I bought me a banjo

[Ambleton]

Short history of music playing -

When I was a kid in primary school i started to learn the violin. I think by around the age of 11 my parents got sick to fking death of it.

Around the same age I got a cheap Chinese mandolin for Christmas. Plays the same (same tuning) and it doesn't sound like i'm torturing a herd of cats - winner. Started lessons and got to a reasonable level.

Upgraded to an F style from South Korea carved from solid wood. If I recall it was about £400 in 2004/5. Nothing to write home about but a massive step up from my £50 cheap Chinese ply one.

In 2009 I went to uni and the mandolin was largely forgotten about.

Fast forward 11yrs and the mandolin made a reappearance. I restrung it and it's been out in my office ever since. I pick it up most days and amazed how quickly it came back to me.

Always fancied a banjo but didn't really know where to start. Started looking for one a few weeks back and listening to all the different styles/vids on youtube - prefer Clawhammer.

I was trying to avoid the cheap £200-£300 Chinese ones as the quality is hit and miss. I didnt want a really twangy one with a resonator either. I know these can be quite heavy and I'm used to my light little mandolin on my lap.

A Deering Americana came up locally on Ebay and took the plunge. Less than 12m old, the guy who had it plays the guitar and didn't spend much time playing it. Nice mellow sound, due to being open back and a 12" pot instead of the normal 11" and lightweight.

Any other bonjo players out there?

Total n00b so any good hints/tips or youtube lesson series gratefully received

I have a 3pack of string vests and some denim dungarees on order.....

[nordboy]

I've had my banjo for about 6 years, couldn't find anyone local to me to do lesson so I tried teaching myself. I'm not very musical, so didn't go very well.

It's pretty much sat in it's case for the last few years. My hands/ fingers have started to show signs of arthritis, so I can't imagine that I'll learn now.

[thebraketester]

What’s the difference between a macaw and a banjo?

One is loud, obnoxious and noisy, the other is a type of bird.

[Ambleton]

thebraketester said:

What’s the difference between a macaw and a banjo?

One is loud, obnoxious and noisy, the other is a type of bird.

I think thats probably down to the fact you've been exposed to the three finger bluegrass style probably with a resonator...

It can be.... grating and twangy and can understand why people don't like it.

Clawhammer style is more mellow, country song type stuff rather than in your face "look at me" noise.

Clawhammer (oldtime) style:
https://youtu.be/sGnnCBgmszg

Three finger bluegrass (scruggs) style:
https://youtu.be/vXNGj0Y0I2Q

[gazza285]

I have a zither banjo, it is about 120 years old, but still in fine playing fettle. I'll get it out and have a twang every now and then, when I get bored of guitar.

[oddman]

I went guitar -> banjo but played violin as a kid so familiar with mandolin tuning

Being used to fingerpicking on guitar, it wasn't too different. Took a while to get used to the finger picks rather than using pads of fingers and hearing a high note when you pick the drone G instead of a low note you would expect on a guitar messed with my head. Fingering patters are much simpler than most finger picking guitar tunes - essentially simple chords shapes and hammer ons/pulloffs to embellish/place a melody over the basic chord shapes. Mostly first and second finger of left hand.

Mandolin tuning is very logical for playing scales/melodies but banjo is tuned for chords so you might this aspect a challenge

Practising rolls is quite satisfying and I was playing cripple creek in a few weeks and foggy mountain breakdown after a few months.

Fairly easy to play interesting arrangements of any guitar tune where the guitarist used open G eg. Keith Richards and some blues styles

Have let playing slip though recently

[Skyedriver]

gazza285 said:

I'll get it out and have a twang every now and then, when I get bored of guitar.

[Skyedriver]

nordboy said:

It's pretty much sat in it's case for the last few years.

Best place for it, I used to work with a guy who played Clarinet, Saxophone (bass, tenor, soprano) and piano. Was a great Jazz musician.
He hated the banjo with a passion. surpassed only by his passion for beer.