Banjo Input?

the only stringed instrument i play is piano, so i have no suggestions. i just want to say you are awesome. i want to play the banjo too!

I had the same desire about 10 years ago. I expressed that desire, and after awhile my mom sent me an antique banjo from the pre 1920's. It is beautiful. Anyhow, I learned to tune it and pluck along to songs in G. Last year, I finally took a series of classes from the local vopro adult learning classes. I think it was 8 classes for forty bucks. The only bummer was that there were about a dozen people in the class of various degrees of (non)expertise. Still a value at 40 bucks !
It is meant to be played old timey, as a clawhammer. But from all of the advise I have gotten, as well as my own instinct, you should definitely learn bluegrass banjo first. Most of the songs you will want to play will be in the bluegrass(scruggs) style pickin' scheme. If you pick it up, clawhammer can come later. Many learn both techniques eventually, and then go on to form their own methods incorporating both.(The Avett Brothers certainly come to mind).

Whatever you do, just get it going. Skill will follow dedication. There are also many "sitting room" opportunities, at least 'round here, where you can bring your instrument, and pluck along with oldtimers, who will typically be very happy to pass along what they believe to be a dying art form. Many of the folks I've met could hang with the Yonder Mountain crowd without a doubt.

Garage sales, auctions, craigslist are a great place to hound out great banjo deals. Just get it goin' on. If you have a friend with an acoustic guitar, you are guaranteed hours of experimental noodlin' ! Nice to have a plucker to be on the boards. Karma for your ambitions !!!

Which is technically a percussion instrument!!!! I'm a jerk.

Good luck man, I love the sound of the banjo..

also the mandolin! I wish more folks played

^
And it makes a cool sound too while its bustin' over their head...

Snoochie - Thanks for the detailed answer. I knew if any place I frequent might have some input it would have to be Inforoo. I do want to learn bluegrass first, I just assumed that the finger dexterity required would make it more difficult than clawhammer. I think I can get two 8 week classes in before 'roo this coming year. If I am not horrendously bad I may bring it with me; especially if I come down for pre-roo volunteering. BTW Karma for your awesome banjo-ness.

Poopzilla - its never to close to Christmas to ask for a mandolin. Just imagine the jam sessions you could have.

I know of a few in Chicago. Go to lolla and we can hit them up.

Holy hell. The first stringed instrument that you're going to ever play is a banjo??? Good luck with that!! Fingerpicking any instrument is super hard, but when a good banjo player can do it, it sounds great!