How to Teach Yourself to Play the Banjo
Banjo music is an American folk art form and many banjo players are self taught. The banjo was originally brought to the United States by African slaves who fashioned banjos by replicating instruments similar to those in their native countries. Thus, the first American banjo players often learned to play from other more experienced players or merely from picking and practicing by themselves.
The tradition of teaching oneself to play has even spawned several books and tutorials today designed to help would-be players do just that. If you are a good guitar player you might find it easier to pick up the banjo, as the two instruments are very similar.
- Banjo
- Banjo recordings/videos
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Instructions
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Most self taught banjo players, such as the actor Steve Martin, learned to play by listening to banjo music and then replicating what is heard. Buy a good recording of banjo music and pick out which sounds on the record are similar to the strings you can pick on the banjo. Be patient and listen closely.
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If this method proves too difficult, many people buy self-guided books on how to teach themselves the banjo. Books can give expert advice on where to place your fingers on the instrument in order to play various chords or melodies and also use detailed illustrations in their explanations of how to play.
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Practice makes perfect. The key to learning any instrument is to practice it as often as you can.