How to Play the 5-String Banjo, Third Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)Thirty-four years ago I started buying and using banjo instruction books. Today I have only one still in my possession, Pete Seeger's "How toPlay the 5-String Banjo."In addition to his many other gifts, Seegerhas mastered the difficult job of teaching a musical instrument on paper. His approach is to take the student step by step with clear explanations inthe text to making music as quickly as possible.Even readers withabsolutely no knowledge of musical notation will be able to grasp hisexplanations and his illustrations.His drawings of the fingerboard arenot the most sophisticated graphics in the business, but they don't have tobe.The book (which isn't very long) also teaches the student abouttraditional and home made music as it touches on many styles of banjoplaying.Seeger clearly uses banjo instruction as another means to spreadhis lifelong gospel of the integrity, value and sheer joy of music thatcomes out of living rooms rather than loudspeakers.Despite itspopularity, the three-finger bluegrass banjo style of playing gets onlycursory treatment in the text, but that is not a slight.There are plentyof slick and heavily tabbed (for "tablature") music booksfocusing on the so-called Scruggs-style.Seeger's book acknowledgesbluegrass, but gives the many other styles the due they receive nowhereelse.I was at first frustrated, but later pleased at his technique ofgiving the student the words and music for only the first verse of atraditional song, telling me that I can get the complete version elsewhere. He was saving valuable space for more songs and other styles, and forcingus to expand our horizons to the sources he cites in the text.Thus, doeshis banjo instruction book inject the reader into the world of traditionalmusic.My enthusiasm for the book is such that I've gone through 2 copies. I easily learned the frailing style.I have a grasp of Scruggs-style (andI tried Earl Scrugg's own book, too).But, I never got the hang of thedrop-thumb.I don't blame Pete or his book for that lapse.Along the wayI was introduced to songs, and the musical and social histories from whichthey sprang.Seeger's book was the best musical investment I ever madeafter I bought my first 5-string.Its purchase price is a pittancecompared to the decades of enjoyment it has allowed me to experience.
Bruce CollinsGreensboro, MD

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Product Description:
This is the basic manual for banjo players at any level. Covers all the fundamentals of strumming, hammering-on, and pulling-off. Includes folk and traditional songs all with melody line, lyrics, and banjo accompaniment, and solos in standard notation and tablature.

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Play Bluegrass Banjo By Ear Review

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(More customer reviews)If one wishes to learn the banjo, start with this DVD. Several scales are shown in detail and with those scales are thousands of songs. Basic ideas and concepts are covered; including the fretboard and how to understand the fretboard in addition to the banjo, of course. If you wish to learn to play while hearing songs on a bluegrass/folk album, this is the DVD to buy!

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This unique lesson in basic music theory will help you find melody and harmony notes and understand the banjo fingerboard in a way that will open up vast possibilities. Combining this knowledge with basic rolls, harmonized scales, pentatonic runs and licks, and more will allow you to develop powerful and creative bluegrass solos.

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Melodic Clawhammer Banjo: A Comprehensive Guide to Modern Clawhammer Banjo Review

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(More customer reviews)I rated this low, not for the book contents, but because it does not contain the music examples of the songs.This is included on a cd in the book version but not on the electronic kindle version.Since I use kindle on my iPad, I can play the music... If it was included.The music should have been included as mp3 files or something but is not.This is a rip off.Buy the hardcover version, not the kindle version.It's a music instruction book Amazon, include the music examples that the original contains, or at least clearly warn buyers the music files are missing.Please drag those responsible through cactus.Thank you.

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Ken Perlman, today's foremost player of the style, brings you this comprehensive guide to the melodic clawhammer. Over 50 tunes in clear tablature. Learn to play authentic versions of Appalachian fiddle tunes, string band tunes, New England hornpipes, Irish jigs, Scottish reels, and more. Includes arrangements by many important contemporary players, and chapters on basic and advanced techniques. Also features over 70 musical illustrations, plus historical notes, and period photos.

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The Tony Trischka Collection (Banjo) Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm an avid fan of Tony's music.His approach is so unique, while sticking to the tune of the melodies.Tony's technique is simply amazing, and he applies it tastefully.When Tony does wonder off into the blue, it's only for short bursts, and his fun embellishments are always complementary.

I was so excited to see a single book housing the majority of Tony's music.Along with his Solo Banjo Works tab, this makes up a great deal of Tony's "classical library".I'm anxious to see a new book in the future with songs from Territory, to continue my collection.

The book is very easy to use, readable and alphabetically organized.Each tune is preceeded by a short intro from Tony, depicting little factoids and often including helpful hints for left and right hand movements.

I truly appreciate books like this.It's not often that the world is allowed such intimate details of a master's work.Thanks Tony!

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Product Description:
This fantastic collection contains 59 authentic transciptions by Tony Trischka, one of the world's best banjo pickers and instructors. Includes the songs: Blown Down Wall ¥ China Grove ¥ Crossville Breakdown ¥ Heartlands ¥ Hill Country ¥ Kentucky Bullfight ¥ A Robot Plane Flies over Arkansas ¥ more. Features an introduction by renowned artist and former Trischka student BŽla Fleck, plus Tony's comments on each song. Transcriptions are in tab only.

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How To Play Banjo Review

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(More customer reviews)I first used this book as a student in 1976.Since that time, I have taught more than 100 students Bluegrass banjo using this book with 100% success.The book allows me to teach a basic style of strumming and lefthand technique, preparatory to learning standard roles and licks associatedwith three finger style.By the time my students reach the introduction toScruggs Style, they have already mastered or are on their way to masteringhammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides; not to mention several cords.Thisevolution allows me to concentrate on right hand technique (rolls).Whenall is said and done, the student emerges from the book with at least twostyles of banjo playing.I have found the techniques related to clawhammer banjo, as presented in the first section of this book, an invaluableaddition to my repertoire.In fact, I primarily use claw hammer as a meansof playing accompaniment.In conclusion, anyone serious about effectivebanjo instruction should seriously consider this book for his or herstudents.

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Product Description:
Containing a broad range of styles, the book uses open-G tuning and teaches up-picking, picking out a melody, chords, rhythms, accompaniment styles, frailing, and has a special section on bluegrass.

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Teach Yourself Bluegrass Banjo W/cd Review

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(More customer reviews)This tutorial seemed to be written well enough, but as a complete banjo newbie I found it frustrating. It's didn't seem to offer enough variety of learning exercises at each new skill, so that I felt stuck trying to learn the same example over and over. I gave up on this book and bought "A Manual on How to Play the 5-String Bango for the Complete Ignoramus" by Wayne Erbsen (...) and I'm now having a great time learning clawhammer style as well as the slides, etc. that seemed so frustrating in Tony's book. Maybe it's better if you have more banjo experience to start with.

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Product Description:
Teach yourself authentic bluegrass, with clear instructions from a professional. Covers the basics, bowing and left-handed techniques an dsolo backup. A section also includes personal advice on performance. Plus a complete section of the best bluegrass songs and tunes to learn from. B/w photos.

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Banjo Pickers Fake Book Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is 216 pages of banjo tunes arranged for three-finger and clawhammer players. It includes a cross-reference of alternate titles and a 24 page general discography, as well as a discussion of the types of tunesincluded.There is also a short discussion of technical topics such asmodes (very appropriate for traditional music) and how to readtablature.
This book is a lot like a Grainger's collection of fiddletunes for flatpickers.Unlike Grainger's, which only provides enoughtablature to spell out the melody for the A part and the B part, The BanjoPicker's Fakebook takes you through one whole iteration of each tunecomplete with first and second endings. Also like Grainger's, this is notan instruction book.It leaves both the right and left hand fingeringsentirely up to the reader.For example, if you are a strictly a bluegrassplayer, the clawhammer arrangements will not be useful to you.
Although the discography could be used to collect aural examples of thetunes, a CD or a set of tapes would have been a welcome addition.Music isan aural art, and it is impossible to convey the full musical sense intablature or in standard musical notation alone.
If you are looking for alot of tunes, thoughtfully arranged in a single volume, I highly recommendThe Banjo Picker's Fakebook. If the tune can't be found in this book,chances are no one eles knows it either, so you could go ahead and playanything that fit.

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Product Description:
This ultimate sourcebook for the banjo player contains over 230 jigs, reels, rags, hornpipes, and breakdowns from all major traditional instrumental styles. Includes special introductory materials on regional styles, interpretation, and bluegrass techniques. Discography.

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Hot Licks for Bluegrass Banjo Review

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(More customer reviews)Just wanted to give my 2 cents here. The book has some great licks for the banjo. They will definitely get you picking an jumping all around. The problem with the book is that if you have used a lot of other instructional books that have tablature where the notes are on the line, then this book will through you off. All of the tablature in the book is between the lines which is a little tricky on the eye if you are trained otherwise. This may not be a big deal at all to those that are very skilled, but to a few of us beginners, it kind of throws us off. That's it. Besides that a great book.

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Over 650 bluegrass, blues, and jazz licks in Scruggs, single-string, and melodic styles. Learn to use licks to create solos, play back-up, expand your musical knowledge and understanding of the fingerboard.

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Clawhammer Banjo Review

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(More customer reviews)....
Be that as it may, this is a wonderful book to develope a basic repertoire of Appalachian mountain tunes on the banjo.If you're a beginner, get this, but don't use it until you've worked from some of the simpler books such as Muller's "Frailing the 5-String Banjo."
The clawhammer style of playing a banjo is essentially single string frailing.It's origins lie in the old fiddle tunes from the Appalachians.The primary focus of Krassen's book is the clawhammer style centered around Galax, Virginia/Mt. Airy, north Carolina/Bluefield, West Virginia.
Once you've learned a little about the basic banjo strum and other essentials, Krassen's book is the place to go to get a feel for some basic arrangements of old-time standards.What I particularly like about Krassen's arrangements is that each tune is set out in a very simple to read tablature; each tab in turn lays out a basic bare-bones structure for each tune.These arrangements in turn are perfect for allowing the banjoist to incorporate sundry other techniques to flesh out a tune when accompanying a fiddle player.
Krassen emphasizes two important themes regarding clawhammer banjo playing: (1) the primary rhythmic aspect of the banjo, rather than melodic and (2) the importance of using the banjo to highlight only essential notes of the melody and letting the fiddle do the talking.
You won't find very much in terms of instruction here.That's done much better in other books.But if you've developed some competence in the basics of playing...it's a resourceful place to go next in your development.

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Product Description:
Examines the clawhammer style banjo. Tunes are transcribed in tablature and based on the playing of Wade Ward, Fred Cockerham, Henry Reed, Frank George and others. Including tunings and all basic right and left techniques. Complete with an instuctional CD.

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