Posted: 10/20/2008 5:32:09 PM EDT
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Any one here play blue grass type music? i have a 7 year old that really likes it and sings a lot of the country songs. he wants to start playing a instrument. he likes the looks of the manalin but also likes the banjo. any one have any info or tips to get him started? we started looking around for a music teacher. any advice would be great thanks stuck |
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A descent teacher is probably the best off the bat or someone local at church or something. Just so he can get acclimated to using a banjo or mandolin and visualy see how to pluck and use good hand placement and such. A DVD would be the next best thing you can get at most music stores. Once you call around to a music store or two they will almost always know someone who plays and can help you out. Just takes some searching. I don't know much about mandolin though, just ask around and see what's more popular in your area. Take it easy.
Oh, and try taking a look at lighter banjo's which are usually cheaper also. It won't feel like he's got an anchor on his lap and will be aesier to move around the house and play with. Not that your son should think it takes only acouple of months to get this good, which it doesn't. You may want to look for Bela Fleck and Earl Scruggs. I have Bela Flecks "Drive" album and "Bluegrass Sessions, Volume 3". Good fast banjo. Just remember it takes a long time with practice to get that good. |
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Buy him a banjo. A decent 5 string banjo, and get someone to teach him how to play. I
taught myself and it was a bumpy road. When I started to try to put theory and technique together I wish I had someone explain it to me. One thing though, I ALWAYS have a banjo around somewhere to play. I never was like that with the guitar. Nothing teaches better than playing with others though. That is where you see it all come together at. 
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Quoted:
Nothing teaches better than playing with others though. That is where you see it all come together at. +1 Start taking him to jam sessions. Total immersion is the way to go. Its like learning a language. I don't know of a Bluegrass player who ever had a lesson, you just jump in and go. At first you suck, and nobody cares, then you suck less and they still don't care cause they're too busy having fun. Then pretty soon, you're kicking off songs and everyone is falling in with you! |
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The Banjo is a vicious, life sucking bitch. Once you start you can not just stop. It does
not stay in tune, will never bring you flocks of female groupies if you become famouse, people always want you to play "Deliverance" if you tell them you play, your spouse will HATE hearing you practice, and a good banjo costs more than a couple good rifles. But it is fun and so worth it. 
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Quoted:
Get him the book and cd by Janet Davis "You Can Teach Yourself Banjo". One of the best instructional aids you will find. At "Janet Davis Music". eta: I just went back and read that he is 7. He may not be reading yet.  The whole Janet Davis series is great. That one is the best for starting out that you can get though, just like he said. Also the Murphy Method might be better for him since he is so young. |
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the cool thing about were we live is janet davis music shop is two miles down the road. its great having a bluegrass shop like that so close. he is getting a banjo next week it looks like. selling a gun to get him it for x-mas. his twin brother is getting a mandolin. it will be a intresting x-mas around with all the new music in the house. but the two boys and younger daughter sound pretty good toghter
thanks guys for all the post. keep them coming its always nice to read and talk with people that like the same kind of music stuck |
