ISBN 9781619117624.

Designed for the left-handed banjo player, this handy book includes right-hand fingering photos, notation and diagrams for all of the basic 5-string banjo chords in G tuning (GDGBD). The sections are arranged alphabetically, grouping all chords with the same root in each section.

ISBN 9781513459493. 8.75x11.75 inches.

This book counters the claim that the Devil gets all the best tunes! Rob MacKillop has arranged these well-known carols in chord-melody style with jazz chords, folk, and classical influences, engaging countermelodies beneath the principal theme, and more. Written in standard notation and tablature, these intermediate-level arrangements are not only enjoyable to play and hear but will enhance your technique as you learn them. Rob's performance notes are full of insights, and his online audio recordings of each piece make illuminating and delightful listening. Includes access to online audio.

ISBN 9781610658645. 8.5 X 11 inches. This book is designed to aid the novice attempting to learn the 5-string banjo using 3-Finger Style, where the strings are picked by three fingers (thumb,index and middle) of the right hand. Upon completing this volume, you will have learned how to combine left-hand notes with right-hand patterns so as to perform bluegrass style solos and back-up. You will also have the foundation needed to explore other styles of music, such as blues and jazz. No prior knowledge of music or any musical instrument is needed to learn from this method. Enough detail is given to allow the beginner to fully grasp each concept. In addition, exercises are designed to facilitate a gradual increase in the student's understanding and dexterity. When a new concept is presented for the right hand, the left hand performs previously learned tasks. Likewise, a new left-hand technique is demonstrated with familiar right-hand patterns. This instructional technique is used throughout the text. Includes access to online audio.

8.75 x 11.75 inches.

This book together with the 21 online video lessons will give you everything you need to get started. You will learn about tuning the banjo, right and left-hand techniques, reading tablature, the basic banjo rolls, playing with solid timing, embellishments that add life to your playing, a little bit of music theory, how to play backup and jam with other musicians, and 10 excellent beginning level songs. Rick has taught hundreds of banjo students over the past several decades, and he knows how to get you playing quickly.

ISBN 9781610657655.

The Banjo Encyclopedia is a comprehensive, in-depth banjo instructional tool that covers the many intricacies of bluegrass banjo playing, including numerous topics that may have been overlooked in banjo instruction to date. The Banjo Encyclopedia can take a student from the beginning, to intermediate, and right through to more advanced styles of banjo playing. Ross Nickerson uses his many years of experience helping hundreds of aspiring banjo pickers by offering the banjo student an opportunity to learn in a practical, straightforward manner. This wide-ranging banjo instructional book will focus on many techniques that will help every aspect of a banjo player's musicianship while simplifying many subjects in the learning process. The downloadable audio with 99-track recording will enable the student to learn easily by hearing author Ross Nickerson demonstrate each song, and perform many of the banjo licks and phrases included in the book slow, and up to tempo. The audio download available online includes an advanced song section with a full bluegrass band accompanying Ross along with additional intermediate songs for the student to learn. The Banjo Encyclopedia is undoubtedly one of the most complete five-string banjo books on the market today and a must for every banjo player's collection. Includes access to online audio.

ISBN 9781609749149. The finest tenor banjo method available, this text represents Mel Bay's own approach to fundamental musicianship on this versatile instrument. This book is the standard by which others are judged. Easy-to-understand and thorough in its approach, this method addresses both melody playing and chord strumming. Through numerous studies, folk songs and several duets, students are systematically introduced to the various notes and positions on the tenor banjo fretboard. Photos aid in learning proper hand and sitting positions. Once in two volumes, this method is now presented it its entirety in this single comprehensive edition, written in standard notation only.As the tuning of the mandola is identical to that of the tenor banjo (CGDA), this method can serve as a note-reading approach for learning the mandola as well. Tenor banjo chord references can also serve for the mandola. As with the guitar, however, these instruments actually sound an octave lower than written in treble clef.

ISBN 9781610655842. Believed to be the first banjo book of its kind, consisting entirely of Renaissance music, Renaissance and Early Music for Banjo provides the banjo player with "growing material"- the opportunity to play in a number of different keys besides G major, thus expanding their horizon by using unusual chords. The player will utilize different tempos that banjoists are not usually familiar with. Provides material for "Classical Banjo" enthusiasts who want to expand their playing, it also allows the player to deal with what was perhaps the earliest type of music theory known, that of the modal scales. It will teach the student the different types of form structures, and to get away from relying on the 5th string too much. This type of music would be extremely difficult to learn by ear, and so a book of tablatures would prove to be invaluable. Every piece is presented first in a vertical chordal arrangement, which was the way it was originally intended, and then arranged in a more linear horizontal style, using perpetual motion which is much more familiar with toda's player. Thus they are great for finger limbering exercises. Every tune is provided with analytical commentaries and the book has a glossary of terms. In tablature only. Includes access to online audio.

ISBN 9781610656085. This book covers all of the major scales in depth as applied to the 5-string banjo, answering potential questions concerning the use of major scales for any level of player, beginning through advanced. It features finger-strengthening exercises, chords, licks, practical applications of the scales and corresponding exercises which will increase the player's speed, accuracy and ability. While this is not a dictionary of all scales for the banjo, it will teach you how scales work in songs and will help you play in any key. With this knowledge and these skills, you should have a solid foundation and the necessary background for understanding and using all scale types. Written in tablature only. Includes access to online audio.

ISBN 9781619118898.

If youave ever felt compelled to play Flight of the Bumblebee on the 5-string banjo, this is the book for you!Challenging banjo transcriptions of classical masterpieces may seem like a humorous anachronism to some, but not for Italian master Claudio Parravicini, a conservatory graduate who, while majoring in French horn, always believed that the banjo was aa virtuoso instrument capable of enriching any musical genre.aIn the authoras words, aI chose the classical pieces in this book on the basis of how they might advance right and left-hand banjo technique and even refine the playeras musical sensibilitya\| Some pieces, like Flight of the Bumblebee will challenge your ability to play rapidly, while others like Beethovenas Moonlight Sonata, are much slower, but will test your musical abilities in other ways.a The other pieces in the book are: Prelude No. 2 in C minor and Inventions No. 4 and No. 6 by J. S. Bach, Flight of the Bumblebee by Korsakov, Perpetual Motion and Carnival of Venice by Paganini, and Toccata for Piano or Harpsichord by Paradisi. Classical Masterpieces for Banjo is written in tablature only in standard G tuning [gDGBD] using three-finger banjo technique in the traditional, melodic and single-string style. Each selection is guaranteed to further your technique and delight your audience, or simply expand your vision of what is possible on the 5-string banjo.

ISBN 9781619117747.

The definitive text on playing harmonics (chimes) on the 5-string banjo in G tuning! In addition to traditional chiming methods, the authoras new T3N technique for creating banjo harmonics will add new dimensions to your playing. While particularly useful in the three-finger style, T3N can be used in other banjo styles and on other stringed instruments. Most banjo players are familiar with playing open-string harmonics on the 5-string banjo over the 12th, 7th and 5th frets, or perhaps the 4th and 9th frets, so that in typical G-tuning, the open G-chord, D-chord, octave G-chord, and B-chord notes are chimed. With the T3N technique presented in this book, entire scales can be chimed, with other harmonic effects including choking and sliding possibilities! The first part of this book provides a review of traditional banjo harmonic chiming techniques, while the second part explores the exciting new T3Napproach. Written in tablature only, for 5-string banjo in GDGBD tuning.

ISBN 9781619117754.

This left-handed chord book includes pictures and diagrams for all of the basic chords for four-string or tenor banjo. Fingering photos and fretboard diagrams are presented for all of the major, minor, seventh, diminished, augmented, and ninth chords. Major seventh, minor seventh, sixth, minor sixth, seventh augmented fifth, and seventh diminished fifth chords are shown in diagram form only. The introduction discusses how to hold the banjo, tuning (low to high C- G-D-A), and more. This book is also suitable for mandola.

ISBN 9781610657716.

The world of melodic jazz banjo soloing is revealed in this comprehensive method which leads a student from basic intervals to advanced theoretical concepts and finally to a firm foundation in jazz fundamentals. Included are over 90 exercises and examples written in both tablature fingerings and standard music notation which show how scales and arpeggios are used and how they apply to real playing situations. Every five-string banjoist can benefit from the information contained in this breakthrough volume whether they aspire to jazz or just want to find out more about the possibilities and structure of the banjo. Includes access to online audio.Starting with basic intervals, Straight-Ahead Jazz for Banjo shows the structure of all basic chord types and qualities and matches these to the scales that generate them. The book's basic concept model is to treat the five-string banjo's potential in an inclusive technical context so that the student can make use of open and fifth strings to create a smooth legato style. Each of the 90+ exercises are recorded with a metronome and progress to 16 additional examples of original jazz phrases in a variety of keys. Topics include functional major and minor key harmony, diminished and augmented scales and how they are used, and the integration of altered scale substitutes in the art of jazz improvisation. It stresses listening and learning in a logical structured manner with an example of a daily practice plan. The unique emphasis of the book is on the fingerings which make the instrument work for you technically and thus open up added possibilities for the development of a student's personal style. This long-awaited volume will surely bring new focus and perspective to any banjo style and will be a classic reference for many new generations of banjoists. Includes access to online audio.

ISBN 9781619115651. 8.75 x 11.75 inches.

This is a unique collection of drills for all three popular three-finger banjo styles: Scruggs, Single String and Melodic. There are over two hundred sixty exercises ranging from beginner to advanced levels. The physical exercises include finger strengthening, increasing position changing speed, agility and hand-eye coordination. There are detailed aspects of technique not addressed in any other book such as pick depth control, controlling the pick angle for the best tone, stabilizing the right hand and improving economy of motion in both hands. Musical exercises include roll exercises, roll combinations, modern (post-Scruggs) rolls, scales and scale patterns in both single-string and melodic styles, chord scales, fretboard positions for the G scale over the entire fretboard and triad and seventh chord formations. Location of root, seventh and minor tonal centers are shown in chord formations and in the fretboard patterns. Melodic quasi-chord formations are revealed which have never been codified in any other book. Mental tips which enhance focus and dozens of theory tidbits are featured.

ISBN 9781619113268.

Bluegrass Banjo from All Sides focuses on fifteen common jam session tunes, offering many different arrangements for each tune. The arrangements are presented in varying levels of difficulty. The reader will work through standard melody and harmony arrangements, playing backup in a bluegrass setting, playing backup behind fiddlers, and even two-banjo harmony. Further, the tunes offer a catalog of banjo techniques that can be applied to one's overall banjo approach and licks to be absorbed into one's vocabulary. Altogether this book demonstrates the stylistic versatility of three-finger banjo, as well as its identity and character. The book comes with accompanying online audio

ISBN 9781609744649. Learn from the best. Grandpa Jones was a country music legend and a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. He was very well known and respected for his own style of clawhammer banjo. The instructions are helpful for the beginner, with tips on caring for your banjo to keep it sounding its best. The text covers tunings, chord diagrams, and the right hand rhythm patterns that made Grandpa Jones famous with the 5-string banjo. For the intermediate musician, there are alternate tunings, drop thumb rhythm, and exercises for practicing your new skills. Included are several favorite songs, along with lyrics and chords for your accompanist. The preface of the book, written by Grandpa Jones, along with the collection of personal photographs, makes this an excellent keepsake as well.This is simply a must for your music library.

ISBN 9781610652445.

The non-jazz improvisation series is a concept that germinated in Dick Weissman's mind while he was attending music school. He wrote a 15-piece arrangement of the old square dance tune, Cripple Creek, and wanted the trombone to take a solo as part of the arrangement. When the trombonist kept playing a bebop solo that was totally unsuitable for the chart, Dick realized that - in addition to the many musicians who do not improvise - there are even jazz musicians who don't know how to improvise outside the limits of their own stylistic backgrounds.This book approaches the five-string banjo as a musical instrument freed from the prison of specific musical genres. Old-time music, clawhammer, bluegrass and many eclectic adaptations of the banjo are utilized to demonstrate a variety of musical styles. A number of the selections are in different tunings. All examples are written out in traditional and tablature notation.

ISBN 9781513455082. 8.75 x 11.75 inches.

This comprehensive collection features over 100 note-for-note skillfully-crafted clawhammer banjo arrangements of old-time Southern fiddle tunes, in clear tablature - with suggested guitar chords at a wide variety of skill levels. It contains most of the tunes played in concert or recorded by author Ken Perlman and renowned Appalachian-style fiddler Alan Jabbour, plus over 50 more classic tunes from Ed Haley, Edden Hammons, John Salyer and many other iconic roots fiddlers. Also included: Instruction on basic and advanced techniques Tips on improving your musicianship How to play syncopated rhythms and melodies in clawhammer style Frameworks for dealing with crooked tunes and modal tunes Historical notes and picturesque backstories Ken Perlman demonstrates all tunes and most musical illustrations on 124 online audio tracks *Online Audio Includes: 24 tracks featuring excerpts from recordings of the author performing with the virtuosic fiddler Alan Jabbour, to whom the book is dedicated.

ISBN 9781513455723. 8.75 x 11.75 inches.

This book contains the 50 late 19th century tunes in Albert Baurs 1883 anthology, The Banjoists Budget. The collection has roots in four main sources: minstrel songs, Irish popular and folk traditions, clog dancing tunes, and Gilbert and Sullivan favorites- all expertly played by Rob MacKillop on the accompanying online audio recording. The music is clearly typeset in standard notation and tablature for the 5-string banjo in Baurs original eAEG#B tuning; observing the tablature, however, this music can be played in modern-day concert C tuning, gCGBD. While Baur provided no technique instructions, the music can be played in the old minstrel stroke technique, the modern melodic clawhammer style, or fingerstyle. By contrast, MacKillop provides ample performance notes and a few tips within the notation. These melodies constitute an authentic audio window to a past century, when the five-string banjo was a classical instrument studied and played by serious students and expert musicians who read standard notation rather than tablature. In any case, here they are in notation and modern banjo tablature, together with a delightful online recording. Includes access to online audio.

ISBN 9781513459837. 8.75x11.75 inches.

This book contains twenty well-known classical melodies arranged for 5-string banjo in G tuning. The selections span from the Baroque era to the beginning of the 20th century. All are set in standard notation and tablature in easy melody/chord arrangements that rarely use the 5th string. This collection will provide beautiful additions to your solo banjo repertoire and improve your note-reading ability.