Richard Dress Says:
Sunday, May 15, 2011 @6:53:18 PM

Tony, you are in a pretty good place for just three years. You have a good right hand and a good left hand and you can work them together. You know the basics. There is only one skill that you need to bring up to spec and that is 'control'. Fix that and bang! suddenly you will a good banjo player.

Your bio doesn't say it but, I guess you are not a musician already on a fretted instrument, right? Alcohol helps. Dancing naked with the wife will take you far. Take a video of yourself and see if you are loose or tight.

tonywnj Says:
Monday, May 16, 2011 @6:17:28 PM

I play bass, I strum guitar and I play mando. So yes, I do play other fretted instruments. What do you mean that I need to "fix that bang"? I got rid of the books and tabs, as you suggested. I learned 2 songs in a matter of 2 hours. Now, mind you, I'm basic at them. But, I started to sound like a banjo player and a smile came upon my face. I am basing myself from TIM forward roll and once in while I'm throwing little licks here and there. My roll is a lot stronger by doing this. I'm getting more confident. Not to mention, while playing these songs, I'm having fun. I'm not bringing up a memorized function for my hands to execute on my banjo. Really, I'm having a great time.

Richard Dress Says:
Monday, May 16, 2011 @6:56:32 PM

You are even closer than I thought. It sounds like you are on the right track now. I always stress rhythm because you can never overdo rhythm skills--that's where the most fun is found. Also, realize that you can be as good a banjo player as you want to be, because it's going to get easier and easier from this point on.

tonywnj Says:
Monday, May 16, 2011 @8:14:04 PM

Well Richard, I do hope that you are right and it does get easier. I read the Manual recently and things seem to make more sense this time. So, I'm going to keep with it. I did see an improvement already. I'm glad that you made it available.

About what you said before about being loose or tight, I know what you mean. Lately I have been catching myself tightening up because I think I have been playing faster than my skill therefore making it sound like crap. The 2 songs that I have learned, as mentioned above, Uncle Pen and Salty Dog. The BPM are at a speed that I can handle. With that, it allows for a little embellishing with out jacking up my timing just trying to keep up. That's why I think it is the method for me. I'll keep you posted on any new uploads for you to critique. I welcome it.