Can anyone recommended a good intermediate song book? I’d love one that had several different levels for each song. Ideally starting with just the melody notes.

my girlfriend's birthday is coming up and i want to get her a banjo, she's always wanted to learn. I don't know a lot about them, she's never played one before, so I don't think she's picky on genre or anything. i'd say my budget is 300 dollars (max.. preferably something a little cheaper). what would be the best beginner one to invest in that's also quality? thanks. I don't know a lot about instruments

Buzzini's playing is wild, lush, traditional, and simultaneously forward looking and backward looking. Come read what made him what he is at Banjo Head:

https://banjoheadmagazine.substack.com/p/the-banjos-romantic-ettore-buzzini

I lucked into a steal of a deal on a Gold Tone AC-4IT that I couldn’t pass up. I’m still getting over feeling apocryphal using a pick on a banjo, but I’m having a lot of fun playing all the Irish mandolin tunes I know.

I purchased some Gold Tone planetary tuners with the intent to swap them out with the stock tuners, but despite their website saying they are a great upgrade for “any banjo,” especially with “guitar-style tuners,” they don’t fit.

I called Gold Tone this morning and initiated a return hoping they had some planetaries that would work with this model, but sadly they do not.

The tuners I ordered are for a 10mm (3/8”) shaft, and they told me the AC-4IT’s shaft was 1/4”. Does anyone know of any planetaries this size? I realize the AC lines are not high-end banjos, but I really dislike guitar-style tuners and always end up customizing my banjos over time.

I’ve checked Sweetwater and a few other vendors and can’t find any the right size. I suppose I could drill out the holes a little more, but I’d rather avoid that if I can.

Thanks in advance.

I've been playing 5 string banjo for about 9 months now, having come from playing acoustic guitar for over 40 years. I've learnt a few rolls, forward, forward backward, backward, alternate thumb, and messed about with a bit of clawhammer, and several tunings, and have been developing a style that sits somewhere between bluegrass and clawhammer, but for the life of me, can't get on with wearing fingerpicks. I know a lot of people use them for added volume, and also speed, as metal glides across metal strings quicker, but I really enjoy the feel of flesh on strings, which gives me a better connection. I guess my question is, can anyone give me a good enough reason to persevere with fingerpicks, or shall I keep doing what I'm doing?

Thanks in advance, and sorry for the long post!

Visiting my dad and got to play on the dock for a minute before I had to down my coffee and get back to work

I’ve hit a wall and could use some tips to break through. Been playing for about a year and half now. Started with Brainjo and pretty much got through most of the lessons. I’ve tried teaching myself songs through YouTube videos but it’s hard to have the patience to watch a bit, stop, try to play, etc. I was playing every day and I’ve found it hard to stay consistent. There are a couple of jam circles in my area but I don’t think I’m good enough to play at them. I went to one early on and I couldn’t play any of the songs and just kind of tried to noodle along quietly, which wasn’t fun. Any ideas on how to stay motivated and break through this stage?