I've wanted to learn to play the banjo for a while now, and I think I'll actually have time to do that after I graduate in May. Does anyone have feedback on places around here that offer lessons (Harry's Guitar Shop, in particular)? Does anyone on here teach lessons? What is a reasonable price to expect? Do I need to buy an instrument, or will one typically be provided by the instructor?

thanks!

3/22/2011 10:44:34 PM

I too have been thinking about learning to play the banjo.

3/22/2011 11:10:55 PM

paging Johnny Swank

3/22/2011 11:41:32 PM

The only place I know of:

Progressive Music Center

http://www.raleighmusiclessons.com/

3/23/2011 8:04:01 AM

I know nothing about this, but shouldn't you just be able to learn the guitar?

Are they really that different?

3/23/2011 10:13:26 AM

They're quite a bit different, at least the 5-string banjo is. And the plucking technique is a bit different than a lot of guitar playing.

3/23/2011 4:36:41 PM

why would you not buy your own banjo if you want to learn how to play it? the lessons are only going to get you so far. you need to practice regularly to get any good at it.

3/23/2011 5:50:37 PM

Are you interested in three-finger or clawhammer?

3/23/2011 5:54:42 PM

I taught myself for the first year or so, as there were no teachers in my area. Get a banjo and go to banjoteacher.com or Janet Davis and get a 'teach yourself' book and DVD. There's enough there to keep you busy for a while.

3/23/2011 6:58:06 PM

I did the DIY method for three years before I decided to take lessons and playing with others. It was hard at first because the lessons were expensive and out of my pocket, but it paid off.

If you are serious about playing the banjo with others or doing gigs, I definitely think that you should pursue lessons or at least jamming with others for a while to really learn the ropes. The DIY books, in particular the one by Janet Davis, will teach you how to get a song or two out of your banjo, but I highly recommend getting lessons if you want to actually play with others and be successful at it.

You really need to learn how to control your tempo and the "presence" of your banjo. If you are not doing it right, then you are going to piss off everyone else that you are playing with. IMO lessons are helpful to figure this out and I really recommend playing with others. The banjo kind of needs to be a part of something bigger than itself for it to sound right, it's not like a guitar. And if all you know how to do is rehash songs from a tab book, then your banjo is going to sound out of place and out of sync with the guitar and fiddle.

I had no prior music experience before picking up the banjo. I play three finger style and got my music lessons from an instructor up in Blowing Rock, so I can't speak for other places to get them in the RDU area.

[Edited on March 26, 2011 at 2:21 PM. Reason : hg]

3/26/2011 2:20:09 PM

Quote :

"I know nothing about this, but shouldn't you just be able to learn the guitar?"

no

3/26/2011 2:38:16 PM

Quote :

"Are you interested in three-finger or clawhammer?"

I don't know! I could try either or both. Maybe I would prefer one over the other.

Quote :

"why would you not buy your own banjo if you want to learn how to play it?"

I don't have the money to buy a great one now, and I'm not sure if it will click with me anyway. I would buy a crappy "starter" one, but if the instructor provided one, I'd like to play that until I learn if this is going to be a long-time hobby or just something to try for a while.

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

3/26/2011 4:04:09 PM

My friend Colin plays clawhammer here in Durham. I do recall him driving to BFE to get his current banjo from a specialty shop- in a small town south of Raleigh.

There's a bunch of old-time jams floating around here- they have an old-time jam every so often at the Pinhook, and they did bluegrass jams at the Broad St. Cafe for awhile. It makes sense to go to one of those events and try to network, and see if you can't score both a banjo and an instructor.

3/26/2011 4:54:52 PM

The best place to buy a banjo in the Raleigh area is at Zepp's out in Wendell.

3/28/2011 2:33:31 AM

http://zeppmusic.com/

3/28/2011 2:33:54 AM

Indeed, Zepps is the shizit.

I remember going their once and I thought that I was in heaven.

3/30/2011 7:33:40 PM