.
First, you have to get your instrument adjusted. Being a dentist, there are lots of neat tools to help accomplish this, but for non dentist types most all the items can be acquired at flea markets, or from your personal dentist. A well adjusted instrument is more fun to play. Attend a workshop to learn how to do it. Or, have a good banjo luthier set it up for you, with you there so it is right for you, because right for someone else, may not be right for you.
I enjoy practicing (both banjo and dentistry) in Maine. I am
fortunate to have a porch that overlooks the cool Maine water and neighbors
who seem to enjoy it when I play the banjo or guitar on the porch for relaxation.
Next, practice, which in itself can be fun and relaxing. A little
each day can be very beneficial.
Lincoln is my feline friend. He will be 6 years old on Lincoln's
Birthday. He is a strong, large (25 lb.), lean cat, who at last measurement
stretched out was 54.5 inches long with a 5 inch wide head (filled with
brains I would add) and an 11 inch neck!. He has me trained,
because I know I pay the mortgage for him and I sometimes even feel like
his door man!
Your most serious critics often know what they are talking about when
it comes to what they hear. Their complete honesty can only help
your playing. Don't take criticism harshly, use it to improve your
playing. This is Lincoln, my animal companion, who, believe it or
not lets me know what is OK and what is not. Ask me how sometime.
If practice doesn't go well, he still remains my friend for some reason.
These are photos of two great parties I had
opportunity of attending. The first is one of
George Sherwood's summer parties in
Friendship Maine in 1996 and the second is
at Jim Simonnetti's house and he is excellent trombonist
that I work with often.
Things might be going well musically if you are asked to bring your
banjo to parties. If you are not asked, bring it anyway. Play
that instrument so people are reminded how much fun the banjo is.
Sing a little also, people love to hear singing, and don't be surprised
if they quickly join in. Have FUN!
I'm having a fun time playing at the picnic at Stu Ingersoll's Centerbrook
Rally in Essex CT 1997 with Tim Allan from Ontario Canada, and Victor Songrady
from Hungary and Maryland on the Connecticut River.
I'm having fun here jamming with Roy Hill and other friends from
Canada in the hotel room at the FIGA convention in Sacramento CA, the night
before all attendees left for home, looking forward to the next banjo event
that might bring us all together again. The friendships made playing
banjo are as exciting as playing itself!
Playing banjo can give you the opportunity to meet folks from other
places, who enjoy playing as much as you do. Join the Fretted Instrument
Guild of America, and meet people from all over the globe, who love music
as much as you. Attend banjo rallies and conventions and broaden
you banjo horizons. Attend the workshops and learn techniques and
playing styles that will make playing more FUN!
Here are pictures of some of the great and fun musicians I have
had opportunity of playing with at the FIGA conventions in Nashua
NH and Sacramento CA. In Nashua I played with Eric Anderson, Scotty
Philbrick, Don Russell, and Stu Ingersoll. In Sacramento CA I played
with Lin Shoemaker.
Play with a band, or play in a small combo, or duet, or alone.
Play as much as you can and spread the happy sound of the banjo around.
No sound of music is happier or more FUN!
Young folks are the future of the banjo and music! They might
be our most important audience! In my office, I try
to interest the little people who come for treatment, by listening to some
banjo music and playing and singing some songs they can relate to.
Hopefully, some of them might one day want to play the banjo also.
We all must try and encourage their musical growth and interest.
If the four string banjo is to succeed as a played instrument, it is
necessary to interest our young folks enough to want to learn to play it.
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