Free Banjo Lesson: Avoid These Common Beginner Mistakes

[@mikefinley4367]

All of it good advise. My sister's played piano and took lessons, I never did but after hearing the same tunes repeatedly I just plunked one key at a time listening to the sound and played the same one note at a time. This works for chords as well so playing by ear isn't as hard as someone may think, it requires really LISTENING. If you hear but don't listen it's like watching this video and wasting your time. Decide if what Mike says applies to you after you TRULY LISTEN and to do so you don't think because thinking isn't being quiet and if your not quiet your not listening.

[@ct4883]

Great information. I'm a beginner and I've been playing without the picks because I didn't want my mistakes to be so loud. lol. Filling the banjo with pillow stuffing really quiets the instrument considerably. Good stuff. No pun intended. Thanks, Mike. Btw, any pickers out there in Reno, NV? Let's play.

[@johnmcglade6417]

That was an excellent video. How do you find others to play with?

[@adkBanjo]

When I started I fell into the 'no picks' trap immediately. Then I started lessons and played cripple creek for my recital - the teacher stopped me and said "if you want to play Scruggs style, you need to wear picks". Had to learn the five or six songs I knew all over again! Argh! Also Mike - I am so glad that you essentially said (paraphrasing here) 'There is a place for tab and a place without tab (or sheet music)' I bought a Murphy lesson for Alison Krauss's 'I Will' from the Murphy Method - the video lesson was all just playing and no tab/sheet at all. She was just calling out the finger placements here and there. I had to pause the video every coupled seconds and I wrote the Tab, with variation options that provided for easier transitions, if needed. I emailed her the Tab - because I thought for that song (Drop C tuning, complex fretboard melodic style) it was an absolute necessity. She never responded or thanked me because they say it ALL THE TIME that they HATE TAB. How can she say that when she is essentially vocalizing the tab when she explains the song? So unhelpful and short sighted.

[@iggamba]

you are the Banjo Hero :)

[@j.c.lipseymusic884]

My goal is to be able to vamp in a group of bluegrass (mostly guitar players) and then play a Melodic break (with supporting fills) when the rotation comes around to me. I am working on wildwood flower. Everybody in the group (mandolin, fiddle, guitar) have a melodic break. I want to be the banjo guy! I have a strong background in guitar, but I am learning why there are 20 guitar players to every banjo player. A different animal! Any lessons you have to help a person transition from guitar over to banjo would be encouraging as well ! Thanks!

[@j.c.lipseymusic884]

The Spanish analogy is awesome! Makes a lot of sense ….

[@damerkman]

I like the new background.... the green wall that you have in other videos, has a small mark to the left of you (as I look at you) that is very distracting. Much less distracting with this background.

[@paulbrunton877]

Thanks so much Mike, 🌝

[@ZionForman]

fingerpicks are only necessary for Scruggs/bluegrass style playing. pretty much agree with everything else. enjoy your vids, thanks.

[@MikeHeddingMusic]

Yes, these tips are for bluegrass banjo. Picks aren't necessary for other styles of banjo playing. - Mike

[@seaweed2007]

Dammit. Okay, I’ll wear the picks. (grumble grumble grumble) 😒