Absolute Beginner Banjo Course! // 30 Days of Banjo: Day 1

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[rustysimcox]

I picked up the Banjo like two years ago. I wasl 60 years old. I was diagnosed with stage 4 Throat cancer.. and had to get throat surgery, I woke from a 22 hr surgery, and no voice box, and couldn't breathe through my mouth and nose.. so I was through a no music dilemma. I accidentally found your web sight and didn't understand a thing u said.. but I practiced and practiced 8 ten hours a day. I was doing everything you were teaching. And getting really decent. Then I smashed my right wrist. I am a lumberjack. Then just as I was make really good progress, I had to buy a left handed banjo...??? I can't move my thumb at all. So I started to play left handed... And for 16 weeks I practiced everything you taught. I just want to say thank you for caring, and loving your craft enough to post such great tutorials... I know this a lot of words but I can't tell you how much your banjo lessons and your knowledge saved me. So thank you for doing what u do.. ps an your getting so so much better with your picking. Sorry for this short story/ half a novel. But you saved me with your banjo lessons. An I am cancer free!! And no longer can talk no voice box Eli your are such a great teacher and I thank you my family thanks you . And keep on keeping on . Thank you Young Man...

[mtalich]

Struggling through this, I really appreciate it. I hope to learn to play before my 60th birthday. This will be my first musical instrument. Thank you! Your an incredible good teacher!

[benh]

I impulse bought a Banjo today. I had no idea what I was doing, and because of you I'm making more progress in 1 day than I thought I would make in 1 year! I subscribed to Patreon, thanks mate this is just legendary.

[johngee]

Well as they say in the ole country "better late then never" or " you can not teach an ole dog new tricks" ... at 72 years old I am about to prove one of those proverbs correct and the other wrong.

Waiting for the arrival of a new beginners 5 string banjo and like others, this will be my first musical instrument.

Eli thank you so very much for taking the time to publish your "Absolute Beginner Banjo Course" and doing so for free. I cannot imagine the scores of banjo players who have benefitted from your kindness. I hope I too, become one of them soon.

You have done Earl Scruggs proud.

[JackWayneKato]

It is refreshing to hear someone speak clearly, intelligently, and with a good audio level. Thank you for this video and for sharing your talent.

[randycombs]

They say it's never to late. Never played anything but a clarinet in school. (70's) and have always loved the sound of a banjo. Well now at 63, I want to try. Just bought a used Kay remo open back. Just l picked my first string watching this video. Put a smile on my face with just learning this. Thanks!

[mrreaver]

I encourage anyone with is just starting out on the banjo to keep watching Eli’s videos and stick with it. I have minimal musical experience and within a month’s time I was able to play “boil that cabbage down” and “cripple creek” with my father (him playing the backup on guitar). Eli is a fantastic teacher.

[josephderby]

You know, I've played guitar, bass, and some piano, but I just bought a banjo and holy shit this is the most fun instrument I've played hands down.
I'm tryna get better so I can sit on my campus' quad and play banjo for the pedestrians, and these lessons are helping a lot in achieving my country ass goal.
This comment was brought to you by the Banjo Gang.

[mikeh.]

I'm 64 years old, retired and tired of winter in PA. I've always loved classic country music and especially the sound of someone playing "Foggy Mountain Breakdown". A friend of mine plays three stringed instruments and recently surprised me with a nice used banjo, a case, picks, a tuner and a training book to read then said "Here you go, now start practicing" :). The next day, I did some reading then found your training videos and I'm using them to practice as often as possible. Your method of teaching is excellent and a few years of playing piano years ago helps me a lot with tempo. I'm beginning lesson three this evening and wanted to say Thank You !!! for sharing your knowledge.

[marvpenner]

Picked a banjo up for the first time just after my 70th birthday. Hoping these old fingers will learn to move fast enough. Looking forward to learning. 3 lessons in now and keeping up.

[marshalljoyce]

I'm sitting at home impatiently waiting for my first banjo to be delivered when I see this suggestion for your video pop out. This is the perfect lesson for me as I don't think I have much musical talent, only a burning desire to learn to play the banjo. I'm going to enjoy working through your course.

[laurensustaire]

My husband has been promising to buy me a banjo since we started dating 11 years ago. Today was the day that he delivered on that promise! He found your videos before gifting it to me and recommended I start here. You made this first lesson easy and I’m so excited to practice and watch the next one tomorrow!

[rhaynhillyard]

Saw this and bought a banjo, such a pain in the ass driving home with it on my motorcycle 😂

[cokeonezero]

I recently inherited my late Grandpa’s banjo and this found me perfectly. I bawled my eyes out the whole time learning this but I’m excited to do this for the next 30 days

[UATU.]

You are a natural teacher. I am visually impaired but can follow you with audio alone. Thank you for the printed lessons as well, they are simple, clear and are very accessible enlarged. This is Day 1 and I am excited to get started.

[_KJB]

OK dude, I'm going to put my trust in you (not that it's a really big deal). I live in Ohio, it's a couple days from the end of April. Summer's coming on, Memorial Day is almost upon us. People are coming outside despite the COVID-19 pandemic, little league baseball is in full swing and their will be picnics galore in 33 days. I am going to diligently follow your lessons and plan on playing Boil That Cabbage Down at the Memorial Day picnic (no matter how bad I am), so let's get with it.

[fazthatcoyote]

Thank you so much for this! Coming from playing saxophone for 7~ish years, and just getting my late Grandpa's banjo, I really want to live this fun common interest between me and him...just wish he was here to enjoy it with me.

[kathycamper]

My first banjo is on the way. I can't wait to get started!

[peterscott]

Hi, I've found it helps a lot to make sure your finger nails on your left hand are trimmed short.

I'm enjoying your lessons! I've had my banjo since the 1950s in Berkeley when I bought a Vega Tubaphone 5-string from Barry Olivier, only $125 including its unusual case. I also got Pete Seeger's "How to play the 5-string banjo" and learned his style, and have been playing it that way ever since. And now I'm learning how to play it with picks. Wonderful. It may take me a while since I'm now 91. Cheers!

[PincollectorMO]

I am nearing 60 years old and like many here, have never played anything with strings. Brass while in highschool many, many years ago. I have been drawn to the banjo since childhood. I watched Flatt and Scruggs on the Beverly Hillbilly show and the dreams took it from there. Now I have the time to practice and get more serious. The dream is still alive. I am on day 10 of this course and will be supporting you through your patreon (You earned it !) Im learning slow as the first 10 days has taken me over a month. I am still slow (Not near up to tempo but my play is consistant and clear. I wanted to thank you for this series as I am not sure I could have done this any other way. Your are talented not only on the Banjo but as a teacher as well. Keep up the great work