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| Moderated by: Tony Provencher, Richard Hefner |
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| Brand New | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Sat Dec 3rd, 2005 03:26 pm |
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1st Post |
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Pfwriter Approved 
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Hi, I've been taking banjo lesson since the end of April. Just found this forum. I've been taking lesson from someone who was essentially a guitar player although he seemed to know what he was doing. Then he quit a few weeks ago and they passed me over to someone else for two weeks and then he quit. UGH. They promised to get a new teacher, but I've discovered a man in Deale, MD, about thirty minutes away who plays banjo in the evenings in a blue grass band. That's where I'm at. Should I go with the blue grass banjo player? I'm really interested in playing with a folk band at church where I sing in the choir. And I like the blues. Also, I just recently bought an Alverez 5 string for $500. God, don't tell me a bought a fat lemon. It weighs a ton compared to the one I had rented. About fifteen or twenty pounds, really. Does that sound right? Finally, I have no idea what you all are talking about when you say terms like hammerstrings. Any help you can give me would be appreciated. I noticed someone said to get Pete Seeger's "How to play the 5-string Banjo." Oh, BTW, I'm seventy-four years old if that means anything, and I'm a published author mysteries. Thanks, Pfwriter Attachment: DeePic1.jpg (Downloaded 169 times)
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| Posted: Sat Dec 3rd, 2005 03:28 pm |
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2nd Post |
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Pfwriter Approved
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Oh, and I guess I shoul put my picture under my name rather than in the message. Hmm, wonder how I do that?
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| Posted: Sun Dec 4th, 2005 12:09 am |
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3rd Post |
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1four5 Approved 
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Hi pfwriter!!! Welcome to ezFolk! As for Hammerstrings, are you sure it's not "Hammer-on"? What that means is to pluck a string first and them slam your finger down on the string. It's like getting freebee note  Have you checked the banjo tutorials here? (check the links on the home page) there are some good lessons! Have you jammed with the folk band? Sometimes just jamming is as good (better in a practical sense) as lessons, and if there is a good guitarist, he may be able to help get you going on developing your own style of banjo that fits with the band. That's more or less where I'm at, all that bluegrass jazz is really cool, but the guys I play with do old time and classic country and gospel...so I've been making it all up as we go...just based on what I know from guitar. For your avitar (profile picture), click on "My account" , then "avitar". Last edited on Sun Dec 4th, 2005 12:11 am by 1four5 ____________________ These are the good times! |
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| Posted: Sun Dec 4th, 2005 01:55 am |
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4th Post |
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banjo brad Super Moderator 
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Pfwrighter- I like a good mystery! Welcome. Do you want to play mainly bluegrass and do some in the Church? Or are you more oriented towards using the banjo as an accompanying instrument to sing in front of? If the latter, I would suggest that you check into the clawhammer tutorials here, and maybe look for a clawhammer DVD. If the bluegrass player is knowledgeable in folk styles, he might be able to help, but if he is die-hard bg, then you will only learn the 3-finger bluegrass style of banjo. The Seeger book is a good introduction to several styles of playing, but he assumes that you know most of the songs he uses in the book. He provides partial lyrics, and fairly straight-forward tabs. Unless you know something about music, I suggest this book is one to have in the library as reference and because of its historical value. For OTM clawhammer, I used the Bob Carlin tapes (now on DVD). I also used several books by Ken Perlman and Dan Levenson. Also don't forget to check out the "How and Tao of Old Time Banjo" in the clawhammer banjo section of this site, it is an online free book.  Keep on pickin'Brad
____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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| Posted: Mon Dec 5th, 2005 07:18 am |
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5th Post |
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nando Approved 
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Hi and welcome! Check http://www.howandtao.com/ and http://www.banjonews.com/ You've already found the other really good banjo website. N
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| Posted: Tue Dec 6th, 2005 08:09 pm |
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6th Post |
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Pfwriter Approved
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To everyone who answered here, much thanks. I will check out the links, books and places you all recommend. No one mentioned my Alverez banjo, five string. I guess it's okay. Do the good banjos weigh ten to twenty pounds? Again, many thanks. Peter Abresch, IMBA best selling author of Bloody Bonsai, Killing Thyme, Tip A Canoe, Painted Lady, the Jim Dandy ELDERHOSTEL Mysteries: http://www.elderhostelmysteries.com EASY READING WRITING, & BookMarc: http://www.easyreadingwriting.com
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| Posted: Tue Dec 6th, 2005 08:12 pm |
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7th Post |
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Pfwriter Approved
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Ps, forgot to mention. Looking at a three set VHS of Intro to the 5-String Banjo" Video by Mickey Cochran. Any one know anything about him?
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| Posted: Tue Dec 6th, 2005 10:27 pm |
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8th Post |
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banjo brad Super Moderator
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Pfwriter asked: Do the good banjos weigh ten to twenty pounds? It depends. Most banjos with resonators will weigh more (all that extra hardwood and metal). The bigger the pot, the more the weight (don't we all have that problem?). My Deering Good Time Banjo (openback) weighs less that 7 pounds. The Alvarez should be a good beginning instrument, as long as it is set up right (head tension, neck alignment, string height). I can't help you with the Cochran videos - I don't know anything about them. Good luck. Keep on pickin'Brad Last edited on Tue Dec 6th, 2005 10:28 pm by banjo brad ____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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| Posted: Tue Dec 6th, 2005 10:41 pm |
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9th Post |
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Richard Hefner Administrator 
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PF, Mickey Cochran is the owner of Folk of the Wood. I've heard he's an excellent teacher. The videos should be very good to learn with. About the heavy Alvarez banjo. It's the tone ring that makes it weigh a lot, and yes, that's a very good thing. I've seen some of the good heavy Alvarez banjos and I think you probably did very well for $500. Good luck with learning to play. 
____________________ Richard Hefner MP3 Page: http://www.ezfolk.com/audio/richardhefner Running Blog: http://old-runner.com |
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| Posted: Thu Dec 8th, 2005 08:36 pm |
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10th Post |
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Pfwriter Approved
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Thanks everybody. I just ordered a three video introductory to the 5 string banjo, sampling all different styles including blues, clawhammer, and picking. Also put the Bob Carlin tape and a couple of clawhammer manuals on my Christmas wish list. So I think I'll play around with this stuff for awhile. Pretty much finished with Mel Bay's Frailing manual. Haven't found a new teacher yet, but from what your encouragement, maybe I can progress on my own for a bit. Then find someone to play with and see how that works out. I'll keep you all informed. And thanks again. Peter Abresch, IMBA best selling author of Bloody Bonsai, Killing Thyme, Tip A Canoe, Painted Lady, the Jim Dandy ELDERHOSTEL Mysteries: http://www.elderhostelmysteries.com EASY READING WRITING, & BookMarc: http://www.easyreadingwriting.com
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| Posted: Fri Dec 9th, 2005 10:44 am |
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11th Post |
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Banjo Bill Approved
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Hello Pfwriter: I am also a beginner, having bought my first banjo last May, however, I am much younger than you (I am only 69). I live in lower Delaware and I too was frustrated with getting help. It seems that most banjo players are into bluegrass, and this is not my interest. My interests with the banjo are in frailing, or clawhammer style of playing. The websites that have been the most help to me are; jbott.com; elfshot.com/banjo/; thebanjohangout.com; and howandtao.com. The author of the book "The How and the Tao of Old Time Banjo" lives in Crisfield,, Maryland, and has been very helpful. He doesn't charge for lessons, however, he is very willing to sit down with you and help. His philosophy is, that someone taught him, he will teach you, and in return, you help someone else. On the first Saturday of every month, he has a three hour open jam session at the Barns and Nobles Book Store in Salisbury, Maryland, during which time he and his father help those who attend. A lot can be learned from playing with others that can't be learned during a one on one lesson. Also, there is an individual living on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, not too far from the bay bridge that is accomplished in frailing and in old time mountain music. This individual is well known and respected in the mountain music community and teaches at home and around the country. I started taking lessons which are very, very reasonably priced and consist of the whole day, or as much as you can take at one time. You mentioned living near Deale, Maryland. If frailing or clawhammer are your interests, it would benifit you greatly to spend some time with these people. If you would post your email address or telephone number, I can give you more specifics. Banjo Bill
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| Posted: Fri Dec 9th, 2005 12:47 pm |
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12th Post |
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Pfwriter Approved
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Right on, Banjo Bill. My email is locked into my web page. Peter@elderhostelmysteries.com Caution here is it's hostel rather than tle And phone number is 410-535-9266 Be interested in the person that lives near the bridge, but it about an hour and fifteen minutes away. But may I could double up on lessons and go every other week. Or something. But I think I agree that I need to play with others. I have been doing nothing but playing with myself--hmm, that doesn't sound right--playing banjo alone and I think my timing might not be completely correct. And there's a bit of pressure playing with others I need to get used to. But right now, I got to get back to work on my writing. Thanks for your help. Peter Abresch, IMBA best selling author of Bloody Bonsai, Killing Thyme, Tip A Canoe, Painted Lady, the Jim Dandy ELDERHOSTEL Mysteries: http://www.elderhostelmysteries.com EASY READING WRITING, & BookMarc: http://www.easyreadingwriting.com
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| Posted: Wed Feb 1st, 2006 06:51 am |
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13th Post |
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Bill Approved
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Hello my name is Bill and I was wondering if there were anymore places that you knew of? I am about 180 miles from D.C. (I live in Newport News, VA) and would really like some help. I don't mind paying (as long as I can afford it) but I would like something kind of close. Thanks! Bill
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