Beginner tenor banjo - Lesson 1 The basics

[@AndyMcGeehan]

Hi Karen! I've been playing bluegrass banjo for 53 years (I play in a small bluegrass band based in Frederick, Maryland, USA) and I'm just starting to get into tenor banjo. I'm starting from scratch here and your videos are very helpful. Thanks for sharing your expertise!

[@karendolanbanjo]

Delighted to hear that! Thank you Andy!

[@kevinmulligan9055]

Great. This is the first lesson i needed. Im in scotland but been to cavan many times family in bailiborough. So im gonna follow all your lessons. I bought a ac-4 gold tone. First attempted at tuning i broke the G string so gonna have to wait till the new one arrives. But i can still practice your taught techniques while i wait.

[@sheilalucas9154]

Brilliant lesson. I'm a newby, have you done other lessons.

[@jembo1959]

Hi Karen I just found your KZbin channel, I just got a chance to buy a 19 fret Tanglewood banjo that was in someone's attic for a while, anyway at age 61 and still in lockdown I fancy learning the banjo, it does need a good cleaning and new strings but other than that in good condition, I have subscribed to your channel, and look forward to maybe getting a tune or two from this banjo. Cheers from Kildare.

[@karendolanbanjo]

Hi Jimmy, gimme a shout if you ever need anything!

[@Nicholas-dreamlove]

I just purchased a 1960's BELTONE 4 string Irish tenor banjo and having fun.

[@MrJacobs55]

I think I can learn this now, thanx

[@mohamedouboubker113]

Hi Karen. Thanks for this. You have a nice banjo. I need someone banjo

[@meffjills]

thanks for this, really helped

[@jollytinker6951]

Thankyou so much Karen hope to see more lessons🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@jacklynch9603]

Go on ya girl ya yeow

[@christophkotter7406]

Top

[@wiggsan]

Do you plan to post other lessons? My biggest issue is with my wrist floating up off the strings.

[@karendolanbanjo]

Yes I do Alex! I’ve also got a beginners course on Udemy!

[@jamesflanagan1233]

@@karendolanbanjo if this course is still available can you link it please i cannot find it. Thanks

[@ciderposse1]

Hi Karen, I would like to get into the banjo but the the pinky finger on my left hand doesnt work properly. Does this matter to get the correct notes on the fretboard?

[@karendolanbanjo]

@@ciderposse1 I wouldn’t let that stop you. I swap between using my pinky for GD’A’ and then I always use it for G#, Eb and B’.

[@ciderposse1]

@@karendolanbanjo thank you!

[@LintRoller86]

what banjo are you using? and what is a good beginner tenor banjo to purchase? thank you

[@karendolanbanjo]

Hey, I’m playing a Dave Boyle. I honestly wouldn’t recommend spending anything more than €300-400 or $400

[@darastuart2377]

Hi ive been playing Scruggs style banjo for 10 years because of wrist surgery could I play an Irish tenor banjo using 3 picks which im used to instead of using a plectrum thank you Dara.

[@zozolione]

Hi Karen, Thank you very much is very helpful. I've got a question regarding neck technique. I come from guitar and play left hand using four fingers, each for every fret. It feel for me more natural and efficient but I know I'm gonna struggle with the pinky at the high B and back. So I try to mix the three finger original Irish technique when it's possible ;-). What dou you would suggest to start from new and do the "right" way or still do the own style? At the right hand my pinky is leaning on the fur slightly but I'm much accurate, is that a problem to avoid? Thank you very much, best regards from switzerland

[@aperson8988]

Ive got the same question -sort of... using the three finger fret method (fiddle), how do you know what finger to use on the third fret?

[@johnmccabe7258]

What is cost complete

[@seanokeeffe5604]

Hi Karen I just bought a bango how do i tune it ...?

[@karendolanbanjo]

G D A E

[@tele789]

What strings do you like?

[@patrickkehoe2178]

Hey Karen, any more lesson videos coming up?

[@karendolanbanjo]

If you follow me on Instagram karen_banjo I take requests for videos 😊

[@kayleekinsella5133]

Hi Karen Do you rest your hand on the head I kinda have the same right hand style as yourself do you find it ok compared to endas style I just can't rest my hand anywhere on the tailpiece or on the strings as he says just feels unnatural and uncomfortable for me anyway

[@karendolanbanjo]

It’s personal preference! I always say near but not touching the bridge as we don’t want to block the sound from the strings. I hope this helped! :)

[@aperson8988]

my hand was uncomfortable too on the tailpiece, I used some doublesticky tape to stick a piece of thin white styrofoam fabric (I dont know how better to describe it, its often used to pack small electrical goods) on the tailpiece and partly on the strings behind the bridge. It works brilliant -no more uncomfortable hand.

[@wiggsan]

Excellent!

[@SiFi5478]

Hi Karen, new subscriber here. I discovered you only yesterday and have to say your playing is incredible! So inspiring in fact, that I've bought your tutorial course and I haven't even got a tenor yet! My eyes are on the prize though and maybe you can help with that next step. I see you play a 19 fret tenor banjo and I'm just wondering if I should do the same. I've been looking at 17 fret tenors as I thought that was the Irish way. Why did you choose the 19? Also would an open back banjo be alright to learn on or do you recommend going for a resonator right off the bat? Anyway, cheers for the inspiration! 👍 Simon (in Wales)

[@bertvanstraten3991]

Prachtige