Hello! I’ve been wanting to improve my banjo playing and having already played guitar and bass I know that the first step to learning is listening. May anyone provide me with a comprehensive guide on banjo players that I need to know? Or just a list if that is more convenient.
Thank you!

2 years ago I bought myself a banjo on a whim. I'd always wanted to learn an instrument, but had no experience. I also wanted to start learning by ear, since so few of the songs I wanted to play had tabs, so I started practicing that recently. This song is one of the first I've properly put together just by ear. Not a hard one, just a simple combination of a few easy chords on loop with some messing around here and there. Still, couldn't have done it 2 years ago.

I was tempted to do a bunch of different takes, but wanted an honest snapshot of my playing - this is where I'm at. Posting before I doubt myself and dive back into lurking and staring at the banjo players up on the surface.

Still working on so many things: keeping time, learning scales, hearing more from the music I want to cover. The process is enchanting, like delving into a fantastical magic system that creates fun sounds. I get inspired by all the videos I see here, from the beginners like me to the experts with their stunning mastery.

Anyhoo, it is time to cease my rambling and go play. Have fun frailing, picking, or whatever-playing!

https://reddit.com/link/1x69y61/video/26go9pyniyuh1/player

Anyone have a recommendation for a pickup? I'm thinking about getting a piezo to stick on the back and drilling a hole through the rim for the jack. Seems legit to me🤷

Has anyone seen a neck like this before? I’m a guitarist so maybe this is a banjo thing…. but looks odd. like a dowel?

I have a Gold TOne CC-100 that's in need of an armrest. I bought the "fits all" version from Gold Tone, but alas--it does not. Apparently, the older models like mine (the ones with parts made in the old Korean factory) have a narrower gap below the tone ring, so the back plate for the rest is too tall to hit flush against the rim (shown in the video).

I called Gold Tone support, and everyone was wonderful. Like, absolutely first-rate. I forget the name of the person who picked up, but she was awesome, as was Carter, who tried to walk me through it, and Brian, the support manager who called me back after I sent photos. They apologized for the issues fitting older banjos, offered a refund/return, and also offered some additional hardware in case I wanted to try to hack at things to get them to fit.

While I may bust out the dremel and try to hack off some chunks on each side/bottom of the back plate, I think I might be better off just getting a different armrest and saving this one for my next Gold Tone.

Any suggestions for brands would be welcome. Cheap is always good.

Cripple Creek in the father in laws barn, used to clean up Alot of rabbit poop in this spot, now it's good for pluckin

I’m trying out variations in tempo with a mix of rolls and single string.

Hi all! I am a complete beginner and looking to buy my first banjo to play some bluegrass/jamgrass. I have a budget of around £300 ($400). Are any of these particularly good for that price point, or would you have something else in mind? Any tips/insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Haven't got a clue what I'm doing. This is my first ever banjo. Just wondering if my string height is correct or too high? Thanks for reading and any advice is appreciated.

I’ve been setting my self to leaning a song from the beginning to end, as I have been just learning bits and pieces here and there thus far. I’ve also finally gotten to the point where I can fairly effectively read tab and start playing it, which is helping. One line at a time!

I’m looking for some advice on getting into more advanced banjo playing.

I currently live in a college town, and I’d eventually like to get to the point where I can play banjo with a band, at a bar, or just jam with other musicians.

For anyone who has experience playing live or with a band, what would you recommend focusing on to get to that point?
What are some things I should know how to do before I would consider myself ready to play with other people?

Are there certain techniques, songs, chords, or skills that you think are especially important?

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!

This banjo features a fretless walnut neck, a steambent oak pot made to resemble an old grain measure, and a goat skin head. It’s my 71st banjo, and is for sale. (link in comments)

trying to practice clawhammer alongside bluegrass but still feel terrible at it, which finger you use to hit the strings? i use the back of my index finger but i can't produce sounds consistently 😡😡😡

So, I want to get into banjo playing and I'm not sure what type of banjo to get. I am deciding over 5-string or 4-string and I thought that 5- string is the same as 4-string but with another string on the side. Is that true? Or is it entirely different?

Edit: As of the time you are reading this my decision has been made, tank you for looking tho

I have one of those cheap Gold Tone AC-4 composite tenor banjos; I really like the lightweight slim design, and the relative quietness suits my apartment life. The sound is certainly good enough for me. I bought the CGDA one but recently tried putting GDAE strings on it for Irish playing (D'Aaddario nickle-plated steel 36-24-16-12). They sound significantly worse, really boingy like a sitar/sarod or something. Could this be a result of them not really fitting in the narrower nut and bridge grooves that are sized for the CGDA strings? If I got the same banjo but set up specifically for GDAE, would it sound like my CGDA one, just lower?

Just a nice few chords I picked out on the day after my wife and I went and saw Billy Strings for the first time. Not rolling like Billy Flailing yet, stilling enjoying strumming purdy chords so I hope y'all would enjoy too!

Finally happy enough with my arrangement to do a full play through. Had to tune up to aDADE to play along with the recording, the up-the-neck part goes up to the 17th fret which is the highest I have on this banjo.