One day, long after I had moved to my new home, a hiking friend mentioned that he knew someone who could teach me to play the banjo. Arthur was not a professional musician, but a multi-talented, retired minister who had taught himself to play the ukulele as well as the banjo. He had also taught himself to make beautiful hand-crafted violins and ukuleles that he gave away to friends. After hearing my desire to learn the banjo, just for my own enjoyment, he said he could help me. Arthur came to my house for two hours a week for almost a whole year to tutor me. He refused to take any payment.
It did not bother Arthur in the least that I could not read music. He said he would teach me how to chord. First, he taught me how to hold the banjo properly, and gradually, how to curl the fingers of my left hand to reach the correct strings. At first my fingers were very awkward and did not do what they were supposed to do, which was frustrating and somewhat embarrassing. However, Arthur was a very patient, effective tutor who convinced me that I could make progress.
Because we were about the same age the songs that we chose for the practice sessions were very familiar to both of us. Songs such as Lili Marlene, The Loveliest Night of the Year, Amazing Grace, Blueberry Hill, Bobby Magee, Tennessee Waltz, Tom Dooley, and Your Cheating Heart, rolled easily off our lips. Each week Arthur wrote the chord changes over the words of the songs that we were practicing. I gradually became comfortable with the fingering and learned to play along with him.
During the week I diligently practiced what Arthur had taught me. Before each weekly lesson I searched the internet for songs that I knew, and printed them off for the next lesson. With total amazement, and much glee, I started feeling encouraged as the lessons progressed. Before the many weeks of lessons ended, I was able to successfully play the chords for more than 100 songs.
Mastering the banjo is a much more intricate task than simply learning how to chord. For now, I am happy just doing that. And I tell my kids that my lifelong dream came true, even if it took many decades of wishful thinking. A chance encounter on a hiking trail directed me to the very person who could help me attain my goal. It has taken me many hours of frustrating practice to reach a beginner’s level, but I did it!
I have no illusions of heading to The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, but it’s a wonderful feeling to sit on my front porch on a quiet summer night and softly sing Jambalaya, Mockingbird Hill, and The Green, Green Grass of Home, while strumming on my old banjo.
James Franklin McDonald with banjo
Valerie McDonald5 years ago
Your persistence paid off! I enjoyed the song titles and history of the banjo–and the photo!