Let’s talk about getting our skills back on banjo after a long break! I haven’t played banjo in over 7 weeks at the recording of this lesson…I’d lost quite a bit. So, let’s discuss benchmarks and plans to regain what we once had.
https://banjobenclark.com/lessons/gettin-it-back-on-banjo-banjo-beginner
First, congratulations on your recovery so far,
Second, this is a unique, interesting and timely lesson. I have watched about half of it so far and it already has me thinking. As I’ve mentioned before on the forum, I played a lot of banjo in my younger days. I never got to a high skill level, but I could hold my own. I stopped playing for years due to family, work and life in general. Late last year, after retirement, I decided to start back up.
The road back is definitely rocky. I’d use the analogy of a knife that has gotten rusty and dull. There is still a decent blade under there, but it takes a lot of work to get it cleaned up and sharpened again. Plus, rust will pit the blade and leave some permanent damage that can’t be recovered.
This site has been a God send for helping me get back to banjo. I started slow late last year, working through the beginner checklist. I’m currently stalled in the intermediate list, trying to tackle some stuff before moving on. Like they say in firearms training, “slow is fast” speed comes naturally after accuracy is achieved. Anyway, I’ve rambled too long, just wanted to share my thoughts on this. Funny thing is your “bad” Fireball Mail was way beyond my best.
Very informative. “Rocky Re-entry to Banjo”; that sounds like a song title and a song idea. Between @Firebelly starting on mandolin and this lesson and some of the other banjo videos, it almost makes me want to learn banjo. I bought a banjo, cheap banjo, many years ago, in the late 80s, that I messed around with some and tried to finger pick, with the finger picks, just on my own. I couldn’t get my fingers to work right so I gave up. I am not quite there yet, but I might try again, using the beginner banjo lessons. I still have lots of progress to make on mandolin, but even if it is slower splitting my time, the variety and since I don’t need to be in a hurry might be fun.