So the lad wants to be a banjo picker, eh?

I seem to recall there being some sort of medication available for that, but you might want to check with your Chemist just to make sure.
Some of the afflicted get over it quite on their own, while others do require drastic intervention.

Perhaps he could be introduced to the compellingly more melodious, sonorous and easier to learn Great Highland Bagpipes in stead?

Banjos are sort of like bagpipes, Moxie, and popular talk radio Host Rush Limbaugh (the latter two I don't expect you to be familiar with over there in the Auld Countrie); They certainly ain't for everybody!

Most people love 'em or they hate 'em; I've not known many to be really "iffy" about them.

The cruelest of "banjo jokes" might actually emanate from fellow Banjo Pickers themselves. We like to pick fun at ourselves and each other as much as anyone else, for the most part I think.

Like that "Peanuts" strip in Pete Seeger's book (which I never could quite fathom, although I bought mine back around 1965) where Charlie Brown says something to the effect of "Every baby upon birth should be issued a banjo".   Perhaps the World might be a happier place if we had more proficient banjo pickers in it.

We surely wouldn't be taking ourselves quite so seriously, I don't reckon.

For a really "different" banjo sound, check out the old style "Minstrel" banjo; usually fretless, gut (or nylon) strung, and tuned about 2 1/2 steps lower than the modern 5-string.

http://www.drhorsehair.com/

The Minstrels were quite popular over there in England during the latter part of the 19th into the early 20th centuries as well as back here in Ameri-kay.

Once learned a bit, the banjo is a delightful instrument. Well; to some it is, anyway.

I am still forbidden to play mine (or smoke my pipe) in the house.

The big house, that is...

Grand Opening of the Uncle Jaque Memorial Pavilion (Back House)