LET’S ROLL: difficult ones by pro players. It should be Ask Dr. Banjo to make enjoyable music on the banjo, accompanying singing, and learning to play rolls while changing chords. That will Beginner Banjo Advice keep you busy for a while. Your first complete pieces can probably and Good Tone be learned in the first few months, depending on how much you practice, and Pete Wernick how easily trainable your fingers are. If you use my “Beginning Bluegrass Banjo” First, big congratulations to Steve for quite a while. DVD, you might have the best luck with Martin for winning the Bluegrass I do not recommend Scruggs tabs for Worried Man Blues, which is not too hard Grammy! From my research, this is the you yet as he is an advanced professional to play, and is a nice song besides, that’s first time that the Bluegrass Grammy has player and it’s too ambitious at this stage easy to sing. I’d say that’s a goal worth gone to a banjo instrumental album. I’m for you to try to duplicate all the moves setting, and depending on the factors I proud to have helped with the project, and he makes. Save that for later. And in mentioned, you should be able to get it especially proud of Steve to have created general, be aware that learning to play done well within the September deadline. all this cool music, and of John McEuen banjo is not just a matter of learning to Now get busy! And have fun of for his first-rate work as producer, and of play from tablature, but more like learning course. —Pete Tony Trischka for his role, like mine, as a language: You start with easy words to ------both picker and co-assistant producer. Yes, make short sentences, and work your way From “Banjokid” on the Forum on banjo players! up to paragraphs. You don’t just learn to DrBanjo.com: Now to the mailbag for some questions memorize what other people say, but learn about getting started, and getting good to manipulate what you know, in different Can you explain how to get a better tone: ways, and learn to interact with others. tone? Whenever I play, I don’t get the right Remember, music came before written tone. Could you help me on this subject? Hi from the UK, Pete. I’m hoping music, just as language came before written Well, Banjokid, you’ve opened up you can give me a few pointers. I’ve just language. Learn music as sound first, quite a large topic this time! purchased my first musical instrument, matching your playing with sounds and Since this forum is not suited to that being a 5-string banjo no less!! I’ve rhythms you hear, and in time learn how it voluminous answers, I’ll stick to a few no musical experience whatsoever. I can’t can be represented by written music. main points. read sheet music though I’m starting You now have your instrument and my The major part of what people call to get my head around Earl Scruggs best advice. Best of luck! —Pete tablature. Do you do a course for guys “good tone” is based in the hands and such as me? Hi Pete. Thanks for your reply. I knew mind of the player. Playing with clarity by Kind regards, Dave (aged 56) my wife was right about the Scruggs hitting only the strings and frets you mean book, but I’m a bit ignorant as to what’s to, with just the right amount of force, is Dave, out there for the complete beginner. I will usually considered a necessity for “good Yes I do have a course for guys such as follow your advice. I am very inspired by tone.” you, and it’s the same as I recommend for watching you make it look so easy, which When I say “mind of the player,” it’s everyone, ages 8 to 88. I know it ain’t!! because I think people who play with good I’m glad you’ve gotten started. 56 is by My sons know I have bought the tone have a clear idea of how they want no means too late. I just had a 61-year old banjo, and they want me to be able to their instrument to sound. If you listen to guy at my Intermediate banjo camp, one play Foggy Mountain Breakdown by players with tone you really like, the sound of the better pickers there. He started at 56 September. of that great tone will etch itself in your with a good head of steam and he’s doing mind—as it’s etched in theirs. The more quite well now. Tell them you want them to be devoted you are to that sound, the more Please go to the page on my web site millionaires by August and buy you a big you’ll tend to be able to make it on your that’s especially for banjo beginners. On house. instrument. I know that may sound inexact the home page you’ll see a link to it under What’s my chances of not disappointing and mysterious, but I find it’s generally Visitor Favorites. That will get you started. them both? true, and rather than trying to explain, I Read the article that says, “Read this suggest you think about why it is. first,” as it explains the whole sequence Same as the chances of their not One other important factor is the that I recommend. The video for which disappointing you. They have set the bar instrument itself. Of course a fine there’s a preview clip on the page is what I too high. instrument can sound better than a less fine recommend first (it’s mostly playing along If you think that’s a bit of a long shot one, but in general I think that’s outweighed with simple chord changes and then adding then I’m open to your advice. by the skill and devotion to tone of the rolls) and the other video you can see clips player. The way the instrument is adjusted of, Beginning Bluegrass Banjo, is a more At the beginning, your sights should (“set up”) can sometimes be an important complete course that will keep you busy not be set on “learning pieces,” especially factor. For example, a banjo with its bridge in the wrong place, or with a tendency for If you can make it to one of my camps, strings to buzz, or the head quite loose, or or a workshop at a festival that I’m at, I the strings quite old, might be hard to get would be glad to watch, listen, and make a good sound out of. So proper adjustment suggestions. But if you read what I’ve by a skilled luthier can remove obstacles to written and think about it carefully, it might the instrument’s ability to sound its best. be enough to lead you to getting a tone you Then it’s up to the hands and the mind like better. Good luck! —Pete of the player. Visit Pete online at www.DrBanjo.com In your case, I can only give these for his schedule of camps and appearances principles. If I could hear and watch you with Hot Rize, Flexigrass, Long Road play, I might be able to make suggestions. Home, and Pete & Joan Wernick.