Experienced or novice, learning to play the banjo is an amazing journey that is both educational and rewarding. For maximum effect, practice should become part of your daily schedule – 10-20 minute sessions should suffice.
Private lessons may not always be feasible or affordable; online learning offers an ideal alternative! Use this interactive game to develop your musical ear.
Getting Started
Are You Learning Bluegrass Banjo to Join Friends, Back Singers or Discover a Different Genre of Music? The first step should always be getting yourself an instrument suited to playing bluegrass banjo – from quality instruments with quality instruments cases (to protect your investment), string, fingerpicks and tuners are required as essential accessories – or else there will be nothing but frustration ahead.
Next step in learning the fundamentals is mastering the fundamentals. That means becoming acquainted with roll patterns, clawhammer licks and chords; practicing these fundamentals until they can be executed without error is also recommended.
One great way to learn this instrument is through online video lessons, making learning banjo more accessible with busy lives. Plus, mistakes won’t be penalised in front of an instructor! Furthermore, Frank Evans provides free clawhammer lessons which start you off right with beginner-friendly videos that get the learning process underway quickly.
Equipment
Start by purchasing a banjo. This can be done either locally at a music store or online (make sure the company provides a return policy). Also consider investing in a “gig bag” so your banjo remains safe when not being played.
Based on your desired style of banjo playing, you must choose either an open back or resonator banjo. Bluegrass players tend to favor resonators banjos as they make louder sounds that work better for playing with others or jam sessions; clawhammer players prefer open back banjos because they are less expensive and produce mellower tones.
Your will also require strings, a tuner and fingerpicks – most players use their thumb, index and middle fingers for picking; advanced players may consider picking with their ring and pinky fingers; however this advanced technique should only be considered if you already play other stringed instruments such as violin, viola or cello.
Learning the Basics
Start out right and invest in an openback banjo to begin your musical journey! Additionally, a beginner should invest in a banjo case, banjo strings (most large music stores carry these) and finger picks – metal guitar picks designed to slide onto fingers in order to pluck strings.
Resonators add volume to your banjo’s sound, making it suitable for bluegrass as well as jam sessions with other musicians. On the other hand, banjos without resonators provide more of a strumming feel and should be considered when playing clawhammer/frailing style banjo.
Single thumb is another popular banjo style, employing your thumb and index finger to play chordal tones that add an authentic rootsier flavor. This form also works well as accompaniment for singers or musicians in jam sessions; any difficulties arise from improper technique rather than from any inherent fault with the instrument itself.
Practicing
Once you’ve learned the fundamentals and can play your open back banjo with good rhythm, start practicing songs! It may take some time before playing anything recognizable but once it does happen it will boost your confidence quickly.
Be mindful when practicing in order to avoid overly repetitive sessions – marathon sessions can lead to tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome injuries, so beware marathon sessions. Be conscious of your posture – slouching makes holding the instrument harder while increasing pain levels.
Find music books or online banjo tabs that can help you learn to play songs, then break each tune down into its individual measures for practice until you can play without looking at the tab. Making time each day to practice can help improve both speed and skill – even if that means just five minutes at a time! We believe in you!