Due to the advent of quarantine, I was not able to participate in a typical internship to meet my graduation requirement. So I decided to take the opportunity to learn a new skill for my internship. I chose to learn to play the banjo.
I have been learning by facilitation of online videos produced by Jim Pankey, as well as a couple "teach yourself banjo" books. These in combination have been incredibly fun.
I have however, logged journals on my experiences every time I did something significant in the process of learning an instrument.
Journal 10/5/20
Over the past month I have been practicing my rolls, which are the plucking patterns you play with your fingers. For instance, the forward roll goes from 5th to 3rd to 1st strings, and alternating roll goes 3rd to 2nd to 5th to 1st. This, on its own, almost sounds like a song. But I am exited to use these in songs.
Journal 1/17/21
After a couple months of on and off practice, and since my last entry, I have learned my first song portion! I learned to play a simplified version of Cripple Creek by Earl Scruggs. I like this song a lot, because of its happy sound and lyrics, and how fun it is to play!
Journal 3/27/21
After a couple more months of practicing when I have free time, I have finally learned the rest of simplified Cripple Creek! Although it isn't a spectacular song, I thoroughly enjoyed learning it, and I really love singing along to it.
Reflection
Now that I have a basic grasp of how to play banjo, exhibited by my being able to play Cripple Creek, I have been loving learning new songs, playing old ones, and sometimes even playing the banjo with my dad, who plays guitar, or my step brother who plays ukulele. I think that learning an instrument in general is a good way to give yourself a fine healthy hobby, that is also incredibly fun to do! I cant wait until we are out of quarantine so I can go play music with my friends.