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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.
List of contents
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
About the author
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.
