Advice, please (new banjo - wants lessons)

Subject: Advice, please
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 Jul 26 - 07:08 PM

My cousin Lee had a birthday a week ago yesterday. One of his kids presented him with (wait for it) — a five string banjo!

Lee wants to learn to pluck around on it. Since he is 72, this won’t be easy. I warned him that even as a retired cop he can be arrested for bad banjo playing, he still wants to go ahead.

Any suggestions as to how he can start this quest?

Subject: RE: Advice, please
From: gillymor
Date: 27 Jul 26 - 09:39 PM

How to Play Clawhammer Banjo in 8 Essential Steps – Josh Turknett

Subject: RE: Advice, please
From: The Sandman
Date: 27 Jul 26 - 09:58 PM

has he played any other stringed instrument?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qww1qFlhQ6c

Subject: RE: Advice, please (new banjo - wants lessons)
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 27 Jul 26 - 10:26 PM

Pick Ing is difficult to master at Any Age.

I suggest:
Open Tuning
1..4..5 chords
Strum

Simple tunes/songs you know/like (master four by New Year)
Sincerely,
Gargoyle

HAVE FUN !

Subject: RE: Advice, please (new banjo - wants lessons)
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 27 Jul 26 - 10:31 PM

Instructor for first five lessons will certainly increase the pleasure.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

You are in for a joyful journey.

Subject: RE: Advice, please (new banjo - wants lessons)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 29 Jul 26 - 03:24 AM

I had a new banjo once, but I'm better now.

Subject: RE: Advice, please (new banjo - wants lessons)
From: The Sandman
Date: 29 Jul 26 - 03:44 AM

Picking is not difficult, if you allocate time... and practice right hand picking on its own, without fretting the left hand, to start practice thumb down, first finger, up on alternate strings.
if you think something is difficult you will never get it, it is rather like doing the long jump in sport, you set yourself achievable goals and increase gradually, learning is partly about having a positive mind set

Subject: RE: Advice, please (new banjo - wants lessons)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Aug 26 - 07:49 PM

In another Mudcat thread is a discussion of banjo clawhammer style for your cousin's listening and watching pleasure.

Subject: RE: Advice, please (new banjo - wants lessons)
From: keberoxu
Date: 07 Sep 26 - 02:16 PM

what about Pete Seeger's manual on playing the banjo?

Subject: RE: Advice, please (new banjo - wants lessons)
From: gillymor
Date: 07 Sep 26 - 04:13 PM

That's how I got started. Pete explored a number of styles in it, so if you're not sure which way you want to go it might be a good jumping off point. Mike Seeger did a video for Homespun titled Old Time Banjo Styles which was also a big help.

Subject: RE: Advice, please (new banjo - wants lessons)
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 07 Sep 26 - 10:49 PM

My brother began with the Scruggs lesson book.
He got pretty darn good.
His wife made him quit.
Sincerely,
Gargoyle

. I liked the Scruggs because tune/words/chords were printed ... accordian fit right in.

Subject: RE: Advice, please (new banjo - wants lessons)
From: gillymor
Date: 08 Sep 26 - 06:35 AM

"A gentleman is someone who knows how to play the banjo and doesn't."
— Mark Twain

Subject: RE: Advice, please (new banjo - wants lessons)
From: Pappy Fiddle
Date: 14 Sep 26 - 11:26 PM

The banjo is the clown of the band. It's impossible to stay depressed if there's a banjo bein' played within earshot. That's all the wisdom I know about that.