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| Moderated by: Tony Provencher, Richard Hefner |
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| Have a few questions, suggestions??? | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Thu Oct 25th, 2007 03:47 am |
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1st Post |
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pheonix28 Approved
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Hello everyone. I am as new of a beginner as possible. I don't know how to play any musical instruments, but I am really interested in learning the Banjo. I was wondering if the clawhammer style or bluegrass style would be better for a beginner to learn? If I learned one style would I be able to learn the other without too much difficulty? I am looking at a roughly $200 budget give or take about $50 what type of banjo should I buy? from what I've read open back is what I want if I'm going for the clawhamemr style. Where should I look, what brands? any suggestions? Also, where/what types of materials should I be looking for in getting a banjo? Thanks Pheonix28 Last edited on Thu Oct 25th, 2007 04:01 am by pheonix28 |
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| Posted: Thu Oct 25th, 2007 08:45 am |
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2nd Post |
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mark Approved 
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Welcome to EZF! I am only a novice on Banjo myself (Clawhammer) and I am sure you will get several different answers here but my $0.02 ... Regarding which style is easiest to learn, most people would probably agree that progress can be made quicker with Clawhammer although once you get past the basic bump-dit-ty things start getting more complex (and can easily become as intricate as any bluegrass picking). I think you should just decide which style you would prefer to learn rather than whats the easiest, what type of banjo sound do you prefer, do you want to play on your own or with only one or two other instruments (guitar / fiddle?) or possibly using the banjo to back some singing? If this is the case then Clawhammer style would work best. Do you want to play in a mid to large sized group setting, play intricate banjo breaks (leads)? If so Scruggs ( bluegrass) style is for you. Have a think about this, listen to the two styles and then make up your mind. Some people do play both styles very well indeed although I suspect few learn both simultaneously. As for an instrument to buy, again most people will tell you to buy one of two brands: The Deering Goodtime or the Gold Tone CC100, both of which are reputed to be excellent starter instruments. Obviously your budget may not get you a new one but if you can find a used one you wouldn't go far wrong. An open back would be cheaper and it doesn't matter if what style you decide to learn, both can be played without the use of a resonator. That said I just decided I was going to find a cheap playable instrument to learn on and then upgrade if I could play it (any banjo better than none!). My banjo is a cheap asian open back (Vintage VOB12) and whilst it's nothing fancy it works, its neck is straight, the action is fine, it holds tune and produces a reasonable tone. I know I will want to upgrade at some point next year but by then I will know a little more about the instrument and exactly what it is I would be looking for. good luck
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| Posted: Thu Oct 25th, 2007 07:20 pm |
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3rd Post |
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pheonix28 Approved
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Thank you. I really like the sound of clawhammer. And that is what I was gearing towards, but I didn't know if that would be a bad idea or not... as I said before, I don't play any other instruments so I'm really new in all this.
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| Posted: Fri Oct 26th, 2007 01:42 am |
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4th Post |
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pheonix28 Approved
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I was looking around at different websites, I found this http://www.banjo.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=1232 Is it a bad idea to get something like that? that's at the upper end of my budget... Thanks again everyone for the help Pheonix28
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| Posted: Fri Oct 26th, 2007 02:59 am |
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5th Post |
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banjo brad Super Moderator 
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Banjo.com is a reliable, well-respected dealer. The Morgan Monroe brand is a good, inexpensive instrument name. And the "Clawhammer from Scratch" DVD's add another $20 US of value to the purchase. However, you really would need the book/CD also, and I would check on the second DVD in the series. I'm partial to clawhammer, myself, and think that you would be best served by learning it first. The Bluegrass stuff is fairly complicated and, I think, requires some musical knowledge to get it right. A good check point to help you determine the style you want: 1. Which style do you like to listen to the most? 2. Will you be playing mainly by yourself? (clawhammer is more 'self' friendly) 3. Do you want to be able to strum along to singing? (clawhammer is more 'folk singing' friendly) 4. Are there jams/circles around you can get to? (both can be a big help and add to your learning) Can you find a teacher or another banjo player to help you? With no instrument experience, I would really look for some guidance. There should be plenty of both types of pickers in your area, beings it's in Kentuky! Good luck, and welcome to the banjo and ezFolk! Don't hesitate to ask questions, there is no such thing as a stupid question (although I have been known to give really stupid answers)! Brad Last edited on Fri Oct 26th, 2007 03:03 am by banjo brad ____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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| Posted: Fri Oct 26th, 2007 07:49 am |
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6th Post |
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mark Approved
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pheonix28 wrote: I was looking around at different websites, I found this http://www.banjo.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=1232 It looks better than my starter instrument 
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| Posted: Fri Oct 26th, 2007 05:53 pm |
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7th Post |
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pheonix28 Approved
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Thanks banjo brad. I have been checking around, and may be able to find that banjo locally, I was wondering, What all should I get, learning material wise? I'm looking at making a purchase within the next few days, so I really appreciate all your help.
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| Posted: Fri Oct 26th, 2007 07:50 pm |
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8th Post |
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banjo brad Super Moderator
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If you want to learn the OT music in clawhammer style, I would suggest the Dan Levenson "Clawhammer from Scratch" book/CD and DVDs. These will introduce you to the style that is probably best known as Old Time - the fiddle tunes from the Appalachian/Southern Mountains area of the South. Don't forget to look through the videos and tabs Richard has here on ezFolk, and there are a couple of short videos of the basic "bum-ditty" stroke on my ezFolk page (in my signature). Keep us posted. Brad
____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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| Posted: Sat Oct 27th, 2007 02:40 am |
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9th Post |
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pheonix28 Approved
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Thanks. I am going to buy the bano from banjo.com. Is $40 an hour expensive or cheap for banjo lessons? Ken Perlman lives relatively close to me, and he said that I could get private lessons for $40 an hour. I have noticed his name on some training materials and was just wondering if that is too much or not? Thanks Pheonix28
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| Posted: Sat Oct 27th, 2007 07:03 am |
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10th Post |
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mark Approved
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I reckon if you get any such opportunity you should take it, at least for a while - $40 must be considered cheap for Ken's time (from memory the going rate seems to be $20 / $30 per 30 minutes). good luck.
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| Posted: Sat Oct 27th, 2007 06:42 pm |
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11th Post |
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banjo brad Super Moderator
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Oh, you lucky so-and-so! Run, do not walk, to Ken and beg for some lessons! He is one of the top clawhammer player/teachers around. Even if you only get a few lessons, they will help immeasurably. And, even if you can only get one a month, do it. I would have loved to be able to taka a lesson or two from Ken when I first started. Good luck! Brad
____________________ ezFolk Help Brad Prickly Pear Music Banjo Brad's ezFolk page TOTMC |
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| Posted: Sun Oct 28th, 2007 03:23 am |
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12th Post |
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BanjoGal Approved 
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I would highly recommend the clawhammer style of playing. I tried bluegrass style and had some issues. I think it's the whole coordination thing. Clawhammer makes sense and allows you to play a lot more melody notes than bluegrass, at least in my opinion. Plus you'll have a blast with clawhammer! I just started and absolutely love this style of banjo.
____________________ The banjo is such a happy instrument--you can't play a sad song on the banjo - it always comes out so cheerful. -Steve Martin |
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| Posted: Mon Oct 29th, 2007 02:08 am |
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13th Post |
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pheonix28 Approved
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Thanks for the input everyone. I should get my banjo sometime this week (ordered it last friday) so I'm really excited. I am broke atm... spent all my money on that banjo. but on my next paycheck, or sometime in the next month, I will probably be getting at least a lesson or 2 from ken.
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| Posted: Sun Nov 4th, 2007 10:01 pm |
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14th Post |
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flowerofthewest Approved 
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Wow, get set up with Ken! I have been to two of his workshops here in the UK and they were great. You will learn so much from him! Jody
____________________ Wildflowers don't care where they grow. |
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| Posted: Mon Nov 5th, 2007 07:34 am |
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15th Post |
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pheonix28 Approved
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well... right now I'm kinda havin some financial problems... truck problems... other problems... but if I get a chance I will.
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