My Banjo Just Whipped Me

The "A" string just broke while I was playing my banjo, and the steel string just cut me in three places!

Banjos be dangerous critters. I suppose you can call me "blooded" on my banjo...

I wonder if one *must* use steel strings, or if nylon strings would be acceptable. I am reluctant to re-string with one of the strings in the case, because I don't know if strings that old deteriorate with age and will just snap in my face again right away.

I am also musing as to whether I should learn standard banjo tuning, (CGDA) or tune like my four strings are the top four strings of the guitar (DGBE) as suggested by some banjo sites. I'm thinking guitar tuning would be short-term productive in making music, but long-term counterproductive in actually *learning* banjo.

I'm frustrated in my goal to make music right away. Sigh.

Can't leave the banjo alone!

I've been playing the remaining lower three strings on my banjo, fingering scales in C. My replacement strings are missing the string I snapped, so until I get to the music store, I'm stuck with the beginner bottom strings only, alas.

It takes a lot more finger pressure to play banjo than classic guitar, that's for certain!

I'm having fun! This is a happy-sounding instrument, and it gives me joy. Ah, hsifyppah and braider , I blame you both. And I so totally jumped on the opportunity to glom onto vixyish 's banjo luv icon, too!