I recently decided that I would like to learn the tenor banjo, I picked up an old MayBell and fixed it up with a new bridge and strings. It's rather sad, but this is pretty much my first experience learning an instrument, I don't read sheet music, yet, I think I have a decent ear but it needs some training. So the question is what should the complete beginner start with? I can't find a local teacher so I'm stuck with either online guides or books. I've looked around irish-banjo.com but haven't found it that great (site needs updating). Should I concentrate on learning to read sheet music or ??
learn to play by ear and then learn to read music,both are useful skills,start off trying to pick out simple tunes [when the saints,good king wenceslas,three blind mice, baabbaa black sheep.winster gallop.
I can't advise you on technique at all, as I have only just started learning tenor banjo too. I'm borrowing an old Vega Little Wonder from a friend. She loaned it to me at the session last night, and I brought it home and instead of going to bed, stayed up playing it for three more hours. I'm sleepy today. But I love the banjo! I already play several instruments (including fiddle, which helps a lot), and the more different ones you play the easier they get to learn it seems.
However, I would say for learning tunes concentrate on playing by ear rather than sheetmusic, though having the rudiments of music reading never hurt anyone. FWIW, My flute student had never done anything musical before, and I gave him the option of learning to read music or not. He chose not to, and is doing just fine learning by ear.
You might try to find a non-banjo teacher, to help you with the basics--violin and mandolin are similar to tenor banjo in many ways, and you could also get an intro to general music theory.
I would think about starting with a video tutor (Gerry O'Connor has a couple out - a beginners guide, and complete techniques).
That would at least get you the basics (how to hold the pick and instrument, that kind of stuff), and would get you some tunes to start with.
I would also think about getting some ABC software for your computer, including a player. Use that to help you learn some basic session standards.
And above everything, get your hands on some recordings of good Irish banjo players, so you know what you're shooting for.
Some basic tips:
* keep both hands relaxed
* hold the pick lightly, and let the instrument make the sound
* work on picking rhythms (DUDU DUDU for reels, DUD DUD for jigs - D=Down U=Up)
* compact hand motion is important
* figure out some basic scales
Mike Keyes' site is a great resource, and Mike is very active on these boards, and will often give great advice
Whangee, I started learning the tenor banjo just a two months ago, and agree wholeheartedly with Reverand. Mikes site was a great starting place, and along with a few other sites has got me off to a real positive start.
I first went through Mike's lessons and still refer back to them when I drift off course (which happens quite often when you're starting out.)
I also took the advice from one of the session threads and started to use the BBC virtual session site. It really is very useful as you start to learn both dots and ear training and at the same time some pretty common session tunes.
I just did a quick search, but there are two different books - this is the second. GET A TUNER
Listen to the Cds, lots - This is good training for your ear.
Think of the tunes when you are at work, or on the bus...they will sink in themselves this way.
Work out the basics of the tunes through your ear and playing along......If things are too fast, Windows Media Player has a slow downer. Then Try and work out the notes in the sheet music from what notes you have picked out in the tunes - This way you will be teaching yourself, and you will learn to develop your own techniques yourself. Discipline is best. Of course it will be difficult, but small steps eh?
Thanks for all the helpful replies. I have purchased a tuner and have it tuned GDAE. The O'Conner DVD looks good but If it's all CGDA that might be a concern, the CD-ROM ldoes look better I'll order it and give it a try.
Tctel,
Thanks for the virtual session link, that's pretty neat. I've been watching a ton of videos on youtube, I love these:
Is it my imagination, or are there FOUR people posting in this thread that have started playing tenor banjo within the last couple of months?
HA! We will take over the world yet!!!
Actually, another thing that I would like to point out to people just starting is that banjos aren't universally accepted in sessions, and at the very least, you will be the butt of many jokes. Some said jokingly, and some with a point to get across.
A banjo has the ability to play louder and more obnoxiously than most instruments. So learn to play tastefully, and when you get to the point where you're playing in sessions, learn how to be courteous. Unlike the pipes, we have the ability to play quietly if the need arises.
The very reason I went for an open back banjo. I have also found that a small chamois covered sponge (a car window demister) that I bought from Tesco for about £1.30 works well as a mute when stuffed between the co-ordinator rods and the underside of the head beneath the bridge.
Beginner: Tenor banjo, what next?
Beginner: Tenor banjo, what next?
I recently decided that I would like to learn the tenor banjo, I picked up an old MayBell and fixed it up with a new bridge and strings. It's rather sad, but this is pretty much my first experience learning an instrument, I don't read sheet music, yet, I think I have a decent ear but it needs some training. So the question is what should the complete beginner start with? I can't find a local teacher so I'm stuck with either online guides or books. I've looked around irish-banjo.com but haven't found it that great (site needs updating). Should I concentrate on learning to read sheet music or ??
# Posted on April 23rd 2007 by whangee
Re: Beginner: Tenor banjo, what next?
learn to play by ear and then learn to read music,both are useful skills,start off trying to pick out simple tunes [when the saints,good king wenceslas,three blind mice, baabbaa black sheep.winster gallop.
# Posted on April 23rd 2007 by Rufus Jameson
Re: Beginner: Tenor banjo, what next?
I have found this site to be helpful: http://www.mikekeyes.com/
I can't advise you on technique at all, as I have only just started learning tenor banjo too. I'm borrowing an old Vega Little Wonder from a friend. She loaned it to me at the session last night, and I brought it home and instead of going to bed, stayed up playing it for three more hours. I'm sleepy today. But I love the banjo! I already play several instruments (including fiddle, which helps a lot), and the more different ones you play the easier they get to learn it seems.
However, I would say for learning tunes concentrate on playing by ear rather than sheetmusic, though having the rudiments of music reading never hurt anyone. FWIW, My flute student had never done anything musical before, and I gave him the option of learning to read music or not. He chose not to, and is doing just fine learning by ear.
Good luck and have fun!!
# Posted on April 23rd 2007 by seisflutes
Re: Beginner: Tenor banjo, what next?
You might try to find a non-banjo teacher, to help you with the basics--violin and mandolin are similar to tenor banjo in many ways, and you could also get an intro to general music theory.
Good luck, and--most important--have fun with it!
# Posted on April 23rd 2007 by mickray
Re: Beginner: Tenor banjo, what next?
I would think about starting with a video tutor (Gerry O'Connor has a couple out - a beginners guide, and complete techniques).
That would at least get you the basics (how to hold the pick and instrument, that kind of stuff), and would get you some tunes to start with.
I would also think about getting some ABC software for your computer, including a player. Use that to help you learn some basic session standards.
And above everything, get your hands on some recordings of good Irish banjo players, so you know what you're shooting for.
Some basic tips:
* keep both hands relaxed
* hold the pick lightly, and let the instrument make the sound
* work on picking rhythms (DUDU DUDU for reels, DUD DUD for jigs - D=Down U=Up)
* compact hand motion is important
* figure out some basic scales
Mike Keyes' site is a great resource, and Mike is very active on these boards, and will often give great advice
Good luck!
Pete
# Posted on April 23rd 2007 by Reverend
Re: Beginner: Tenor banjo, what next?
I agree with Reverend, get the GO'C beginner's DVD or the CD-ROM from MadForTrad which is even better and go from there.
Make sure that you are comfortable with your banjo as a banjo which is hard to play is not much fun.
And just work at it. If you can find a session where you live, all the better because that will keep your interest up.
MIke Keyes
http://www.mikekeyes.com
# Posted on April 24th 2007 by mikeyes
Re: Beginner: Tenor banjo, what next?
Whangee, I started learning the tenor banjo just a two months ago, and agree wholeheartedly with Reverand. Mikes site was a great starting place, and along with a few other sites has got me off to a real positive start.
I first went through Mike's lessons and still refer back to them when I drift off course (which happens quite often when you're starting out.)
I also took the advice from one of the session threads and started to use the BBC virtual session site. It really is very useful as you start to learn both dots and ear training and at the same time some pretty common session tunes.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/r2music/folk/sessions/
Combine these with recording the tunes and playing them back with Audacity allows you to quite quickly get into the feeling of playing with others.
Other than that I think the old adage practice, practice.... practice is in order.
Hope this helps and good luck, I'm having a lot of fun and it's a great instrument too. Just take a listen to this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpbvBwOeCEU
# Posted on April 24th 2007 by tctelboy
Re: Beginner: Tenor banjo, what next?
I too have the G O'C DVD and also the Book/CD combo - They seem to be working for me so far (Been playing a whole 2 weeks).
Iain
# Posted on April 24th 2007 by TOMSDADJET
Re: Beginner: Tenor banjo, what next?
Doesn't he play in CGDA though?
I always thought this was strange for beginners, since most banjo players play in GDAE - Can some one clarify?
I think a good idea is this..
Get this CD and Book together:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/cultrlainne2
I just did a quick search, but there are two different books - this is the second. GET A TUNER
Listen to the Cds, lots - This is good training for your ear.
Think of the tunes when you are at work, or on the bus...they will sink in themselves this way.
Work out the basics of the tunes through your ear and playing along......If things are too fast, Windows Media Player has a slow downer. Then Try and work out the notes in the sheet music from what notes you have picked out in the tunes - This way you will be teaching yourself, and you will learn to develop your own techniques yourself. Discipline is best. Of course it will be difficult, but small steps eh?
Good luck
# Posted on April 24th 2007 by Hugo Chavez
Re: Beginner: Tenor banjo, what next?
Hugo,
I believe he does play in CGDA, but the book/CD and DVD are GDAE.
Iain
# Posted on April 24th 2007 by TOMSDADJET
Re: Beginner: Tenor banjo, what next?
Thanks for all the helpful replies. I have purchased a tuner and have it tuned GDAE. The O'Conner DVD looks good but If it's all CGDA that might be a concern, the CD-ROM ldoes look better I'll order it and give it a try.
Tctel,
Thanks for the virtual session link, that's pretty neat. I've been watching a ton of videos on youtube, I love these:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjgxMzhs4tE
http://youtube.com/watch?v=o_hlonSdNd8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYSghvYWDWE
Love your site Mike, keep it up. I see you're in Wisconsin too.
# Posted on April 24th 2007 by whangee
Re: Beginner: Tenor banjo, what next?
Although he plays in CGDA, he teaches in GDAE (Irish tuning)
# Posted on April 24th 2007 by Johannes J
Re: Beginner: Tenor banjo, what next?
Is it my imagination, or are there FOUR people posting in this thread that have started playing tenor banjo within the last couple of months?
HA! We will take over the world yet!!!
Actually, another thing that I would like to point out to people just starting is that banjos aren't universally accepted in sessions, and at the very least, you will be the butt of many jokes. Some said jokingly, and some with a point to get across.
A banjo has the ability to play louder and more obnoxiously than most instruments. So learn to play tastefully, and when you get to the point where you're playing in sessions, learn how to be courteous. Unlike the pipes, we have the ability to play quietly if the need arises.
Pete
# Posted on April 24th 2007 by Reverend
Re: Beginner: Tenor banjo, what next?
The very reason I went for an open back banjo. I have also found that a small chamois covered sponge (a car window demister) that I bought from Tesco for about £1.30 works well as a mute when stuffed between the co-ordinator rods and the underside of the head beneath the bridge.
Iain
# Posted on April 24th 2007 by TOMSDADJET
Re: Beginner: Tenor banjo, what next? Mute it !
Pete Seeger used to recommend a duster rolled up tight, explaining " A diaper ( nappy ) 's too big, a sock is too small. Use a duster."
# Posted on April 25th 2007 by Guernsey Pete