Lately I've been jamming regularly with a guitar and bass player and we are having allot of fun and I think it will turn into a little group.And that is scary because although I am learning a few new tunes and I am learning how to improvise , I just picked up Rocky Top the other day,and my back up stuff is getting better but my breaks are hit or miss which scares me , also tunes I used to be good at and haven't played in a while are very rough. I do practice almost everyday but most of the time I am tired and don't have much speed, I usually am better on the weekends when we jam. I guess what I am saying is when it is time to do an open mic night I don't know what is going to come out of this Banjo? The good Elvis or the Bad! I am scared out of my mind thinking about it.I have been playing the Banjo for a little over three years now and I guess if I could have looked into a glass ball back then I wouldn't imagine I would ever even be able to play this thing. I did play Guitar all my life but never finger picking I guess at almost fifty years old the fingers don't always go that fast, I don't think I will ever be that good but the instrument is addicting,is this all common for most Banjo players starting out am I on the right path? Maybe it is time for a Banjo lesson. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
10 Comments |
 | BanjoJeff says:
11/20/2013 10:59:27 AM
I usually try to have several easy tunes to start off with, whether I'm practicing by myself or jamming with others. That allows me to get flowing good and makes for a more successful performance. I find if I try to start off on something more difficult I end up getting off to a bad start that is hard to recover from. I recommend establishing a list of songs and start with the easiest ones first, building up to the more intricate ones later. That goes for your practice list and performance list if there is a difference between the two. I have built up about a 40 song list of backing tracks in itunes that I can play along with whenever I practice, pausing in the middle to work stuff that I need to work on and carving out time for learning new songs if needed. I always play at least the first 5 or 6 songs before stopping to work on something else. By that time I have usually gotten my flow, timing, and attack nice and smooth. I have much more success with that system than when I just try to jump into something more challenging. Hope that helps.
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 | Mario Rimoldi says:
11/20/2013 11:34:16 AM
Thanks Jeff, I have to remember to stick with basics before jumping all around.
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| BanjoJeff says:
11/20/2013 11:53:01 AM
I usually try to have several easy tunes to start off with, whether I'm practicing by myself or jamming with others. That allows me to get flowing good and makes for a more successful performance. I find if I try to start off on something more difficult I end up getting off to a bad start that is hard to recover from. I recommend establishing a list of songs and start with the easiest ones first, building up to the more intricate ones later. That goes for your practice list and performance list if there is a difference between the two. I have built up about a 40 song list of backing tracks in itunes that I can play along with whenever I practice, pausing in the middle to work stuff that I need to work on and carving out time for learning new songs if needed. I always play at least the first 5 or 6 songs before stopping to work on something else. By that time I have usually gotten my flow, timing, and attack nice and smooth. I have much more success with that system than when I just try to jump into something more challenging. Hope that helps.
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| BanjoJeff says:
11/20/2013 11:53:27 AM
I usually try to have several easy tunes to start off with, whether I'm practicing by myself or jamming with others. That allows me to get flowing good and makes for a more successful performance. I find if I try to start off on something more difficult I end up getting off to a bad start that is hard to recover from. I recommend establishing a list of songs and start with the easiest ones first, building up to the more intricate ones later. That goes for your practice list and performance list if there is a difference between the two. I have built up about a 40 song list of backing tracks in itunes that I can play along with whenever I practice, pausing in the middle to work stuff that I need to work on and carving out time for learning new songs if needed. I always play at least the first 5 or 6 songs before stopping to work on something else. By that time I have usually gotten my flow, timing, and attack nice and smooth. I have much more success with that system than when I just try to jump into something more challenging. Hope that helps.
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| BanjoJeff says:
11/20/2013 11:54:29 AM
You're welcome. Not sure why my comment posted 3 times though.
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 | TL says:
11/20/2013 2:32:58 PM
We've all been there. Keep practicing. Keep going to jams. Watch and listen to others. Seek out players on the same level and everybody will have a good time. Don't sweat making mistakes.
And you'll find that there will be GOOD banjo days and BAD banjo days, too! When I'm having a good day, I play the hell out of it. On a bad day, I just work in basement. Enjoy the trip.
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| Mario Rimoldi says:
11/20/2013 2:52:30 PM
Thanks Tim
I figured it was all part of the process. Happy Thanksgiving.
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 | Squatty Body says:
11/20/2013 6:37:10 PM
Mario, I don't think Earl's fingers slowed down until he was about 55! :)
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 | PapaSapps says:
3/6/2014 8:08:45 AM
if you are going to play certain songs for a performance, LEARN your solo, dont improvise it. Practice the same solo over and over until it just becomes part of the song. That'll make those breaks just be routine and only the Good Elvis can show his face.
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| Mario Rimoldi says:
3/6/2014 4:19:44 PM
Thanks Pappa, yeah it's been a few months now playing in a regular group and my breaks and back up are getting better, thanks for your input.
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