Any Banjo Aficionados
Feb 13, 2022 04:45:31 #
Able Man
Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)
kandydisbar wrote:
Orange Blossom Special!
Yes, THAT TOO, has been "getting some serious airtime" on my wee Obama-phone!!!
Feb 13, 2022 10:51:19 #
Feb 13, 2022 11:11:50 #
Bob Browning
Loc: Cascade, Wisconsin
A person could tie a reel on the end of the banjo, then you could do both. The fish might like being serenaded.
Feb 13, 2022 16:28:22 #
Fish'n Fool
Loc: Rehoboth, DE
Robert J Samples wrote:
Partly due to my love for the instrument and the music it makes, and also partly because I wanted to prove 'an old dog can learn new tricks' on February 3rd, I bought a banjo. I have had one lesson, and practice every day 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Are there any banjo players in the group? If so, how long did it take before you could play a recognizable song? Do you still play, and if so, is it country/western, or classical, or what? Just Sayin....RJS
Are there any banjo players in the group? If so, how long did it take before you could play a recognizable song? Do you still play, and if so, is it country/western, or classical, or what? Just Sayin....RJS
Your best source to learn the 5-string banjo is Earl Scruggs' book, "Earl Scruggs and the 5-string Banjo", Hal Leonard Corp. It uses "tablature" to teach Earl's finger-picking technique, includes all his tunes and a CD. Never heard of Earl? He's the greatest banjo player in the world. I learned to play "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" and the Beverly Hillbilly's "Ballad of Jed Clampet". Have fun!
Feb 13, 2022 17:28:42 #
Fish'n Fool wrote:
Your best source to learn the 5-string banjo is Earl Scruggs' book, "Earl Scruggs and the 5-string Banjo", Hal Leonard Corp. It uses "tablature" to teach Earl's finger-picking technique, includes all his tunes and a CD. Never heard of Earl? He's the greatest banjo player in the world. I learned to play "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" and the Beverly Hillbilly's "Ballad of Jed Clampet". Have fun!
Yep and in the back of the book it Show how to build a banjo if you’re interested 🪕
Feb 13, 2022 20:40:13 #
Yes, I believe everyone has heard of Earl. I have a private instructor, but will order Earl's book. Just Sayin...RJS
Feb 13, 2022 21:47:26 #
fishyaker wrote:
Great story...and well said on your commentary about the enjoyment of music and especially a live performance! Hopefully your group was able to get back on a different night and experience BB King too!
Yak.... Saw BB at a different venue some time later, but with a new GF, not the gang. He was great, but not as good as Scruggs. New GF didn't last, as usual, I was too much of a "free agent" to suit her.
Feb 14, 2022 18:07:42 #
Took bagpipe lessons for 2-1/2 years maybe 15 or so years ago. The first year is just doing practice exercises, getting to know the instrument, learning the fingering to the point of not having to work at it, and in the case of a lung-powered instrument, developing your breathing. Then comes learning tunes, actual music. Having that first year’s foundation paid off, because once you start playing recognisable songs, it comes fast. By the end of 2-1/2 years all in, my repertoire I could play without reading sheet music was close to 2 dozen pieces. Good luck, buddy. You will find it maybe not so easy at first, but richly rewarding and very satisfying.
Feb 14, 2022 20:18:39 #
DoryMan: Thank you! I am in it for the long haul, assuming my life will last that long. When you are 87, you do not know how much longer one has. I love the pipes, and my ancesters were Scot. There is a member in the House of Lords: Jamie, Lord Semple, XXI whom I have communicated with by Email and learned more about our family. Just Sayin...RJS
Feb 14, 2022 20:31:38 #
Able Man
Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)
Robert J Samples wrote:
Yes, I believe everyone has heard of Earl. I have a private instructor, but will order Earl's book. Just Sayin...RJS
Just out of curiosity; ¿Has your instructor "offered any advice" regarding the quickest way to "develope calluses" on (I'm assuming you're "right handed") your left hand's fingertips? ... As I recall, those wee steel "strings" can sure tear up the fingertips!!!
Feb 14, 2022 20:36:19 #
No, not yet. I have only had one lesson. That is for right hand to do chords. I suppose next time I will be given a lessor for my left hand. I will ask him then. I regularly practice i/2 to i hour every day, and hope to keep up the regamin so I will be able to play recognizable songs before long. Just Sayin...RJS
Feb 15, 2022 17:15:35 #
Jim Kay
Loc: Franklin, Virginia
You just have to start playing and the callouses will come soon enough.
Feb 15, 2022 18:16:35 #
Yes, I have learned that anything work having will develop callouses. So I am willing to pay the price. Just Sayin...RJS
Feb 15, 2022 18:18:51 #
Able Man
Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)
Jim Kay wrote:
You just have to start playing and the callouses will come soon enough.
I've never tried it, but, I was wondering if it would be something to try, at least; to have a kind of a "piece of gravel" to roll around in the fingertips, while not concerned about other uses for the hand that will be on the neck of the banjo... Squeeze down on that, while "rolling it around like a booger"... ¿Maybe that would "help develop calluses"?... I don't know... What I DO KNOW; is that I can remember some pretty painful fingertips, on and off in my life.
Feb 17, 2022 23:55:13 #
Thank you all for the advice. I am still "Ned in the first reader" as the expression goes! I am determined to practice every day until I can play some recognizable songs. Just Sayin...RJS
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