A quintessentially American instrument, yet originating from Africa, the banjo is used in many different styles of music from folk and bluegrass to country and dixieland. The most popular banjo is the 5-string, pioneered by musicians such as Earl Scruggs playing songs such as Cripple Creek and Foggy Mountain.
Learning the banjo correctly and having good technique can often be challenging and whilst there are plenty of online resources, there is no replacement for a personal tutor.
To help us understand how best to start learning, celebrated banjo player and teacher, John Dowling has answered some questions on purchasing the right banjo and getting started.
Purchasing a banjo
Is there anything specific musicians should look out for when buying a banjo?
1) Entry level: “Most music shops sell beginners banjos these days. At these early stages, where you’re still figuring out if you’re going to enjoy learning to play, it might be a bad idea to buy the cheapest instrument you can find. Budget banjos can be very difficult to play due to poor setup and manufacturing methods and simply sound terrible which will not act as much of a boost to your confidence.
You also don’t need to invest in a banjo with a resonator (the bowl on the back). The resonator was developed during the Trad Jazz era to reflect the sound and make the banjo louder during a time of limited amplification. Factory made banjos can quite often have a significantly larger price tag for a resonator banjo that may well be of a much poorer quality than a slightly cheaper ‘open back’. For a first time banjo expect to pay £300-800 for a good quality instrument.
John is not just a great banjo player, but a master musician
Ralph McTell
Intermediate level – By this time you will have been playing long enough to not only be able to knock out a few good tunes but will also have more experience of banjo setup and playability. You should probably now look into buying a banjo that compliments your ability. Expect to pay £1,000-2,000.
Advanced level – An advanced player deserves an instrument that will allow him or her to fulfil their playing potential. As a professional instrument that would last a lifetime you may also want to consider a custom made banjo with your own dimensions, inlay designs and other preferences. Expect to pay £2,500 and above.
The learning process
How would you recommend banjo players begin learning?
In this day and age their are plenty of resources to learn from; online, books, DVDs etc. The problem with all of them is that they can’t tell you if you’re doing something wrong and you can’t ask them a question. I have known too many banjoists that are self taught and have terrible bad habits which inhibit them from playing certain things. If only once a year, visit a reputable teacher to make sure you’re doing things correctly.
John Dowling is the most remarkable banjo player I’ve heard in ages
Billy Connolly
The quickest and most effective way of learning is to find a banjo teacher, the only problem is that they are few and far between.
It is not only hard to find a teacher but also to take the time to learn as an adult. For those who can’t find a teacher or do not have time for face to face lessons, Skype tutorials are becoming increasingly popular.
With regards to your playing, most teaching resources follow a similar structure. At first you learn the rolls (picking patterns), then the chords, then onto some basic tunes asap.
The difference between Bluegrass and other types of music is the discipline applied. Classical and Jazz musicians follow strict practice regimes that incorporate scales and exercises to improve their playing, whereas in Bluegrass the focus is on the ‘fun’ and the social aspect.
Whilst this acts as a quality, it has to be said that the average standard of Bluegrass is far less than the average standard in other genres of music.
The successful professionals in Bluegrass have all adopted the ‘strict practice’ approach which may be something to consider if you want to be the best you possibly can.”
John Dowling offers Skype lessons, co-owns a banjo manufacturing company and has published a book, ‘The Contemporary Banjo Player’, which shows musicians a range of exercises and practice tips.
Do you play the banjo? How long did it take you to pick up the basics? Let us know in the comments below!
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