practice every day. My cousin was 3 years in before he was good enough to enter into contests. He was 5 years in before he played with a band on a regular basis. So, we have just started playing. Consider this a marathon, not a 100 yard dash.

W7973 - Posted - 11/18/2012:  17:14:48

Well, my beginner stuff is about over, I have played my banjo for 2 years now.  Never played anything else before.  I learned cripple creek, wreck of the ole 97 type of stuff but I can not play the darn thing in front of people at all.  Nerves cant take it. So, the end is here as much as I wanted to learn to play one.

Sometimes one has to give in on something, and the banjo is my give up deal.  I have no musical talent, no family history of music and it shows.  Now, put a rod and reel in my hand and I will take on the world.  Basically, I will spend more time on fishing tournaments and preparing for them

Good Luck to the new to the banjo folks out there.

DrBobNeon - Posted - 11/19/2012:  05:11:01

Dear W

Don't give up. If you like the music, play for yourself or "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord" - by yourself. I, too am having problems with practicing and getting better. Your posting has helped me double down on the practicing, but I will still only play by myself for myself and to whomever (notice I used good English syntax?) upstairs hears it.

Dr. Bob
Persistent Banjo Beginner

BTW: Fishing ain't bad either! - Hey; you can play your banjo for the fish and kill two stones with one bird!

W7973 - Posted - 11/19/2012:  17:09:40

thanks doc, maybe foggy mountain breakdown come together one day.

sanktron - Posted - 11/19/2012:  23:57:39

I played French horn for 10 years, and trumpet and trombone on the side in jazz ensembles. During this time I tried to learn piano, guitar, cello and violin but I just couldn't figure out how to make my hands work independently.

2 years ago my girlfriend of 6 years dumped my ass and after a couple months of feeling sorry for myself I decided to get my s*** together and spent the year losing weight and getting in shape. I decided this year I would tackle something even bigger and bought a used banjo at my local music store on my birthday in May. It has been amazing, and I have made a lot of progress over the past couple months because I finally found a teacher.

I imagine playing the banjo is only hurting my chance of finding love again but I honestly couldn't care less lol.

PosterBoy - Posted - 12/03/2012:  22:51:53

I'm sheepishly returning to this forum after 7 years of owning a banjo, I looked and saw my join date as 2005.

I bought a banjo after getting the recommendation of going to andybanjo in the UK.
I can still remember going there and being a little overwhelmed, but Andy was great and suggested a 2nd hand banjo might be better for my budget.

He then brought me into a room which was stocked full of 2nd hand banjos. Luckily again, he narrowed my choices to those in my budget.

It was hard and embarrassing trying out banjos never having played on.
Funnily enough it was the most expensive and the heaviest that I chose which is the Fender Deluxe (not sure what the model no is)

Anyway after all that I gave up pretty quickly, having only used the banjo on one recording.

I tried to sell the banjo in the last month but got really bad offers, so I've decided to give it another go.

I started on Sunday with the Janet Davies book and I've got The Gray Goose to around 75 bpm, and working on a few other rolls.

I'm just going to concentrate on the rolls and simple songs that will help them in.

I've found I get my forward roll to be good, move on to another then when I return to my forward roll, I'm almost back at stage 1 again.

Is it best to just concentrate on one roll until I can do it in my sleep or maybe stick to 2 or 3?

sorefinger - Posted - 12/04/2012:  03:28:58

Is it best to concentrate on one roll until i can do it in my sleep, my answer to that would be yes. I'm 11 months in to learning, started off with alternating thumb roll, then learned tunnes useing that roll plus useing the C Major and D7 chords and it takes a long time to get it right, you have to want to play the banjo, and i mean WANT, no disrespect to you but reading your post it seems you are only trying again because you didn't sell your banjo?. I am self learning and it can be hard going some times, thats why you really need that love for the banjo sound, and that dream to play. I am only just learning the forward roll and tune with that roll, but i still keep going back and making sure i have still got the alternating thumb roll, its right what they say you need to practice, practice, over and over, if anyone gets fed up of doing that then i think they don't really want to play. I am more than happy with what i can do so far, even if its very small, i know when i'm getting there when i start to hear the melody notes coming out. and there is no end of help on BHO, so i don't think anyone who WANTS to learn can fail. GOOD LUCK

PosterBoy - Posted - 12/04/2012:  03:38:56

I can see where it looks like I'm only picking it up due to not being able to sell it! but I saw it more of a golden opportunity to start over and stop it just collecting dust in the corner of my music room.

I'm about to buy a new pc for recording and it will be great to have a handle on playing banjo for my more Alt Country/Americana songs, though I don't think it will fit in to my Melodic Hardcore and Metalcore styles but who knows!!!

Thanks for the advice on sticking with one roll at a time

sorefinger - Posted - 12/04/2012:  04:51:44

Would i be right in thinking your not happy or comfortable with the banjo you have, ie, to heavy, if this is the case then learnig will be more difficult, i don't know a great deal about banjos, but i would think like anything else you get what you pay for, unless you have the skill to build your own. When i decided to take it up i kept away from used simply because i knew nothing about them, or very little, so i went for a beginner pack, ie the deering goodtime (new).knowing that i would'nt have to worry about things that may be wrong and not knowing how to put it right, also they said it was a good beginner banjo being light and easy to play, i paid £300 last year for it and have been very pleased with it, its an open back but you don't need a resonator to learn to play, but i may treat myself to one at some time, but at the moment its not important, and the good thing about the deering is that the shop i had it from will always take a deering back in part exchange if i want to upgrade, when i'm a master banjo player, ha ha. see if you can part exchange if your buget allows, it was Eagle music Uk, i got mine from, they do new and used they may even know of someone who wants a fender like yours, worth a try if your not happy with it, they are also a good firm to deal with, they have been trading for many years.

Edited by - sorefinger on 12/04/2012 04:56:58

PosterBoy - Posted - 12/04/2012:  04:59:10

Not at all I love my banjo, it has a great tone and the weight doesn't put me off. Even after 7 years it still seems to be set up well too.

JamesJW - Posted - 12/05/2012:  15:34:30

Im so glad I found others in my same shoes. Ive got the heart to play, like many of you, but I know we are all human and get frustrated by "bein at the bottom". I started because I was inspired by my grandfather,and great uncles, and dad, and yes my own twin brother. They all played some sort of guitar or stringed instrument and played well might I ad. I was tired of being the black sheep and thought Id try something I know that kicked their guitar playin butts....the banjo. Now, Im not saying anything bad about them or their guitar playing ways, they just couldn't do the banjo. So, I picked up where they left off and here I am, 2 months in having the time of my life with it. I only hope that I can grow like they did on their instruments.

wvhammer - Posted - 12/05/2012:  17:27:54

hi my name is dave and i am a beginner as of this friday i will be the owner of a banjo and my journey begins . I know it will tough cause this will be my first instrument . everyone on this awesome site are such a inspiration and i look forward to it. ill try to keep on it i will let you know how its going ..
I am sure i will be calling for tips and suggestions

thanks dave

mulligan31 - Posted - 12/06/2012:  18:37:42

Hi all, first time poster. I don't have a banjo yet and never even have held one. I am real keen to learn though. I will probably pick up a Deering Goodtime banjo soon. This might have been addressed here before but i couldn't find it. Lessons are pricey so i am curious about how many on here are self taught as opposed to learned with a teacher. Also if anyone knows of a better beginners banjo than the goodtime but in the same price range i would welcome suggestions.

ITACUD - Posted - 12/08/2012:  05:33:22

quote:

---

Originally posted by mulligan31

Hi all, first time poster. I don't have a banjo yet and never even have held one. I am real keen to learn though. I will probably pick up a Deering Goodtime banjo soon. This might have been addressed here before but i couldn't find it. Lessons are pricey so i am curious about how many on here are self taught as opposed to learned with a teacher. Also if anyone knows of a better beginners banjo than the goodtime but in the same price range i would welcome suggestions.

---

Just do a search on the forums in shopping advice and you should find tons of opinions on the topic of what banjo is best...there have been several threads in the last few weeks on this topic.

Disclaimer that I'm a complete novice, but as far as lessons, I used books and videos for the last few months until I finally secured a spot with a guy who can teach me.....  there weren't many options here in my town for teachers so I had to wait.   When I finally took my first lesson 2 weeks ago, I found out my body/hand position was all wrong....  I feel like I'm starting all over so it's probably best to take some lessons even if you can only afford a few.  I also found out that I completely freeze in front of strangers and turn into a statue and can't move my fingers...

CreekRunner - Posted - 12/08/2012:  05:54:32

Join the crowd ITACUD. I can't find my banjo in it's case when I get in front of my instructor. But I am gradually starting to play with other folks and I think it's going to help that problem. Also recording myself causes performance angziety. As does spelling angziety.

David

somarmd - Posted - 12/08/2012:  06:57:38

I can relate to freezing up. It's funny....but not really..... I played for a friend the other day, a few christmas songs I have learned and found myself over thinking my fret hand positions to the point of forgetting. Kind of crazy?

I have read and do believe the main medicine for this is to keep playing with and in front of others..........back at it tonight.

kowen1 - Posted - 12/08/2012:  08:54:08

If your determined to learn on your own as I have been then give the Murphy Method a try. I am in Afghanistan and the lessons are working great for me.

Chadman - Posted - 12/08/2012:  17:03:30

I bought my first 5 string banjo back in fall of 2011, a brand new Gold Tone cc-100r. I started weekly lessons just before that Christmas, then the holidays hit and then fishing season, then hunting season.. all the while I was not taking lessons or even practicing at home.. However a year has come and gone and I just recently started back with the lessons.. so in total I've done about 6 lessons with my banjo teacher. I do play a guitar and have decided I'm not picking up the guitar any time soon. At this point I'm dedicated at getting this on the go.. at some point I'd like to bring the banjo with me when I go fishing Atlantic salmon up on the Miramichi river and it's tribs.. to be able to play on the bank of the river, especially in some of the areas that have high banks and rock ledges the acoustics would sound pretty awesome!! and the fact too some of these areas are pretty remote and just being able to play a banjo tune there in itself would be pretty cool.



long and short, i'm back at'er and there's no slowin me down! lol

Edited by - Chadman on 12/08/2012 17:05:16

geckoz - Posted - 12/08/2012:  22:41:10

Hi all!
I thought I better introduce myself before I continue posting :) I am a raw beginner. After a week's intense research, I decided that I could not go wrong on a Deering Goodtime open back. I don't regret this decision. It is easy to tune and very light to handle ( I'm a weakling!).

I practice at least an hour a day. I have gone up to 2 hours but that was before I started on learning chords...! I am now limiting it to an hour or so until my left fingers develop calluses. I do not want to get blisters on them, because that would delay recovery and totally disable my left hand until the blisters heal.

My main means of learning is Geoff Hohwald's beginner's series. It is excellent in the absence of a real face-to-face tutor. So far I'm at Beginning Banjo 3. I am not yet up to top speed in all the exercises, but I am slowly getting there.

This is my second instrument that I am learning. I started about 18 months ago on learning the bagpipes with a tutor via skype. Based on this experience, I expect to be playing several beginner tunes confidently within a year or two on the banjo. I think this is a reasonable and achievable goal, as long as I practice an hour a day and have a structured learning plan. Geoff's series is providing me with that.

My two favourite things in life are: my banjo and my pipes :)

somarmd - Posted - 12/09/2012:  05:36:55

Welcome geckoz, It's always great to hear from players starting out. I am just less than 1 year learning myself. I too use online instruction and have found it to be an excellent way to learn. You may surprise yourself with your goal. Playing a few songs can be sooner than you think.

Good luck and mostly I hope you enjoy the experience.

wolf8895 - Posted - 12/10/2012:  20:23:04

So good to see so many people picking up the banjo.  I am also a rank amateur, received my Goodtime 2 last Wednesday. 

Downloaded the first Murphy video from here on the hangout and I'm off and rolling.  I figured after 20 years of picking up and putting down a guitar, which I always seemed to fingerpick when I played it, that I might as well learn the real finger picking instrument! 

I'm loving it so far.  My family not so much!  Guess I'll have to invest in a bunch of eggcrate bed pads for my office.

geckoz - Posted - 12/11/2012:  03:07:14

Thanks for the welcome 

Calluses are coming along nicely so far, and so are my chord changes. Still very slow at

72 bpm but going up by one notch a day. Am having

a total ball of a time. Very nice and easy going and relaxing, playing late in the evening when all is quiet and I have

put down my pipes for the gentle sounds of the banjo. 

quote

:

---

Originally posted by somarmd

Welcome geckoz, It's always great to hear from players starting out. I am just less than 1 year learning myself. I too use online instruction and have found it to be an excellent way to learn. You may surprise yourself with your goal. Playing a few songs can be sooner than you think.



Good luck and mostly I hope you enjoy the experience.

---

rbishopp - Posted - 12/11/2012:  03:31:04

Hey Rod.

My instructor says basically the same thing.  Been playing for less than a year and also thinking I should be doing better,  But I sit back and recall to myself that I am doing this for me and I'm not on a timeline or schedule.  There is no test to pass other than getting enjoyment out of playing and learning how to play. I have a lesson about every two weeks since I don't get to practice as much as I like.

nomoreperfect - Posted - 12/13/2012:  06:39:24

Hi all!

First time commenting here. My husband bought me a banjo for my birthday last month and I am enjoying it. Some days are better than others. Going from playing great one day and for an hour or two, to the next where nothing is working and I end my practicing after half an hour feeling pretty ridiculous. This is my second instrument, the first being the piano which I have played for the past 27 years. I am self-taught at the moment, though maybe someday I'll get a teacher.

So glad to have found these forums!