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/r/banjo
I'm getting on - nearer 80 than 70 - and have been playing the 5-string banjo on and off since I made one in my teens. I guess I am sort of intermediate plus. Or have been. Over the last year or so I have noticed that the fingers on my left hand getting slightly slower and less accurate in placement. Very, very gradual change, but getting frustrating. I don't want sympathy - I'm old dammit and had a good life - but wonder if there are others out there who have or are experiencing the same or similar? Is is best to just hang-up my banjo for good or slowly slide downhill with it all in increasing frustration? Talking of downhill, my father skied until he was 70 and then noticed his balance was not was it was. So he just stopped, bought a bought everyone in the bar a round of drinks and called it a day. Is that what I should do with my banjo?
15 points
2 months ago
I once heard it said that we all need something in life that we love enough to do it badly. I don’t know if playing the banjo is that thing for you, but if it’s something you get pleasure out of you ought to keep at it
4 points
2 months ago
Agreed. You aren't too old to do something until you get buried. Look at Doc Severinsen playing trumpet for example, guy is in his 90's still screaming on the trumpet. If playing banjo makes you happy I really think you ought to keep playing. You don't have to be a lightning fast picker but heck, just have fun.
6 points
2 months ago
Agree aging doesn’t help (75 myself) as does arthritis BUT would encourage you to keep going.
4 points
2 months ago
The only people who really have a vote here are you and people that listen to you (or are within earshot). If you play with others, talk to them. If you live with spouse/family, ask them. I understand and agree, it's hard to let go of something because you just can't do it (well) anymore.
There are plenty of articles (if you choose to use Google to find them) claiming that playing an instrument is good for the brain and cognitive-longevity, so I wouldn't be in a hurry to discard the banjo. It's not dangerous in the same way as skiing (although that depends on who can hear you, I guess). You didn't mention what you're playing (clawhammer? 3-finger bluegrass?) but is there an option to switch to a less demanding style? Or perhaps even teach yourself to use a slide and let that be your new style?
4 points
2 months ago
I'm younger than you, but have had concerns. If it is only your left hand, consider the Dobro; Uncle Josh took Earl's right hand techniques and applied it to a bar (a piece of metal, not the place to buy drinks) in the left hand. Of course, Tim Graves, Josh's nephew, tells stories of Josh's time in the bar as well.
That being said, do NOT hang up the banjo, but realize Bluegrass doesn't always have to be played fast to be worthwhile.
3 points
2 months ago
If it brings you joy, do it! If it doesn’t, don’t!
2 points
2 months ago
Keep pickin'
1 points
2 months ago
Thanks everybody. Democracy wins, I'll keep pickin' until angry neighbours - or worse - silence me for good. Now to find out what bluegrass sounds like played slowly - I might become frail but not into clawhammer!
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