OK I got a banjo, NOW what do I do?

Subject: RE: OK I got a banjo, NOW what do I do?
From: Banjer
Date: 14 Mar 02 - 05:48 AM

Ah yes, Naemanson, you will indeed hear many jokes about banjo players. I myself collected a whole book of them so far and I know there are probably still enough out there to fill another volume!

As for advice, I can only say to enjoy whatever you decide to do with the banjo.

First you must decide which method you wish to play as your primary. Frailing is mine. Once you get comfortable with that method you may want to work in some upstroke and finger picking effects. I think the combination is neat.

I would venture to say that no two banjo players play in exactly the same way, and if you develop your own style then more power to you. I once had a teacher of music try to berate me for playing a mix of styles and I promptly told her that before Earl Scruggs' method became accepted and widespread it too would have been considered incorrect.

Most importantly, YOU have to enjoy what you play using whatever method YOU decide on and thge rest will fall into place!

Q. Which burns longer, a banjo or a bohran?

A. Who cares?

Subject: RE: OK I got a banjo, NOW what do I do?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 14 Mar 02 - 04:44 AM

"Now what do I do? "
Depends where you live, if it's in S Wales then move, otherwise just start playin'

Subject: RE: OK I got a banjo, NOW what do I do?
From: Jock Morris
Date: 14 Mar 02 - 04:25 AM

Oh hell, I hate myself for doing this, but I can't believe nobody has said it already in this thread: put it down on the road and drive over it several times:-)

Find someone who plays banjo already and get them to give you a few pointers; then it's down to practice, practice and more practice.

Scott

Subject: RE: OK I got a banjo, NOW what do I do?
From: greg stephens
Date: 14 Mar 02 - 03:02 AM

first, get the Pete Seeger book. Second, decide where you stand on the BIG question: is the plural of banjo banjos or banjoes?Third, sit on the porch and play Cripple Creek all day. You're up and away. And never mind the jokes: I play banjo and melodeon, I've heard them all and it hasn't killed me yet.

Subject: RE: OK I got a banjo, NOW what do I do?
From: Don Firth
Date: 14 Mar 02 - 02:54 AM

I heard an economist on NPR the other day say that a sure sign that we are heading into a recession is that there is a noticeable decrease in the purchase of men's underwear. He also said that there is a noticeable increase in the purchase of banjos. ??? !!!

(I''m not kidding! He actually said that!)

Don Firth

Subject: RE: OK I got a banjo, NOW what do I do?
From: Charcloth
Date: 13 Mar 02 - 11:59 PM

For bluegrass get Jack Hatfield's book & CD of "Bluegrass banjo Method". Pete Seeger's book is good for that style & for frailing try Eric Muller & Barbara Koehler's "Frailing the Five-String banjo"
Good luck Charcloth

Subject: RE: OK I got a banjo, NOW what do I do?
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Mar 02 - 11:48 PM

But hoe many is a bezillion??

Subject: RE: OK I got a banjo, NOW what do I do?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 13 Mar 02 - 11:44 PM

Ay John, together with a bezilllion others...

Jon

Subject: RE: OK I got a banjo, NOW what do I do?
From: GUEST,johnfrom Ulll
Date: 13 Mar 02 - 11:40 PM

Banjo People =Bill Sables, Jon Freeman & Mr Duck

Subject: RE: OK I got a banjo, NOW what do I do?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 13 Mar 02 - 11:37 PM

Nameanson,

There are different styles of banjo playing (and different types of banjo - 4 string tenor for me)... I'd suggest you set yourself a direction, e.g. bluegrass, oldtimey, etc and then see if people here can help you from there.

Jon

Subject: RE: OK I got a banjo, NOW what do I do?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 13 Mar 02 - 11:33 PM

Hi Naemanson,

I will also concur about the Pete Seegar book. But I would also recomend the Mel Bay Book on Frailing if that is the style you like.

Don

Subject: RE: OK I got a banjo, NOW what do I do?
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Mar 02 - 11:29 PM

"OK I got a banjo, NOW what do I do?"

Prepare yourself to be the butt end of 97,519 jokes and have the good taste not to play it on public (only 97,518 to go now).

Spaw

Subject: RE: OK I got a banjo, NOW what do I do?
From: 53
Date: 13 Mar 02 - 10:58 PM

Earl Scruggs has a few videos out now and I think that they would be a wise investment.

Subject: RE: OK I got a banjo, NOW what do I do?
From: Naemanson
Date: 13 Mar 02 - 10:18 PM

Gee Amos, how will that help me to learn... oh, I get it. Poor, poor, pitiful me. Professional banjo players (oxymoron alert!) are all picking on me (pun alert!).

Thanks Jeri, Rick sent me a personal message saying about the same thing about Pete Seeger's book. I guess I'll have to go buy one.

Subject: RE: OK I got a banjo, NOW what do I do?
From: Amos
Date: 13 Mar 02 - 07:29 PM

Ship it out here!! I('ll play it!!

A

Subject: RE: OK I got a banjo, NOW what do I do?
From: Jeri
Date: 13 Mar 02 - 07:05 PM

Pete Seeger's "How To Play the 5-String Banjo" is a good start. Lessons helped me a lot, because I could SEE what playing looked like.

Subject: OK I got a banjo, NOW what do I do?
From: Naemanson
Date: 13 Mar 02 - 06:56 PM

The secret is out, Charley knows about and is helping me buy a banjo. And I have a loaner banjo to use until I decide that's what I want to play.

But how do you play the damned thing? What are the best books and videos for a newcomer at the banjo biz? How do you tune it?

At least it has 5 strings and by lucky coincidence I have 5 fingers on each hand. Beyond that I am at a loss.