New Banjo

[andyl]

Hi all. As most I have had a major desire to play banjo for many years. So three weeks ago I bought myself a Ozark 2106g Resonator banjo. I have since discovered that I want to learn Clawhammer! I am told that I should have an open back that has been set up for this style. Could I simply take the resonator off and use it that way? or would I need to get it set up, IE action etc? Would appreciate any help.
Andy.

[dougie]

Hi Andy,

You can still play clawhammer on a resonator banjo so don’t worry too much about it, just the same as you can play finger style on an open back.
You might find this helpful

www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1ZIzQ1xucE&feature=player_embedded

Anyway you have fun with the banjo that you have, learn on it and have a go on every other banjo that you can get your hands on. That is the best way to know what you really want.
All the best with your playing

Dougie

[andyl]

Thanks for that Dougie. Very helpfull vid. Though you can play Clawhammer on a resonator I think i will give this a go "apart from the neck adjustment of course" I like the deeper sound so i will get a Compensated Bridge and a No Knot Tailpiece, This should bring me close to what i am looking for. I do know that my next Banjo will not be an Ozark! Again thanks for the quick reply.
Andy.

[banjorob]

Hello Andy,
No reason at all why you shouldn't play clawhammer on a resonator banjo. If you look up Dan Walsh, just type the name in you'll find him. He's a young banjo player age 22 I think, reckoned to be the best 5 string banjo player in the UK. He told me that when he had his first banjo 10 or 11 years ago he didn't know about open backs or resonators, so his parents bought him a reso' he then went for lessons and was taught clawhammer. He's never changed to an open back, he prefers the type he learnt on.
Also bear in mind people like Grandpa Jones, and Stringbean etc both clawhammer players (look them up on youtube) only played Vega resonator banjos. So don't be despondent, it can be done.

Rob

[Danny]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the good advice mate, it's eanred you some karma

Danny

[banjorob]

Thank you Danny , what is Karma ? I thought it was something supernatural !!

[bublnsqueak]

Ah - Karma is hard to define as it keeps changing to blend in....

"Karma Karma Karma Karma, Karma Cameleon...."

Sorry..

Its amazing what I do to avoid work!

Paul

[banjorob]

Hmmmm....

[brianmay]

As a 30 year newbie to banjo (had a cheapie and never used it), I've bought a pristine second-hand Deering 19 fret 5 string from a chap in Doncaster. Looking around, I've been utterly stunned by the wealth of wonderful instructional material available on YouTube.

If the above-mentioned karma is going to anyone, I hope it visits Patrick Costello and his dad for what they've done to promote this wonderful instrument.

Delighted to see this forum too, will lurk mightily.

Take care all, happy playing (I'm still struggling with Frailing lesson 1).

[jonken44]

Hi guys and girls , l am new to the forum today and 6 months on the Banjo , l just love it , not natural talent, my skill so far has been very hard earn't from lots of practice. Nothing better than to be up at 4 am to get in a hours practice before swimming then come home to get in some more . Patrick Costello is amazing and what he has done for banjo players on the internet is just great , If you see this Patrick , thanks mate for all your work and time to promote the playing of this great instrument , and thanks to dear ol Dad to.
There are not many Banjo player around in Melbourne , at least l haven't found them yet .
Regards
John Keen
Australia