9781394152902

Pick and roll your way through bluegrass banjo basics

The banjo nearly defines the bluegrass sound, and you’ll be playing your own favorite tunes—or maybe writing some new ones—with the help of this book. Bluegrass Banjo For Dummies is the place to start if you’re ready to start learning banjo or upgrade your skills to play in the bluegrass style. Written by an expert musician and educator, this book makes it easy to start plucking your 5-string banjo using common bluegrass techniques. You’ll also have access to over 100 online audio files, and 35 video lessons, so you can see and hear the techniques in practice. This book serves as your first step to becoming a bluegrass banjo player, even if you’re completely new to playing musical instruments. Choose the right banjo, pick up the basics, learn classic banjo licks, and more—the easy way.

Learn how to read banjo tablature and perform on a five-string banjo
Get insight on playing as part of a bluegrass combo band
Practice with classic bluegrass tunes and banjo licks
Create banjo solos that will wow your audiences

This friendly For Dummies guide is great for fledgling banjo players interested in the bluegrass style. Whether or not you already play another instrument, you’ll pick up the banjo basics you can show off at your next local bluegrass festival.

Bill Evans is an internationally recognized five-string banjo life force. As a performer, teacher, writer, and composer, he brings a deep knowledge, intense virtuosity, and contagious passion to all things banjo, with thousands of music fans and banjo students from all over the world in a music career that now spans over 45 years. Keep up with Bill at billevansbanjo.com.

Introduction 1

Part 1: Getting Started with Bluegrass Banjo 5

Chapter 1: Bluegrass Music and the Banjo 7

Chapter 2: Finding the Perfect Bluegrass Banjo and Getting the Gear You Need 21

Chapter 3: Hitting the Ground Running: Tuning, Reading Music, and Making Chords 37

Chapter 4: Fretting and Picking 51

Part 2: Let’s Roll! Scruggs-Style Banjo Essentials 69

Chapter 5: Picking Techniques: Roll Patterns 71

Chapter 6: Fretting Techniques and Putting the Hands Together 89

Chapter 7: Getting Bona Fide: Playing Licks and Classic Tunes 109

Chapter 8: Working Up Your Own Scruggs-Style Solos 135

Part 3: Playing in the Band: Backup Essentials 165

Chapter 9: Getting Started: Playing Down-the-Neck Backup 167

Chapter 10: Taking It Higher: Playing Up-the-Neck Backup 181

Part 4: Progressive Banjo: Melodic and Single-String Styles 205

Chapter 11: Melodic-Style Banjo 207

Chapter 12: Single-String Banjo 227

Part 5: Keeping Your Banjo in Top Shape 243

Chapter 13: Setup Essentials and Live Performance: Getting the Best Sound from Your Banjo 245

Chapter 14: All Strings Considered: Choosing and Changing Strings 261

Part 6: The Part of Tens 275

Chapter 15: Ten (or So) Groundbreaking Bluegrass Banjo Players 277

Chapter 16: Ten Strategies to Make You a Better Player (Right Now!) 285

Part 7: Appendixes 291

Appendix A: A Guide to Chords, Notes, and Major Scales 293

Appendix B: Audio Tracks and Video Clips 301

Index 311

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

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Bluegrass Banjo For Dummies Book + Online Video & Audio Instruction

Bluegrass Banjo For Dummies Book + Online Video & Audio Instruction

1394152906

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

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