Is the Banjo Actually Hard?

Many people seem to think that bluegrass banjo is hard because of how fast it is often played, but is this really true? Thanks for watching! #shorts #banjo #bluegrass
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My banjo is a Gold Tone OB 250+
Contact info: [e-mail]

[@Thayer2000]

Yes, listening to the Banjo sounds like it is really complicated!

[@MasonCroneMusic]

It sounds like it for sure. It can be hard depending on what you're playing, but most stuff isn't too hard.

[@shadowwolf9329]

Determination and the will to learn helps along with practice goes along way one of the upper classmen in the high school taught himself to play a banjo he started with one finger at time plucking each string with each finger.

[@Ff_editz3332]

I play tenor so does my dad Stevie dunne banjo go check him out I have been playing from February and I have already been to so many music opportunities now this is for Irish trad music

[@killaken2000]

as my college linear algebra professor would say, "it's easy once you know how to do it."

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Exactly 😄

[@gbenother8755]

Similarly, my mentor back in the 90s decided to stop playing golf, because he said once you know how to do it, there's no more challenge and it's a lot less fun! To prove that he knew how to do it, he once gave a group of us a demonstration at a driving range. We would say, put one right next to that 150 yard flag. He'd ask left or right? Whatever we said, the man would perfectly nail it, and I mean every single time! Fades, draws, whatever.

[@Atxcmtb]

this is even funnier in the context of linear algebra😂

[@joshcantrell8397]

And I’m sure you’re putting that linear algebra to good use today…

[@Calz20Videos]

@@joshcantrell8397linear algebra is the most useful field of mathematics it is the sole reason you were even able to search to find this give me a break

[@johnpaulhumphrey2981]

Banjo is very complicated to learn. You have to consume an average of 135 kilos of black eyed peas a month, as well as three gallons of molasses a year, and if you want to be a master, Okra. Then you have to do intense exercises. I would recommend getting a gym membership as well as joining some track clubs. Even then you ahve to be trained under a super harsh banjo master for years. Then you can play Salt Creek on a intermediate level. Hope this helps! I also play banjo, but didn't eat the Okra, so can't play it as good as Scruggs.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

😂

[@elisabethemory]

😂😂😂

[@terryogletree2128]

I'd have to cut back

[@R41ph3a7b6]

How funny. But, who's Scruggs? You spelt have as "ahve."

[@soupertrooper3864]

Well you set the mark too low lol, you ought to know you've got to eat 'possum and taters with poke salad to reach Earl's level

[@joshuagriego1562]

It only gets hard if it doesn't make you happy.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Oh yeah, I always say that there's no point in learning an instrument if you don't like it.

[@anaverageshitposter9553]

That's what he said...

[@ImAllergicToSkin]

@@anaverageshitposter9553he was agreeing…

[@Randald]

I have the opposite experience.

[@kittycat2157]

I’m a lifelong guitarist, and I just started learning banjo yesterday because I always wanted to learn so I could play my favorite old timey folk songs. I literally just learned how to do a forwards roll, and a played a simplified version of Bile ‘Em Cabbage Down found in the lesson book I bought. I started slow and built up speed, after three hours of playing my dad comes in my room and says “that sounds REALLY good.” I told him you know what the melody I’m playing is actually really simple. This is a very fun instrument.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

That's awesome!

[@kittycat2157]

@@MasonCroneMusic thanks! I am looking for material to help with banjo and the algorithm fed me your video. I appreciate the dedication and labor of love it takes to teach others. You have gained a subscriber in me.

[@hexkwondo]

I picked up the banjo pretty recently too. Boil that Cabbage Down was my first song too. I come playing guitar and bass so, jumping over to banjo wasn’t too hard of a transition.

[@alexhage8092]

Very accurate, we just love the amazing sound of the banjo

[@HariiLord]

Currently saving for my first banjo, will be checking out more of your content, thanks for the word of encouragement!

[@Deadeye2907]

I love it when musicians make their instruments more accessible. There's no reason to discourage new musicians just to fluff your ego! It's about the music after all, and more music is a win for everyone :)

[@ronaldwietecha]

I quit playin' the fiddle in the third grade 'cause my mustache kept a gittin' caught in the strings. I've been playin' the banjo ever since.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

🤣

[@randyleonard4126]

Now now,a violin has strings..A fiddle has strangs..😂😂

[@ronaldwietecha]

@@randyleonard4126 😄😄😄

[@Iamthesenateiwillmakeitlegal]

"It took me several years and a lot of practice but its not that hard" 😂

[@MasonCroneMusic]

That's not what I said, I was pointing to my experience to validate that I know how hard (or not hard) it is.

[@Iamthesenateiwillmakeitlegal]

@@MasonCroneMusic I know I was just cutting up with you lol nice playing btw

[@gregorywhite9095]

It's like the piano (and I play both). It seems easy at first but then gets harder as you get better. Ultimately all instruments have the same level of difficulty once you achieve some technical mastery. It's all music...the rewards are incalculable.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

True

[@m.j.9318]

Disagree. Not all Instruments are difficult. Or maybe i didnt reach master level in the triangle Instrument.xD

[@MasonCroneMusic]

@@m.j.9318 This person meant real instruments, triangle doesn't count 😂

[@unfairbasss1186]

How bouta a drum

[@Enryu_CZX]

​@@unfairbasss1186ofc it's hard

[@MrPSaun]

Subscribed. It's always good to see young musicians who obviously have a passion for their craft.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Thanks!

[@Azmania3000]

I heard the hardest part about playing banjo is the inevitable car chase that follows. Keeping rythmn is one thing, but making a car pause mid air as it jumps over a ravine, is something else.

[@snickers6125]

I play many instruments and banjo is actually pretty easy and fun, not much on the left hand just alot of picking patterns mainly

[@schwarzesonne6529]

I jumped to banjo after 20 years on bass guitar and let me tell you it is a lot harder to slap a banjo but the percussion is so nice

[@judwatkins9478]

Mason is a phenom picker and an extraordinary teacher as well! He's much appreciated by thousands.

[@goldenfreddy795]

Idc if it is or isn’t hard cause before I die IM GOONG TO PLAY BLUEGRASS BANJO ITS A BANGER

[@andrewwatkins9901]

I've always wanted to learn the banjo! Just don't have a lot of patience haha. Nice playing

[@timsebastian5758]

Great tips Mason. I dont have one anymore. Im left handed and learned over 20 years ago to play by ear. The challenge to improve is always there but the rewards are wonderful! Great video. Thanks!

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Thanks for watching!

[@alexstrings]

You right. Violín is something else bit your sound and técnich is awesome.

[@StevieD1]

Yes, fiddle is the hardest. At first, it's actually painful to hear yourself try to make a clean note. Like, for weeks

[@MasonCroneMusic]

I'm aware, I play the fiddle.

[@StevieD1]

@@MasonCroneMusic I tried, but it was too much. I wish I had started violin as a kid

[@whimpypatrol5503]

Weeks compared to years or decades

[@johnmurdoch8534]

Ive been playing fiddle for years and still would never play infront of folks Its absolutely unforgiving. The mandolin is my consolation prize...id like to give tenor banjo a try though

[@cliffsandifer3877]

Fiddle can will teach patience .....internet games?

[@giiiizmo]

On the sidenote, that little banjo pin on your strap is adorable 🥹

[@BigCheeli]

As a guitarist, the left hand looks easy, but the right hand technique is extremely impressive

[@mingoringo_]

I'm literally one day into learning and this gives me so much motivation. thanks brother!

[@strangsnsuch4765]

Compared to fiddle banjo's fairly easy.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Compared to fiddle it's super easy haha. Unless you're trying to copy Bela Fleck or Noam Pikelny, which most people don't try to do 😂 Then again, copying them would be easier than copying Michael Cleveland.

[@shmittyfloors4870]

But fiddle isn’t super hard tbh, I feel like the only thing that’s weird is using a bow and not being able to vibrato the same way

[@lilbacon7777]

@@shmittyfloors4870I’m not sure what your anecdotal experience is, but any pretty instrument is automatically very difficult to learn for the layman. I am a dumb Banjo player tho so I guess I don’t really know 😅

[@jernall683]

Classical violin is hard, bluegrass played in the fiddle fashion is challenging, but not hard.

[@oldtimetinfoilhatwearer]

​@@jernall683it all depends on how far you want to go with it. If you learn to fiddle in all keys and play fiddle tunes that are longer with more parts and more complex chord progressions it starts to become pretty monstrous

[@rebelwithoutaclue5693]

The most satisfying sound ever is the Banjo 🤘🤘🤙🤙👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸🤠

[@ckane510]

I had surgery on my hands. I asked the doctor if I’d be able to play the banjo afterwards. He said yes. I said great! I never could play the banjo before! 😁

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Great!

[@sandiec6063]

😆 hahah that gave me a good laugh !

[@edspillert8562]

Umm… that’s an old joke. Heard it around 1965. A good one, though.

[@ckane510]

@@edspillert8562 yeah I know but I couldn't resist.

[@bradenmartin1382]

The good news is that because of that stereo type, it does not take much to impress people:)

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Yes indeed 😎😂

[@Trapper4265]

Hey Mason! Kurtis here in Rockford, IL. I've been practicing the banjo every day of my life for a little over 10-years, and I still feel I am not as proficient as I should be. I play in jams, but I can't play backup to save my soul, and when I try to play lead I crash and burn, hard! So, I would say the banjo is a hard instrument to play. Maybe I started too late in life. Who knows? But I still keep trying, became I love the banjo so much 😁

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Hey Kurtis, good to hear from you! 😁 Different instruments are certainly difficult for different people.

[@buddywaters9427]

lol I started when I was 70 years old I’ll be 75 in three days. I kinda half way learned a few songs I’m still messing around with it. I enjoy it but like you said I should have done it 60 years ago. Lol

[@That_one_reenactor]

Just bought my first banjo today. Hoping to stick along for the ride

[@purplevr8727]

I play guitar and picked up banjo (literally bought my first today) and in my experience every instrument seems hard until youve learned a bit on it, and then you realize it was way easier than you thought it was at first

[@tarifcabletv1670]

"You have been a good man Arthur"

[@elisabethemory]

I agree! I still have a long way to go, but I already see how much easier it is than some other bluegrass instruments! Like the "fancy" lick I did recently sounds super complicated, but it really wasn't. Lol

[@MasonCroneMusic]

True haha.

[@dipstick5869]

It's mostly a mental coordination with any instrument. 😉

[@johnbilbo8639]

This gives just a bit more respect than i have already for Billy Strings ..i really love the old timer like struggs an Bill Monroe ..but hes doing it different...thank you for your insight..much appreciated

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Not really sure how this video has anything to do with Billy Strings... But thanks for watching!

[@johnbilbo8639]

@@MasonCroneMusic because you commented how difficult it is to play certain instruments in bluegrass....including guitar..and billy plays guitar ..and hes bringing more folks into bluegrass and because the fans are looking up billys music on here.. KZbin is suggesting videos like yours to people like me that normally wouldnt watch your videos otherwise..so not only is he bringing more eyes to bluegrass but hes bringing more eyes to check you out as well ...i dont get y i need to explain any of this to you

[@MasonCroneMusic]

@@johnbilbo8639 I was just confused because this video has nothing to do with Billy, I meant no offense!

[@johnbilbo8639]

@@MasonCroneMusic yes i gave you some sass at the end ..and i apologize ..but just know bluegrass is gaining tons of fans ..and these fans are checking our billys stuff but they are goin to check out our your and other folks stuff too ...and your insight is definitely needed to talk about the difficulty in playing these instruments ..so keep playing and let the world see what you can do ..i know ill be bck

[@MasonCroneMusic]

@@johnbilbo8639 I understand, I'm definitely appreciative of how Billy is growing the community.

[@chadkline4268]

I think it's mysterious + amazing.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

I love it

[@adamjacobrogers9155]

The banjo just has its own peculiar way to be played effectively. DONT SKIP THE FUNDAMENTALS!

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Yep, very important.

[@krypticviper1613]

Too late

[@SamlSchulze1104]

Without a mentor/teacher*, any instrument can be difficult to play.

[@KadenceWriter-pp5ob]

Thank you so much for your comment on the banjo! I have been wanting to learn the banjo for years, but just the thought of it being too hard is what held me back! Banjo and barefoot blue Jean night here I come!!! ❤🎉

[@KadenceWriter-pp5ob]

And don’t worry I’m definitely subscribing! ❤

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Thanks, have fun with it!

[@KadenceWriter-pp5ob]

Oh I will thank you!!

[@witmoreluke]

As someone who started wjth Viola and now play Banjo- Violin/viola is DEFINITELY harder, and I would actually say learning Banjo is actually the better choice all around.

[@tellfile]

Never did care for really fast banjo playing. It's like it almost camouflages, or hides that sweet crisp yesteryear voice that a banjo can yield when played at a normal speed. Ralph Stanley and his "Six More Miles" song with that arched tone ring would be a good example of that. I remember Earl saying no two banjos sounds alike. Him and Ralph really had two with superb sound quality.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Respectable opinion 🙂

[@hambonejonesgb]

The definition of a Gentleman is a man who CAN play a banjo, but doesn't. Lol. And before anybody gets butt-hurt, Ralph Stanley told me that joke personally!

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Hahaha 😂

[@gbenother8755]

I've heard that said about bagpipes. In that case it's funny, but EVERYONE loves the sound of a banjo!

[@MikeCormack-q9i]

Well I'm actually a musician. Flute was my primary instrument and I can tell you one of the more difficult woodwind instruments to learn how to play. However when I went to learn to teach myself to play the piano I found it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be and made decent progress. I would love to play banjo. Here's the truth folks. Once you learn how to read music, it isn't hard to learn another instrument.

[@briansims813]

I agree I play guitar and banjo. The banjo was intimidating at first.

[@maxturtle7787]

as someone who has been playing violin for many years and just recently picked up the banjo, i can confirm that progress has been MUCH MUCH quicker on the banjo

[@MasonCroneMusic]

It's not as hard as it looks!

[@gold_leaf0702]

Picking up a banjo this weekend as my first instrument, can't wait to start picking:)

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Awesome!

[@mackinbox]

All instruments are hard if they’re the first instrument you’ve played. I learned guitar after banjo and found it way easier because I already knew how to fret strings well, to pick, etc

[@MasonCroneMusic]

True. Most people who are serious on multiple instruments agree that banjo is easier than other bluegrass instruments though. It'll be different for different peoppe of course 🙂

[@tomwilson5721]

Love that sound

[@Mb44069]

No matter how hard it is, I’d still give it a try!

[@NoCluYT]

That's what sh-

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Have fun!

[@user-qt5eh9wb7g]

I picked up a banjer after playing guitar for a long time. It helped, and it didn't.... Lol. I play a banjo OK but I'll never play as well as I play guitar.

[@wyattdegroot417]

Even though I had never played banjo before I've played songs like Master of Puppets and Crazy Train on a banjo at a local guitar store in my area, they didn't have any banjo picks so I just used a guitar pick.

[@dianIskandar-fw4ov]

The first know about banjo so hard but time by time you can easy and happy

[@whimpypatrol5503]

A master banjo player admitted it sounded easy but learning was unwittingly difficult.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Who was that?

[@saintpeniel]

Haha same, as a musician, learning the piano. Tried violin and guitar, violin is definitely harder to learn of the 3, i got books to learn B flat and E flat sax and trumpet

[@bradmaxwell6843]

Every string instrument is less complicated than lead guitar. The difficulty on banjo, is making all that picking with a smoothness.

[@andrewlyon8924]

I don't play banjo (yet) but looking into them, they seem like they're designed to be pretty easy to pick up and play. The open tuning makes it pretty easy to just mess around and sound nice, and basic techniques don't seem to take too long to get down and sound like you know what you're doing. Unlike the violin family of instruments, where making the simplest things sound nice takes a lot of effort and practice. So banjo seems like it has a low bar for entry, but still a very high skill ceiling for all the techniques you could potentially learn. At least, that's how it seems to me.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

You're right! It's not hard at all to get started, even some songs that sound hard aren't. It can be taken to a very high (and difficult) level though.

[@Guitarwizardjoinme]

i don't know anybody who's willing to work on ANYTHING for years. People want everything, and they want it now, and it better be free or they'll be super pissed.

[@Photognick521]

I’m about to start my banjo journey! Have been picking bluegrass on my acoustic the last 5 months or so.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Have fun!

[@MikhailBlack113]

You got yourself a subscriber, young fella

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Thanks!

[@K31JAN]

For me it depends which style you play, how far you want to progress in terms of what you're going to do with it (being an actual performing musician or a lawn/gazebo sitting player) and also if you are at least above slightly serious about playing it. With the clawhammer frailing style I play the only thing I deem hard really was the strum and the melody notes, once that is out the way and you learn the other basic techniques like slides hammer ons and pull off, it's pretty much almost a walk in the park.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Good thoughts

[@elene7193]

Fiddle can be so hard at times, but just like the banjo, w practice, u can become rly good at it. (I've been a fiddle player for 6 yrs now)

[@GodsFavoriteBassPlyr]

Fantastic Presentation.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Thank you.

[@StopFear]

Yes, this is very true. I am an adult self taught amateur of classical guitar. But I also learned to play other instruments and learned that when people play something “very fast” it is usually a distraction tactic to impress the audience and to compensate for lack of general skill.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

That's true... Typically fast music is just simple stuff played at high speeds. Not always but typically.

[@eggspectations]

I've played violin for 21 years and I'm just starting to teach myself banjo! Wish me luck 🤞🤞

[@88Doug]

Nice video, I like it!

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Thanks!

[@NatureAndNovels]

I play violin, mostly bluegrass and classical. Now, I’m trying to pick up banjo.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Awesome!

[@davidabrown92]

Learning that myself your great

[@NonOccupant]

i’m about to release my inner southerner

[@shrekshrek]

I'm going to learn banjo it's always been my favorite instrument

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Awesome!

[@BP-or2iu]

Violin is without a doubt the hardest popular instrument to play.

[@grahamsmith8648]

It's getting your fingers to the pick that fast is the hardest part.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

It's actually not, playing fast isn't very hard. Playing cleanly with good tone and expression is the hardest part

[@abigailemory4895]

It is hard! 😭😂 We just got back from a Ricky Scaggs concert tonight, and so I was inspired to come home and look up "how to become a better bluegrass bassist." I was going through the KZbin reels and this video came up! Helloooooooo stranger! Lol 😂 Btw, I need to clear something up....a while back I was randomly dared to unfriend you on Facebook without a reason, and (being the person that I am) I had to follow through with the dare. I then went back to friend you again and thought to myself "he'll wonder why I unfriended him in the first place" so I just left it alone. I was reminded after seeing this video, haha. 😂😂 Anywho, God bless!

[@jesusrodriguez-ed2ko]

Would love to play the banjo!!

[@dillonchapman7698]

I play a wide variety of instruments and the banjo has been the hardest to learn so far. I still am not able to do it lol

[@mizzyroro]

I got a banjo for my birthday 3 years ago. I got up to the forward backwards roll and picked up the speed a but in about a month. But then never touched it again. Sad.

[@herschelsquirts2338]

Zakk Wylde said that learning a musical instrument is no different than learning how to play a video game. You just keep beating the next level and then the next level and so on until one day you’re just really good 😂

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Good comparison

[@boyinabluedress]

New sub!

[@maxlemay6793]

Hey dude what's that lick from? Love your page, I learn something from it daily! Thanks!

[@MasonCroneMusic]

It's the beginning of the song Salt Creek. Thanks, great to hear!

[@johanduplessis4281]

That is very well said👏👏👏

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Thanks!

[@Zachary_Walker]

I play banjo and guitar and piano. Guitar is waaaay harder to me then those others lol but it sounds super complicated

[@DBLDoG]

A fret-less instrument will always be harder to play

[@joewarner8849]

I am a rock drummer and I love me some bluegrass to me it is very hard to play

[@crankypupplawiz]

Just started and it is overwhelming but I'm confident I can get it

[@MasonCroneMusic]

You got this!

[@kkh42792]

Hardest part for me is the finger picks. I've played finger style guitar for a while, just using my fingers. Being able to feel the strings helps me so much, but i cant get over how much better the banjo sounds using picks.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

You'll get used to it and it'll get much easier 😄

[@thomasreeves15]

I'd love to learn it

[@ratjesus2009]

I've always wanted to play, reminds me of home.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Do it! 😃

[@guitarfox8316]

This reminds me of the rigff in dragon force fire and flames it’s like 3 notes and very easy to learn slowly but the tempo makes it sound nearly impossible to play

[@abyssalvoid4644]

Just started learning claw hammer the other day, you’ve got my sub

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Thanks!

[@wizardo3158]

Straight to the point, fair play lad

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Thanks!

[@bongustheindestructible_6406]

The hardest part of playing the banjo is building up your individual finger chops. From a mallet player’s standpoint this is no different than doing individual-mallet-permutations in concert/marching based environments.

[@shia3231]

Banjo isn’t too hard until you start to learn the Clawhammer style of playing. I’ve been playing for about a decade and I still cannot figure out Clawhammer.

[@MasonCroneMusic]

I haven't messed with clawhammer much, most people say it's easier than 3 finger though.

[@shia3231]

@@MasonCroneMusic I wouldn't say so. I picked up forward, backward, and forward/backward rolls on the first day that I started learning it. I've been trying to get clawhammer down for years and I just can't figure it out. I can get the strum/pick pattern down just fine but then when you start applying it to songs, it all turns to chaos.

[@jbmows]

I suffered from that misconception. 😂

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Well I'm glad to have fixed you. 😂

[@TheAce0fAllTrades]

The instrument you don’t play is going to be harder, because you don’t play it.

[@matteobabic4963]

Everything is impossible until it is trivial

[@OL_WUZ_HEER]

as a violinist, I had always wished I could fiddle, but I am not sure if it is that way now 😅

[@oripando]

....after playing the instrument for many years.....😅

[@semorening8378]

Alright so we just gotta banjo and I’ve been playing guitar for about 5 years now and I mean it when I say that this man is whole heartedly telling the truth I picked the banjo up and in like 2 minutes I figure out how to do dueling banjo chords and all😂😂

[@MasonCroneMusic]

😂

[@marcofemto9417]

subscribed!

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Thanks!

[@benjix5500]

The new gollum would probably have been ok to me if it just had nostrils and a bit more detail to imply wrinkled skin. It's not terrible but it feels half finished.

[@xochj]

Music major and nerd here. Fretted and keyboard instruments are easier than those that require constant tuning vigilance. It's something that can be shown with brain scans. 😉

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Frets definitely make life easier haha

[@buddywaters9427]

Well it isn’t easy But I’m not a spring chicken I’ll be 75 in 3 days about 4 years ago my son-in-law gave me his banjo I done some U-tube banjo lessons work at it a lot.i was able to halfway play a few songs still messing with it. When I stop fro awhile you got to learn all over again but it’s fun. Youth is a good thing