@Monkey6201 I started with a Deering Goodtime and still love it, but anything that you like the sound and feel of is fine. The Deering is super lightweight and has great tone. It's loud enough and twangy enough without being grating if you mess up and its good quality but relatively affordable so that you wont feel like you need a better one a few months down the line. Try and find one used.
Great beginning lesson! Especially helpful for the brand new banjo student. Glad to see there's more than one acceptable way to anchor the right hand fingers as I'm just learning and the only problem I've had so far is trying to keep my ring finger down, no problem with the pinkie.
@100lizardman Hey, 100lizardman! I am left-handed, too! There are fortunately a great many banjos out there now that are left-handed. Morgan Monroe, Deering, Recording King, Gold Tone, Gibson, Nechville, and others are among the best! They range in price from 200 - 8000 dollars, so you have pleanty to choose from!
The 12th fret has to be the halfway point between the bridge and the nut. match the fretted note with the open note using an electronic tuner or by ear. If the fretted note is flat ( or lower) than the open note, move the bridge towards the nut ( or headstock) if the fretted note sharp( or higher), move the bridge back towards the tailpiece or back of the banjo. Let me know if this helps, Dennis
Banjo technique is different than Classical Guitar technique. The main difference is that one or two of the fingers on the picking hand are anchored. Also banjo picking is generally done with all free strokes as opposed to rest strokes. The picks give more volume and a brighter sound....they are necessary when playing with other people. I would recommend learning to play banjo with 2 metal finger picks and one plastic thumb pick. Dennis
Thanks Guys, The banjo used in this video is a 1934 Tb-1 conversion with a Tennessee 20 tone ring. John Ramsey made the neck. This is the first banjo that I have ever had that I am not constantly tweaking on...I'm leaving this one alone.
@MrRrecon I am using two rolls: a forward reverse roll and also an alternating thumb roll. I am posting the first half of my new banjo book for free on my website (within the next week or so) wich will have these rolls in it thanks Dennis
@pokethechutney I think it depends on which style of music you want to play. If you want to play bluegrass I would recommend a 5-string. If strictly Irish music or maybe dixie land jazz Go with a tenor. thanks for viewing dennis
Its the only video i have found explaining interchanging rolls which is where i'm struggling.I can't seem to change from one back to other and keep time.
Tablature is available for this lesson. Let me know if you would like a copy and I will e-mail it to you..free of course. It is available in Word format or tabledit.
@gengenrulez the picks take some getting used to. Try to bend them to the contour of your finger a little more so that there is not so much pick sticking out. Dennis
I think you have to do what is natural for your hand. The right hand would seem to be more stable with two fingers planted but my hand does not maneuver well with the ring finger down too.
Hi! your lesson is great. But i cannot find your three pics that you have in your fingers anywhere. Can you tell me where I can buy them? thank you very much
I'm okay doing each hand individually but I'm having trouble doing the left hand and right hand parts at the same time. Are you meant to be hitting all the notes of the melody or do they ring out because of hammer on's etc? Which roll are you playing when playing the Red River Valley? The video is very helpful, Thanks :)
The first part is informative for me as a beginner. Then you jump from the G major scale on the 3rd string right into Red River Valley at full speed. You never say what chords you're playing or what frets you're playing on Red River Valley so it's impossible for a beginner to learn.
i too have been playing guitar from years, and got my banjo 1 week ago... it's so funny to play it, but i totally suck at using that kind of picks (dunno the english for it... sorry). i feel like they are just too long to be used propely... any suggestion about that?
4 string might be simpler, but you're losing another note you could be playing. Notice the alternating thumb roll he does around 4 minutes in. You can't play that on a 4 string banjo, the second thumb note is played on the 5th string. Sort of how a 4 string bass seems simpler than a 6 string guitar because it has 2 less strings, but the two instruments are designed for two different purposes.
Dennis where can I get the tablature for Red River Valley. I have watched this video many times and I can't tell what strings you are playing at certain times. You did a good job on the video, but I just can't tell what fingers are actually holding strings down. I am new at this, haven't learned how to play a full song yet. But I really like this one and would like to learn it. Thank you for your help.
My mama played pro. She showed me te keys and Grrrrr! -.- Listen Dennis, you play good but I'm SOOOOO Newbie at this... please slow down,I'm trying to find the strings to pick. :D
What # blade is that ProPik? For a beginner, what # blade would you recommend? Also, can you address how much one would bend that blade to get the right interface at the strings? Thx!
I'm looking for a reasonably priced beginner's banjo, preferably under $100, but I don't want it to sound so horrible that I won't be able to play on it well. Any help?
Haha omg this was going pretty well til he's like "okay let's play 'Red River Valley' using those 2 rolls" then he goes to fucking town like how in the hell are we supposed to keep up? We haven't even figured out how to play the melody yet and suddenly we're supposed to jump in playing it while doing all this fancy finger picking lol
For a bigger like myself it is very hard. To see what you're doing, I know you're trying to be helpful but it's not working for me. It needs to be slowed down and better camera work. But thank you for trying
Hi! your lesson is great. But i cannot find your three pics that you have in your fingers anywhere. Can you tell me where I can buy them? thank you very much
Excellent! I have been playing guitar for 25+ years, and just started with banjo. Your video is great! Very informative. Thanks!
@Monkey6201 I started with a Deering Goodtime and still love it, but anything that you like the sound and feel of is fine. The Deering is super lightweight and has great tone. It's loud enough and twangy enough without being grating if you mess up and its good quality but relatively affordable so that you wont feel like you need a better one a few months down the line. Try and find one used.
Great beginning lesson! Especially helpful for the brand new banjo student. Glad to see there's more than one acceptable way to anchor the right hand fingers as I'm just learning and the only problem I've had so far is trying to keep my ring finger down, no problem with the pinkie.
@100lizardman Hey, 100lizardman! I am left-handed, too! There are fortunately a great many banjos out there now that are left-handed. Morgan Monroe, Deering, Recording King, Gold Tone, Gibson, Nechville, and others are among the best! They range in price from 200 - 8000 dollars, so you have pleanty to choose from!
The 12th fret has to be the halfway point between the bridge and the nut. match the fretted note with the open note using an electronic tuner or by ear. If the fretted note is flat ( or lower) than the open note, move the bridge towards the nut ( or headstock) if the fretted note sharp( or higher), move the bridge back towards the tailpiece or back of the banjo. Let me know if this helps, Dennis
Banjo technique is different than Classical Guitar technique. The main difference is that one or two of the fingers on the picking hand are anchored. Also banjo picking is generally done with all free strokes as opposed to rest strokes. The picks give more volume and a brighter sound....they are necessary when playing with other people. I would recommend learning to play banjo with 2 metal finger picks and one plastic thumb pick. Dennis
Thanks Guys,
The banjo used in this video is a 1934 Tb-1 conversion with a Tennessee 20 tone ring. John Ramsey made the neck. This is the first banjo that I have ever had that I am not constantly tweaking on...I'm leaving this one alone.
Its tuned differently than a violin but if you read music on the banjo, it is written on the treble clef just like the violin. Good luck on the banjo!
I love the sound of the banjo!Thank you so much for this great beginner lesson!
Great lesson thank you so much for spending the time to post this I am a guitar player learning the banjo so this is easy to pick up .!
Thank you for putting up this video, can't wait to begin learning banjo this weekend.
Thank you friend! Great video.
I will be getting my banjo as soon as I've saved up for one.
Echt geweldig zo duidelijk dit wordt uitgelegd. Dit gaat zeker lukken met deze uitleg.
@testabeat hi I am using Kyser finger picks and a Golden Gate Thumb pick. You might try Janet Davis or maybe First Quality music
@lovejon2death Agreed. I just bought a banjo, but I think I may have to try something else.
@MrRrecon I am using two rolls: a forward reverse roll and also an alternating thumb roll. I am posting the first half of my new banjo book for free on my website (within the next week or so) wich will have these rolls in it thanks Dennis
@pokethechutney I think it depends on which style of music you want to play. If you want to play bluegrass I would recommend a 5-string. If strictly Irish music or maybe dixie land jazz Go with a tenor. thanks for viewing
dennis
Thank you very much! greatings from Italy!!!!!
OK keep us posted as to your progress. If I can answer any questions, I will be glad to help
@100lizardman I play a right handed banjo upside down...not restrung but just in reverse....
Its the only video i have found explaining interchanging rolls which is where i'm struggling.I can't seem to change from one back to other and keep time.
@fasthandsdan its a 1934 style one Gibson with a Tennessee 20 tone ring. Neck made my John Ramsey. Thanks Dennis
Great lesson, first time playimg today and am concentrating on the start of the lesson. Lost you on the somg as it seems most did.
this is great! thanks for the wonderfully helpful post
Tablature is available for this lesson. Let me know if you would like a copy and I will e-mail it to you..free of course.
It is available in Word format or tabledit.
@gengenrulez the picks take some getting used to. Try to bend them to the contour of your finger a little more so that there is not so much pick sticking out.
Dennis
I think you have to do what is natural for your hand. The right hand would seem to be more stable with two fingers planted but my hand does not maneuver well with the ring finger down too.
@100lizardman Dave you might try Janet Davis Music or First Quality Music
Whoa. Huge jump in difficultly once it switches to the melody and rolls. I have some intense study ahead of me I guess haha.
Cool lesson. Thank you
Hi! your lesson is great. But i cannot find your three pics that you have in your fingers anywhere. Can you tell me where I can buy them? thank you very much
Hi! Wonderful lesson! Where can I get the tabulature? Thanks for posting this lesson.
Can you give a lesson on reading the banjo sheet music. Thanks this helpful.
I'm okay doing each hand individually but I'm having trouble doing the left hand and right hand parts at the same time. Are you meant to be hitting all the notes of the melody or do they ring out because of hammer on's etc? Which roll are you playing when playing the Red River Valley? The video is very helpful, Thanks :)
Could you announce the model & brand of banjo at the beginning of your videos... This will help too..
what make of a Banjo would be best for a beginner?
The first part is informative for me as a beginner. Then you jump from the G major scale on the 3rd string right into Red River Valley at full speed. You never say what chords you're playing or what frets you're playing on Red River Valley so it's impossible for a beginner to learn.
i too have been playing guitar from years, and got my banjo 1 week ago... it's so funny to play it, but i totally suck at using that kind of picks (dunno the english for it... sorry).
i feel like they are just too long to be used propely... any suggestion about that?
4 string might be simpler, but you're losing another note you could be playing. Notice the alternating thumb roll he does around 4 minutes in. You can't play that on a 4 string banjo, the second thumb note is played on the 5th string. Sort of how a 4 string bass seems simpler than a 6 string guitar because it has 2 less strings, but the two instruments are designed for two different purposes.
i want to learn the banjo, like deliverance. whats a better design, 4 or 5 string? 6 string?
Dennis where can I get the tablature for Red River Valley. I have watched this video many times and I can't tell what strings you are playing at certain times. You did a good job on the video, but I just can't tell what fingers are actually holding strings down. I am new at this, haven't learned how to play a full song yet. But I really like this one and would like to learn it. Thank you for your help.
Ah it's ok.. I got a banjo. Works like a charm :)
Things are a bit expensive nowadays, aren't they?
My mama played pro. She showed me te keys and Grrrrr! -.- Listen Dennis, you play good but I'm SOOOOO Newbie at this... please slow down,I'm trying to find the strings to pick. :D
What # blade is that ProPik? For a beginner, what # blade would you recommend? Also, can you address how much one would bend that blade to get the right interface at the strings? Thx!
Dubbing in the video was off but I get the idea. Really wanna Learn he banjo!
Where can I find the tablature for this? I would appreciate it very much.
thank you for sharing! peace
@hammill444 Don't give up. This video's covers too much ground for a lesson one. Try clawhammer if you dont want to start out so technical.
thank you vwery mcuh
I'm looking for a reasonably priced beginner's banjo, preferably under $100, but I don't want it to sound so horrible that I won't be able to play on it well. Any help?
"Just a buncha people giving out a buncha rolls" - Cool Hand Luke
I know, I know...it's 'rules'
agh I almost got it!
ok thanks for the tip!
Love the video, but the sound and video is slightly offset, which is very distracting
that's what pause if for. :)
thumbs up if bing brought you here
k woah, the forward-reverse roll you mentioned nothing of the thumb hitting the fifth string.....
I only have four string . on my banjo
All in favor this is a little more advanced than begginer
I only have four strings on my banjo
Ciara, you have a banjo that's suited for playing Celtic music. It's a totally different technique. Look up Irish banjo lessons.
Playing banjo by notes
You go way to far in to short time. But i like it anyway. Have had my banjo in just a couple of days now so im relly a beginner :D
But thx!
Haha omg this was going pretty well til he's like "okay let's play 'Red River Valley' using those 2 rolls" then he goes to fucking town like how in the hell are we supposed to keep up? We haven't even figured out how to play the melody yet and suddenly we're supposed to jump in playing it while doing all this fancy finger picking lol
Eric Eldredge of
LOL brother......
5 string is best
$100 doesn't even buy the groceries these days.
I think my glasses are dirty....I can't see very well...
This is supposed to be a beginner banjo lesson no. 1. When you just jump right in to playing and don't explain what you're playing it's not helpful.
For a bigger like myself it is very hard. To see what you're doing, I know you're trying to be helpful but it's not working for me. It needs to be slowed down and better camera work. But thank you for trying
this is a terrible lesson. lol
It's not very useful
Hi! your lesson is great. But i cannot find your three pics that you have in your fingers anywhere. Can you tell me where I can buy them? thank you very much
I only have four string . on my banjo