where can i learn to play banjo in fairfax county? i saw that park authority classes teach it, but are those county government classes any worth while?

You tryin'a learn 4 or 5 string?

Prob'ly won't be able to find'n instructor 'round here, but if you check with the House of Musical Tradition ( hmtrad.com , or something like that), ya might be able to find one SOMEwhere in Northern Virginia.

if yr serious, start yr search at American University. They have a whole department focused on National Bluegrass presevation

The key with the government classes, is if you are just trying to get into it, or are a bit unsure. They are very affordable, but the key is what you are looking for. Banjo is a five stringed instrument if I remember correctly, so hopefully it is a bit more easy to operate than a 6 string guitar with numerous frets. The Park and Rec/Govt classes I've gone to have been good intro's, but they really don't go in depth. Think of them as a starter.

Check Kingstowne Music in Alexandria. Owner is a great guy. They have a lot of awesome instructors there. They do banjo lessons and they also have music jam sessions. It's like once or twice a month where a bunch of people just play bluegrass in the store.

Capitol Area Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association.
These folks can not only direct you towards an instructor
but also specific styles.

http://caboma.org/

You can try NOVA Music in Clifton or a Music and Arts Center. I think Clifton has music jams too. I tried a Park Authority class and hated it.

I am pretty sure that BEH would love to learn and play the BANJO. It will make him feel like he is back at home.

Why don't you buy yourself a book and teach yourself? It's cheaper, it's there whenever you want it and you'll have the satisfaction of being self taught.

"The How and Tao of Olde Time Banjo" is a great place to start. Look it up on amazon.

And to Tea Leaves...what an ignorant statement. First of all, you do not "operate" a musical instrument. Second, thats like saying a motorcycle is easier to "operate" than a car because it has less wheels. Third, "Multiple Frets"? Do you think a banjo has no frets? Maybe just one, but good lord, not multiples!? Do you think a banjo is only capable of producing 4 or 5 notes? All stringed instruments, maybe save for a harp, have frets. It's how you play different notes smarty.
Don't comment on things you know nothing about. It only makes you sound like an idiot...if your poor punctuation didn't do that already.

Dumbass Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why don't you buy yourself a book and teach
> yourself? It's cheaper, it's there whenever you
> want it and you'll have the satisfaction of being
> self taught.
>
> "The How and Tao of Olde Time Banjo" is a great
> place to start. Look it up on amazon.
>
> And to Tea Leaves...what an ignorant statement.
> First of all, you do not "operate" a musical
> instrument. Second, thats like saying a
> motorcycle is easier to "operate" than a car
> because it has less wheels. Third, "Multiple
> Frets"? Do you think a banjo has no frets? Maybe
> just one, but good lord, not multiples!? Do you
> think a banjo is only capable of producing 4 or 5
> notes? All stringed instruments, maybe save for a
> harp, have frets. It's how you play different
> notes smarty.
> Don't comment on things you know nothing about.
> It only makes you sound like an idiot...if your
> poor punctuation didn't do that already.


Sorry to offend the guy from Deliverance. Seriously, loosen up. Weeeeeee!!

Dumbass Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why don't you buy yourself a book and teach
> yourself? It's cheaper, it's there whenever you
> want it and you'll have the satisfaction of being
> self taught.
>
> "The How and Tao of Olde Time Banjo" is a great
> place to start. Look it up on amazon.
>
> And to Tea Leaves...what an ignorant statement.
> First of all, you do not "operate" a musical
> instrument. Second, thats like saying a
> motorcycle is easier to "operate" than a car
> because it has less wheels. Third, "Multiple
> Frets"? Do you think a banjo has no frets? Maybe
> just one, but good lord, not multiples!? Do you
> think a banjo is only capable of producing 4 or 5
> notes? All stringed instruments, maybe save for a
> harp, have frets. It's how you play different
> notes smarty.
> Don't comment on things you know nothing about.
> It only makes you sound like an idiot...if your
> poor punctuation didn't do that already.

I've seen fretless banjo''s, basses, fiddles to name a few.
Piano's have no frets last time I checked.

Fretless banjoy on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv3LwFHaGD0

My uncle is pretty much a banjo master, he's been playing since the early to mid 60's. He's one the most laid back individuals you'll ever meet and everyone gets along with him. He lives in Arlington near Ballston and he does lessons. If you want I can put you guys in touch.

I used to give lessons in Manassas, but nowadays I really don't have any location for in-person lessons so I do most of my teaching over the Internet. You can catch my free daily banjo workshop series at http://dailyfrail.com.

I also happen to be the author of The How and the Tao of Old Time Banjo and the book can be found for free online in various formats: http://www.archive.org/details/TheHowAndTaoOfOldTimeBanjo

Hope this helps.

Patrick Costello

thankyou all so much! sure does

Brandom GMU can u contact me at whwilson@radford.edu

and thanks costello gonna look into that

The original poster still has yet to specify whether he wishes to learn to play the 4 or the 5 string banjo.
The difference between the two is extensive.

Are you and BEH related?

BrandonG.M.U. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> My uncle is pretty much a banjo master, he's been
> playing since the early to mid 60's. He's one the
> most laid back individuals you'll ever meet and
> everyone gets along with him. He lives in
> Arlington near Ballston and he does lessons. If
> you want I can put you guys in touch.

now heres something i can get behind (or at least wear the related apparel)

Hello I am a banjo teacher have played in several Blue graas band and on record I have reasonible rates and will come to you call me at 703 246 7820

A typical bluegrass banjo does indeed have five strings. However, there are tenor banjos that have only four strings.