hey everyone, i'm from the south west of england! i have been thinking about learning banjo for months, then finally bit the bullet and bought one last weekend🙏🏻 i have never played a string instrument before but have been practicing and teaching myself for about an hour every day, making good progress so far!

Hey!

I’ve been playing clawhammer banjo about 6 months now. I find that sometimes when I play I subconsciously put too much pressure on my right palm that rests on the little metal bit above the head of the drum. This puts the instrument a little sharp sometimes. Any tips?

The Good (Banjo) Book is my new iPhone and iPad app that has chords, scales, and alternate tunings for the banjo. I'm a mandolin and guitar guy myself, so I was hoping to get some feedback from people that actually know their way around the instrument. What's unique to banjo? What features do you wish it had? That kind of stuff.

Get it free

Apple App Store rules allow me to distribute 100 download codes, so if you want it free instead of paying for it DM me and I'll send you the free download code. While I always appreciate financial support, what I really need is feedback from passionate banjo players.

So I’ve been wanting to learn to play the banjo since I was about 12 years old. About two weeks ago, I learned that I have to have a sudden surgery to have a tumor removed from my head (they’re very optimistic about it). I’ll be laid up for a good 4 weeks after, so I’ll have some time on my hands.

I thought — perfect banjo learning opportunity. I’ve been searching around to no avail for the last week, and it’s taken a lot of my prep time away. I decided I’m just going to head to the local reputable music shop and pick one of these models up, but I’d really like some advice on which one I oughta lean toward. I’m looking for a resonator. I don’t mind spending a bit of money on it, but I don’t mind saving some either. I want something that I’ll feel happy to have the rest of my life, and I’m very committed to learning. My girlfriend is also a pretty talented multi-instrumentalist and will be around to help me out.

Additionally, if anybody has any books or materials in mind that helped them along their journey, I’d love to hear em. YouTube recommendations work, too. Thanks in advance for any input!

EDIT: the local Guitar Center also has a RK-20 for $800, which is another option.

Hi, I am currently shopping for a new banjo (I play clawhammer) and I would like to know what other players like for a good open back banjo. I have checked a lot of what’s near me but I have criteras.

I want a good banjo (obviously) in terms of sound but more importantly in terms of quality of build.

I want a good looking banjo. If possible, I am looking for one with a design on the peg head and some cool looking fret markers. If an instrument looks good, you want to play it every time you pass by it!

I want the banjo to be in dark wood tones and colors.

I have a budget of 1200$ but I could go higher if there is too few available.

So do you know any banjos that fit these criteras? Thanks in advance!

https://banjoheadmagazine.substack.com/p/tim-posgates-mad-groupings

My search continues for a first 5-string and today an Alvarez from the 70’s popped up for $900 and it’s located about an hour from me. I’ve asked for identifying marks inside the drum to see if it says “made in Japan” but after checking the usual AI info I want to see what the Reddit hive mind thinks.

It’s good to be back.

It feels wrong but here's a song I've been working on and accelerated the tempo with this drum beat I figured, might sound kinda realistic? Lol

I've played alot of different genres so it can be fun to blare the lines but feel free to call this blasphemy haha

Can't decide if I actually wanna record with these style drums or just stick to traditional methods so what better place to spread by bullshit for feedback then the almighty REDDIT

I've recently got a banjo, and I want to learn clawhammer, I've tried many tutorials, not doing any online course or anything yet and I'm trying to practice, 16yo and I'm from the Netherlands and can't really find anyone in real life who plays clawhammer banjo nor teacher so yeah. I wonder if you guys got any tips?😊

I'm itching for an instrument because I've been without for one for some years now after moving internationally and not being able to carry one with me. I previously had a 5 string banjo but just gave it to my friend cause I couldn't deal with trying to bring it over.

And anyway, as much as I like the banjo I don't think the 5 string is the type for me. I tried both finger picking and clawhammer but I think I prefer strumming and simpler picking, which from what I've seen seems better suited to the 4 string banjo? Some artists that I really enjoy now have 4 string banjos and do simple picking with a pick or fingers, or straight up strum and I really like that simplicity.

I think the first question I have is about the different types of 4 strings. When I search where I live, Irish tenor banjo seems to be the most common which makes sense since I am in close proximity to Ireland. Though when I posted something to this sub about a tenor banjo video I had to choose between jazz and Irish tenor. So I know of at least two types. What are the differences?

Is it safe to say I can have a nice time with a 4 string and strumming/plucking?

This banjo is for sale in my area, it looks nice but the price seems too good to be true. Can anyone tell me about the brand/quality? Think it will hold a tune well?

Hey all,

I recently got a banjo, but there seems to be an issue with my 5th string peg. The peg does not have enough holding power to hold the 5th string as a G (I can only get it to about an E). By this I mean that I can turn the peg to get a higher note, but as soon as I let go of it, the force from the string spins the peg and pulls it down to a lower note again.

If anyone has experienced this problem with their banjo and knows how to fix it, it would be greatly appreciated!

Hello! I’m looking for a video series or anything of the sort to help learn the banjo. i have been playing guitar my whole life so I have some basis of music and strings. Thanks!

Hello you all,

i'm playing mainly irish trad music (irish flute and mandoline) and i just got my hand on a banjo.

I'm trying it and wondering if i shall buy it.

Let speak about it, it's a 4 strings banjo, i counted 20 frets and it was tuned in CGDA. While it's not a haut-de-gamme instrument i found it sounds quite good. I wanted it to have the same tuning as my mandoline so it's easier to learn, i bought a set of strings GDAE.

And now the banjo sounds awful. I had a lot of trouble tuning it, the sounds is not bright at all. Am i doing something wrong? Does the banjo got one setting only?

Thx in advance!