Cynthia in Connecticut writes: Just looking for more opportunities to learn more banjo playing skills and to play with other banjo players. How can you connect with others? Zoom? DVD’s? When and where are your classes/jams? Been playing for 4 years with absolutely no previous music experience. Still so much to learn! Have a teacher and I belong to a jam but I am the only banjo player and the least experienced.
Cynthia,
I don’t think finding other banjo players is what you need. Banjo players typically need other bluegrass instruments to play with as bluegrass is a team of different instruments. A group of banjos doesn’t make as good a jam as one each of the different instruments.
Of course, I can imagine how you’d like to be around other banjo players, as seeing what they do would be of interest and educational. But I think you would be well-advised to be in jam sessions with good instruction right there to help you — which is what Wernick Method classes provide.
Though you mentioned taking banjo lessons, sorry to say, it’s pretty common for banjo teachers to not teach jam skills at all… a big gap in my opinion.
To fill this long-standing gap, I created three play-along jam videos that also include instruction about jamming. Besides that, I created a video called Bluegrass Banjo Backup, Basic Level. That video shows excerpts of me playing in the Slow Jam video, and shows and explains the various techniques I use. The Backup video is still available on DVD, but since DVDs are being discontinued, most of our videos are available only as downloads or streams (the good news is they cost less and can be received instantly when you buy them). I certainly recommend you check out those videos and the Backup video I mentioned.
When it comes to learning banjo, I feel I have some of the best advice you will find. That’s because I’ve been teaching banjo for decades and I know what works — and it’s different from the way most banjo teachers teach. I’ve written a thorough article about “Best Ways to Start Learning Banjo“. I strongly recommend you read that article and share it with your teacher (it’s directed at teachers). We also have these other free resources for learning banjo players.
I doubt Zoom would be of much help. Jamming can’t easily happen on Zoom due to time delays. A real-life Wernick Method class would be the most useful of all. If you send us your zip code, we can put you on the list to be contacted when a jam class or camp is happening in your area.
I hope all the above is helpful. Stay with it, there’s a lot of fun to be had!
— Pete
