How do I learn to play banjo?

For years, I knew that I wanted to play the banjo. I loved everything about banjo music - from the bright, sometimes obnoxious sound to the regional pride that players convey in their music. I spoke with a variety of banjo pickin' folks from all walks of life, looking for advice, encouragement, and some sense of where I should begin on my journey to become a proficient banjo player. I asked everyone I met who played the same question, "How do I learn to play banjo?"It didn't matter if I was talking to the guy who always hung out at the corner store in the hills or a classical musician with big institution book learning, the answer to my first question was always the same. The answer? Step 1: Get a banjo.

For a long time, I laughed off this answer. Of course you need a banjo before you can play one. At the time, I was unwilling to take this large, financially daunting first step of commitment. It would take me a while to gather enough information and encouragement to get my own. Eventually, I did and was able to move on to step 2: Learn the fundamentals. But this snap isn't that. This snap is about step 1: how to get a banjo.

Purchasing Guides

There are a variety of guides out there and I've linked a few below. As with any endeavor on the internet, take each one with a grain of salt. Read many. Look for similarities between them. Pay attention to differences. Be wary of guides written by a specific manufacturer - they may be good, but they undoubtedly want to sell you one of their banjos. Most importantly, go to a store that allows you to play their instruments. I know that, at this point, you are unlikely to be able to much past strum the instrument, but that doesn't matter. Find a banjo that feels good in your hands, that has a sound that is pleasing to you. Find the banjo that speaks to you.

Be aware of people who will spin you a yarn!

The guy in the video linked below is a fantastic salesperson. He does a great job of answering every question asked of him in the most general terms possible while seeming to know what he's talking about. I assure you, he does not. Again, he may be a great guy, but there is a lot of misinformation in that video. No, not all of the good banjos are heavy. Yes, you do play the fifth string. No, you cannot master the right hand in a couple weeks. No, not all banjos with more resonator brackets will be better.