How to Play the Banjo Online
A banjo is a four- or five-string instrument found in country, bluegrass and folk music. The banjo has its roots in the African culture but became popular in the early 1800s when a performer named Joel Walker Sweeney made the five-string banjo a hit in his performances. There are a number of banjo methods available to help interested musicians learn. Among those methods, the Internet ranks as one of the best. With the number of websites run by avid banjo players willing to share their knowledge, learning to play the banjo online has never been easier.
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Instructions
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Choose a website with a comprehensive lesson plan for banjo players. A comprehensive plan should include the basics about the instrument, how to string and tune your banjo, chords and playing techniques. There are a number of websites that fit these qualifications. The Banjo Hangout is probably the best of these sites and certainly the most popular (see Resources). The site features a comprehensive lesson library, video instruction, banjo music and a forum where you can ask other banjo players questions.
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Visit Banjo Hangout and choose "Learn to Play" on the menu to the left of your screen. You'll get a sub menu. Choose "Browse Lessons" and begin with "Instrument Maintenance/Setup." The "Setting up You Banjo" is a good place to start. It isn't necessary to follow lessons in order, but it's a good idea to start at the beginning if you are just getting started.
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Once you've gotten the feel of your instrument, begin the "Music Theory" section of the lesson library. These are lessons you will return to often as you work through your online lesson plan. The study of music theory is a study all to itself, so it isn't something you'll learn with just a few readings. The longer you play, the more you'll find yourself referring to this section, and if you want to compose songs, this information will come in handy.
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Move into the meat of your online lessons next. This is the "Playing Techniques" lesson category, which is third on the list. You'll continue to study the "Music Theory" lessons at your own pace, and to the degree you want to study, but the techniques are what you came to learn. The lessons here are easy to understand and cover all of the important playing techniques for banjo players. The good news is that you can ask questions on the forum if you get stuck. Start with the warm-up exercises and then jump right in.
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Check out the "Media Archive" and "Video Library" as you work your way through your regular lessons. The videos touch on a wide variety of banjo playing techniques. The good thing about video lessons is being able to stop and rewind as you learn. All of the online lessons at the Banjo Hangout are free and available all the time.
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