play the banjo

A few thoughts about learning the banjo. Playing the banjo is one of the easiest musical instruments to learn although it appears to be the most difficult. No one can learn it overnight even if the person has a background in music. Learning any instrument is a joy as long as practice is fun. No one should ever be made to learn. People get good at things that they like doing. I play many musical instruments and enjoy them all, but I generally don’t play them all during the same time frame. I hit plateaus where I can’t seem to learn new things and/or the excitement is just not there with a particular instrument. That’s is ok for me. I have taken a five year break from an instrument before. During that time I learn to improve my skills on other instruments. That’s just the way I am. Most people pick up one instrument and stay with it. They manage to learn more and more until they get really good. What kind of musician will you be? Hopefully one that has fun, no matter what. Also, see my section on finger picking the guitar. Much of the same ideas apply to this section – PS I stole this text

i dont really want to play the banjo

GDAE Irish trad. tenor banjo – beautiful and fun instrument

Learn to play some bluegrass licks on a banjo

My grandfather was a banjo player, and my Dad was the best I’ve ever heard. Dad passed away, though, before I bothered to let him finally teach me, the way he’d wanted to do my entire life. I live with that regret, but now it’s time for me to get serious about learning, for myself and for Daddy. I’ve been working on it sporadically for the last 4 years or so, so I can play a little bit, but if I’m ever going to be able to really play this thing, I’m going to have to take it seriously and practice. :) (This photo was my first banjo when I was a tiny baby!)

my mom had a banjo, and she gave it to my aunt.
my aunt told me she never played it, so she gave it to me.

i think sufjan stevens made the banjo cool for me.