My Banjo Journey – From Curious Beginner to Banjo Adventures
Written By Ben Dorning
Banjo Teacher and Creator Of
www.banjoadventures.com
If you're new to the banjo, you might enjoy my Complete Beginner’s Guide to Learning Banjo, where I walk through everything you need to know to start your banjo adventure.
The Moment I First Heard a Banjo
The first time I heard a banjo wasn’t at a concert or a festival. It was on our family’s first computer.
We had a Packard Bell PC with Encarta 98 Encyclopedia. One feature let you click around a map of the world and hear traditional instruments from different countries.
When I clicked on America, two sounds jumped out immediately: the soulful saxophone and the bright, twangy sound of the banjo.
I was about 11 years old, and something about that sound stuck with me.
At the time I didn’t realise it, but that small moment planted the seed for what would eventually become a lifelong passion.
A Late Start in Music
Interestingly, I didn’t grow up musical at all.
In fact, music class was probably my least favourite subject at school. I didn’t play an instrument and never imagined myself becoming a musician.
It wasn’t until I was around 16 years old that my relationship with music changed. Suddenly I began listening more carefully and appreciating the feeling that music can create.
That curiosity slowly turned into a desire to actually learn an instrument.
Eventually, the sound that had fascinated me years earlier came back to mind.
The banjo.
My Early Struggles Learning Banjo
When I first picked up a banjo in 2005, I was excited… but also completely overwhelmed.
Almost every learning resource I found focused on three-finger Scruggs style. The lessons were full of rolls, licks, scales and improvisation.
For many players that style is wonderful, but at the time it felt overly technical for what I wanted.
I didn’t want to memorise complicated patterns.
I simply wanted to play songs and enjoy making music.
For a while it felt like the banjo world was speaking a language I didn’t understand.
Discovering Clawhammer Banjo
Everything changed in 2009 when I discovered Patrick Costello on YouTube.
His teaching style was relaxed, informal and incredibly welcoming to beginners.
Instead of making the banjo feel complicated, he made it feel accessible and fun.
Through his lessons I discovered clawhammer banjo, a rhythmic old-time style that immediately felt natural to me.
Suddenly the instrument made sense.
Instead of chasing technical perfection, I could focus on rhythm, feel and simple traditional tunes.
That’s when I truly fell in love with the banjo.
From Student to Teacher
Years later I started posting a few simple banjo videos on TikTok.
I didn’t expect much from it. But surprisingly, people began asking questions about technique, rhythm and learning clawhammer.
That’s when something clicked for me.
The things that felt simple to me now were exactly the things beginners were struggling with.
I realised that the knowledge I had gained through years of trial and error could actually help other people start their own banjo journey.
Why I Created Banjo Adventures
When I looked back at my own learning experience, I realised something important.
The hardest part wasn’t the banjo itself.
It was learning alone.
Without encouragement, motivation and feedback, it’s easy to lose momentum.
That’s why I created Banjo Adventures, a community where beginners can learn together, share progress and support one another.
Inside the community people can ask questions, post their playing and stay motivated as they move through the learning journey.
Learning music becomes far more enjoyable when you’re not doing it alone.
Why I Love Teaching Banjo
Teaching has become one of the most rewarding parts of my banjo journey.
I love meeting new people from around the world and helping them take their first steps with the instrument.
But there’s something else too.
Watching students learn reminds me of the excitement I felt when I was first discovering the banjo myself.
In a way, teaching allows me to experience that joy all over again.
What the Banjo Means to Me
For me, the banjo is more than just an instrument.
It’s a connection to history.
When I play old American folk tunes, I feel like I’m stepping into another time — sitting on a wooden porch on a warm evening, or playing music around a fire with friends.
The banjo carries a sense of tradition and storytelling that few instruments can match.
And every time I pick it up, that feeling comes back.
Advice for Beginners Starting Banjo
If you’re beginning your banjo journey, here are a few things I wish someone had told me when I started:
🎯 Choose the style that excites you
Clawhammer, Scruggs or melodic — follow the sound that inspires you.
🤝 Don’t learn alone
A supportive community can make a huge difference in motivation.
⏱️ Practice a little every day
Even 15–30 minutes daily will build real progress.
🎼 Explore different tunings
The banjo has a beautiful range of sounds waiting to be discovered.
📈 Track your progress
Celebrate small improvements along the way.
💡 Enjoy the journey
Learning music isn’t a race. The process itself is the reward.
Start Your Own Banjo Adventure
If you’re curious about learning the banjo, remember that every player starts exactly where you are now — at the beginning.
With patience, curiosity and a bit of daily practice, the banjo can become a lifelong companion.
And who knows?
The spark that begins your journey today might lead you somewhere you never expected.
