After reading this thread I had to stop and think back for the past two years. I picked up a Banjo for the first time two years ago. Now lets face it, there is nothing worse to listen to then a beginner on any instrument trying to learn something foreign like music when there is absolutely no former training in anything but boats and airplanes.

I sit in my den and play (I think thats what I do) she sits in the living room and watches the boob tube. She actually comes in and tells me I'm doing good, or better and encourages me. I know darn well that I practice just like the Irish Sargent, plink plink plink plank plunk and a string of @#$%^*())__)_(*&^%$## because the hand doesnt get to the chord position necessary and the neighborhood cat just left the neighborhood. But in two years I sure have been lucky,

Dan