My first banjo lesson didn't go so well, actually it was a nightmare. Well, I suppose it wasn't technically my first banjo lesson. Actually, I had been taking online banjo lessons for a good while, and honestly thought that I knew what I was doing. I found a website with videos of some dude plucking and strumming which you could be downloaded, and tabs which you could pick along to to your lttle hearts content. I had my first banjo lesson online months ago, and although I was a bit of a slacker about the whole thing, mailing it in by only learning those songs and techniques that interested me, and blowing off the rest, still, I thought that I had started to get somewhere.

That first banjo lesson darn near smothered that illusion under layers and layers of disappointment. I got there and tried to show off. When he took a look at me, like a dufus, I missed a chord. This is my first instrument, and the first time I've ever played in front of strangers with to boot. I figured that it would be a piece of cake, no worries. I've never been all that shy or had any problem speaking publicly to a whole room full of people before, so what should be so hard about one stinking banjo lesson where it was only me and the instructor? The whole thing should have been easy, right? Wrong. It was horrible.

What I don't understand is how I am ever going to learn anything from my banjo lessons if I can't even muster up the courage to perform in front of my teacher. I mean, I guess he is kind and understanding, and besides that a gifted banjo player. He showed me some great exercise during my lessons which I could use and practice for my next banjo lesson, and that was very beneficial, it definitely helped. Not to mention how much you gain just from having the chance to closely observe and study under a gifted musician. But really, will I sound any different, or see any improvement during my next banjo lesson?

If I can't perform half way decent in front of him, how will he even know if I'm making any progress or just spinning my wheels. For that matter, how will I even know if I've learned anything from one banjo lesson to the next. Am I making progress or just spinning my wheels? I mean, it's pretty difficult to get feedback if I can't play in front of my teacher. I've decided to start recording my own playing to play back to him. Initially, it might be difficult to play, knowing that I'm doing it to show progress at my next banjo lesson, but eventually it will get easier... I hope.