Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

New banjo-new learner

#1

I decided to take up the banjo because it has always fascinated me and I needed something to keep my mind sharp. I am not disappointed! I’ve played guitar for many years, but the banjo is a whole new animal.
But I love it. I became a Gold Pick member in Feb. , best lessons ever!
I began on an old Fender beginner banjo, but this last week I purchased a new Gold Tone OB 150RF from Banjo Ben. What a difference! The action is unbelievable and the tone just jumps out there! I still have a long, long way to go and may never be a fast banjo player, but I am loving every minute of it.
Bob

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#2

Hello Robert. This is inspiring to read! The famous 5-string is a different animal (fingerstyle picking vs strumming) but fun to play. Because learning does take a little work, it’s always nice to work on a song that you like. This makes practice time seem like less work. I’ve found the BB Clark lessons here to be a virtual gold-mine of fun songs to learn & play. Also…I’ve found that the banjo fingerpicking skills transfers quite easily to fingerstyle guitar. Happy Picking!

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#3

Hi Timothy welcome to @BanjoBen 's Forum. Let me just say as a fellow banjo player you made a wise choice in becoming a Gold Pick Member. Learning to play banjo may seem easy at first glance but as you become more skilled the challenge going forward will become so much steeper. Take your time enjoy your journey and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Everyone here is on the same path and we want you to succeed just as much as we want to succeed ourselves.

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#4

Thanks for the encouragement!!! having a blast

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#5

Thank you. It is challenging but so much fun!

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#6

Hey Robert, great to hear about your experience. Last month, I finally decided to start the beginner’s learning track and having a blast learning lesson by lesson. I’ve done frailing for years and love it, but am really enjoying this style. Sounds like the new banjo really made a difference, too.

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#7

Love the challenge of learning the banjo. It seems as if I will be on the beginner track for ages!!!
I find the biggest problem is playing along with the MP3 tracks. I can play the piece fine, even if it is slow, but when I try to play along with the guitar accompaniment, I’m all over the place! Very frustrating. I’ve layed guitar for years and still do in church, but this banjo timing is tying me in knots!

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#8

Hey Bob!
Don’t stress. Just know it takes time and consistency. Keep pickin!

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#9

Hi @2Timothy4 let me reassure you your not alone when it comes to playing along with the MP3 files I struggle at times with this too. The best way I have found to practice with the MP3 files is to download them and use an MP3 Player like Audacity to adjust the tempo to a speed I feel comfortable with. I often set up a loop so I don’t have to stop and start the player my focus then is all on playing the banjo

I also much prefer to practice using the TAB TEF Files - You can download TefView and Audacity for free.

You don’t say how long you have been playing banjo but looking back at my own experience It took me about two maybe three years before I started to get a real feel for playing. Progress is slow in the beginning, there will be lots of highs and lows stick at it and follow @BanjoBen 's learning path and you will begin to surprise yourself of what you can achieve.

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#10

Thanks, Archie, for the heads up on audacity. I’ve been struggling with one song that’s way too fast for me but this will help.

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#11

Robert. Archie’s statement here is an important one. It’s wise to run through the basic knowledge lessons in order to not pick up any naughty habits such as flyaway index finger, pull-off, hammer on, slide technique or other finger habits. These can be very difficult to remove after you’ve been playing a few years. Believe me I know from personal experience :slightly_smiling_face:. Happy picking!

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#12

Thanks Archie. I’ve been playing for about 6 months. It’s good to know that I am not alone in this!

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#13

Thanks. I’ve been slowly working my way through the course! It can be frustrating at times, but it’s still alot of fun.

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