It all started with my discovery of bluegrass music. For some reason, hearing blue grass music make me feel like I wanted to (and might be able to) learn how to make music myself.
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• Banjo Basics
• My Banjo learning log

Online resources

• Banjo Hangout looks like a good spot.
• Banjo Hangout Tablature.
• The Folk Shop - right here in Tucson.
  Closed Sun/Mon, Tue-Fri 11-6, Sat 10:30-5 -- Paul, James Tanguay
• Desert Bluegrass Association (Tucson)
• Guitars Etc - in Tucson (not many banjos).

• Deering Banjos.
• Deering - practicing for speed and dexterity.
• Deering - Banjo ergonomics

• Tony Trischka school of Banjo
• Dr. Banjo - "let's pick!"
• Bill Evans - practical tips
• Tuning the banjo
• Know your notes!
• Bluegrass Academy - learning the banjo.
• Craigs List, musical instruments.
• Changing a banjo head
• How to play the 5 string banjo - nicely written.
• How to Play the Banjo - videos.
• Banjo ben
• Banjo jokes
• YouTube banjo lessons

Most explanations of music theory make the assumption that you already know something. This site does a great job of starting from scratch.

• musictheory.net is a great site.
• music notation software
• Musical notes
• My music hoard

The following is my paraphrase of the tips given by Bill Evans:

1. Listen carefully to great banjo music.
2. Set specific short, medium, and long range goals.
   (short = this week, medium = in a few months)
3. Practice regularly, even if for just a short time.
4. Warm up, and stay in your comfort zone when doing so.
5. Use tabs sparingly.
6. Focus first on the right hand.
7. Practice slow and in control, speed comes later.
8. Learn songs one measure at a time.
9. Play the right repertoire.
10. Keep a record of your progress.

Playing slow when learning is something that almost every teacher emphasizes. Play it slow and get it right. Be patient and speed will come. Almost every student lacks patience and jumps ahead trying to play too fast.

Who makes good banjos?

• Fancy, expensive, high-end banjos
• Less expensive "entry level" banjos

Steve Martin

• Obsession is a great substitute for talent.
• The banjo is such a happy instrument--you can't play a sad song on the banjo - it always comes out so cheerful.

Practice

I had the good fortune to hear Douglas Dillard play a concert, and afterwards had a brief moment to speak to him. I told him I was learning the banjo and asked his advice. He said what I hoped he would: "practice".

Earl Scruggs advised playing a tune 10,000 times to really learn it.

The recent book "Outliers" suggests that people who are "great" at anything have invested 10,000 hours practicing or studying it. Perhaps it is the drive or passion to practice 10,000 hours that is mistaken for talent. Hard work; painful demanding practice are what are required to achieve success, not some natural gift. Practice specific things with a focused goal. If you settle for mediocrity, realize that it is your choice, not your destiny.

See this article on what it takes to be great.

Talent may just be a discount on the hard work required. Bobby Fischer spent 9 years in intensive study to become a chess grandmaster at age 16. Deliberate and focused practice, not just hours banging away is what yields results.