Promised I'd post an update in the fall.

It's been 5 months to the day since I picked this thing up.
Now it's getting cold out, and winter will soon arrive.
I'll miss being able to practice outside like this soon.

Here's a couple simplified versions tunes I've been enjoying working on lately.

Red Prarie Dawn and Big Country
Both in Open G here.

Found this locally, paid a small sum for it. Tuning pegs and such aren’t my concern more or less. How can I find a replacement tailpiece? It looks like it just sits under this bottom screw. Also wanted to share how beautiful this is goodness. Any additional info would be greatly appreciated.

Looks like someone had written a message on the bottom. Could be a family?

My wife says the whole game should be like this.

The truck's radio is playing my own recording of Keep on the Sunny Side, clawhammer.

Hey! I've been making a practice app for bluegrass banjo and having a blast with it, so I wanted to share, see if it's helpful and hopefully get some feedback.

Basically, the way it works is, rolls appear on screen for a set amount of time before moving on to the next one, gradually getting faster over the course of a 15-minute session. The rolls appear in random order, so it keeps you guessing. There's also a very cool mode called "Roll Shuffle", which gives you a continuous, randomized stream of rolls. It's VERY challenging but super fun! All of this can be customized too. I've gotten way faster and more precise since I started using it.

A little background: I started playing banjo about 20 years ago, but never got as good as I wanted to and eventually stopped after a few years. I never stopped loving banjo, so I started playing again back in March. I wanted to make sure I at least did my finger exercises every day. I figured 15 minutes a day would be a good start, and since I teach coding for my day job, I decided to build something to help me do it. I might finally be almost kind of okay at playing.

I've seen a lot of folks here interested in learning bluegrass-style banjo or improving their technique, so I hope this might be helpful! I posted it as a free TestFlight for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Anyone up for a test drive? Here's the link!

https://banjoroll.com

Edit: Banjo Roll! started as an iPhone/iPad/MacBook-based app, but you can try it on any browser by using the weblink above.

Hey, so I've been trying to learn by ear the version of frosty morn by Doc Watson, which is also the version Billy Strings plays. I'd say I'm at like 80% there, and I'd like to just find a tutorial that'll get me the rest of the way there - however every tutorial I've found plays a different version from the one I'm looking for, and I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction, thanks!

This guy I’m into wants me to play a part of a song he’s preforming and gave me some sheet music. I have no fucking clue how to read it. So if people have either a: a comprehensive tutorial or b: a way to translate this. I’d much appreciate it. This guy likes niche songs so I doubt the tabs are already out there. Thanks!

You asked, I listened!

A bunch of you asked about Banjo Roll! for Android when I posted earlier this morning, so I got crackin'.

There is now a version of Banjo Roll! that runs right in your web browser, including Android browsers.

Just a note, however: there are some things that browsers can't reliably do, like keeping the screen awake during practice or haptic beats (the app buzzes to the rhythm). So, the dedicated apps are still better. But I'll be working on a proper Android version in the coming weeks.

Let me know what you think, thanks everyone! I'm really excited to share this with you.

https://banjoroll.com

A quick recap if you didn't see the earlier post: Banjo Roll! is an app dedicated to bluegrass finger exercises for speed and precision. The default practice session is 15 minutes, starts out slow and speeds up. All the while, rolls are randomly (but methodically) selected so that practice is always a little different. There are also other practice methods hidden inside including a 5 minute warmup, build-your-own-routine, and more.

Hi! My options are very limited, both model and budget wise. This is what is available to me in my price range:

Harley Benton (5 strings)

Gold Tone AC-4 Openback Tenor Banjo. (4 strings)

Epiphone MB-100 (5 strings)

Ideally I would have bought a Deering or something that counts as better or more professional but unfortunately it just isnt available to me.

I understood that genres matter, so just saying that I really like gothic americana and irish folk/traditional.

Thanks in advance!!

I know very little about banjos I have an idea of what i want mainly an acoustic for now i make Alternative Pop but i love blues and the banjo sound i play other instruments but the banjo is a hidden gem imo ive done my research but i want something thats under $600 and has a modern look to it but doesn’t sound like plastic i like the darker sound. to me the banjo is a darker more lyrical instrument i have options but im sure reddit would know better thx

So I have a line on an early 2000 Deering Calico. $2600 is what I would be willing to pay. That would be my offer and I think they would accept it. If they say yes is this a fair price? I see people asking more but don’t actually know what they are selling for. Considering of course the condition is what it appears to be.

I am an advanced guitar player and I own some high end instruments. The only reason I mentioned it is because I know the difference in entry “student” instruments and more professional-level guitars. So Im not really interested student instruments. I do realize tone is subjective. Playability and quality or not. At least to me. I’m sure some people love Deering and some hate them. Not really asking about that. all things considered would that be a banjo and price worth considering? Thanks

i just received a used banjo that I bought from a music store. I know very little about banjo so far but the fourth string (I think) silent look right. Should that string go through the hole like the other strings do?

If the answer is yes, can I fix this on my own or do I need to take it to a music store?

if i can fix it in my own how would I do that?

thanks for any help you can provide

I recently bought a disassembled 1929 gibson style one banjo in a box. All original except It turns out the included flange was a prucha that did not fit the girthy "fat boy" pot. I was able to open up the inner step on the flange enough the fit it to the rim but the shape of the quarter circle is not the same as the profile on the receiving end of the neck. and the neck won't fit the new flange. Looking at articles, it seems that the '29 and '30 banjos both had this issue. an tips on how to overcome this roadblock?

What does the lines and numbers mean in this tab? Play once and play twice? Thanks in advance

How do i make sure to not get ripped off or scammed if I buy one off of BHO?

What are some red flags i should watch for?

Are scammers rampant on there?

Hello my mangs and my mangys, gere's my channel if y'all wanna check it out. I post songs and some tutorials, more to come. Thanks lots ! :) 🪕

Ive been trying to search for a tab for this song for so long, does anyone have it (3 finger)

Does anybody know what happened with the 2000 hours of banjo guy on YouTube? I enjoyed watching him chronicle his learning process. He hasn’t uploaded for like a year now and it feels like a long lost friend at this point… if you’re reading this 2000 hours man, I hope you’re still picking.

I've really fallen in love with that Deering sound specifically from the Sierra. Unfortunately, I don't have 2-3 thousand in my budget right now. Are there any banjos that sound like this (or can with some modifications)?

I'd figure a Goodtime II, although it doesn't have a tone ring, which might make a difference.

Thank you.

Recently inherited my Grandfathers 4 string tenor banjo, all I know is that it’s CGDA tuning and maybe it’s supposed to be Irish.

I can only seem to find a few YouTube videos on “playing your first chords” nothing further than that. Does anyone have any advice, links, or places where I can find online lessons that go further?

My main goal is to get to the point where I can play some songs or “improv” around a campfire.

Hey yall
I have an Ibanez b200, which I bought because money was tight and I’ve noticed it’s really quiet, especially in a jam setting.

Some details: I don’t know if it’s ever been properly set up, I got it from a guitar shop. I also just switched to ddario light gauge strings and it definitely got quieter after that. I’m not sure if it has a tone ring, or maybe it just has a bad one(?)

Some questions:
Does string weight make that much of a difference re volume?
How can I get the banjo to be louder?
Do tone rings make banjos louder/is that an easily replaceable thing?

A new banjo is not in the cards right now, so I’d love to see what I can do to get my instrument to project a bit more. Thanks!

Edit for context: I’ve been playing three finger with picks for about a year, so I’m not brand new at it. It’s a pretty fine volume on its own, but I am struggling to play loud enough specifically in a jam

When I started playing, I learned the foggy mountain roll incorrectly. Realized it not too far into my learning. Adapted and kept playing. It never quite sounded right though. Pulled up some tabs today and realized I was missing a note the whole time. Guess I have to try and relearn it... again.