Student Of The Banjo

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The Practice Group

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For/to help beginners/improvers indulging in deliberate practice to improve their banjo playing. An open group.

88 Members, Created 11/6/2017 -

Administrators: AndyW (owner) , Boadicea , WayneConrad

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From pickn5 on 11/7/2017 7:28:04 AM

Since taking up learning to play bluegrass banjo six years ago at 62, I've realized that I should have started at 2. The more you learn, the more there is to learn. I will always be a student of the banjo. Picking this 5 string is so interesting and fun. If it wasn't fun, what would be the point! I'm hoping to get and give some good advice in this group.Keep picking.

4 Comments
	WayneConrad says: 11/8/2017 4:52:02 AM Welcome, to the practice group, Jeff. I agree with everything you wrote. What an amazing thing the banjo is, and how fortunate we are who take it up.
	Dai Evans says: 11/8/2017 5:38:34 PM After using a variety of sources for a couple of years I realized that I had lost focus and made less progress than I expected, at 64 I did not expect outstanding progress. Last year I started Skype lessons focusing on Scruggs as Hong Kong is too far for personal lessons more than once a year. Result, outstanding. The lesson for me is get lessons and focus one style, don't dip into too many resources as there are too many and you get lost. My melodic style has also improved as a consequence.
	gone2k9z says: 11/13/2017 12:15:30 PM I'm one year up on you, Jeff. Started learning 4 months ago, the day after I turned 69. I agree that starting to learn Bluegrass banjo at 2 would have been a good idea. I'm totally hooked on this music, and have learned a lot, most importantly, patience, which is not my strong suit. Friends told me that learning to play the banjo is a very difficult. "Like patting your head & rubbing your tummy at the same time", as one put it. I compare learning songs to sewing a quilt. One square (roll/measure) at a time. Learn each lick separately, perfecting it, then stitching the components together. Again, patience is a must! Oh, and go slowly! Thanks to this wonderful group for the encouragement, tips, and humor. No completed quilt yet, but it's coming along! Yes, I do believe this dog might learn some new tricks.
	Appalachian says: 2/4/2018 5:25:41 AM Hi ya’ll. I’m PJ. I never played any type of instrument until 1.5 years ago. I started to learn the Irish tin whistle. I’m still going strong at it. Taking lessons from Jet Willis. However, I’ve always loved the sound of the banjo. So just 6 months ago at 60 years of age I bought a 5 string. The first couple of months I used Geoff Hohwalds Banjo primer book. Then I took a few Skype lessons with Bill Nesbit. Now I take lessons with Gina Clowes out of Winchester VA. 2 months after picking up my 5 string I purchased a 4 string tenor. I take lessons for that online at the Online Accademy For Irish Music! I also have a full time rotating shift job! I still find time to practice all 3 instruments everyday, and loving it. Anyway, this is my first post in the banjo hangout. It’s good to be here. I love the banjo!
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