Good evening all,
My name is Dalton and I just signed up for this forum today. I am in need of some guidance from some of the veteran old time players... I'll try to not drag on, but here's my story
I have been playing music since I was 12 (now 30). I began playing guitar and picked it up very quickly. I am a singer/songwriter and mostly use my guitar to write songs. I'm not an amazing player by any means. I would call myself extremely proficient :) I never had the drive to master the guitar or any other instrument I picked up. I also play drums, bass and have messed around with mandolin and harmonica. I get to a point where I can play well and pretty much stop there. I seem to learn up until a certain point and then I maintain what I know.
So, I've always loved old time music and finally decided to learn clawhammer banjo. I've played bluegrass/country/old time on my guitar for a long time so the dum ditty rhythm made sense and I learned the basics pretty quick. The only difference is that I have fallen in love with this instrument and want to advance as much as possible. I can't seem to put it down! I don't want to make the same mistakes I have made with the other instruments and find myself proficient for the rest of my life. So here is my question. I feel like I need some direction with my plan of attack to become a great player. I need some recommendations on how to proceed. I purchased the murphey method 1 and 2. I breezed through 1 and Im beginning #2 which entails drop thumb techniques. I'm not sure if learning as many songs as possible is a good way to go. I've never really cared to play someone elses songs, but old time tunes are different. I am guessing that learning a lot of songs will help me see patterns and begin to become familiar with the neck? I've also never cared much for the theory side of music. Do I need to be? One aspect that intimidates me is the different tunings. Im wondering how to switch my brain from tuning to tuning and relearn all of the scales and things when tuned differently.
Im sure this post is extremely garbled and not well thought out :) BUT, if you could direct a player from start to finish, what would you say is the best way to continue to learn. Any tips, personal stories, direction and jabbing is welcomed. Thanks!
Oh, also FYI...I am planning on dedicating approx 2 hours/day to the banjo. I am fortunate enough to have a job that allows for personal time.
-Dalton