Beginner suggestions

[Ken Chalifoux]

Hi everyone! Sorry if this topic has been beat to death. 

I'm new to the website, and to classic style banjo. A little about myself, and what I know: I play guitar, banjo, fiddle, and tin whistle. I've played guitar, and clawhammer banjo since my late teens, and fiddle for 1.5 years. I have a Deering Vega Senator, and a Goldtone AC-1 strung with nylgut. 

I play 2 finger style also, and a little bit of 3 finger stuff. Being a fingerpicker on guitar I have some experience. I can read notation, and tablature. I've been going through a couple of Rob Mackillops Mel Bay publications in tablature, and I've learned Sunflower Dance, French Jig From Quadrilles so far. 

I'm a little overwhelmed with deciding on which tutor books to start with. Any suggestions, and advice would be greatly appreciated, and look forward to connecting with any of you. 

My youtube channel is Kenney C. Music for anyone interested. Thanks! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEiAHoKjzyo *Me playing Sunflower Dance 

[Byron Thomas]

When I started Classic Style back in 2017, I happened to find a copy of W.M.C. Stahl's international method on eBay. It's lacking in fingerboard exercises by comparison to some other tutors but it has very approachable material. It felt like a good springboard for where I was at the time. Playing your first rag will be an exciting experience!

[thereallyniceman]

Hi Ken,

I added your Youtube video to your original post... Well done and one of my favourite early pieces.

[Ken Chalifoux]

I'll keep an eye out for that one! I looked it up, but I only saw one about tenor, is there 5 string exercises in it as well? Thanks for the suggestion! 

Byron Thomas said:

When I started Classic Style back in 2017, I happened to find a copy of W.M.C. Stahl's international method on eBay. It's lacking in fingerboard exercises by comparison to some other tutors but it has very approachable material. It felt like a good springboard for where I was at the time. Playing your first rag will be an exciting experience!

[Ken Chalifoux]

Thank you, mate! That was the first classic piece I was able to pick up from your great lesson video! Great tune to get people into the feeling of playing classic style. I play it often! 

thereallyniceman said:

Hi Ken,

I added you Youtube video to your original post... Well done and one of my favourite early pieces.

[Byron Thomas]

There is a copy on Internet Archive plus a wealth of other material that Joel has uploaded. If you really want the physical copy, someone has it Wm. C. Stahl's International Banjo Method: C Notation - Revised Edi...

Ken Chalifoux said:

I'll keep an eye out for that one! I looked it up, but I only saw one about tenor, is there 5 string exercises in it as well? Thanks for the suggestion! 

[Ken Chalifoux]

Okay, thanks! I've been going through Joels internet archive tutor collection! Great stuff. I loved the harmonica ones too. 

Byron Thomas said:

There is a copy on internet archive plus a wealth of other material that Joel has uploaded.

Ken Chalifoux said:

I'll keep an eye out for that one! I looked it up, but I only saw one about tenor, is there 5 string exercises in it as well? Thanks for the suggestion!