After 446 hours of Banjo - Doubts and Missed Practices

A bit of struggling over the past few weeks, not just in getting time to practice, but also questioning my progress a bit.
My instructor:
Mike Leatherman
www.morganhillmusiclessons.com/

[@directorphase]

Good job dude. You got it bro, keep going 🙏 youll get to where you want if you keep believing. I promise.

[@heathervickers164]

thank you for your reply . good luck and happy playing

[@codycammack5765]

Hey man, I'm learning the banjo as well! Props to you for recording your progress and being mindful of how you're coming along!

[@2000HoursofBanjo]

Awesome! How long ago did you start?

[@dsclaud]

Hi, Claudio from Italy here. Thanks for your videos. Just wanted to say, it's ok to plateau every now and then. I know the feeling is awful but it's important to not get discouraged. I've been playing for only 5 months now but when I feel stuck I found out doing a couple of days of just rolling with a metronome very useful. Like, back to step one It works like a meditation for me plus my fingers build up some memory. Another thing di I do is just roll the chords to some well known song that I like. No solos or melody, just chords backing. It's fun and relaxing and all the same useful. But this can be risky because you relax too much and forget to challenge yourself with harder tunes. Anyway, keep up with the good work!

[@2000HoursofBanjo]

Hello from California, Claudio. Thanks for the encouragement and the suggestion. I will give it a try!

[@stephendye6729]

I'm on Day 19 of '30 days' but its taken me 2 months to do it.... don't worry about slow progress. You are a bit of an inspiration to me, I will get to where you are eventually but I'm not rushing. Its all about enjoyment and having short term as well as longer term goals.

[@2000HoursofBanjo]

Thanks for the encouragement. I am still enjoying practicing, more so every day. "Focus on the enjoyment and let time do the rest." I say that to myself and others all the time...that's why the recent hang-up on progressing is a bit of a shock to me. I was never concerned about it before. Maybe it's all just a part of the phases we go through as we learn to play. As for you, KEEP IT UP! Have you reached Cumberland Gap, yet? It took so long to get my pinky to cooperate on that one. If you end up having the same problem, just stick to it, it will come along eventually.

[@stephendye6729]

@@2000HoursofBanjo Thanks! I have got to part A of Cumberland Gap and just looked at the next lesson.....I see what you mean. I'll stick at it, little by little 🙂

[@stvnnmnn]

Cumberland Gap coming along nicely. Keep it up! It is insane just how long it takes to get fluent. Once you get up to speed and in time on a few songs, new ones are a lot easier to learn.

[@2000HoursofBanjo]

Thanks, Steven. That's what my instructor says...at some point the banjoist inside me will awaken. Don't get me wrong, I do see my own progress, but I am approaching the 1/4 mark. The thought of going from where I am now, skill-level-wise, at almost 500 hours to someone who can play in a band at 2000 hours feels doubtful at this point.

[@stvnnmnn]

@@2000HoursofBanjo You are at 446 hours and it has taken a year and a half. That means to get to 2K at this pace, you will be at this for another 4 and a half years. That's a boatload of time. Just think how cool the songs you "know" now are going to sound when you figure out how to get that bluegrass bounce in them and get up to full speed. You have a long way to go. The important thing is to have fun and enjoy it. Don't put any pressure on yourself. Everyone is different. Just keep playing and having fun. Maybe you should find a jam session somewhere in your area. I have never gone to one, but I think if you really want to play in a band, that would be a great way to get exposed to playing with others and get you where you want quicker.

[@2000HoursofBanjo]

@@stvnnmnn You're right, you're right, you're right. lol. Not sure where my recent concern on progress is coming from. It's all about the journey...banjourney ;)

[@heathervickers164]

if move your thumb to be ahead of your finger you will be able to play a lot faster.Your thumb needs at least an inch forward of your finger, watch JD Crow and also crook your wrist

[@2000HoursofBanjo]

I will give this a try. Thanks!