Took a Private Lesson...

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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 Junior_co on 3/8/2018 12:13:39 PM

So, after plucking on new (to me) banjo for ~ 6 weeks, I found my self a little "bored"... Found myself just practicing the same things over and over but not really getting anywhere... I can switch between the open G, D7, and C chords. I can pluck bum-dit-y through them but it's not pretty. I've worked on striking each string with the thumb pluck and slight variations of all these, but I've been doing these randomly (as I said, not feeling like I'm getting anywhere) and not knowing what direction to go....

So Yesterday, I filled in with a 30 min Private Lesson (while I wait for the next beginner Claw hammer group lesson).... He showed me a scale to work on, showed me Twinkle Twinkle Little Start so I had a song to play through, and a random Bum-Dit-y. All of these have me working on striking Strings 1-3 in a pattern so hopefully, added to what I've been (and will continue to) doing.

On top of the new "Exercises" he also was impressed with what I was able to do, and said I didn't have any real issues with what he saw in my playing

Just thought I'd share

Junior

7 Comments
	WayneConrad says: 3/8/2018 12:22:10 PM I know what it's like to feel like getting nowhere. Getting an instructor is how I also dealt with that. Thanks for sharing.
	Banjojono says: 3/8/2018 1:32:47 PM 6 weeks is nothing really so don't get disheartened. Its easy to lose heart and feel dissapointed that things are not progressing fast enough. I've been learning blue grass for 18 months and it's only now I feel I'm getting somewhere. It's a matter of programming your brain to remember the finger patterns until it's subconsciously tattooed on the brain if you like. A bit like driving and not even having to think about where your feet go on the pedals. Personal I found rather than practise patterns (which get boring) learn tunes that have these patterns. The problem us learners have is, we see these great players all over YouTube etc, it's easy to forget a lot of these great players began learning as children and have decades of experience. We can't compete with that. However we can just enjoy playing, and you will definitely improve over time. Enjoy your banjo and stick with it.
	Boadicea says: 3/8/2018 4:22:05 PM Hey Junior, it is great that you found a banjo teacher that was in tune with you, and supportive of your banjo playing journey. I have a great teacher, and I take my hat off to other people. I don't know how people do it without a teacher! Sounds like you got some good tips and strategies, and I look forward to reading more of you as time goes on!
	Judith511 says: 3/9/2018 3:11:47 AM That sounds great. I have been contemplating seeing if I can find a good teacher around here. Maybe I would make more progress. :)
	Junior_co says: 3/9/2018 9:17:51 AM Judith, I say do so! I found one at a local music lesson type hall for $28/30min. And like I said, he gave me a few exercises that let me feel like I'm working on something new and with a "direction" instead of the aimless plucking I felt like I was doing!
	AndyW says: 3/13/2018 3:37:48 PM Get yourself 'Clawhammer Banjo From Scratch'. For a few dollars you'll get 6 months of useage and a great grounding.
	Junior_co says: 3/13/2018 4:23:21 PM AndyW, I just came in the mail the other day actually.... Now I just need to break it open and see where that rabbit hole leads.
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