Way Off Topic

[John T]

Ive taken on challenges before buttttttttttttt I may have bitten off more n I can chew this time. I can chord a guitar just a lil, like around a campfire etc soooooooooooooo I gets this bright idea I wanna learn to play the 5 string banjo at my age!!!!! I have an old one n put new strings on it n looked up a few chords on the net and learned n can change their positions after only 2 days of practice buttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt its that right hand finger pickin style with thumb n finger tip pics (the way I want to learn) that may drive me to drink lol. My old brain has a hard time workin my right hand fingers in like a 3251 4251 3251 4251 forward roll and then try n change chords with my left hand at the same freakin time grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr the 'first wife" soothes my frustration a lil sayin I cant hardly learn in 2 days what will take hours n hours n yearssssssssss of practice. Patience aint my best virtue so hope I can stay with it a few months before I get frustrated n hang it up. I found this dude who is gonna give me weekly lessons starting tomorrow, maybe that will help lol I really really wanna learn to play Cripple Creek n Ole Joe Clark n Ballad of Jed Clampett etc but figure thats a year away if I practice daily.

Oh well, as Hyman Roth said in Godfather Part II "This is the life we have chosen"

Ol John T and all

 

[georgeky]

John T, I feel for you. I have been trying for more than 40 years and still can't play. I can chord a guitar,banjo,fiddle, mandolin and can't play any of them. I do know a lot of great pickers, and they can't help me either. In 1974 my grandpa,dad and myself built a house in Lexington, Ky for J. D. Crowe. Now he is a picker. He plays sometimes at a music shop not far from me that is owned and operated by his guitar picker and singer Ricky Wasson. I just sit and listen since that is all I can do.

 

[ScottyHOMeY]

I stik with guitar and mandolin. HAd some toughts aobout baner once. Didn't take it vry far.

If I recall, Scruggs's old instructional book, when it came to developing the right-hand rolls, went something like (Practice this over and over, 5 or 10,00 times. Then the next day, practice it another 5 or 10,00 times."

My brother struggled with books and tapes for years. He finally started lessons a few years back and i (FINally!) a pretty decent picker.

Hang in there!

 

[Anonymous-0]

what have you got to lose? go for it! trying something new will help keep you young.
my m-i-l is 86 she is always on the go mrs 730 won't call her during the day as she is hardly home. she doesn't have time to get old she's to busy. she is working on giving 10 gallons of blood and will probably pass it by christmas. today she went to a play drives all over the place and is agood driver. susie told her mom she is good to make 112.

 

[Allan in NE]

John,

It comes in the tinest of ever-so-tiny increments and the secret is in the constant repetition.

Your wife is right. Think in terms of years.

Allan

 

[IaGary]

Here I thought those hands where rough from work 8)

But really its the music playing. :lol:

Give them fingers a rest man. You bout got them wore to the bone.

Gary

 

[Allan in NE]

Gotta keep the dust off my babies. :>)

Allan

 

[Luke S]

Allan, is there anything you can't do?

 

[Allan in NE]

Lots of things I can't do. :>(

Allan

 

[Anonymous-0]

Go slow, get the timing of the rolls down pat, switching from forward to reverse rolls, then just keep at it and the speed will come as you learn the songs. Took me a while starting at my age. Daily practice and fingers will get sore.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Keep at it! I bought myself a resonator guitar, (squareneck/dobro/slide etc) and it's been a blast. I don't get nearly enough time with it, but I am making progress. I think every starting musician feels they're not learning anything, and that's what I thought, but looking back, I've come a along way since a couple months ago. The big thing to get over is becoming comfortable with the strings and knowing where to put your fingers to pick a string. The dobro requires fingerpicks too, and it's much different than just using the tips of your fingers. Takes a while to learn the difference and the placement. Good luck, and if you're ever in N. IL let me know and we'll jam on a little bluegrass. Better get working on Wayfarin' Stranger, cause that's my goal.

 

[NEsota]

Recently local public television, had an hour and a half program about Les Paul. The guy had some electronics smarts to go along with his other talents. He advanced music considerable. Program gives him credit for advancment to solid body guitar and over dubbing of music. Watch for this program to be shown again.

 

[Mike (WA)]

Husband of a local lady got laid off from work, times were a little tough (15 years or so ago), and all he could find was long haul trucking. Lady was faced with a lot of free time, and wanted to do something that would keep her occupied so she didn't just waste it. Bluegrass banjo it was. She said it took her about a year to get to where she was willing to play with an audience, but now is in great demand for local bluegrass bands and is a very good picker. I've thought about it, but don't have the patience. Good luck!

 

[Anonymous-0]

Good on You. Just make practice a habit. Don't be happy at bedtime unless you have spent some quality time with the banjo.

I should take up the piano again...maybe I will.

Joe

 

[Allan in NE]

What's that old saying?

If I don't practice for a day, I can sure tell it.
If I don't practice for two days, my wife can tell it.

If I don't practice for three days, EVERYONE can tell it. :>)

Allan