Beginning Bluegrass Banjo - Lesson 01 - For absolute beginners

How to play bluegrass banjo for the complete beginner. This is the absolute first lesson if you want to take up 5 string banjo with no previous experience. How to hold and tune the banjo.
Some of this video is repeated in the next two! My bad.

[bryandehart]

I made it to Step 1, sitting comfortably in a chair.

[cortevens]

I will be 53 years old this month . I bought a saga banjo kit put it together (could not afford a store bought one as I"m living on disability) just want to say thank you for the videos for those of us who cant afford the prices that music  instructors charge.   Your videos are a real blessing !!!!

[missYoda-ygeo]

Why am I watching this? It's 4 am and I don't even have a banjo and I have to go to work at 8.

[russf]

The banjo is a loud instrument!
One problem I had was subjecting the rest of the house to my learning curve. (especially in the early & late hours)
The way I fixed this was to place a small piece of foam between the strings and the head, just above the bridge. This dead'end the loudness enough to keep everyone happy.
Thanks for the video markwardle!

[tiredowalkin]

I'm such a beginner that I don't even have a banjo yet!

[tommytbonescramer]

I've been playing a guitar for 48 years and wanted to learn the 5 string banjo and I like how you presented the skill training for the right hand. I'm looking forward to watching more video training. Thank you Tommy

[BryanTHackett]

I'm a music teacher & this is exactly how I teach! I'm constantly telling my students to slow down & be the teacher to your sub conscience! When ever you go fast, you are not in control & your sub' is trying to take control. Go very slow & you become the teacher to your sub'! It's very simple if you really think about it!

[markkiefer]

I started my first lesson today with this video. As a beginner in every sense, calling the strings by letters is like hearing Chinese for the first time. I watched what strings were played and wrote them by number. I really appreciate the slow pace so i can watch what you're doing and mimic that.

[RandySchartiger]

Good info! I miss playing banjo, played it for about 30 years until focal dystonia overtook my hands. I only have one video of me on banjo I should dig up some of those old vids and post them. Thanks for sharing this, makes me want to try it again. :)

[MTheManiac.]

As a fourteen-year-old who literally just picked up a Banjo and 'attempted' to learn some, I can say I plan on devoting myself to my second instrument now, and your videos are definitely gonna help me! Thank you!!

[katiepayton]

I bought my banjo about a year ago. I used it a few times, then had a long period of it without strings. It has strings now, and I want to learn and play. I wore the finger picks wrong the whole time (I left room for the tip). But fortunately I came across this man and his video. Love it that he pauses while he speaks. Love the way and speed of his speaking. And just a great teaching.

[stalkr]

Bluegrass music always puts a smile on my face. I just love it.

[Damage_Kase_]

Things you need to learn how to play banjo
Jeans or overalls
Flannel
Dirty work boots or bare feet
Straw hat
And a banjo

[ILoveVintage]

i have always wanted to play. finally at 53 i purchased my first banjo. my dad loved the sound of the instrument, my goal here is to play a song for him this time next year at the cemetery. I know he will love it. Thank you so much for having this on here so I can learn.

[ryland]

I play guitar and just got a banjo and can't wait to start practicing. I finger pick on the guitar and I do it a relatively fast rate so I am hoping this will be easy for me after a few weeks. Along with banjo I get a new electric guitar, it sure was a very musical Christmas!

[sergiovelasquez]

How has this man not been hired by Hollywood to narrative movies yet?!

[suem]

Thank you so much! I just bought my first banjo! After fifty years wanting to play.

[zoeday]

I just got my first banjo, and I'm incredibly excited... this was a great little lesson, and made me feel extremely encouraged as it was so easy to understand!

[derekwebber]

Hey Mark, I just got a Banjo from my Uncle and can’t wait to learn it. Thank you so much for making these guides so I can enter the beautiful bluegrass and banjo world.

[Tom-rqpo]

Thank you very much I'm up to lesson 16, moving through them chronologically. I'm learning heaps and improving quickly. You have made a great series!