courgettelawn - Posted - 06/18/2011:  13:04:22

For anyone interested, I've added a new blog post about my banjo learning odyssey. There seem to be so many different ways that people get to know this great instrument, I think that's part of its appeal. Where you are, as they say, largely depends on from where you have come!

This post is on how I chose what style to start learning.

banjohangout.org/myhangout/blo...gid=22364

Kennyj - Posted - 06/18/2011:  20:31:30

I've been absent for awhile. Sometime in January or February my practicing took a real hit. I was missing days of practice. But, luckily, I never gave up. Despite my busy schedule and my inconsistent practicing, I managed to pick up the Banjo at least a few times a week -- (sometimes very few). The good news is that I didn't really lose much of what I learned, but the bad news is I don't think I've progressed much in the last 4 months. I just stalled. 

I decided I'd hire a banjo teacher. I went to my first 1/2 hour lesson today. I really appreciated it. The teacher caught a lot of stuff I was doing wrong (mostly left hand technique) and gave me tips/practices to improve it. I did get some positive reinforcement too, because he mentioned my right hand rolls are very good for my experience. 

I think minstrelmike's point about playing chords makes sense now. I think I neglected my left hand because I was trying to learn 2 things at once: roll patterns and chords/pull-offs/hammer-ons etc. Instead of asking me to practice strumming songs, though, my teacher just gave me some simple exercises to improve left-hand technique without focusing on the right hand. I think Mike's suggestion may feel more fulfilling to some though, because it's not just rote practice -- it's playing songs. 

I may have to incorporate that into my practicing. 

Mike, do you recommend any songbooks? 

macT - Posted - 06/19/2011:  05:29:25

Hi folks just wanted to introduce myself. Like many in here I have wanted to play banjo for  many years there just something about the banjo I just cant put my finger on yet! ( no pun intended)

Anyway I  have taken the plunge and bought a Deering open back and am excitedly waiting for its delivery hopefully tomorrow. I have sorted out a teacher and so start lessons beginning of July so watch this space. I look forward to sharing the ups and downs , great forum, great thread  thank you to all the contributors for sharing their experiences.

Regards MacT

minstrelmike - Posted - 06/19/2011:  08:54:00

The best beginner books in general are the ones with the most songs someone might know which to me are the Folksingers Wordbook and Rise Up Singing (because they cram the most amount of songs in the least amount of space).

The best beginner songbook for any specific person is the one that contains the most songs they can or would actually sing along with if they heard it on the radio. That's generally your favorite band from high school (unless the band contained a banjo in which case don't do it--you don't want to start day one or even month one by trying to copy and sound like a professional). Other good books are general Hits of the 90s stuff or Reader's Digest Popular American songs. The library is full of songbooks. So is any piano bench and many musicians have shelves of them they will lend out.

I started with Proud Mary. (The run down is just barre chords on the dotted fret 10 7 5 3 0)

If you know that song, then starting with it is good. If you don't know it and I try teaching it to you, now you are learning a new song as well as trying to learn the banjo.

Some of the advantages of using familiar tunes is that you don't need a metronome because you can hear if you're right or wrong (the actual skill you need to develop) and you have some sort of ear judgement of your own to validate the sounds against. Copying a professional arrangement doesn't enourage this creative listening and exploration. Each individual note _is_ the thing you have to do.

To me, it's like an aspiring painter. You can paint an exact copy of a Gaugin still life and perhaps learn something about painting techniques such as mixing paints and putting them on paper but you learn nothing about perspective and color choice.

OTOH, the art student in a professional painting class may look at the the Gaugin painting first with a critical eye in a discussion led by the teacher but not for too long if at all. The next step is to set up a still life and paint it yourself. Do another one. And another one.

Now the teacher pulls out the Gaugin and y'all study it with a different eye and now is the time where painting a copy from the painting instead of from a still life will demonstrate to you the perspective techniques and other stuff that you are blind to until you try painting your own still life from scratch.

Same with music. Until you try doing the basic stuff yourself, studying the masters misses a lot of the important information that you are looking for because you aren't ready. With a Gaugin painitng in hand, I can actually copy each brushstroke individually. I can even start at the upper corner and move along in order and make an exact copy. Of course, that isn't how Gaugin painted his masterpiece so even if I end up with a perfect counterfeit, I haven't learned anything at all about the master painter's approach.

dthomas - Posted - 06/19/2011:  14:05:02

Still trying to learn and i have got a smile since I have read all of these writings , Thank you , from almost 4 months and no songs  just sound but i like it!!!

courgettelawn - Posted - 06/20/2011:  01:13:07

Hi MacT,

From another Deering open back newbie from the UK, greetings! I have only been playing a few weeks and not on an awful lot of practice. Some good folks here recommended getting started with Janet Davis's You Can Teach Yourself Banjo and I can recommend it too (only £8.15 from Amazon.co.uk) and it comes with a DVD.

The things I found most frustrating at the very beginning was not known where and with what to start. The JD tutorials have helped solve that problem as I just work through it very, very slowly and repeatedly! It's a great introduction to tab and learning basic roll patterns, neither of which I had a prior understanding of.

My next most frustrating problem was wearing the finger picks that came with the banjo. As some good folks recommended, persevere, especially if you want to play Bluegrass or picking style. I invested a small amount in a couple of other picks, thinner and smaller ones (all depends on the size of your finger) but the thinner ones seem to give me more 'feeling' in m fingers and make me feel less like a cat clawing at the banjo. I still hit the banjo head per times but it is getting less.

I am still trying to get my right hand position over the head right. My hand has a tendency to 'collapse' by the end of a tune.

I hope you enjoy learning as much as I do!

Tehmina

tkocason - Posted - 06/23/2011:  17:42:47

quote:

---

Originally posted by ductape



Well, I start tomorrow. I've played guitar (rhythm) for a few years, but this is my first attempt at banjo. The feller that taught me to play guitar is going to teach me to play banjo, or so he thinks. He is a professional and has played with, and sometimes sang with, many of the bluegrass legends. This man is very demanding and won't take excuses. Many folks have asked me how I continue to play with him. I love him. He means a lot to me. I just can't let him down. We'll see how it goes......

---

I'm pulling for you....we're all in this together!

mkwow - Posted - 06/23/2011:  18:04:40

Hi All- Just started a few days ago and I can say its a little addictive. I have been wanting to learn the banjo for sometime now and finally was able to get one! I am so excited for the learning to come!

Peanutscreams - Posted - 06/23/2011:  21:34:46

Welcome Missy,

Month now for me and all is going great! This is a great forum for information, sometimes though the experienced players get in here and have heated debates over certain issues that seem a bit ridiculous to me anyway. Guess that's all part of the learning process so I've learned to kinda read between their lines. Had a few friends over this evening and I played a few rolls and little bit of what I know about Cripple Creek in front of them. First time I ever played in front of anyone besides my wife and doggies and it was great hearing their positive feedback since they were musicians themselves. Have fun and keep us posted on your progress.

Butch B.

sam-i-am - Posted - 06/24/2011:  07:31:23

I would strongly recommend the following for folks like me who are brand new to the instrument and haven't played anything before:

1. No matter how good DVDs and instructional books are, you must get a real person to teach you to play. There is so much more to learning than you can get from a book. They can watch you and correct bad habits before they start. Get someone who is a musician and knows music, not just how to play a banjo.

2. I have the Jack Hatfield book that has a DVD and a CD. Watching something is better than reading and listening alone. There is one thing that is on page one. It is practice every day for at least 30 minutes. He says that if you can't do it, don't bother. I admit that there are days that I just don't pick it up. But I try to make up for it when I do.

3. Patience is a virtue - especially with this instrument. It's like typing. Some days I can't hit the right keys no matter what. Don't get in a hurry. I have a goal to be able to play well in one to two years. If you are expecting to crank on the banjo in a couple of months, I think it is unreasonable unless you have extraordinary skills and a gift.

Well, that is what I think

Sam

minstrelmike - Posted - 06/24/2011:  08:16:50

quote:

---

Originally posted by Peanutscreams

....First time I ever played in front of anyone besides my wife and doggies and it was great hearing their positive feedback since they were musicians themselves. Have fun and keep us posted on your progress.

Butch B.

---

I've found musicians tend to be a lot more supportive than mere listeners. Even friends will ask for FMB or Dueling Banjos and sorta shrug if 'all' you can do is Cripple Creek (or 'only' frail).

Have fun and keep us posted on your progress, too. ;-)

Peanutscreams - Posted - 06/24/2011:  08:34:41

quote:

I've found musicians tend to be a lot more supportive than mere listeners. Even friends will ask for FMB or Dueling Banjos and sorta shrug if 'all' you can do is Cripple Creek (or 'only' frail).

Have fun and keep us posted on your progress, too. ;-) 

Thanks Mike. Will do. Having such a great time with this. Still waiting for my first instructional DVD after three weeks the dang thing hasn't't even shipped yet. So other buyers/shoppers beware, as much as I love Amazon for online shopping, do not order Murphey's material from there. Go directly to her website if you need anything.

---

Originally posted by minstrelmike

quote:

---

Originally posted by Peanutscreams

....First time I ever played in front of anyone besides my wife and doggies and it was great hearing their positive feedback since they were musicians themselves. Have fun and keep us posted on your progress.

Butch B.

---

I've found musicians tend to be a lot more supportive than mere listeners. Even friends will ask for FMB or Dueling Banjos and sorta shrug if 'all' you can do is Cripple Creek (or 'only' frail).

Have fun and keep us posted on your progress, too. ;-)

---

Peanutscreams - Posted - 06/24/2011:  08:39:13

I ordered Murphey's method instructional DVD from Amazon three weeks ago and it still has not even shipped. Other buyers / shoppers beware, as much as I love Amazon for online shopping, do not order her material from there. Go directly to her website if you need anything. 

Butch B.

Kennyj - Posted - 06/24/2011:  08:45:53

quote:

---

Originally posted by Peanutscreams

I ordered Murphey's method instructional DVD from Amazon three weeks ago and it still has not even shipped. Other buyers / shoppers beware, as much as I love Amazon for online shopping, do not order her material from there. Go directly to her website if you need anything. 

Butch B.

---

Yikes. I just checked and sure enough, the description for her Beginning Banjo on Amazon says, "Usually ships in 7 to 9 weeks." 

courgettelawn - Posted - 06/24/2011:  12:19:57

Hi Missy,

Great to hear from another fellow (girl!) beginner! Send us your stories. I have been playing (teach yourself) about a month and love every moment. 

Tehmina

stymie - Posted - 06/24/2011:  12:38:49

of the amazon thing, i ordered "masters of the 5 string banjo" about five weeks ago, and the status said just yesterday that it had been shipped.  up until then the message was hadn't been shipped yet and it had a button that allowed you to "change shipping options."  i got the impression that because i chose the cheap or free delivery, amazon waited me out seeing if i'd get frustrated with the wait time and pay more for shipping.  i can't figure any other reason that it would take more than a week or two to get this material out to us.

b

mellythinks42 - Posted - 06/24/2011:  13:40:44

Hi there!
I'm a(sorta) beginner. I self-teach a bunch of instruments and picked up an old Harmony a few months ago.
My methods are a little off compared to what other seem to be starting at however. I pretty much started by playing bluegrass songs out of a book from the library, struggling through them and focusing on 4 or 5 different tunes. Then i moved onto a few traditional songs I already knew the tune of. Then modern songs. aaaand now i'm working on clawhammering.

It sounds like a mish-mosh that would never work but its actually going quite well.
I played for a fellow picker (a few years deep) and he tried to get me to go to a jam with him but i know for sure i'm not ready yet.

Rolls are interesting because I don't think in the patterns traditional rolls seem to follow. I've sort of made my own rolls for songs I write and play mostly whats written for songs i receive.

I just like to work with my chord chart and a few tabs.

The hard part for me should be playing directly from the staff instead of tabs. Any beginners trying that out?

StraitsBlueGal - Posted - 06/24/2011:  13:52:22

Hi everyone, I'm another newbie (playing about 2-3 months with an instructor, though I've played other instruments before). I'm studing bluegrass on an old (free, was in the basement) Washburn and a new RK35, and want to learn clawhammer too. After a Midwest Banjo Camp session with Michael Miles I realized how much music I enjoy that is "clawhammer" style.

Never enough time for all of my hobbies....

Peanutscreams - Posted - 06/24/2011:  15:39:45

quote: Yup your probably right about that one. Never thought bout that. I am frustrated but I'm not gonna pay more that's for sure. There's so much other fun things to play around with and explore on this banjo, I can wait.

BB 

---

Originally posted by stymie

 

of the amazon thing, i ordered "masters of the 5 string banjo" about five weeks ago, and the status said just yesterday that it had been shipped.  up until then the message was hadn't been shipped yet and it had a button that allowed you to "change shipping options."  i got the impression that because i chose the cheap or free delivery, amazon waited me out seeing if i'd get frustrated with the wait time and pay more for shipping.  i can't figure any other reason that it would take more than a week or two to get this material out to us.

b

---

minstrelmike - Posted - 06/25/2011:  10:45:48

I sort of play directly from staff but only in the folk sense as opposed to the classical sense.

Classically-trained musicians are supposed to read music as they play and never memorize.
Practice is familiarity with the written document, not ability to play without it (although one article pointed out it wasn't true because many orchestras were playing the correct note musically instead of the incorrect written one on a certain piece of music).

Folk musicians are sorta jazz. The written melody line is the beginning point, not the ending point.
For sheet music, first I strum thru the chords and get the timing of the measures down.
Next I pluck out the melody on the 1st string. Doing it on a single string is easier to follow the up and down of the notes on the staff. (And most of the notes will occur on the chord placements).

Then I move the melody down to the open strings so I have it two places and then I go back to my chords and try to strum/chord-pluck the melody using full chord shapes and emphasizing specific strings.

After that, it's a matter of experimenting with frails or rolls but I make a primary distinction between a song (melody with chords) and an arrangement and I mainly try to memorize songs and produce arrangements, not memorize arrangements and then try to derive the essence of song from it.

tkocason - Posted - 06/25/2011:  16:17:02

quote:

---

Originally posted by Peanutscreams

I ordered Murphey's method instructional DVD from Amazon three weeks ago and it still has not even shipped. Other buyers / shoppers beware, as much as I love Amazon for online shopping, do not order her material from there. Go directly to her website if you need anything. 

Butch B.

---

Butch, I have all of Murphy's DVD's for banjo....I order from her web site, get them in 2 days. She puts a video on sale each month, half price.

Keith.

garman - Posted - 06/26/2011:  09:29:48

I agree that a person to person instructor situation is the best way to go if you have never played any instrument before in the past.

SharBee - Posted - 06/26/2011:  13:33:43

I am a beginner working my way very slowly through the Janet Davis You Can Teach Yourself Banjo book.  I would feel kinda bad when other beginners would post their progress on the forum and I would compare my progress to theirs and realize they were far ahead of anything I was capable of playing.  I really hit a snag when I started working on Cumberland Gap and my middle-aged fingers refused to make the stretch to the 11th fret.  Right about then we started a bunch of work on our house and I had to pack my banjo away for a few months until the dust settled.  For the past couple of weeks I have been hesitant to pick it up again, but much to my joy I discovered I really hadn't lost much and my old hands have found fret 11!   There isn't an available teacher here, so I really appreciate those of you who share practice tips and advice with beginners like me.  I never played guitar, so I have a lot of work to do learning chords and figuring out the fingering.  It can get really overwhelming, but I find that when I work my way through a song, no matter how terrible it sounds in the beginning, it always gets better.  As the song gets better, the chord changes and fingering become more natural, too.  Just don't rush me.

Edited by - SharBee on 06/26/2011 13:34:52

courgettelawn - Posted - 06/26/2011:  13:34:58

I am getting on slowly but well with learning to pick using Janet Davis's method. I'd like to mix things up a bit and learn some clawhammer. I have found David Holt's videos useful. I can't find an active beginner's clawhammer forum to ask this question but what are people's current ideas about learning both styles at the same time? Bearing in mind that I'm not learning to gig or anything, just for fun.

Jazz Country - Posted - 06/26/2011:  13:47:48

quote:

---

Originally posted by SharBee

I am a beginner working my way very slowly through the Janet Davis You Can Teach Yourself Banjo book.  I would feel kinda bad when other beginners would post their progress on the forum and I would compare my progress to theirs and realize they were far ahead of anything I was capable of playing.  I really hit a snag when I started working on Cumberland Gap and my middle-aged fingers refused to make the stretch to the 11th fret.  Right about then we started a bunch of work on our house and I had to pack my banjo away for a few months until the dust settled.  For the past couple of weeks I have been hesitant to pick it up again, but much to my joy I discovered I really hadn't lost much and my old hands have found fret 11!   There isn't an available teacher here, so I really appreciate those of you who share practice tips and advice with beginners like me.  I never played guitar, so I have a lot of work to do learning chords and figuring out the fingering.  It can get really overwhelming, but I find that when I work my way through a song, no matter how terrible it sounds in the beginning, it always gets better.  As the song gets better, the chord changes and fingering become more natural, too.  Just don't rush me.

---

Hey Sharbee - Nice to see you found the 11th fret! Measure your success according to what you put into it, rather than comparing yourself to others. Your playing level is a direct reflection of the amount and quality of practice time you apply towards your goal. Some folks learn faster than others, some pick up the banjo after many years of playing another stringed instrument, and others may have the advantage of regular, structured lesson plans. The one thing  I will say with certainty: just one lesson with en experienced teacher will be a springboard. If one is not available live and in person, the next best thing is a lesson via Skype. 

You have the right attitude, because it simply takes plenty of practice time and we need to be happy with our little victories. Keep at it and don't be so tough on yourself.

Larry

Peanutscreams - Posted - 06/26/2011:  17:45:45

Need to submit this question to those experienced banjo players in reference to set-up. Reading "Masters Of The 5-String Banjo" by Tony Trischka & Pete Wernick. In this book they interview the banjo players and one question always asked "How high are your strings off the 12th fret"? My strings seem high and I have big chubby fingers that still after a month of practice continue to mute strings. My question, should the strings be lowered, and if the answer is yes, do I lower them by moving the bridge closer to the neck? Much thanks for any advice in advance.

Butch B.

aeroweenie - Posted - 06/26/2011:  18:49:28

quote:

---

Originally posted by Peanutscreams

Need to submit this question to those experienced banjo players in reference to set-up. Reading "Masters Of The 5-String Banjo" by Tony Trischka & Pete Wernick. In this book they interview the banjo players and one question always asked "How high are your strings off the 12th fret"? My strings seem high and I have big chubby fingers that still after a month of practice continue to mute strings. My question, should the strings be lowered, and if the answer is yes, do I lower them by moving the bridge closer to the neck? Much thanks for any advice in advance.

Butch B.

---

No, assuming you have a fretted neck, the bridge must be placed such that chiming a string above the 12th fret and noting the same string at the 12th fret make the same note.  To lower string height at the 12th fret, use a shorter bridge or have a luthier adjust the neck.  Before doing anything, I'd recommend you have an experienced picker or luthier check the string height.

A-E - Posted - 06/27/2011:  13:57:28

Hi there, another beginner here!

I got a banjo for my birthday, cause i always said i wanted one. First it was pretty hard for me to work out how to read tabs etc. I tried some videos on youtube of Patrick Costello, however frailing doesn't seem to be the thing for me. Now i've got Earls book and How to teach yourself banjo. It's getting better all the time  The only problem is, my middle string resonates very badly when i use a normal middle string, so now i use a much heavier, wound string. Now it sounds good, but does'nt play very well. Any suggestions?

minstrelmike - Posted - 06/27/2011:  14:05:04

For the vibrating middle string, I'd say try tightening your head or first off, make sure you're in concert tuning by using an electronic tuner or tuning to a piano.

If neither of those work, you might need a new bridge or need to refile the existing bridge which isn't something I'd recommend to a newbie.

A-E - Posted - 06/27/2011:  14:31:53

Well, i have already tried tightening and loosening the head, both didn't work. The banjo is in concert tuning, i checked that with an electronic tuner. So i fear it will then be refiling the bridge, cause when i put my ear close to the banjo, it sounds like there's the problem. I shall have to go to a luthier for that right?

Thanks for your advice

PD Kirby - Posted - 06/29/2011:  17:09:25

Howdy Ya'll,

I am looking to pick up my 2nd Banjo but haven't played one for a few years. I have been concentrating on Mandolin for about the last 10 years but I recently retired and have found that I now have time to play Banjo and Mandolin. My fist Banjo is my Late Fathers late 60s Mastertone but I am afraid to take it out of the house because I would never forgive myself should anything happen to it. So I am looking in the classifieds here and craigs list with the hope to score a good one to practice and play at the local jams with. Oh yea, I play Bluegrass, or is that a given?

This Place Rocks

Kennyj - Posted - 06/29/2011:  17:21:45

quote:

---

Originally posted by A-E

Well, i have already tried tightening and loosening the head, both didn't work. The banjo is in concert tuning, i checked that with an electronic tuner. So i fear it will then be refiling the bridge, cause when i put my ear close to the banjo, it sounds like there's the problem. I shall have to go to a luthier for that right?

Thanks for your advice

---

Can you bring it somewhere? My local music shop charged me $18 for an adjustment which fixed my string buzz. I didn't want to do it myself because I was afraid of making it worse. 

A-E - Posted - 06/30/2011:  11:09:02

Hi Kennyj, yes i know a place where i can bring it, so that won't be a problem. However the people in the instrument shop in my neighborhood where i brought it first, didn't even seem to know what a banjo was, or how to tune it etc. So i have to travel a while to get to a good store where i know they can fix it.

PS, can you tell me how to qoute? i don't see a "quote" button

Kennyj - Posted - 06/30/2011:  11:17:23

quote:

---

Originally posted by A-E

Hi Kennyj, yes i know a place where i can bring it, so that won't be a problem. However the people in the instrument shop in my neighborhood where i brought it first, didn't even seem to know what a banjo was, or how to tune it etc. So i have to travel a while to get to a good store where i know they can fix it.

PS, can you tell me how to qoute? i don't see a "quote" button

---

It's at the top, next to "Posted - 6/30/2011 11:09:02 AM " before you hit reply. 

jonesorado - Posted - 07/03/2011:  11:18:32

quote:

---

Originally posted by macT

Hi folks just wanted to introduce myself. Like many in here I have wanted to play banjo for  many years there just something about the banjo I just cant put my finger on yet! ( no pun intended)

Anyway I  have taken the plunge and bought a Deering open back and am excitedly waiting for its delivery hopefully tomorrow. I have sorted out a teacher and so start lessons beginning of July so watch this space. I look forward to sharing the ups and downs , great forum, great thread  thank you to all the contributors for sharing their experiences.

 

Regards MacT

---

 Greetings MacT,

I am a beginner as well and purchased the Deering Goodtime Openback also.  I love my banjo.  Just wanted to back you up with your purchase and reassure you it is a gem of a starter.  Happy picking and look forward to more of your threads.

- jonesorado

jonesorado - Posted - 07/03/2011:  11:37:47

Greetings,

Some insight here please; I am a beginner and have began with Happy Traum's "5 String Banjo For Beginners" dvd.  I am picking two finger style but am very interested in clawhammer as I have been inspired by a Frenchman in the hills of Switzerland  playing Clarence Ashley's "Coo Coo Bird."  The advice I am seeking is whether to keep picking two finger and learning the chords eventually merging into two finger frailing or if I should go ahead and pursue the clawhammer style of picking.  Or is there an even better approach for beginners?  I am enjoying practicing a couple of hours a day and appreciate any advice offered.

Thanks in advance,

Egleaso2 - Posted - 07/03/2011:  19:45:39

I am pretty new to the banjo, but the first teacher I had was a couple years ago and that poor sap couldn't play a banjo for nothin! It kind of burnt me out on it for a while but I eventually started up lessons with another teacher and she was incredibly helpful, unfortunately we had conflicting schedules so we had to discontinue our lessons after round about a year, but I'm starting lessons next week with teacher number three! So wish me luck!!

minstrelmike - Posted - 07/04/2011:  08:11:07

You can do clawhammer and two-finger picking and 3-finger picking and bluegrass-style 3-finger picking all together. They aren't mutually exclusive, not even in the same song but definitely not in the same person.

From my perspective, they are all just right-hand ideas. They will each work with most any song.

But be sure to make a distinction between right-hand approach and musical genre.

Clawhammer is clawhammer/frailing/down-stroking with the right hand.

Old-time is a style of music that doesn't use many chords. 

I can frail old-time tunes and bluegrass tunes and rock tunes and folk tunes. In fact, my favorite way to play Jimmy Buffet songs solo is with frailing.

I can also play Old-Time music with 2- or 3-finger picks.

You cannot play bluegrass-style banjo without using 3-finger rolls, but you can certainly play bluegrass-genre tunes frailing-style or 2-finger style or even play them on piano or sax.

Musical Genre is not the same as right-hand Plucking Style.

Dave Magram - Posted - 07/04/2011:  21:00:41

quote:

---

Originally posted by A-E

 

The only problem is, my middle string resonates very badly when i use a normal middle string, so now i use a much heavier, wound string. Now it sounds good, but does'nt play very well. Any suggestions?

 

---

Hi A-E,

You may not need a luthier.

Test to see if your 3rd string buzzes when open or when fretted.

- If your 3rd string is buzzing or rattling only when played open , but doesn't rattle when fretted, it is most likely the 3rd string notch in your nut is too wide. Try putting a tiny bit of paper under the 3rd string in the notch in the nut, and see if the buzz goes away. Refiling the nut is a bit tricky; there are ways to fill the notch with and refile it, but unless you are pretty handy, you may need to have a luthier do it. Another option is to buy a new nut and fit it yourself--if you are handy.

- If your 3rd string is buzzing or rattling when played open or when fretted,  it may indicate that the notch for the 3rd string is too wide at the bottom. The notch should resemble a "V" shape, not a "U" shape--you want the notch to trap the middle of the string, not let it rattle around on the bottom of the notch.

Option A. Since even Grover banjo bridges are cheap (about US$5), the easiest way is to just measure the height of the old bridge (usually 1/2" or 5/8") and replace it with a new one of the same height. (Be sure to loosen all the strings when doing this to avoid damaging the notches of the new bridge.)

Option B. The most economical way. If you want to try fixing the old bridge yourself by making the "U"-shaped notch into a "V" shape, do not use a file--they are too thick. A 3rd string is usually around 0.014" and only very special files are that narrow. When I have had to do this once or twice, I have just used an old pocket knife to gently deepen the groove.

Process: First loosen the 3rd string and move it out of the way. It is important to slightly angle the knife downward toward the tailpiece, so that the new groove follows the plane of the other strings from the back of the bridge to the tailpiece. Just line the knife up correctly and gently "saw" in the notch with the pocket-knife for  5 or 10 seconds. Don't go too deep, especially at the front (neck-side) of the bridge. Then try the string in the new notch and see if the buzzing goes away.

The whole process takes only a minute or less.

If Option B doesn't work, try Option A. 

Good luck.

- Dave

Edited by - Dave Magram on 07/04/2011 21:10:31

Dave Magram - Posted - 07/05/2011:  07:45:58

Oops-- my 7/4 post should have read:

"- If your 3rd string is buzzing or rattling when played open or when fretted,  it may indicate that the notch in the bridge  for the 3rd string is too wide at the bottom. The notch should resemble a "V" shape, not a "U" shape--you want the notch to trap the middle of the string, not let it rattle around on the bottom of the notch."

- Dave

A-E - Posted - 07/06/2011:  09:19:11

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dave Magram

quote:

---

Originally posted by A-E

 

The only problem is, my middle string resonates very badly when i use a normal middle string, so now i use a much heavier, wound string. Now it sounds good, but does'nt play very well. Any suggestions?

 

---

- If your 3rd string is buzzing or rattling only when played open , but doesn't rattle when fretted, it is most likely the 3rd string notch in your nut is too wide. Try putting a tiny bit of paper under the 3rd string in the notch in the nut, and see if the buzz goes away. Refiling the nut is a bit tricky; there are ways to fill the notch with and refile it, but unless you are pretty handy, you may need to have a luthier do it. Another option is to buy a new nut and fit it yourself--if you are handy.

 

---

This is the problem, yes. When fretted it sounds fine, but open it almost roars. Hadn't thought of the piece of paper solution yet, but I will try immediately.

Thank you very much Dave

ccriderc - Posted - 07/09/2011:  19:32:14

I'm new; have only been learning/practicing for a short time.  I am trying to play and change chords at the same time I am doing my finger picking and it obviously just takes time and a lot of practice.  I will certainly get together with others as soon as possible.  I do have some help so I expect I will learn eventually, but in the meantime I am having fun with it.  ccrider

Peanutscreams - Posted - 07/14/2011:  18:32:24

Excited to announce after two months I can now say with confidence that I know all fingering positions by ear to four songs! "Banjo In The Hollow" "John Hardy" "Cripple Creek" & "FMB". Now I don't know the high part to "FMB": nor am I saying I can play these four songs cleanly, yet. (Except "Banjo In The Hollow" that one is really simple), But pick them I can. I am very pleased of myself and I  wanted to share this with other beginners because I really had doubts about my ability to accomplish this. I kept reading the number one advice from all experienced players which was "Practice - Practice - Practice" So, I practiced every day for at least an hour. I may have missed three days out of the two months. Am excited about where I may be in another two months. My thanks to those in this forum that have helped me thus far, because frustration was really sitting in at times. Special thanks to Rob Bourassa here in the Banjo Hangout for his YouTube videos, and also to Murphy and Casey Henry of "The Murphy Method".

Butch B.

Edited by - Peanutscreams on 07/14/2011 18:42:28

Jazz Country - Posted - 07/15/2011:  05:09:12

Butch - congrats on making so much progress in just a couple of months. Once we become doggedly persistent the sky is the limit!

Larry

Peanutscreams - Posted - 07/15/2011:  09:53:53

Thank you Larry. You know, when I first took up this challenge I kept hearing folks say "If I could do it, anyone could do it" Well, I figured I was an exception to that cliche' because anyone who knows me would agree I am all thumbs and no ears when it comes to anything involving any kind of a musical instrument. Ha- so now I can safely say to anyone else considering pickin banjo: "If I can do this, believe me, anyone who has the true desire and patience to practice, can also learn this. Thanks again.

Butch B.

buttermilk - Posted - 07/15/2011:  19:24:10

quote:

---

Originally posted by Peanutscreams

Excited to announce after two months I can now say with confidence that I know all fingering positions by ear to four songs! "Banjo In The Hollow" "John Hardy" "Cripple Creek" & "FMB". Now I don't know the high part to "FMB": nor am I saying I can play these four songs cleanly, yet. (Except "Banjo In The Hollow" that one is really simple), But pick them I can. I am very pleased of myself and I  wanted to share this with other beginners because I really had doubts about my ability to accomplish this. I kept reading the number one advice from all experienced players which was "Practice - Practice - Practice" So, I practiced every day for at least an hour. I may have missed three days out of the two months. Am excited about where I may be in another two months. My thanks to those in this forum that have helped me thus far, because frustration was really sitting in at times. Special thanks to Rob Bourassa here in the Banjo Hangout for his YouTube videos, and also to Murphy and Casey Henry of "The Murphy Method".

Butch B.

---

Wow ! I've only been playing for 3 weeks and still fighting with cripple creek. I know I am brand new to this but that sounds like a lot of progress in such a little time. Kudos to you and keep up the good work.

Bretty Bear - Posted - 07/15/2011:  21:41:16

Hey all,

I just started playing 2 days ago. I'm such a newbie I accidentally tuned my banjo to all sharp notes and wondered why it sounded terrible... figured out my own mistake this morning lol. :P

Fingers are definitely sore but I'm loving the playing and the sound of it. Just about have "Bile Dem Cabbage" down, starting to work on Cripple Creek!

-Brett

sam-i-am - Posted - 07/16/2011:  10:18:11

Hi, gang. I have been practicing hard while my teacher is on his summer tour. I have Tom Dooley, Go Tell Aunt Rhody, and Cripple Creek down but can't play them fast yet. I have large hands so I'm working on chords learning how to place my fingers on the strings without muting the adjacent ones. I can almost fret the B and G strings on the fifth fret (C) with one finger.



I have the Square and Forward/Backward rolls down so I don't have to think about them. Interestingly, I will find myself transitioning between them unintentionally. I can do all of the stuff you need to know; rolls, chords, pull offs, hammer ons, slides, etc. but not in a song at normal speed. I don't know if this will ever come as old as I am but I'm sure gonna try hard.



For those who haven't seen my earlier posts, I am 67 years old and got a new banjo from my wife for Christmas. I had never played any musical instrument before. I work in another state, and she visits for a period time through the year. When she went home, I started playing it in March after I found an instructor. I have Blue Grass Junction on my XM/Sirious radio that goes all of the time.



Pick on, Sam

Edited by - sam-i-am on 07/16/2011 10:19:18

Peanutscreams - Posted - 07/16/2011:  12:34:27

Pick on Sam, and Brett,

I do remember reading your post Sam earlier on about your Christmas gift, glad to hear your still at it dude. I also have the big hands and am still muting other strings at times, but not anywhere near as bad as I was two months ago, don't know exactly how the improvement happened, as I know there has been no shrinkage in the aforementioned, but thankfully it does get better. I kept telling myself I know my hands aren't as big and fat as Roy Clarks, so if he can hit those chords and notes, so can I. Brett, your fingers will be sore for quite awhile, then become hardened and numb. Don't know for sure yet if the numbness will go away, but for me, being able to enjoy this banjo is well worth a little bit of finger numbness.

Butch B.