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.

Song List:

Andy Renwick's Ferret

Angus Campbell

Archie Menzies

The Banks Hornpipe

Bear River Jig

Bee's Wing Hornpipe, The

Belfast hornpipe, The

Belfast Jig

Big John McNeil

Bonaparte Crossing The Alps

Bonniest Lass in a' the World, The

Bonny Lass of Fisherrow, The

Bonny Lea Rig, The

Brae Reel, The

Braes of Auchtertyre, The

Brenda Stubbert's Reel

Caber Feidh

Cape Breton Wedding Reel, The

Captain Campbell

Carleton County Breakdown

Carnie's Canter

Chaisson Reel, The

Cheticamp Reel, The

Chorus Jig

Come Under My Plaidie

Compliments To Buddy Macmaster

Cutting Ferns

Darlin' Don't You Meddle Me

Delphine's Reel

Democratic Rage, The

Devil In The Kitchen

Dillon Brown

Dinkie's Reel

Don't Be Teasing

Dr Keith, Aberdeen

Dragger's Reel, The

Drunken piper, The

Dublin Porter

Duke of Gordon's Birthday, The

Durang's Hornpipe

East Neuk of Bear River, The

Emil Gaudet's Reel

Farmer's Daughter, The

Farmer's Reel, The

Fay's Hornpipe

Fermoy Lasses

Fig For A Kiss

Fisher's Hornpipe (F Setting)

Fred Wilson's Hornpipe

Glencoe March

Green Meadow Reel

Haggis, The

Hector's Fancy

Hector's New Dance Hall

High Level Hornpipe, The

Homeward Bound

Honeymoon, The

Inverness Jig

Irishman's Heart To The Ladies

Iron Man, The

Island Boy

Jack Webster's Reel

Jackson's Jig

Jenny Dang The Weaver

JEROME'S FAREWELL TO GIBRALTAR

Jerry Holland's Jig

Joe Kearney's Reel

Joe MacInnis' March

Kenmure's On and Awa', Willie

Killiecrankie

Koehler's Hornpipe

Lad O'beirne's Reel

Lasses of Glenaladale, The

Levantine's Barrel

Light and Airy

Little Donald In The Pigpen

Little Jack's Reel

Londonderry Hornpipe

Lord Gordon

Lord MacDonald's Reel

Macdonald's March Reel

Mackinnon's Rant

Marchioness of Tullibardine, The

Marie ? Pierre

Marquis of Huntly, The

Meeting of Waters, The

Miller o' Drone, The

Miller's Reel

Miramichi Fire, The

Miss Barker's Hornpipe

Miss Georgina Campbell

Miss Gordon

Miss Lyall Strathspey

Miss Maxwell

Mr. Murray

Munlochy Bridge

Munster Lass, The

North Side of the Grampians, The

Northside Tune

Orange and Blue, The

Ottawa Valley Reel

Paddy On The Turnpike

Pigeon On The Gatepost

Plains of Boyle, The

Poppy Leaf, ThePride of the Ball

Prince Edward Island Wedding Reel

Princess Reel

River Bend Jig

Robert Cormack, Aberdeen

Robert Stubbert

Rock Valley Jig

Rose in the Garden, The

Rose of Tennessee, The

Rothiemurchus Rant, The

Royal Circus Jig

Shandon Bells

Shores of Lough Gowna, The

Silver and Gold

Sleepy Maggie

Souris Breakwater

Southern Melody

St Anne's Reel -Original Version

St Anne's Reel -Prince County Version

St Kilda Wedding

Stack Of Barley

Stella's Trip To Kamloops

Stool of Repentance, The

Teviot Bridge

Trip To Windsor

West Point Jig

When I Go Out the Door

Where the North River Flows

Whiskey Jig

Wilfred's Fiddle

You Married My Daughter, and Yet 

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.

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 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 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.