I do not play banjo as an amateur or professional and I do not sell CD's of my playing. I have, through the aid of books and banjo instruction material including video, taught myself.

I bought my first plectrum banjo and Eddie Peabody's "Learn to play the Plectrum banjo" instructional records at the age of 17. I actually found a nice new Plectrum banjo and the records in a local music store! Got drafted into the U.S. Army when I was 19 and didn't play the banjo again until 1987 (some 21 years or so later) when I went looking for a plectrum banjo at all the music stores around--Didn't have the internet back then. Heck, I didn't have a computer until 1998. I couldn't find anything except an imported Tenor banjo, so I bought it and practiced tuned to plectrum. I had lost my first banjo and the Peabody recordings by then and couldn't find anything else, so I started to play by remembering all I could about the Peabody plectrum instruction records and playing by ear.

In 1998 I found Don Van Palta's web site and bought his Plectrum banjo course and also found Buddy Wachter's "Homespun" Video-"Learn to play Plectrum banjo". I also purchased a new OME plectrum banjo. I wanted the BEST sound and I really missed the 20th thru the 22nd frets!

Here I am in 2005, I've got a large web site about playing banjos with a lot of audio files of me playing plectrum banjo. My audio files are recorded at home on the computer and show my level of playing pretty clearly. They are also not professionally recorded and I do not spend endless hours in a recording studio to make, mix and edit them. That's quite obvious. On the other hand, I'm not trying to sell them either.

If you take a look around my web site and listen to an audio clip or two, you can determine how qualified to give free website banjo lessons I may be.

Since acquiring orthopedic disabilities in 1995, I have used the banjo as a tool to help keep me active, and I also enjoy the music I make immensely. I do not travel to banjo festivals or meetings because of my orthopedic limitations--banjo with case is too much for me to lug around! Maybe if any banjo functions are in the Philadelphia area I could attend.

There are lots of people today selling banjo instruction material and I would recommend considering purchasing at least one of them. I have Don Van Palta's instruction books and video course and some of Buddy Wacther's instructional videos. I do recommend them very highly. There are others also listed on my "very useful banjo links" page.

Well that's my story!

Good luck, and All My Banjo Playing Best To You, Bill