Posted by Randy Escobedo on January 14, 19102 at 08:37:47:
In Reply to: new player posted by doug on January 13, 19102 at 20:53:59:
Hello Doug,
Some things I did when I started playing 26 years ago was:
Make sure you have the banjo tuned properly. Nothing sounds good when not tuned no matter what key.
When learning your banjo rolls don't be concerned about speed. It will come with practice and time.
I would play those rolls and paterns over hundreds of times....just ask my mother!
It helped me "greatly" to listen to Earl on his recordings. Take time to study what he is playing.
Listen to the paterns. If you have a way to slow down the recordings this also helps in figuring
what he is playing. This is so important when learnig backup work too. I wore out many albums doing this.
Just don't listen to a certain period in Earl's carrer. Check out all recordings you can get. His work on
the Revue and his solo albums are wonderful resources for learning all types of playing. Don't be
stuck in one mode of style for this will limit your playing thorough the years to come.
I remember wathing him on T.V. and studying his hand positions during playing. I still do this.
I can always learn something new from him. Just about the time you think you got it he
will surprise you. Just listen to his new CD for example. I quess what I am saying is you
are never too old to learn something.
Keep your banjo properly cleaned and adjusted. There is no joy in
playing a instrument that is never clean or has poor playing action.
Don't buy cheap strings. You get what you pay for. I prefer Gibson strings. I use
light or medium depending on what I am playing and what type of sound I want.
It is good to pick with other players. Pick up on their ideas
and style. You will enjoy playing the banjo. It will give you many
years of enjoyment as it has me. I could go on and on.....Good luck Doug. Hope
some of this helps you. I am self taught and these are some of many
things I did.