Free Banjo Primer Ebooks To Download
Beginning bluegrass banjo instruction. The first true beginner's book revealing the secrets of 3 finger Earl Scruggs type banjo picking. Clearly illustrated with over 40 photographs, it includes basic rolls, exciting and easy to play song arrangements, and up the neck breaks. The companion audio CD includes Boil Them Cabbage Down, Cripple Creek, John Hardy, Black Mountain Rag, Little Maggie, and Kicking Mule. All songs are played at 2 to 3 speeds. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Paperback: 57 pages
Publisher: Banjo Academy; First Edition edition (1981)
Language: English
ASIN: B00070T23Y
Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #9,565,581 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #81 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Musical Genres > Bluegrass
So, there I was. A thirty-something workaholic looking for a new hobby to unwind a bit, but with very little in the way of musical experience. Nonetheless, inspired by a local Allison Kraus concert, I found a hot deal on a great used banjo on E-bay and I was off and running! What fun! I'm hooked on the 5-string twang!! About 3 months or so at 30-minutes a day (give or take) and I can play well enough to entertain myself - and my wife and the cat can at least stay in the same room!Not many banjo instructors in New England, so I thought I'd go in for a few good teach-yourself manuals. I bought four. In order of usefulness they were - Revised Banjo Primer by Geoff Hohwald - First Lessons Banjo by Jack Hatfied - How to Play the 5-string Banjo by Pete Seeger - How to Play Banjo by Tim Jumper. The Banjo Primer was the best of the lot. I was able to make good progress with about 30 minutes practice each day. The instructions were clear and the tunes were fun to play (Cripple Creek, Boil 'em Cabbage Down, Worried Man Blues). It was VERY helpful that the book came with a CD. Some lessons I just couldn't get until I heard them played, then they came easily. Each lesson is played at three speeds, but I've pretty much given up EVER matching the insanely fast top speed. First Lessons was next best. It also came with a useful CD with multiple speeds and I think I've at least got a shot at the top speed. It also includes tracks with only the backup musicians so you can jam on your own (I haven't reached that point yet). The choice of music wasn't as good - the intro claims that well-known songs are easier to learn, but I found them to be cliche and boring (Tom Dooley, Old Time Religion, Good Night Ladies).
Of the three banjo beginner books I purchased this is the one I find myself using most frequently.I purchased: Banjo Primer, by Geoff Hohwald; How to Play the 5-String Banjo, Third Edition (Banjo), by Pete Seeger; and Teach Yourself Bluegrass Banjo (Teach Yourself Bluegrass), by Tony Trischka.Banjo Primer is the book most easily used because it is very simple and easy to learn from. The songs that are taught take you step by step through the learning process and are played at two or three different speeds on the accompanying CD to help you progress. Even though the book is great, I find that I am going to take additional banjo lessons along with using the book, as I find myself developing bad playing habits already.These bad playing habits are covered in the book, but should be addressed by a professional teacher to help you develop good technique from the start.As far as the other books go...How to Play the 5-String Banjo, Third Edition (Banjo), by Pete Seeger, is a good book, but teaches a different style of banjo playing than most of us are familiar with. The book focuses primarily on frailing (strumming), rather than the finger-picking, Scruggs-style bluegrass that we all know. It's more "folky" oriented, but is an excellent book nonetheless. I have not really used it as a practice book, but the amount of information contained in the book about music and the history of the banjo makes it a worthwhile investment for any picker.I also purchased Teach Yourself Bluegrass Banjo (Teach Yourself Bluegrass), by Tony Trischka, because I am familiar with Tony Trischka's music, but the book seems to be geared more towards the intermediate/beginner level of playing.
Pete Seeger Banjo Pack: Includes How to Play the 5-String Banjo book and How to Play the 5-String Banjo DVD (Homespun Tapes) Melodic Clawhammer Banjo: A Comprehensive Guide to Modern Clawhammer Banjo Folk Songs for Banjo: 40 Traditional American Folk Songs Arranged for Clawhammer Banjo Hal Leonard Banjo Method - Book 1: For 5-String Banjo Absolute Beginners - Irish Tenor Banjo: The Complete Guide to Playing Irish Style Tenor Banjo More Easy Banjo Solos: For 5-String Banjo The Ultimate Banjo Songbook: 26 Favorites Arranged for 5-String Banjo Complete Banjo Repair: The Setup, Maintenance, and Restoration of the Five-String Banjo Bach for Banjo: 20 Pieces Arranged for 5-String Banjo Bluegrass Gospel: Banjo Play-Along Volume 7 Bk/online audio (Hal Leonard Banjo Play-Along) Easy Banjo Solos: For 5-String Banjo Classical Themes for Banjo: 20 Pieces Arranged for 5-String Banjo Alfred's Basic 5-String Banjo Method: The Most Popular Method for Learning How to Play (Alfred's Basic Banjo Library) Classical Banjo: Banjo/Solos Dixieland Jazz Banjo: Authentic Lead Sheets With Chord Diagrams for Tenor & Plectrum Banjo Complete 5-String Banjo Method: Mastering Banjo (Book & Online Audio & Video) (Complete Method) Robert Johnson for Banjo: 15 Blues Classics Arranged for 5-String Banjo MINSTREL BANJO BRIGGS BANJO INSTRUCTOR Banjo Scale Finder - 6 inch. x 9 inch.: Easy-to-Use Guide to Over 1,300 Banjo Scales Banjo primer
