Alfred's Basic 5-String Banjo continues the Alfred Music tradition of easy-to-use, thorough, and enjoyable instruction for the absolute beginner. The basics of left- and right-hand picking are covered, including pinches, different kinds of rolls, and backup patterns. Basic left-hand techniques are introduced, including hammer-ons and slides, and chord diagrams are provided for both G-tuning and C-tuning. Important topics such as setting up the banjo, tuning, banjo heads, fingerpicks, strings, and capos are taught as well. Illustrations, diagrams, and photographs throughout the book make learning easy and fun. The accompanying CD includes 60 minutes of recordings performed by Dick Weissman that demonstrate all the exercises and songs in the book. Learning to play has never been more fun than with Alfred-s Basic 5-String Banjo -- the best choice for today's beginning banjo students. / Banjo

This book and two CD combo is like having a friend show you all your favorite bluegrass songs. Bluegrass virtuoso Dennis Caplinger teaches you the techniques and concepts you need to start playing hot bluegrass banjo right away---all in the context of 16 classic bluegrass standards. The included CDs feature full explanations of all techniques and songs, and demonstrations of all the music examples. For each song there is a slow tempo demonstration, a complete demo track featuring a world-class bluegrass band, and a complete band track without banjo for you to play along with. Plus, with the included TNT software, you can slow tracks down, loop sections, and even change keys for ultimate usability. We've even included a short refresher course on music theory, and a banjo chord dictionary in the back of the book. 'With just a little guidance, you can be playing great bluegrass without spending years on boring exercises and scales.'- Making Music magazine / Banjo

Perfect for beginning banjoists as well as players who want to enhance their knowledge, Beginning Banjo teaches everything you need to know to get started---including chords, strumming, rolls, basic music theory, and reading tablature (TAB). Guitarists who want to expand their musical horizons will also find this to be the perfect introduction to banjo playing. The book features folk, bluegrass, and other classic songs. On the accompanying video, author and host Ned Luberecki's friendly, encouraging style makes learning easy and fun. Featuring practice tips and other essential topics for beginners, this is the most thorough method available for beginning banjo students. / Banjo