“I don’t understand. . .but I will!”

Let’s face it—music is a big, complex subject! High-level accomplishment on any instrument generally requires a lifetime of study and practice to achieve (professional classical musicians peak in their 50s, after a lifetime of tireless practice and performance); you don’t “learn” music in one day. I am always suspicious when someone says “oh, I learned to play the banjo as a teenager.” That’s funny; I’ve been playing for 44 years, and I’m still learn-ing.

But when you choose to play a simple, “fun” instrument like the banjo, the last thing you want is some know-it-all looking down his/her nose at you, trying to fill your head with complicated musical concepts and telling you that you should learn how to read music! “I play just fine without that crap, thank you!” And to be honest, there are plenty of very fine musicians out there who don’t know the first thing about music theory.

I know this paradigm all too well—that was me not too long ago! The problem was, I gradually grew unsatisfied with the level of musical skill I was able to achieve within the undeniable limits of “blissful ignorance.” It was only when I embraced a self-directed regimen of hard work/study/practice (which anyone can do) that I began to go past my “natural” level of skill (which I fully-realize not everyone has—believe me, it’s as much a curse as it is a blessing) and to achieve at least some of my squandered childhood potential.

The curse is that things came so easily to me as a kid that I failed to develop the work ethic required to go beyond (and frankly was not offered a musical example commensurate with my plectrum banjo potential—ah, the limitations of a banjo band upbringing); now that I am working hard, I am quickly becoming a success story—a story of triumph over my frustrating self-limiting habits and attitudes. Many people have commented on my improvement from last year to now; this is very encouraging, and leads me to say “you ain’t seen nothin’ yet!” I also find myself saying “funny thing what a little practice will do for you.”

I’ve been improving in fits and starts for over 28 years, ever since I first met Buddy Wachter and heard what could be done on the banjo; the prior 15 years of playing were at the level that I had too-easily achieved by the age of 13 (banjo band chord melody). Buddy woke me up big time, but it’s taken me a while to find my stride. It’s easy for me to forget the incremental steps that I have taken along the way though; I forget that though something may now be “easy” for me, it may not be for the next guy/gal. Well, there was a time when it wasn’t easy for me either! You must realize, I am now on a steep upward curve; though I am in my 50s, my musical development/ improvement is far from complete.

Anyway—my main point: Many of my biggest thought/performance breakthroughs have been when I’ve discovered just how simple something really was to begin with! The biggest battle has been with my mind. . .a mind that was convinced—by my own childhood low self-esteem and the aura of difficulty that surrounds music—that I just wasn’t good/smart enough for it.

I believe I have now crossed a magical line; I have finally learned that I am plenty talented and smart enough for this, and that if I just stick with something long enough, a veil will suddenly be lifted revealing the answer in all of its simple beauty. This growing realization of course quickens the pace for the next unveiling! Pretty exciting stuff, I must say; my goal is to never stop learning and improving. My humble upbringing taught me not to brag—well, this isn’t bragging; it’s the simple, unabashed truth. I offer this story in the spirit of inspiration; if I can do it, you can do it.

In conclusion: To improve at anything, you must first begin the climb, knowing that it will be hard work at first, but believing that each level of achievement will make the following level easier—assuming you maintain the pace. And if you derive your “fun” from personal improvement as I do, it is well worth the effort; the banjo is an unlimited musical instrument that deserves and rewards hard work—I should know! Do not fall for “play in a day” promises; strum along with a simple song perhaps, but play music? You also should not feel limited by the banjo’s reputation for toe-tapping/striped-shirt/straw-hat fun and simplicity; it is capable of so much more, as are you. Anything worth doing well—as I believe the banjo to be—demands commitment, a long-term high level of effort, and self-belief; attributes that I did not possess at the beginning of this journey.