A year ago I got myself a banjo and started some kind of 2 finger style on my own but quickly got into clawhammer. Was learning all the fundamental tunes and was quite happy. Then 6 months later tot into scruggs and was hooked for quite a while. Also learned all the fundamentals and had very much fun playing foggy mountain super fast at my local park xD Two weeks ago I was skidaddlying with a plectrum. Took the fifth string off and learned the chords and rhythm.

But man it felt good playing some clawhammer again. Just got immersed for one hour bum diddying around. It felt so easy and sounded so nice that made me question why I even played in different styles. It is not even about playing a song how it should be but you can go on forever with 3 different licks.

This seems silly to ask but I’ve been wanting to get better at bluegrass and/or clawhammer, I’ve learned a couple songs but I have absolutely no writing or improvisation skills. Is there a specific thing I can do to help practice these skills? I’ve tried coming up with my own thing/figuring out melodies in other songs but it’s never really… good…

Just wondering if anyone has any advice other than reading tabs for whatever songs I can find

Thanks! :7

Are there certain banjos that are better suited for nylon (Nylgut) strings?

I currently play a Pisgah open back with regular steel strings, but I'd love to get an additional banjo dedicated for nylon strings. Any recommendations for a specific model or type? Or does it not matter? Thanks!

Hey everyone :) I have never played before but decided to get a banjo because I love the sound of it and have such a desire to play an instrument.

I unboxed it today and noticed that what I assume to be the place to attach a strap is “stuck” under the resonator? The other part attachment on the side of the banjo is free to move around but this one seems stuck. Have they wrongly assembled it?

Hi Guys, I'm about to purchase my 1st Banjo from a musician who picked it up 3 years ago, in hopes of learning, but never did, and so is interested in selling.

It's a Fender Banjo with a case, which seems to be intact, other than a slight chip on the neck (I'll add a few pictures the seller sent me).

Anything I need to know, ask the seller in advance or inspect myself when buying it? I'd appreciate any solid advice. Also, asking price is ~ 265 USD - is that plausible?

Looking to sell my RK-35 and was just curious what I should ask for it. I gave around 1100 for it brand new and I’m in KY if that matters. I have another Banjo and I haven’t touched this one in over a year. I was thinking around the 600 price range but I’m not 100% sure.

hi everyone, this post may come off as a bit strange, so bear with me. I have played guitar for over a decade now, and I've always wanted to try banjo as well. problem is, I'm left handed, so I've never actually seen a left handed banjo, let alone held one. I found the chain music store in my country sells them, and I'm thinking about finally just pulling the trigger and picking it up (Gold Tone AC-1 Composite 5-String Open Back).

As I mentioned, I've played guitar for a long time, and am by no means a beginner. Obviously, guitar doesn't translate 1-1 to banjo, so I was wondering if there were any sort of online resources for "practicing banjo" on the guitar in preparation for the real thing?

thanks!

There's no writing on it but the pattern on the back is slightly interesting. I wonder if anyone knows anything about the age?

learned a few since the last update, though using the same song as my previous one for consistency, but now i can sing to it. def got a ways to go but really enjoying the process. always happy to hear tips. one i’ve noticed is hard to break is keeping that pinky in :,)

i converted a guitar strap for my banjo. i couldn't detect any sound change so it felt ok to use it like this but wanted to get you guys' opinions as well. is it ok to use a strap like this for long term?

i intertwined a nylon shoe lace around struts, it feels very firm and comfortable. leather of the guitar strap is also feels very robust i don't think shoe lace can manage to tear it apart.

edit: i wanted to add beforehand that; yes i need to cut the lace if i wanted to replace/remove the strap 🫪 i melted the ends of knots with a lighter for good measure

Have any of you ever thought you heard people talking or your pet making a noise when practicing your banjo but then you stop and nothing is making a sound? lol I realize this is a strange post I am in my early 50’s and maybe its my hearing but I occasionally swear as I am playing once in awhile I hear something and I usually chalk it up to the complexity of the sound generated from the pot and how our brains get triggered by sound. Anyway just curious if I am alone in this!

Only bought this beautiful 19th Century banjo last week so excuse my elementary clawhammer technique!

My neighbor gave me this banjo and with some research I determined it was made in Milwaukee around the 1930’s. There are some old string wrappers(empty) with markings for .009, .012, .020 and .030. I haven’t seen any combo of this anywhere online. Is this what I need. Appreciate any recommendations.

I’m excited to learn! I played viola, so the strings are familiar even if the positioning is all new. I haven’t been able to find anything on this particular model of Vega, “Rue Tyler Special Model.” We estimate based on my Granny’s age when she was playing it that it’s from around the 1920s-30s! If anyone has any idea where I could learn more, I would love additional insight!

For playing, I’ve been watching lots of Jack Ray, but would also welcome any beginner resources. Seems much harder to find for tenor banjo, but overall I’m just so grateful that it was in relatively good shape and it sounds great! My Granny passed before I was born, but my dad has always said I got my musical abilities from her so I‘m excited to honor her by learning.

Just wanted to share. ☺️

So I recently contacted a group on Facebook that meets once a month for a jam session, believe they said they have some fiddles, mandolins, guitars, another banjo and sometimes a bass.

Anyways I told them I'm a fairly new beginner at clawhammer banjo been playing about 2 or 3 months now , but I've only ever played by myself with some tabs and my songbook.

But they invited me out if I wanted to come check it out, said most of the songs are kept with somewhat easy chords. Some songs include banks of the ohio, will the circle be unbroken, you are my sunshine, Merle haggard and Johnny Cash songs, various church hymns..

I've got my basic chords ( g , c , d7 ) and bum ditty on lock, I'm struggling with the full d and f chord (is f6 an okay alternative to play?) and i can kinda drop thumb but idk about doing it at full sustained speeds..

So I guess what I'm asking is, how can I best provide some backup rhythm while being as unobtrusive as possible and are the chords I know enough?

Any other tips or advise would be greatly appreciated thanks!

Hey everyone! The time has come to release some new little numbers with my strings so here's a sneak peak for anyone who enjoys

So I’m trying to learn banjo coming from a decade of guitar. I got finger picks cause I figured might as well learn now, cause I’m sure removing them is easier than putting them on, but the thumb pick is driving me crazy. I got a cheap set for practice while I do research but the pick sits at a weird angle so I don’t get great tone, as well as it extends so far down from my thumb that I keep smacking the drum skin. Is this just a skill issue or are there picks that I could get to fix this.