Reddit mentions of Earl Scruggs and the 5-String Banjo: Revised and Enhanced Edition - Book with online Audio

I was actually in this exact situation when I started playing - was a highschooler with free time and just wanted to learn banjo.

1. Get a banjo: If you don't have one already, then this part is sort of a requirement. A standard 5-string is the best place to start. This Deering is a fantastic beginner banjo (and not too bad for performing either), but if price is an issue, I've heard that Gold Tone's work just fine as well.
   
2. Get some books/material: This book is by the master himself (Earl Scruggs). It's sort of an essential for anyone looking to play classic 3-finger (Scruggs style) banjo. If you're looking to play Clawhammer perhaps, this is a very good book for learning.
   
3. PRACTICE: It can seem difficult at first, but I recommend practicing as much as possible. When I first started, I practiced for about 1-2 hours everyday for a solid month. I was able to improve very quickly. And the best part is that I enjoyed every bit of it. That's another thing, if you really enjoy playing, then practicing shouldn't be verry difficult for you.
   
   Good luck, and have fun!

It's in the Scruggs book. If you're looking to play Scruggs style banjo, this book is invaluable.

If you're going to learn Scruggs style, you might as well learn from the Master, Earl Scruggs and the 5 String Banjo. Its a great book.


Janet Davis also has some excellent teaching material. My personal favorite is Splitting the Licks which really breaks down how song are built.

There are tons of other resources out there, but those two are my favorites and the ones I've gotten the most from.

If you like Earl Scruggs playing style, I would suggest buying his book. Earl Scruggs and the 5-String Banjo: Revised and Enhanced Edition - Book with CD https://www.amazon.com/dp/0634060422/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_g2s4xbWYJWTET

FWIW, I started off self taught. Learned some basic rolls, "learned" cripple creek, started using a metronome.

I ended up taking lessons at a local place. Huge difference in progress. My biggest problem is that I don't have the time to dedicate to practice that a "young person" might, so I have backed off the lessons for now, mainly to just practice what my teacher shared in a timeframe I can manage. I plan on going back for more soon, and maybe dialing back to 1-2 lessons a month rather than every week.

I highly recommend Bluegrass Banjo for the Complete Ignoramus by Wayne Erbsen, whether you are self teaching or with an instructor. I also have Earl Scruggs and the 5-String Banjo (get the one with the CD). A lot of folks recommend it for "learnin' like Earl", but it can get very complicated very quickly, especially for someone without any musical background. It does have all the tabs for Earl's stuff that you could home for though.

All of this of course involves you having a banjo. I have a Rogue, I'm happy with it, my teacher thinks it sounds alright too. Others on this subreddit might not be fans but it works for me. I also got a Mike's Mute to save my marriage.

If you can find it, Earl Scruggs and the 5-String Banjo is a wonderful source. It's thick and may be a little intimidating, but it is a wealth of knowledge. How To Play Banjo is the book that my teacher used my first year of taking lessons. It is written in a way that is straightforward and the lessons progress in a very logical way. Most books are going to assume that you are using a resonator/closed back/bluegrass banjo which will have a wooden pot called a "resonator" behind the head to make it louder. This is mostly used by bluegrass musicians because of it's volume and it's tone will have more of a punch behind it. These banjos are used for playing the three-finger bluegrass style you would hear from nearly every bluegrass banjoist out there. You can also use an open-back banjo which is a more traditional and older style of banjo. These aren't as popular with bluegrass bands because the lack of a resonator produces a far more mellow and quieter sounds. Open back banjos are predominantly used for playing the clawhammer/frailing/old-time style. How To Play Banjo will teach you both methods, whereas Earl Scruggs' book will only teach you bluegrass style, which makes sense considering Scruggs invented the three-finger style which is sometimes called "Scruggs-style". As far as what banjo to buy, I've been a fan of Deering Banjo Company for a very long time. If you can afford them, Gibson banjos are well respected, but you're really paying for the Gibson name. I always suggest Deering because banjos are the only instruments they produce, and they know what they're doing. So I hope I've at least pointed you in the right direction and if you have any questions feel free to ask!

I picked up a copy of Earl Scruggs 5 String Banjo and so far I like it, I have weekly lessons so I don't rely on it heavily - though I think I could.

Good luck!