Just Bought A Banjo...

**Fandrew** · 03-19-2009, 09:48 PM

Didn't mean to pick one up until after tax refund came back, but I got a five string Oscar Schmidt for $120.

Now, how does one go about really learning to play the banjo? Any advice where to begin? I've gotten a few concepts down, but I wouldn't mind hearing more ideas.

Folk_guy · 03-20-2009, 02:50 PM

Pete Seeger has a book on Banjo playing called "How To Play The 5 String Banjo" that is excellent (I think there is a video to go with it now too). I would recommend you start with that.

gg7 · 03-21-2009, 02:04 PM

Even though I don't even have a banjo, I've had thoughts of getting one...so I've been checking out some videos on youtube. There's a lot of good stuff there.
Just one example, I like this guy's videos. I've been on the EZ Folk website quite a few times. It has some great beginner stuff for at least a few different instruments.
I watched one of his clawhammer banjo videos last night (bum ditty). It made me realize I could likely transition to that style of banjo fairly easily (the simpler stuff, not the really advanced stuff) since I use a similar technique in my guitar playing already. There are other banjo vids on there too.

LC7rock · 03-24-2009, 08:25 PM

Study Earl Scruggs... Banjo rolls are easy and you just need to learn a few chords...

**Sean.thomson** · 03-24-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LC7rock

...just need to learn a few chords...

G, C, & D.

That's all you need to know.... :P

Nate · 03-27-2009, 12:07 PM

Decide now whether you're going to frail (bum-ditty-bum-ditty) or roll (deedle-doodle-deedle-doodle)

Kentl · 03-27-2009, 12:09 PM

hey can yopu play hard rock on it?

Nate · 03-27-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kentl

hey can yopu play hard rock on it?

http://www.banjohangout.org/forum/to...OPIC_ID=143722

Hmmmmm.

Kentl · 03-27-2009, 12:15 PM

.................................................................................................... ...........:whoa.................................................

Folk_guy · 03-27-2009, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate

Decide now whether you're going to frail (bum-ditty-bum-ditty) or roll (deedle-doodle-deedle-doodle)

Why not learn both? frailing is used extensively in folk style banjo, but rolls are used almost exclusively in Bluegrass.

**Sean.thomson** · 03-27-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Folk_guy

Why not learn both? frailing is used extensively in folk style banjo, but rolls are used almost exclusively in Bluegrass.

Second.

I tried to learn a bit of both, but my heart is in Jazz Banjo, So I don't really do too much finger picking....

caeman · 08-13-2009, 01:32 PM

Rise, old topic! Rise!

I am buying a friend's banjo to help him de-stuff his house. I am choosing to focus on clawhammer (frailing) style.

Butch Bost · 08-13-2010, 07:35 PM

I see that your question was posted long ago, but recently I created a blog to help people learn to play praise music on guitar and banjo. It has videos for guitar and banjo that show a closeup of my left hand as I play. These aren't perfect videos, but people tell me that they are helpful. For the banjo tunes I play them slowly, since they would be hard to follow otherwise, unless you have been playing for 30 years like me. My blog also has banjo tablature. Everything on my blog is free. Check it out.

Banjo Butch - Free videos teach you to play praise music on guitar and banjo

Butch Bost

(you can also read my post in the new members section)

**Ted Logan** · 10-21-2010, 01:09 PM

Cool! Thanks for this, Butch. I'm a lousy picker, but I LOVE the banjo.

And though I'm sure Fandrew is already much better than I am, I like Tony Trischka's COmplete 5-String Banjo Player.

Minstrelcraft · 11-26-2011, 06:46 PM

Several of the hymn videos on the music-folk-play-hymns website are presented as banjo instruction (frailing style).