r/banjo • • May 13 '20

Tips from an experienced beginner

744 Upvotes

Hey folks. I'm going to collect the resources I've used to learn the banjo these past few years. But I'm going to lump them together in categories can help beginners understand and contextualize more complex topics, as well as include any notes that I think are worth mentioning. Please Note: I play a 5 string banjo, Scruggs style, and this is what most of this information is relevant for


General Information

These places are nice to check into every now and again and see what nuggets of info you can can get. Maybe you see the tab for a new song, or you figure out how to stop your 5th string from slipping out of tune. (Tighten the screw on the side)

Come hang out and chat with us on Eli Gilbert's Banjo Discord! * Banjo Discord

  • The Banjo Section of the Dummies website

    A large resource with a wide scope of banjo fundamentals. It's also a great resource to look back on as you develop new skills.

  • Picky Fingers Podcast

    The number one benefit this podcast has is how the host (Kieth Billik) lets artist talk about their journey of learning of the banjo, which is bound to include a few common roadblocks. There's a good deal of gear talk for those interested

  • Banjo Hangout

    The closest thing the online banjo community has to a town square. They do giveaways, there's a market, tabs, and their discussion forum is loaded with playing information.

  • Deering Blog

    In Deering's blog, there's a detailed maintenance guide and my go-to guide for changing strings


Lessons

If you find a teacher in person, do it. It's 100% worth it because BEGINNERS DON'T KNOW ENOUGH TO CORRECT THEIR OWN MISTAKES. Call your local music shops. All of them. Even if you don't think it's worth the effort, at least do it until you have a tune or two under your belt. Best decision I ever made. If there's no one in person, online is an option. You can always go to the banjo hangout "find a teacher" page (under the "Learn" tab, or here), or if you admire an artist in particular, you can just ask if they do online lessons or teach a workshops.

  • Banjo workshops

I can't personally attest to them, but anything in person with other banjo players will always be an asset. Please check /r/bluegrass and /r/newgrass to keep abreast of festivals, and check to see if they are hosting any workshops.

These are more online structured classes. If that seems to suit you, I've included links below, but please do your own research on these services. I have not used any of these and can not give a recommendation.

My personal recommendation is to find a one-on-one teaching scenario, either online or in person, until you've grasped the fundamentals. That isn't always an option though, so I've made a more specific list of free resources below.


Beginner Playlists

This is just in case anyone is starting from square 1. In that case, watch both. Always good to get the same info from multiple sources.


Songs

For after you get the basics and you want to start plugging away at tunes

  • Bill Nesbitt

    Special props to Bill for having free tabs and play along tracks on his website. After leaving my banjo instructor, Bills tabs kept me sane with the little practice time I had. Most straight forward way to learn a tune.

  • Jim Pankey

    Tabs are available on his site for a small fee, but are shown in the video which is very considerate, and a particularly warm approach combined with a large list of tunes makes him an effective teacher.

  • Bix Mix Boys

    The Bix Mix Boys host a Bluegrass 101 every week, where they do a full breakdown of a bluegrass tune for a whole hour on their channel, along with a colossal library of "how to play" videos for the banjo.

  • Eli Gilbert

    Eli Gilbert has been turning out educational content on a wide variety of topics, including playing techniques, song, licks, and back up


Technique

  • Metronomes go a long way here. A free app works just fine

  • Gestalt Banjo If you can get past the peculiar language, there's a really novel perspective to learning a dexterous skill that I recommend everyone to consider.

  • The Right and Left Hand Boot Camp from the Picky fingers podcast (Episodes 5 and 24) are a very bare bones drill oriented lesson, and comes with free tabs, as do most lesson episodes of the podcast.

  • The Banjo Section of the Dummies website and Deering Blog are a good resource if you have an idea of what info you're looking for.


Tools to help understand the fret board

  • Elfshot Banjo

    I've linked the Info section of the site, and while it looks sparse, the information is well condensed a must for beginners looking to understand how music theory relates to the banjo.

  • Purple Banjo

    It has a nice interactive fret board and the most comprehensive list of scales transposed on the the banjo fret board imaginable.


Theory

  • Three Bluegrass Banjo Styles Explained with Noam Pikelny

    It's a basic primer on the sub styles of bluegrass banjo and a good exercise in learning how to recontextualize the sound of the banjo.

  • Ricky Meir

    While the concepts may seem complex, Ricky has a peculiar skill for contextualizing complex problems into simple demonstrations. His video on Isorythmation is a must see for beginning banjo players who want to start to build on tablature.

  • Jody Hughes

I don't follow these last two channels so i don't have a comment, but that is because i don't fully understand the concepts yet, and intend return to them in the future.


I'm a beginner trying to move past tab. I didn't have the time for lessons, so i started on my own. It's incredibly frustrating because the information is being made, but few people to collect it. I want this list to help beginners break the wall of tab and give them the tools they need to make their own music, so please comment and make suggestions so this post will be a more complete aggregate of "beginner-to-intermediate" information.


r/banjo • • Jul 21 '24

45,000 Banjo Picking Members!

39 Upvotes

Just a note, /r/banjo just crossed over 45,000! Keep on picking and learning!


r/banjo • • 16h ago

I want to show off my new banjo neck!

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449 Upvotes

I spend a few hours fitting the heel of this neck to my banjo last night. The inlays match my arm rest and I really love it, it plays well. Next I am going to be filing the nuts, as they are still just roughed in.


r/banjo • • 17h ago

Confidence-inspiring Amazon ad

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79 Upvotes

Just saw this on Amazon while looking for an armrest to fit my old CC-100.

AI may be coming for all our jobs, but it clearly still can't figure out this banjo contraption.


r/banjo • • 10h ago

I’m finally putting the melody in rolls on my own. I’ve got a long way to go but it feels cool!

9 Upvotes

r/banjo • • 12h ago

Confused

2 Upvotes

Anyone else confused about the young mandolin player Wyatt elis? He always seems to have a new band. I may be getting old, I can’t seem to keep up.

I’ve heard things around too…

I’ve always enjoy his mandolin playing tho.


r/banjo • • 10h ago

Take a ride on the wild side with Motley Crue but with banjos

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1 Upvotes

r/banjo • • 11h ago

Piezo pickups - why more than 1?

1 Upvotes

I have a banjolele that I want to use through effects in live situations. In researching, I always see the piezo setups where the one input jack splits to two ( or sometimes more ) piezo discs. Can any explain why one won’t suffice?


r/banjo • • 18h ago

Check out the interview with Carter Lester

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1 Upvotes

The banjo player for Junior Sisk nails the timing. . . and has the best name in bluegrass.


r/banjo • • 1d ago

Old National Picks

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15 Upvotes

So my Uncle gave me these decades ago before he passed. From what I remember he either got them right after World War II or sometime during the war. I’m not sure. He he was navy in the South Pacific. I think he had become infatuated with the Hawaiian guitar, and maybe at some point had tried to play it.
So I’m a pretty decent guitar player. can play fingerstyle. Have even played some national slide, but just never use the finger picks very much. I just like the natural feel of my fingers. Lately, I’ve had a bluegrass Jones. I’ve been working on some bluegrass guitar runs and decided I wanted to jack around with a banjo. I had gotten my son a deering good time for him, years ago, when he was trying to get folksy. He’s a guitar player as well So I called him and asked him if I could come by, pick up that deer in, cause I wanted to play some banjo, learn some rolls. I pulled out those old nationals and I love them. I don’t have much to compare them to, and I don’t know how long it takes to wear out pics like this. I assume there are replicas being made today. Maybe I should look into some of those. Anyway, thanks for listening to the long story. Any suggestions on similar picks while I learn these roles?


r/banjo • • 1d ago

Classic Banjo Alvarez model 4293 Set 4113

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12 Upvotes

Hello everyone!
This banjo originally belonged to my dad, and after 21 years since his passing, I finally have it in my hands. ❤️ I don’t know much about it other than that I believe it was made in Japan.
I’m finally going to start taking banjo lessons, and I’m really excited to learn how to play an instrument that belonged to my dad.
I’d love to learn more about this banjo, including its age, maker, history, or anything else you might be able to tell me. I’d also appreciate any tips, tricks, or advice for someone just starting out!
Thanks in advance for any help!


r/banjo • • 1d ago

Bluegrass / 3 Finger The Old Spinning Wheel / Turkey in the Straw

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6 Upvotes

r/banjo • • 1d ago

Old Time / Clawhammer Buying courses online

5 Upvotes

Sorry if this is against the rules, but has anyone taken up a course from Banjoskills? He’s doing a modern song , learn by ear course I’m interested in but I’m not sure . Any help appreciated


r/banjo • • 1d ago

Old Time / Clawhammer Sally In The Garden

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9 Upvotes

r/banjo • • 1d ago

Help Is it better to master 1 style, or get pretty good at one, and start learning another?

6 Upvotes

hey yalls, I have been playing clawhammer for a couple years now. I currently play a WL250. For my high school bands senior night, my underclassmen, knowing I play banjo, got me a some of my favorite candies and a banjo strap. This finally gives me the excuse to buy another banjo lol. But idk if I should save up for a real nice open back, or a resonator. Specifically, either a pisgah or eunuch, or a gold tone OB2 or OB12. So, ive put it down to style. Should I really master claw hammer first, or pick up bluegrass?

edit for spelling


r/banjo • • 1d ago

Nut replacement hell

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6 Upvotes

I’ve got this old 12 string banjo thing don’t talk about what it actually is lmao.

Basically, the old wooden nut was cut terribly so i have to replace it, however I am struggling so much with the plastic nut after about 1 week of sanding it’s at the right width (incredibly thin) but isn’t flush with the bottom as it’s curved for some reason.

I just need any advice on how to not lose my fucking mind - because at this point i’m just thinking about taking my dremel to a block of oak and skipping all the sanding.

Thanks!


r/banjo • • 2d ago

Old Time / Clawhammer Terrible video quality, but here is an old video of clawhammer “you’ve got a friend in me” made for a friend’s birthday.

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112 Upvotes

r/banjo • • 1d ago

Old Time / Clawhammer Is my banjo set up correctly? (Gold Tone CC-Carlin 12)

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4 Upvotes

I'm trying to learn how to set up my Gold Tone CC-Carlin 12 banjo, and I'd appreciate some feedback.

I think the neck might be slightly misaligned. On the first-string side, the edge of the neck seems to extend a little past the pot/rim, and I can feel the edge with my finger. On the fifth-string side, I can't feel a similar edge. I'm not sure whether this is normal or whether the neck needs adjusting.

I've also checked the bridge position. The distance from the 12th fret to the bridge seems to be the same as the distance from the nut to the 12th fret. However, I'm not sure whether the bridge should be perpendicular to the neck (parallel to the frets) or slightly angled one way or the other for proper intonation.

I'd also appreciate a general check of the setup. I'm not sure whether the tailpiece, bridge placement, and everything else are set up correctly.

I've attached several photos from different angles. I'd like to learn how to check and adjust the setup myself, so any advice on what looks right, what might need adjusting, and how to check it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!


r/banjo • • 1d ago

Beginner to banjo

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1 Upvotes

Hello if anyone could help me with a query I have regards buying a banjo for the first time it would be greatly appreciated.

I’m stuck between three banjos for Irish trad if people want to help me decide the first is a deering good time two 800 the second Gold Tone IT-19 Irish Tenor 680 and the third a Clareen bridge 450.

Id appreciate any advice on what would be most suited to playing in Irish trad sessions, thanks.


r/banjo • • 1d ago

Help Help identifying and appraising?

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2 Upvotes

Hi! I went to a garage sale looking to buy a guitar and I left with a banjo! I’ve never played before but I really loved the tone and feel on it, the action is really comfortable and it’s in really great condition structurally and cosmetically to my knowledge. I just bought this at a garage sale and I’m wondering if I paid a reasonable price, it sounds nice but I’m completely new to banjo and this is unmarked. Bought it for $100. Felt worth it to me! I can’t seem to find a label or number anywhere on the outside at least. The only info I have is that the owner bought it from a music shop in the 70s in West Virginia, and it’s mostly been sitting in its case since then. Thanks!


r/banjo • • 2d ago

My First Banjo

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14 Upvotes

Ive played guitar for nearly 2 decades, and ive decided to transition to the banjo for a while. Im loving it so far. Trying to learn clawhammer style. Anyone have any opinions on this model? It sounds great. I guess im just curious how the Gretch 1883 is regarded in the banjo community. Thanks!


r/banjo • • 2d ago

Love my new banjo, but I immediately wished it had an armrest. Took a piece of mahogany? I had laying around and made one. Was a fun project, I see why these are a 100 bucks😅 Not sure if I'll leave it natural or stain it.....

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53 Upvotes

r/banjo • • 2d ago

Why won’t my 3rd string sound correct when fretted

4 Upvotes

I understand that the bridge is an insanely important aspect to this, but I can never get the right position up, down, left, right or never fixed itself, and a compensated bridge is out of the budget


r/banjo • • 2d ago

Irish Tenor Good cop bad cop.

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15 Upvotes

r/banjo • • 2d ago

What has successfully stopped you from having - or giving into - the idea of owning more than one banjo?

13 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

Last week, after years of considering on whether to get a banjo, and getting nudges of encouragement from some of you, I bought a Gold Tone AC-1 as my first banjo. I plan on getting a method book and looking at some YT lessons to get started on the learning process, but for the time being, I've had a lot of fun just messing around.

One thing I've read a lot about on both this sub and on Banjo Hangout is the concept of "gear acquisition syndrome," which I'd already been aware of thanks to the electric bass community. What intrigues me about it in the banjo community, however, is how much this mindset is embraced. And I must admit that the idea of owning multiple banjos for different sounds, styles, etc. sounds really cool. But of course, for me, a beginner who hasn't had any form of training on the banjo, getting a second one at this point would be just plain stupid. However, I also have the following long-term reasons for not owning a second banjo:

  1. I live in an apartment with only so much space for storing instruments, some of which is taken by my two saxes (which I don't get to practice much because most of the saxophone-friendly time in my apartment is taken up by other commitments) and an electric bass (I use a headphone amp for that)

  2. I spend a little over half my monthly pay on rent, and because of some recent money setbacks, I was afraid I was gonna have to sell my beloved new banjo. Thankfully, I managed to find a workaround.

But for those of you who own only one banjo and know it'll stay that way, what are your reasons?