5 Beginner Banjo Tips (from Someone Who’s Been There, Done Dat! And Got the Crusty Bits on My Fingertips to Prove It)
👋 Hey There, Fellow Banjo Explorer
Being a Bolton lad in the early 2000s, the music scene gave you two options: you were either rocking out to metal with the moshers or fist-pumping in a tracksuit to trance as a full-blown chav. Fit in or stand out. Me? I went full heavy metal — Slipknot, System of a Down, the whole lot.
So why the hell did I start playing the banjo?
No clue. It just called me. Something about rocking in an old chair on a porch at dusk, bottle of bourbon in hand, open fire crackling, and a banjo on my knee… it melted my soul. I was hooked — and no amount of peer pressure was gonna stop me.
Fast forward nearly 20 years, and here I am: crusty fingers, a head full of tunes, and now, my own banjo member site: Banjo Adventures. Most recently, I published my first book — The Path of the Hobo: Beginners Clawhammer Learning Journal.
The inspiration? One of our community members, Chiara, who posted their progress daily on our board — no matter how small. That, right there, is the heart of learning banjo: tiny, consistent progress. I often wish I could go back and see my own Day One again — me sat in my mum’s house with a “Learn Banjo” DVD and zero clue what I was doing.
So if you’re just starting out, here are five beginner banjo tips from someone who’s been exactly where you are.
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🎯 Tip #1: A Persistent Mindset
Learning banjo takes grit. You can’t fake the desire to learn. This isn’t about impressing anyone. If someone told me I could never mention the banjo again to another soul, I’d still pick it up every day. Because I don’t play for others — I play for me.
So ask yourself: Would you still do this even if no one knew? If the answer’s yes — you’re on the right path.
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🧰 Tip #2: Record Your Progress
Audio. Notes. Video. Whatever you can do — document it. I promise, one day you’ll look back and be SO glad you did.
This is exactly why I designed my book as a learning journal. It’s not just a tool — it becomes a keepsake. A snapshot of your journey. Your “before” photo. Your future self will thank you.
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🔄 Tip #3: Small Gains, Big Wins
Persistence. Repetition. Rest. That’s the rhythm of progress.
Forget cramming. Banjo is muscle memory, and your brain loves bite-sized, consistent practice. Whether it’s 10 minutes a day or a few focused sessions a week, little and often wins the race.
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🎵 Tip #4: Use Every Resource at Your Disposal
Find a great teacher and stick with them. But don’t stop there. Learn by ear. Learn by tab. Copy others. Make glorious mistakes. Try weird stuff. Just keep playing.
That’s my three-step mantra: Learn → Practice → Play
Don’t just aim to sound like your heroes — sound like yourself. My book, and the Banjo Adventures platform, is built around giving you all the tools, not just one rigid method.
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✅ Tip #5: Enjoy Every Challenge
Treat each challenge like a little puzzle. Don’t try to sprint before you can walk — simplify, modify, experiment, solve it your way.
Celebrate the “aha” moments. Share them with others who get it. Join our Discord community and introduce yourself. You’re not alone on this path — we’d love to meet you, cheer you on, and see what you’re working on.
JOIN DISCORD: https://discord.gg/3br9hBCr7g
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📘 A Quick Word About The Path Of The Hobo
My Clawhammer Learning Journal
🪕 An Interactive 6-Month Journey for Beginner Banjo Players
Whether you’re brand new or picking up where you left off, this journal is your sidekick. It’s structured, motivating, and personal — helping you track your progress, stay inspired, and reflect along the way.
What’s inside: • Daily and weekly journaling prompts to keep you focused • Exclusive video lessons (via QR codes) available only to Banjo Adventures members • Lifetime access to our supportive Discord community • A beautifully designed keepsake for your musical journey
🎯 It’s more than a book — it’s a companion for your first 6 months with the banjo.
👉 Grab your copy here: https://www.lulu.com/shop/ben-dorning/clawhammer-banjo-for-beginners-the-path-of-the-hobo/paperback/product-w4yee4z.html?q=Ben+Dorning&page=1&pageSize=4
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✌️ Final Thoughts
Learning the banjo isn’t a straight line — it’s a weird, wonderful squiggle of progress, plateaus, breakthroughs, and joy. Take your time. Trust the process. Laugh at the fumbles and celebrate the wins.
Got questions? Wanna share your progress? Leave a comment below or connect with me through Banjo Adventures or on Discord. I’d love to hear your story.
See you on the trail,
