A Word from the Creator of Banjo Adventures
Ben Dorning

“I just want to relax in the garden with a cup of tea, pick up my banjo and play a handful of great tunes from memory.”

That is what most people tell me when they first discover Banjo Adventures. Some dream of playing quietly for their own enjoyment, while others hope to share music with family, play at church or find the confidence to join a friendly jam. Most begin with little or no musical experience and are unsure whether they will ever become the kind of person who can simply pick up an instrument and play.

Yet with a clear path and patient guidance, many begin playing their first recognisable songs within 30 days and gradually grow into confident banjo players who can enjoy making music wherever, whenever and with whoever they choose.

That is what a Banjo Adventures Membership can help you achieve.

You may not think of yourself as musical. Perhaps you have struggled with other instruments or wondered whether you have left it too late to learn. But you do not need natural talent, endless theory or hours of practice every day.

By taking one achievable step at a time, you can develop a natural rhythm, build a collection of songs you genuinely enjoy and make progress without ever feeling lost or overwhelmed.

I know because I struggled too.

I bought my first banjo at 17 after saving two months of my wages as a railway apprentice. Armed with a DVD and a book, I began teaching myself on my mum’s living room floor.

For more than a year, I struggled with Scruggs-style banjo. I could follow the instructions, but I never felt as though I was truly making music. Eventually, frustrated by my lack of progress, I put the banjo down.

Then I discovered clawhammer, and everything changed.

For the first time, I could feel the rhythm, hear the melody and enjoy real music coming from my banjo. It felt natural, achievable and fun.

That breakthrough led to years of learning and teaching. It also showed me that ordinary adults can become confident banjo players when they are given a clear path to follow.

That is why I created Banjo Adventures.

You will still need to practise, but you will always know what to work on and why it matters. Every new skill will bring you closer to the moment when you can put the lessons aside, pick up your banjo and simply play.