MODULE 1: HOBO
This is it!
The very beginning of your banjo adventure, and I’m so glad you’re here. Whether your banjo is shiny and new or a little dusty from the attic, it doesn't matter. What matters is that you've shown up with curiosity, courage, and the willingness to try something new. That’s the hardest part—and you’ve already done it!
From my experience, most people choose to learn the banjo with honest and humble expectations. Nobody starts the banjo expecting to be headlining Glastonbury with a 5 piece bluegrass banjo band within 6 months. Most people just want to learn a few simple tunes from memory, sat around an open fire with a glass of your favourite tipple surrounded by your family and friends enjoying the simple life, Am I right?
That’s not a dream only available for people with talent, ANYONE can learn the banjo and it is totally within your grasp and it is much closer than you would ever believe.
That’s not to say learning this skill doesn’t come easily, You will need to put some work in to get there, I am here with you every step of the way but I can only show and guide you, you’re going to have to put some effort in, So please turn off the news, stop scrolling social media, take a break from video games and just spend at least 30 minutes per day of conscious effort. Take your time and allow the learning process to work for you and most importantly ENJOY the challenge of learning this skill.
After you have watched this video lesson be sure to scroll to the bottom of this page and click the button on the right that reads “COMPLETE AND CONTINUE” or “NEXT LESSON’
From this moment forward, you are officially a banjo player.
As we move through each video in this course, I encourage you to ALWAYS watch with your banjo on your knee. These lessons are made to be played along with, not just watched. The more your hands are involved, the faster your confidence will grow. You don’t have to get everything perfect—just stay in motion, keep smiling, and let your fingers get used to this new world.
This first lesson is all about breaking the ice:
🎵 You’ll learn what Clawhammer banjo actually is (and why it’s such a joyful style)
🎵 You’ll discover how to make your first real sound
🎵 And you’ll start strumming with your fingernail like it was meant to be there all along
You don’t need to know anything before we begin—just bring your banjo, your ears, and a bit of curiosity.
Let’s have some fun. Your journey into Clawhammer has officially begun! 🎶
ONE LAST THING!
Did you know your banjo has more moving parts than sense?
From the nickel strings to the wooden rim and the plastic (or animal skin) head, your banjo is constantly reacting to changes in temperature and humidity. It’s always expanding and contracting — even on a microscopic level — just enough to knock it out of tune. All the time.
Even top-of-the-line banjos go out of tune regularly.
That’s why I strongly recommend getting into the habit of fine-tuning your strings back to standard open G tuning every time you pick it up.
Doing just that will make you sound so much better — even before you've played a single note.
Join Our Amazing Community Of Beginners All Walking The Same Path As You
The best part of Banjo Adventures? You're not learning alone.
Unlike other online banjo courses, you get direct access to your teacher — one-on-one.
Our community lives on a platform called Discord. Click the link below to join Banjo Adventures Social, a friendly, active space where you can ask questions, share progress, get feedback, or just hang out and see what others are working on.
Chat, laugh, share — or simply watch and learn.
It’s your journey — take it at your own pace.
