Here is a book of tunes from the Elizabethan era?the great period of English song?set in tablature for the clawhammer banjo. At first glance it is true the songs of Shakespeare?s day and the mountain banjo seem to be worldsapart. But the musical traditions are in fact related as Elizabethan songs are the old world cousins of mountain tunes. As a result Elizabethan tunes are a natural way to extend the mountain banjo repertoire for intermediateand advanced players. Their pedigree their modal feel the lilting rhythms and the ease with which they can be adapted to the banjo argue the case. At the same time they open the possibility for new sounds?in particular newrhythms?for the old instrument pushing the banjo beyond unnatural limitations and giving it a new voice. Each section of the book is organized around a traditional mountain tuning with a mountain song serving as a model of thattuning illuminating the relationship between the two musical worlds. ?The Bard?s Banjo? is the first banjo instruction book devoted to the repertoire of Elizabethan song. Free audio downloads are available for use with thistitle.

There aren't many banjos players more widely heard, or who have performed before more people, than Ron Block. Working with Alison Krauss and Union Station since 1991, Ron's distinctive banjo sound has become nearly as much a part of the group sound as Alison's voice. Ron has taught in a limited number of worshops, but this is his first instructional DVD of any kind, offering a detailed look at his unique approach to the banjo. This 2 DVD release from AcuTab begins with Ron explaining how he learned, and what resources have been useful to him, plus how he looks at both left and right hand patterns. AcuTab's John Lawless leads him through a discussion of several topics, including tone production, Ron's use of bends and chokes, how he arranges solos, and improvisation. Ron goes into great detail about his practice routine, showing examples of exercises and drills he uses to stay in shape. He discusses how to use a metronome in your practice, with several examples. He also describes a number of guitar techniques and concepts which have informed his banjo playing, such as working within 'boxes,? or blocks of frets, and learning to visualize and play scales and patterns both vertically and horizontally. The meat of the DVD is in the songs Ron teaches, which are played in a number of keys and tunings. You'll learn Cluck Old Hen, Tiny Broken Heart, Man Of Constant Sorrow, I'll Remember You Love In My Prayers, Everytime You Say Goodbye, Bright Sunny South, My Poor Old Heart and Smashville. Each song is played with a band before Ron breaks it down lick by lick, and is then shown (medium and slow) in a split screen orientation. Three screen orientations are available for the split screen sections, based on whether the left or right hand is of greater interest - or seeing them both at equal size. Two audio mixes are available for the band sections: normal, and banjo-heavy. 3 hours and 45 minutes on 2 DVDs, with tab booklet. / Banjo (5 Cordes) / 225 pages / niveau : Débutant/Intermédiaire / 2-Dvd Set - Format: 7,5 X 5,25

This book is the ideal primer for anyone wishing to participate in an 'Irish session'. This musical gathering is apparently quite different than a blues jazz or bluegrass jam session in that it is customary at Irish sessions toplay in tight unison with the other musicians adapting appropriate tempos rhythms and ornaments in an attempt to fit in with the 'groove'. The 'Irish Session Tune Book' features 300 reels hornpipes polkas slides andslip-jigs written without chord symbols for the melody instruments commonly played in Irish Sessions. The author shares a wealth of melodies collected over the past 10 years the majority learned by ear at Irish sessions: fiddle accordion tinwhistle tenor banjo mandolin bouzouki etc. Authentic ornamentation is suggested for each tune with the admonition that ornamentation may vary from region to region and chorus to chorus.