Once we hear the unmistakable sound and tune of a banjo, it’s difficult to keep still. Most everyone loves and appreciates the unique banjo sound, and if you feel the same and have decided to try learning and playing the instrument yourself, kudos to you! It can be quite a challenge, but if others can face it and come out on top, so can you. But while playing the banjo need not be as complex as playing the guitar, some mistakes made by beginners don’t help them on their banjo journey. In fact, these mistakes can even hamper your growth as a banjo player. But what are these mistakes? Here’s a look at the most common mistakes beginner banjo players make – and how you can avoid them.
- Trying to be too complex early on
One common error of those just starting to learn the banjo is being too complex early on. If you are starting, you may be tempted to learn notes that are too complicated or sophisticated. Perhaps someone will tell you that you should play complex notes first to make it easier to switch to easy ones later on. But this isn’t a good idea at all. Remember that it will take time before you can become truly familiar with the instrument. Fortunately, you can take advantage of numerous tutorials online dedicated to a beginner in banjo, which often comes with easier chords and notes.
2. Not having the correct posture
It may surprise you to learn that your posture can impact the advancement of your banjo playing skills. It’s normal for beginners not to think too much about how they angle their wrists or hands while playing the instrument, but it’s a mistake that can take its toll eventually. If you become used to a posture and it’s incorrect, it won’t be easy for you to correct it.
If your wrist or hand is in the wrong position, you can feel tired more quickly if you play for a few hours. So one of your first objectives is to find out how you should position your hand and wrist for holding. With a little bit of studying and practice, you can improve and start focusing on the essentials.
3. Neglecting to consider pressure and timing
Many banjo beginners also complain that their notes don’t sound good or correct. But it occurs when you don’t put the proper pressure on the banjo strings and release the strings too early. It is one reason why notes may sound stuffy and muffled.
The key is to apply the proper pressure and time and not release the strings too soon. It’s essential to apply pressure at the beginning, even if it causes some pain. Be patient and give yourself time to play a note correctly. Once you have done so, you can release it and then move on to the next chord or note.
4. Not managing time properly
You know that you have to practice, but it’s easy for other tasks to take over. But it’s essential to establish a set routine for banjo training, and the more you practice, the greater chance you have of improving for Beginner Banjo Players .
