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Catalog > Books > Banjo updated December 23, 2009
  • Bluegrass and Fingerpicking Styles
  • Clawhammer and Old-Time
  • Tenor

    • Bluegrass/Fingerpicking

    Back-Up Banjo -- by Janet Davis, book/CD set $29.95
    240 pages, spiral bound. The definitive book on the subject of banjo accompaniment, with a wealth of information on how technique can be tastefully applied. Since a banjo player in a band plays accompaniment at least 75% of the time, it is extremely important to master playing in this style. Janet Davis offers specific suggestions for accompanying a vocalist or instrumentalist in a variety of styles-- and then provides musical examples illustrating her points. Janet breaks her concepts down into their basic components, making them crystal clear in lay terms. The various back-up techniques are separated into categories determined by song tempo, by lead instrument being accompanied, and by the area of the fingerboard in which the chords are being played. In notation and tablature. This set includes a companion 2-CD set which demonstrates the examples in the book.
    A Banjo Christmas $9.95
    47 pages. With banjo tablature, chord names, lyrics and introductory text. Includes: Angels We Have Heard on High, Away in a Manger, Deck the Hall, The First Noel, Good King Wenceslas, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, I Saw Three Ships, Jingle Bells, Joy to the World, Silent Night, We Three Kings , more.
    Banjo for Dummies -- by Bill Evans, book/CD set $24.99
    This 360 page book will cover the basics on playing, from picking and strumming techniques to various banjo playing styles (from classic banjo technique to jazz theory). It will include finger patterns, chord positions, chord scales, single string technique, claw hammer picking and strumming, fingerboard charts, and more. Banjo playing is vibrant and evolving, and Banjo For Dummies discusses not only traditional banjo play but the latest style innovations. No other book offers such an accessible "point of entry" for the new banjo fan and offers instruction on the various playing styles. Companion CD featues play-along exercises, songs, riffs, chords, and audio and MP3 files.
    Banjo Music of Tony Ellis -- by Tony Ellis $19.95
    Original tunes and arrangements in tablature and notation. One of Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys in the 1960's, Tony Ellis is among the most renowned banjo players around. This book assembles tunes from four highly acclaimed CDs - Dixie Banner, Farewell My Home, Quaker Girl, and Sounds Like Bluegrass to Me - capturing his unique 2-and 3-finger picking techniques.
    Banjo Picker's Fakebook -- by David Brody $24.95
    Spiral bound, 216 pages, all in tab. The ultimate sourcebook for the traditional banjo player. Over 230 jigs, reels, rags, hornpipes and breakdowns from all the major traditional instrumental styes. Special materials on regional styles, interpretation, clawhammer and bluegrass techniques, extensive discography. Tab arranged by Bob Carlin, Marty Cutler, Ken Perlman and Henry Sapoznik.
    Banjo Picking - a Complete Method -- by Pete Pardee, book/CD set $24.95
    125 pages, spiral bound. The ultimate banjo method to develop tone, timing and rock solid rhythm for the picking hand, thorough in scope from the beginning level to the challenges of "extreme banjo". With lots of exercises, tunes, photos and helpful text, tools for learning bluegrass, classical, jazz, folk, urban classic fingerstyle or other music, no finger picking banjoist should be without it. Develop skills, repertoire and confidence with the accompanying CD.
    Banjo Player's Songbook -- by Tim Jumper $29.95
    Every style of music is represented in this giant volume of over 200 songs, arranged for the 5-string banjo in easy-to-play tablature. Includes lyrics to folk songs, sentimental favorites, holiday songs, sing-alongs, and more.
    Banjo Songbook -- by Tony Trischka $19.95
    141 pages. A collection of fingerpicking classics from 1900-1940 and beyond. Over 75 tunes in tablature. Includes sections on Scruggs, Reno and melodic styles, interviews, playing tips, and more. All levels.
    Bluegrass Banjo -- by Pete Wernick (with CD) $21.95
    144 pages. A complete guide to three-finger bluegrass styles. Basic right hand patterns through many advanced techniques. Information on how to buy a banjo and playing in groups. Includes an annotated discography. Tunes on the CD include She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain, Jesse James, Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Worried Man, more.
    Bluegrass Songbook -- by Pete Wernick $21.95
    Over 130 bluegrass songs and useful material on technical and artistic aspects of bluegrass singing. Old Time, Traditional, Newgrass, Gospel and Novelty bluegrass tunes are presented in a new tab for guitar or banjo with melody line, words, and chords included. Plus special tips on singing from Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, Lester Flatt, Jesse McReynolds, Charlie Waller and other bluegrass greats.
    Complete Banjo Book - Neil Griffin $19.95
    This comprehensive book contains 139 solos for the 5-string banjo. Arranged by Neil Griffin, Mark Barnett, Karl Kurth, Carl Jackson, and Bob Forrest, this book is the perfect resource to expand you repertoire of solo pieces. The Complete Banjo Book contains no text and should not be considered a method book, but rather a superb collection of intermediate to advanced solos. These pieces reflect contemporary concepts of both Scruggs style and melodic/chromatic styling. While most of these tunes are written in both standard notation and tablature, a few are in tab only.
    Complete Banjo Repair - Larry Sandburg $24.95
    96 pages. The complete story of the 5-string banjo, how and why it works, and what to do when something goes wrong. Every aspect of banjo repair is covered. With detailed photographs, diagrams, and easy-to-follow text.
    Complete Bluegrass Banjo Method -- by Neil Griffin $24.95
    244 pages, spiral bound. One of the very best G tuning five-string bluegrass banjo methods available. Teaches how to pick out tunes single-string style (one note at a time), how to play chord accompaniment, and how to play solos in the full three-finger, bluegrass style. Topics include note and tab reading, chord background styles, traditional bluegrass techniques, fills and endings, use of the capo, rolls, slides, hammers, pull-offs, choking, harmonics, and up-the-neck playing. In notation and tablature.
    Complete Bluegrass Banjo Player -- by D. Wayne Goforth $27.95
    A complete program which takes you from the beginning to the advanced level. Easy-to-follow text and realistic demonstration photographs. Devised by one of America's foremost teachers of authentic 5-string bluegrass banjo.
    Complete Book of Irish and Celtic 5-String Banjo -- by Tom Hanway, book/CD set $29.95
    184 pages. An important anthology of Irish and Celtic solos for the 5-string banjo featuring a comprehensive, scholarly treatise on the history, techniques, and etiquette of playing the banjo in the Celtic tradition.

    Includes segments on tuning, pick preferences, and tablature reading followed by 101 jigs, slides, polkas, slip jigs, reels, hornpipes, strathspeys, O'Carolan tunes, plus a special section of North American Celtic tunes.

    A generous collection of photos of Irish folk musicians, street scenes, and archaeological sites further enhances this fabulous book.

    All of the solos included here are written in 5-string banjo tab only with a few tunes set in unusual banjo tunings. The appendices provide a sizable glossary and a wealth of information regarding soloists and groups playing Celtic music, Irish festivals, music publications, on-line computer resources, cultural organizations, and more.

    The first-ever CD collection of Irish and Celtic music for 5-string banjo provides 68 lovely melodies and demonstrates revolutionary techniques for playing highly ornamented tunes and rolling back-up. The five-string banjo is "out front" and plays through each melody in real-life tempo with authentic Celtic chordal and rhythmic backing. The recording features the music of all Six Celtic Nations and includes jigs, reels, hornpipes, slides, polkas, marches, country dances, larides, andros, slipjigs, strathspeys, airs and O'Carolan tunes. 35 songs in the book are not on the CD.

    Easiest Banjo Book -- William Bay and Neil Griffin $5.99
    24 pages. A lively collection of songs for strumming, plus easy G-tuning solos for fingerpicking 5-string banjo. The solos are in tablature with both melody and solo parts and feature three-finger picking technique in the popular bluegrass style. Slide, hammer, and pull-off techniques are taught. A basic chart of banjo chords is also included.
    Easy Banjo Solos -- Mac Robertson $6.95
    24 pages. A unique bluegrass/country supplement to any beginning banjo method. With banjo tablature, vocal melody, lyrics and chord names. 16 songs, including: Hey, Good Lookin', I'll Fly Away, Rocky Top, This Land Is Your Land, Wabash Cannon Ball, I Saw the Light, and more.
    Gospel Banjo -- Dennis Caplinger $12.95
    48 pages. With banjo tablature, chord names, introductory text and black & white photos. Features 15 spiritual favorites, each arranged in two different keys for banjo, with tablature. Includes: Amazing Grace, In the Sweet By and By, Just a Closer Walk with Thee, Old Time Religion, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Will the Circle Be Unbroken, and more!
    Gospel Banjo Songbook -- Mike Bailey and Michael Smith $12.95
    96 pages. Thirty-three gospel favorites written in tablature for G-tuning banjo. Each song has a melody tab and an accompaniment tab.
    Hal Leonard Banjo Method Book 1 -- Mac Robertson $16.95
    64 pages. Instructional book and examples CD for 5 string banjo. 64 pages. With banjo tablature, chord names, lyrics, banjo chord diagrams, instructional text and introductory text. This innovative method teaches 5-string banjo with a carefully-paced and interest-keeping approach to the bluegrass style. Covers easy chord strums for the beginner; learning tablature; right-hand rolls characteristic of bluegrass; techniques such as hammer-on, slide and pull-off, more.
    Ragtime, Blues and Jazz for Banjo -- Fred Sokolow $11.95
    56 pages. If you are a 5-string banjo player whose enjoyment of music isn't limited to bluegrass and country, you'll find this collection of tunes fun and sometimes challenging. Contains ragtime, blues, old-time jazz, and bluegrass blues, G tuning. Banjo tab.
    You Can Teach Yourself Banjo -- by Janet Davis $10.95
    116 pages. Ideal beginner's book, presenting the basics of playing the banjo in a way that is both fun and produces quick results. Takes you on an extensive tour of this instrument's fundamental techniques as well as some intermediate possibilities including rolls, chords, bluegrass banjo techniques, playing up the neck, licks, endings, and other basic information needed to play bluegrass and melodic-style banjo. Thorough performance notes are provided from beginning to end revealing the secrets of this versatile traditional instrument.