Instructional Books and Recordings

This page updated 07/14/10

New Books
Tunes Books
Rhythm Trax Practice Recordings
Old Time Banjo
Tenor Banjo Books
Songbooks, Miscellaneous Books

New Books!

THE CROW

Tablature book and CD by Steve Martin: Tabs transcribed by Tony Trischka. Steve Martin demonstrates his outstanding ability on the five string banjo. He is as gifted a musician as comedian, and a fine songwriter. Martin wrote fourteen of the fifteen songs on this album. If you like original banjo music, this is for you. Martin had help from Vince Gill, Earl Scruggs, Dolly Parton, Mary Black, Tony Trischka, Tim O'Brien and Pete Wernick. The recording was produced by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's John McEuen, a high school friend of Martin's. The CD features forty-three minutes of great stuff, all tunes transcribed in the book. Selections: Daddy Played the Banjo, Pitkin County Turnaround, Hoedown at Alice's, Late for School, Tin Roof, Freddie's Lilt, Pretty Flowers, Wally on the Run, Words Unspoken, Saga of the Old West, Clawhammer Medley, Calico Train, Banana Banjo, Blue River Waltz, The Crow. List: book/CD: $29.95 book only: $19.95.

Book/CD set, List $29.95 HM price: $25.00 plus $2.00 P&H Add to Cart

Book Only: LIST $19.95 HM price: $16.00 plus $2.00 P&H Add to Cart

ALTERNATE TUNINGS FOR FIVE-STRING BANJO

by Terri McGill. Finally, a book showing alternative tunings for those who are tired of the old warhorses Reuben, Home Sweet Home, and Farewell Blues in the standard C and D tunings. All songs played slow and fasrt speed on tbe demonstration CD recording. Selections: G modal tuning: Cumberland Gap, Shady Grove, The Long Fork of Buckhorn, Standard C tuning: Little Liza Jane, I Ain't gonna Work Tomorrow, Kansas City Railroad Blues. Open C tuning: Way Down the Old Plank Road, Bury Me Beneath the Willow, Angelina the Baker. Bb tuning: Worried Man Blues, My Home's Across the Blueridge Mountains, Straight Drive. D Modal tuning: Country Blues, Pretty Polly, Reuben's Train. Open D tuning: Old Joe Clark, Bunker Hill, Boil Them Cabbage. E tuning: Deep Elm Blues, Rabit in a Log, Lonesome Road Blues. Intermediate/Advanced level.

Book/CD set: List: $19.95. HM price: $17.00 plus $2.00 P&H Add to Cart

BACH FOR THE BANJO

by John Bullard

Eighteen Bach favorites transcribed and arranged in three-finger style. Selections;

Invention # 13, Invention # 14, Invention # 1, Invention # 8, March, Minuet in G, Polinaise in G minor, Minuet in G Minor, Musette, Prelude/Partita #III for Solo Violin, Bouree II/Suite IV for Solo Cello, Menuets I & II/Suite II forCourante/Suite I for Solo Cello, Solo Cello, Gavotte & Rondeau/Partita # 3 for Solo Violin, Bauerntantz /for Two Banjos, Prelude/Suite I for Solo Violin. Book only, No CD available. List; $17.99 HM price: $15.00 pus $2.00 P&H Add to Cart

STRAIGHT-AHEAD JAZZ FOR THE BANJO

by Pat Cloud. The world of melodic jazz banjo soloing is revealed in this comprehensive method which leads a student from basic intervals to advanced theoretical concepts and finally to a firm foundation in jazz fundamentals. Included are over 90 exercises and examples written in both tablature fingerings and standard music notation which show how scales and arpeggios are used and how they apply to real playing situations. Every five-string banjoist can benefit from the information contained in this breakthrough volume whether they aspire to jazz or just want to find out more about the possibilities and structure of the banjo. Audio CD included. Starting with basic intervals, this bookshows the structure of all basic chord types and qualities and matches these to the scales that generate them. The book's basic concept model is to treat the five-string banjo's potential in an inclusive technical context so that the student can make use of open and fifth strings to create a smooth legato style. Each of the 90+ exercises are recorded with a metronome and progress to 16 additional examples of original jazz phrases in a variety of keys. Topics include functional major and minor key harmony, diminished and augmented scales and how they are used, and the integration of altered scale substitutes in the art of jazz improvisation. It stresses listening and learning in a logical structured manner with an example of a daily practice plan. The unique emphasis of the book is on the fingerings which make the instrument work for you technically and thus open up added possibilities for the development of a student's personal style. This long-awaited volume will surely bring new focus and perspective to any banjo style and will be a classic reference for many new generations of banjoists. Audio CD included. List; $19.99 HM price: $17.00 pus $2.00 P&H Add to Cart

THE ULTIMATE BANJO SONGBOOK

by Janet Davis The "Ultimate" Tunes every banjo player should know! For Beginning through Advanced Levels - includes Scruggs style, Melodic Style, Swing & Jazz, Triplet Style, Chromatics, single string and More! For everyone who plays the banjo! Contains multiple lead arrangements for each tune. . . so that players at every level can enjoy these tunes. PLUS many "Optional Licks" are included with each arrangement so that you can work out even more ways to play these tunes. A brief history of the origin for each tune is also included. Learn the song as it is written, learn the arrangement of your choice, or learn all of the arrangements presented for each tune. PLUS this course teaches you the art of lick substitution for each song. Songs drawn from bluegrass, to swing, from rock and roll to jazz, from breakdowns to waltzes Selections: Bluegrass tunes: Dueling Banjos: 3 variations, Foggy Mountain Breakdown (8 variations), Bugle Call Rag (7 arrangements) Rock and Roll tunes: Bye Bye Love and Great Balls of Fire Swing and jazz tunes: (i.e. Limehouse Blues and Bela Fleck's UFO TOFU;Also: You Are My Sunshine, Tennessee Waltz, and How Great Thou Art, Ghost Riders and Lady of Spain. TWO CDs demonstrate ALL the arrangement. Multiple arrangements in tablature for each song in the book and on the CDs. List: $24.95 HM price: $21.00 pus $3.00 P&H Add to Cart

HOW TO PLAY THE FIVE-STRING BANJO, third Edition, revised.

by Pete Seeger

 

The FIRST old time/bluegrass banjo instruction manual is available again! First published in 1948, almost fifteen years before Earl Scruggs and the Five-String Banjo. Now in its third edition, revised in 2002. Includes prefaces to the second and third editions, basic strum, left hand techniques, double thumbing, 3/4 and 6/8 time, frailing, three-finger picking, other three finger styles, a sectio on blues and jazz and Spanish and South American music. MAny greta old photographs of Pete's mentors such as Bascomb Lunsford and Uncle Dave Macon, reproductions of famous banjo paintings, and appendecies which include such new-fangled inventions as "phonograph records" and "16mm banjo instruction films". A great coffee table book, and still a valid and important instructional aide. Book only, no CD available. List: $16.95 HM price: $14.00 pus $2.00 P&H Add to Cart

GIBSON MASTERTONE - FLATHEAD 5-STRING BANJOS OF THE 1930's AND 1940's

by Jim Mills
Gibson produced thousands of banjos prior to WWII but only a handful were made in the most desirable configuration for today's bluegrass players: the original flathead five-string Mastertone. Since Earl Scruggs and Don Reno helped make them the most sought-after banjos in the world, these instruments have amassed a cult-like following and become the inspiration for nearly every successful 5-string banjo manufactured for the past five decades. Of the 130 or so Original Flathead Five-String Mastertones known to exist, 19 of the absolute best are featured here. The Scruggs, Reno, Jenkins, Crowe, Osborne, Huber and Mills banjos are shown in all their glory, with details of their known histories and provenances, as well as never-before-seen photos, bills of sale, factory shipping ledgers, and other ephemera. 169 pp. List: $45.00 HM price: $42.00 plus $3.00 P&H Add to Cart

An Introduction to Celtic Tunes for the Five-String Banjo 

by Alan Johnson. Finally, a collection of Celtic tunes that the intermediate banjo player can manage. These difficult Irish and Scottish melodies usually require a combination of styles and right hand techniques such as triplet hammer-ons, pull-offs and double fingering of the right hand. Johnson's approach is to render the accurate basic melody with only a minimum of left hand techniques. The difficult hammers, pulls and slides can then be added later. Includes helpful playing tips. SEVENTY tunes included, grouped in reels, polkas, jigs and slip jigs. Selections include: The Navvy on the Line, McFadden's Handsome Daughter, The Holy land, The Banshee, the Maid Behind the Bar, Ger the Rigger, Billy Sullivan, Father O'Flynn's, Old Hag You Have Killed Me, (I love it!), The Trip to Sligo, Lark in the Morning, The Rocky Road to Dublin, dozens of others. All tunes demonstrated on the accompanying CD.This book was originally self published by author, new edition reprinted November 2009 by Hatfield Music)

$28.00 plus $3.00 P&H. Add to Cart

Backup Techniques on the Five-String Banjo

Bluegrass Banjo Method, Book Three

Long-awaited book by Jack Hatfield. 231 pages, two CDs (160 minutes!) of play-along with full band in one channel and banjo in the other. All songs include backup. Solos included to many songs in Bluegrass Banjo Method-Book One and Bluegrass Banjo Method-Book Two as well as many new songs, including lead breaks. Selections: All the Good Times, Amazing Grace, Battle Hymn of the Republic (in C), Banks of the Ohio, Bill Cheatham, Bury Me Beneath the Willow (G and Gm), Coming 'Round the Mountain, Cripple Creek, Cumberland Gap (in C), D Banjo Boogie, Don't This Road Look Rough and Rocky, Down Yonder, Handsome Molly, House of the Rising Sun, In the Pines, I'll Fly Away (in G and D), John Hardy, Little Maggie (in G and Gm) Lonesone Road Blues, Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor, Mountain Dew, My Old Kentucly Home, Old Joe Clark, Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms (in C) Sail Away Ladies, Salty Dog Blues, Shady Grove (in G and Gm), Sitting on Top of the World, Sourwood Mountain, Tom Dooley, Two-Dollar Bill, Tewlve Bar Blues (in G, D, A and E), Wafaring Stranger, Will the Circle Be Unbroken. Includes lyrics, vamping, down and up-the- neck roll backup, fill licks, chord locating system, composing tasteful arrangements, the number system, basic music theory, backup in 3/4 time, transposing, and playing lead in different keys...many tips not found in other manuals. CDs may be purchased seperately for "music minus one" playing along.

 

 

September 2009 Banjo Newsletter Review of Back-up Techniques On The Five-String Banjo: Bluegrass Banjo Method Book Three by Wayne Shrubsall:

Readers of BNL know Jack Hatfield for his columns on Scruggs Style banjo, Beginning Banjo, and the more recent Concepts and Systems. Others know him for his two excellent banjo instruction books, “Bluegrass Banjo Method Book One” and “Book Two.” Easterners have seen Jack at the SPBGMA/BNL banjo workshops in Nashville and at the Tennessee Banjo Academy and his own Smoky Mountain Banjo Academy banjo camp. This guy knows banjo, and his new text Back-up Techniques On The Five-String Banjo: Bluegrass Banjo Method Book Three shows this admirably.
In “Back-up Techniques,” Jack Hatfield has given us a very first-rate book on how to play backup bluegrass banjo. The Table of Contents (4 pages long in small print!) arranges the text as follows:

Chap. 1: The Bluegrass band Sound
Chap. 2: Vamping
Chap. 3: Roll Back-up
Chap. 4: Fill Licks
Chap. 5: Composing Tasteful Arrangements
Chap. 6: Basic Music Theory
Chap. 7: Playing in Different Keys

But in each chapter is a wonderful selection of examples, exercises, theory (very practical, for the most part).
Take the first chapter as an example of a valuable set of tips and instructions. The subheadings of this one chapter should be required study for any person who brings a banjo into a jam session or a band. Check these sub-headings out:
• Defining the chord
• Bluegrass instruments: compliment and contrast
• Fiddle and Banjo
• Exercising Good Taste (Whoa! Where’s that one been?)
• The Roles of the Bluegrass Instruments (not the “rolls”)
• Kickoffs
• “Feature” Tunes (would you recognize Foggy Mt Breakdown kicked off on mandolin?
• A Word about Originality
• Maintaining Order in a Jam Session
• Variations in Band Rhythm
• Rhythm Breathes (great on rhythmic styles of different musical forms)
• Controlling Note Spacing
• Playing with Expression
• Working the Microphone
These subheadings are themselves worthy of the price of the book. Hatfield’s ideas on taste and politeness are things that are worth learning right away. All banjoists following these tips could signal the demise of banjo jokes.
After Chapter One has been read—several times—the student is ready for vamping (Chapter 2). Vamping is the basic idea of rhythm, here as played on 5-string banjo. But Hatfield presents more than just a Boom-Chuk approach to vamping. In this chapter, one studies bass notes in vamping, split-bar vamping (going from an F-chord form to a D-chord form in a harmonic sequence), playing with bounce, using turnarounds, using passing tones, and many other sub-headings. It sounds a bit confusing; but it is not, as Hatfield manages to clarify and explain and illustrate all of these sub-headings with exercises and examples.
Often, students and jam session folks “just want to vamp” as back-up. Well, proceed through Chapter 2 and you’ll have a bachelor’s degree in back-up, because you will learn all those secrets that professional banjoists, the ones who use vamping, know. For instance, if you learn Hatfield’s back-up arrangement of Handsome Molly, you’ll have learned the two chord-form of vamping and also the vamping use of passing tones. Again, if you work through Chapter 2, playing every exercise and memorizing the forms and ideas (why wouldn’t you?), then you will be ready for Chapter 3.
Like the way some banjoists use rolls as back-up? So does Hatfield, and he presents many roll techniques, again each one appropriately illustrated. Here one can pursue fast-change-progressions rolls, rolls “up the neck,” moving from major keys to 7th keys pinch-triplet backup, arpeggio backup, and roll backup in 3/4 time—among other valuable subdivisions. If you are not sure about what these things mean, the examples and text make them clear, and quickly so.
One of my favorite chapters is 4, on Fill Licks. To my ear, playing fill licks at the right time defines a good banjoist. Hatfield provides G/D fill licks, up-the-neck fills, D formation fills, F formation fills, Bar-formation fills, and other approaches to fills. [See Figure 1]. Learning these techniques makes for good music, and used properly, the banjoist will not have to be politely reminded that “the banjo is a very loud instrument.”
Another valuable chapter for fledgling banjoists is Chapter 5, in which Jack presents four full band arrangements of old bluegrass standards: Sitting on Top of the World, Lonesome Road Blues, Don’t This Road Look Rough and Rocky, and I’ll Fly Away. These standards illustrate the formulas for many other bluegrass songs. In these arrangements, one has a country blues, an instrumental (or vocal), an old love lyric, and a gospel piece. Right there, one has a good chunk of the basic bluegrass band repertoire. The arrangements feature banjo solos as well as back-up, just as a band might play the tunes from start to finish. [See Figure 2.]
Now: if you enjoy the theory of music, that is, learning what is involved with music harmony and melody (and not just bluegrass), as well as learning to hear chords and chord changes by ear, Chapter 6 is the one for you. But stand warned: music theory is heady stuff, headier than some might be ready for. Hatfield makes theory enjoyable, though, and definitely readable...When you finish this chapter, you will be acquainted with theory and recognize the theory of music in your own playing.
Hatfield's final chapter involves playing backup in different keys...Hatfield focuses on transposing from one key to another, playing in different modes...and transitioning from C Major to A minor.
Just about everything one needs to know about playing bluegrass banjo backup is in this text. In addition to the easy-to-read text, and the many examples and tabs, Hatfield provided two CD's that that not only illustrate the examples and tabs, but also provides full-band arrangements and sample backup for many tunes covered in the text itself.
It's really a fat book, spiral bound, full of valuable tips fo all banjoists, not only people who want to expand their knowledge of how to to play accompaniment and not just licks and solos. "Backup Techniques" costs a mere thirty five dollars. Think about it: some bridges cost tat much...The information in the book makes makes the cost of the book an immense bargain...Confused about backup? Then dispel the confusion and get this book!

Book/2CD set - $35.00 plus $4.00 P&H. Add to Cart Book only - $25.00 plus $4.00 P&H. Add to Cart
Two-CD set - 160 minutes. All licks and exercises demonstrated, 43 songs, split channel - $20.00 plus $1.50 P&H Add to Cart
CD # 1 60 minutes of licks demonstrated, 20 minutes of songs (8 songs) split channel. $15.00 plus 1.50 P&H Add to Cart CD # 2 80 minutes, 35 songs, split channel. $15.00 plus 1.50 P&H Add to Cart

Front of Wall Chart
Back of Wall Chart

NEW! Banjo Poster - Banjo Basics for the Five-String by Tracy Perry - Great for practice room. 24 inches wide by 36 inches high, it can be seen across a room. Shows notes, scales, and chord spellings visually on the fingerboard. Also, modes and the Circle of Fifths. Includes seperate sheets with directions for using the Circle of Fifths. Grayscale.

Folded - $10.00 plus $2.00 P&H. Add to Cart

Rolled, in mailing tube - $10.00 plus $6.00 P&H. Add to Cart

Banjo Chord Chart - by Santorella publications. Ideal for the wall of practice room! Shows common Major, Minor, Seventh, Diminished and Augmented chord forms for G tuning and C tuning. Reverse side shows individual note locations in G and C tunings up to the seventh fret.

18 inches wide by 12 inches high. $4.00. plus $1.00 P&H. Add to Cart

 

First Jams Banjo - by Lee Drew Andrews. This series was created to give children and beginners of all ages a book of simple, common tunes to learn. The description says these are standard “Jam” tunes in the Bluegrass/Old Time music styles, however the banjo book is actually in single notes, no bluegrass rolls, no strums. As a super easy beginner book, this works to ingrain the basic melody, and the same songs can be learned later in bluegrss or old time style by adding the fill notes and/or strums. All the books in this series are written in the same keys; they can all be played together without any problems. Another idea behind writing the First Jam series was to provide a number of tunes that were easy to learn, but that are also a great to begin working on improvising. Each books offer the melody for that particular instrument as well as back-up chords for another instrument to accompany you. Each song is represented in Tab, notation and chord symbols. The accompanying CD has two tracks for each song. The first playing the song with the melody line, the second track offers just the backup so you can play the melody over it or even improvise. Tunes include: Cripple Creek, Old Joe Clark, Will the Circle Be Unbroken and many more. 24 pages. List - $14.95 HM: $13.00 plus$ 2.00 P&H. Add to Cart

Banjo Camp! by Zhenya Gene Senyak. This book offers a lively introduction to bluegrass and old time banjo, featuring workshops, tabs, tips, and campfire conversations with the likes of Pete Seeger, Tony Trischka, David Holt, Pete Wernick, and other banjo superstars. Tour the leading banjo camps in the United States and learn the facinating history of the banjo. Includes tutorials by Bob Carlin, Janet Davis, Brad Leftwich, David Holt, Tony Trischka, Bill Keith, Pete Wernick, Alan Munde and many others. A great coffe table book, very professional production! Over a hundred color photos and reproductions of historical drawings and paintings, cartoons, and articles on several top banjo camps including Smoky Mouintain Banjo Academy, Blue Ridge Music Week, the Swananoa Gathering, Banjo Camp North, Pete Wernick's Jam Camp, and John C. Campbell Folk School. CD included with beginner lessons in old time and bluegrass banjo. List: $21.95 HM:REDUCED! $15.00 plus 3.00 P&H. Add to Cart
Gospel Tunes for Clawhammer Banjo by Dan Levenson - Thirty popular Old Time Gospel tunes arranged for beginner to intermediate clawhammer players. Corresponds with Old Time Gospel Banjo Solos by Jack Hatfield, a bluegrass version with fmost of the same tunes. Selections: Amazing Grace, Angel Band, Are You Washed in the Bood, Childern Go Where I Send Thee, Crying Holy Unto the Lord, Drifting TRoo far From Shore, Fartther Along, Get on Board, Little Children, Great Spekled Bird, Hand Me Down My Walking Cane, He's Got the Whole World In His Hands, Holy, Holy, Holy, I Am a Pilgrim, In the Garden, In the Sweet Bye and Bye, Joy to the World, Just a Closer Walk With Thee, Keep On the Sunny Side, Life is Like a Mountain. Railroad, The Old Rugged Cross, Old Time Religion, Rock of Ages, Shall We Gather at the River, Sweet Hour of Prayer, What A Friend We Hhave in Jesus, Where the Soul of Man Never Dies, Will the Circle be Unbroken. Includes demo CD. List: 17.95 HM: 15.00 plus 2.00

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Easiest Banjo Tunes for Children

by Larry McCabe - This book is for beginning and early intermediate banjo players. No prior playing experience or note reading ability is required. Emphasis is on compact banjo standards that are easy and fun to play. While writing the arrangements, the author has considered the small hands of children. There are no stretches that present inordinate technical difficulties.

Every song in the book is included on the companion CD. The tunes are recorded at a moderate speed and include count-off notes and rhythm guitar accompaniment. List: $14.95 HM price: $13.00 plus 2.00 P&H Add to Cart

Getting Into Bluegrass Banjo book and CD by Alan Munde is the accumulation of successful teaching concepts developed in his 40 plus years as a professional bluegrass musician and teacher. Munde presents a straight-forward and well-founded course of bluegrass banjo essentials. Designed for those who have never played a stringed instrument to those taking up bluegrass banjo as a second instrument. Getting Started - Covers the parts of the banjo, hand positions, first picking patterns, pull-offs, hammer-ons, slides, exercise songs, ending with the professional sounding “Levelland Mountain Breakdown.”Review of Rolls, New rolls, and combinations of Rolls, with Examples – Offers the most used rolls in bluegrass banjo playing with often-played examples of each. The player learns many of the licks used in the style with an example of how to combine them to make a solo. Roll Logic – How to place a melody into the several different roll patterns.
Tools and Techniques – Helps develop left hand techniques through the use of intervals of thirds and sixths.
Creating Solos to Songs – At the heart of the book is this revealing section with many examples of how to create many, many solos to the song Jesse James. Songs – Ground Hog, Wildwood Flower (two versions), Nine Pound Hammer, Worried Man Blues, Lost All My Money, Old Country Church, Kneel at the Cross, and Train 45. List: $17.95 HM: 15.00 plus$2.00 P&H. Add To Cart

Up The Neck by Janet Davis

A superb instructional text for five-string banjo dealing with the 5th through the 22nd fret. Included are chapters on roll patterns, chords, songs, licks, chord progressions, arranging songs, improvising, melodic style, back-up, and much more! Also included is an abundance of great Janet Davis solo tabs. Written in tablature.
The two CDs included in this package contain 144 tracks in stereo to accompany the book. Listen and play along with Janet Davis as she explains and plays each exercise.List: $24.95 HM $22.00 plus $3.00 P&H (note - DVD also availabvle, click on "videos and DVD's" link below).Add To Cart

Parking Lot Picker's Songbook by Bill Evans and Dix Bruce. A HUGE bluegrass word book (304 pages!) with lyrics, musical notation and simple banjo/guitar tab of the basic melody (NOT banjo arrangements with rolls and fill notes, just the basic melody as sung). Includes 225 songs, way too many to list here! A great value. Includes two-CD demo recording. List $29.95 HM: $28.00 plus $4.00 P&H.Add to Cart

Introduction to Bluegrass Banjo by Eddie Collins

This book by acclaimed teacher/author/recording artist Eddie Collins is designed to aid the novice attempting to learn the five-string banjo using 3 finger (bluegrass) style. Includes solos and backup. Two compact disc demo recordings included. Songs: Boil Them Cabbage, Camptown Races, Oh! Suzanna, Yankee Doodle, Annoying Banjos, Banjos and Gourds, Long Journery Home, Old Joe Clark, Bury me Beneath the Willow, Circle be Unbroken, Blackberry Blossom, 5-Strign Boogie, Train '45,. Devil's Dream, Red haired Boy, Cumberlnd Gap, Sally Goodin', Golden Slippers, Red River Valley. List: 22.95 HM: $21.00 plus 3.00 P&H. Add to Cart

 

Banjo For Dummies by Bill Evans. Ths is truly a masterpiece publication from the respected publishing company that educates novices in practically all imaginable topics and endeavors. Banjo For Dummies was authored by Bill Evans who is one of the most highly respected banjo educators and professional players in the world. Banjo For Dummies contains all the information your instruction manuals and teaches DON'T tell you, things most of the old timers have learned from trial and error and years of experience. From getting an overview of different styles to how to choose a banjo and accessories to performing basic right and left hand techniues to doing setups and maintence, this is a MUST HAVE book for any novice or intermediate player, and should be required reading assigned by all banjo teachers. Huge at 330 pages but very concise, the amount of information is staggering! Includes demo CD. Wiley Publications List $24.99 HM: $22.00 plus 3.00 P&H Add to Cart

Alan Munde - Solo Banjo

A great collection of arrangements by one of the foremost players and teaches in the world of Bluegrass Banjo. Includes a nice balance of traditional tunes, and Munde originals, and many of Alan's classic recordings. with Jimmy Martin and Country Gazette. Intermediate to Advanced level. Demo CD included. Selections: Old Joe Clark, Fred's Frolic, Red Wing, Old Spinning Wheel, Seeing Nellie Home, Liza Jane, Lonesome Road Blues, Peaches and Cream, The Prisoner's Song,. Grandfather's Clock, Titanic, John Henry, The French Broad (River Song), Pavan for a Dead Horse. Mel Bay Publications. List: $16.95 HM price: $14.00 plus 2.00 P&H

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Banjo Picking- A Complete Method by Peter W. Pardee

Beginner to Intermediate level. Banjo Picking is 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. The CD can equip banjoists with all they need to develop skills, repertoire and confidence. 125 pages wire spiral bound. Mel Bay Publications.cat # 20743BCD List $24.95 HM price: $22.00 plus 3.00 P&H Add to Cart

Old Time Festival Tunes for Clawhammer Banjo

by Dan Levenson - A huge book (248 pages!) of 117 tunes for old time banjo players. Features selections most played at festivals and old time jams sessions fron beginner to advanced level. Each tune features basic melody line "as sung" in musical notation, then a basic melody in tablature for beginners or to "frame" the tune, followed by an embellished banjo arrangement melody complete with ornamentations such as pull-offs, hammer-ons. and slides, also in banjo tablature. Includes two demonstration CD's. List: $29.95 HM price: $26.00 plus $4.00 P&H. Mel Bay Publications Add to Cart

Basics of Bluegrass Banjo by Eddie Collins is a comprehensive “start from scratch” instruction method, which will have you playing bluegrass banjo without any prior music experience. The useful tips and secrets should prove beneficial to both novice and experienced pickers. The lessons have been developed through Eddie’s 20 years of teaching and have proven successful with learners of all backgrounds. For the average learner, this book represents about two years' worth of lessons. BBB is 108 pages and comes with two instructional CDs – one plays every example in the book; the second is 32 songs performed by a bluegrass band with the banjo parts separated on the right channel.Selections: Several of the songs in the book are accompanied by a complete set of lyrics. Others have only the lyrics to a single verse or chorus. Click on a song title from the following list to view the complete lyrics for that song.
5-String Blues, 5-String Boogie, Amazing Grace, Annoying Banjos, Banjos And Gourds, Banks Of The Ohio, Bill Cheatham, Blackberry Blossom, Boil 'Em Cabbage Down, Bury Me Beneath The Willow, Camptown Races, Circle Be Unbroken, Cripple Creek , Cumberland Gap, Devil's Dream, Down In The Willow Garden , Golden Slippers, Golden Wings, Great Speckled Bird, In The Pines, Little Maggie, Long Journey Home, Mountain Dew, New River Train, Nobody's Darling, Oh! Susanna, Red Haired Boy, Red River Valley, Sally Goodin', Salty Dog, Simple Song, Train 45, When The Saints Go Marching In, When You And I Were Young, Maggie, Yankee Doodle.

List: 24.95 HM: $22.00 plus 3.00 P&H Add to Cart

Beyond the Basics of Bluegrass Banjo by Eddie Collins
Picks-up where Basics of Bluegrass Banjo left off, with about another three years' worth of lessons. The material is intended to help you become a complete player – one who knows the entire neck and can perform solos and back-up in a variety of keys without a capo. Scruggs, Melodic and Single-String styles are used interchangeably. There are extensive sections in regards to creating your own solos, improvising and understanding music theory as it relates to the banjo. BBBB is 112 pages and comes with two instructional CDs – one plays every example in the book, the second is 26 songs performed by a bluegrass band with the banjo parts clearly separated in the mix.Banjo Selections; Happy Blues, Battle Hymn Of The Republic, Beaumont Rag, Bill Cheatham, Blues In E, Ed's Cabbage, Dark Hollow, Flop Eared Mule, Going Down That Road Feeling Bad, Haystack Rag, I Don't Love Nobody, John Hardy, June Apple, Knoxville Girl, Maple Leaf Rag, Meet Me In The Moonlight, Nine Pound Hammer, Oakdale At Midnight, Old Joe Clark, Old Time Religion, Red Haired Boy, Sailor's Hornpipe, Sally Goodin', Shelton's Connection, Sitting On Top Of The World, Shucking The Blues, Turkey In The Straw, Whiskey Before Breakfast.

List: 24.95 HM: $22.00 plus 3.00 P&H Add to Cart

BANJO TAB FROM BELA FLECK'S "DRIVE" ALBUM

Tablature transcribed by Bela himself! Selections:Whitewater, Slipstream, Up Around The Bend, Natchez Trace, See Rock City, The Legend, The Lights of Home, Down in the Swamp, Sanctuary, The Open Road, Crucial County Breakdown.
Homespun Tapes.Book only, does not include CD.
List: $12.95 HM: $10.00 plus 1.00 P&H

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Revised and Enhanced Earl Scruggs and the 5-String Banjo book

Originally published in 1968. The Hal Leonard editorial team worked directly with the Scruggs family to completely renovate the method with additional information, updated lessons, more songs, new engravings, a new cover, and many other added features.
Hal Leonard's new Revised and Enhanced Edition of Earl Scruggs and the 5-String Banjo includes: a history of the instrument; tuning the banjo; instruction on how to read music and tablature; right-hand rolls and left-hand techniques; exercises on chords and picking; information on Scruggs Tuners and how to make them; how to build a banjo; autobiographical notes; and much more. The book teaches over 40 songs in great detail, and the companion CD features Earl Scruggs himself playing and explaining over 60 examples.

Book List: $19.95 HM price: REDUCED ! $15.00 plus $3.00 P&H Add to Cart

Book/CD set: List: $34.95 HM price:REDUCED! $25.00 plus $4.00 P&H Add to Cart

Cassette tape for first edition book- $12.00 plus .75 P&H. Add to Cart

The long-awaited Hal Leonard's Revised and Enhanced Earl Scruggs and the Five-String Banjo is now available, Finally, now with demo CD. A sample of the tab from the appears to the right. The tab is very clear and precise, indicating chord formations in problem spots and even indicating such nuances as how much to choke a sting...whether it is a full tone choke or a half tone choke, and whether the string is already choked before it is picked (called in the book a "pre-choke)".Other musical symbols such as fermatas are used. Fingering tips are sometiems added and repeated finger sequences are sometimes bracketed (see tab example at right). The musical notation from the first edition is left out, a welcome change since nobody paid any attention to it anyway ( aince rolls and banjo licks create a graphic shape on the page, tablature is much prefferred to musical notation). Another big plus: Many songs that were not in the original version. New songs include: American Made, World Played, Bleeker Street Rag, Broad River, Carolina Boogie, Instrumantal in D Minor, Loraderojost III Breakdown, Pedal to the Metal, Pretty Polly, Roller Coaster, Silver Eagle, Station Break, String Bender, Train Number Forty Five (!) and Pickalong. Another improvement is the section on the number system, (called here the "Nashville" number system, but actually believed to have been conceived in ancient Egypt). There is a better section on "D-Tuners" that desctibes not only the outdated cam-style tuners, but also the precision macined mechanical tuners popular today (they show SCHALLER tuners in the photo, not KEITH! hmmm...).The demo recording is available on CD for the first time, a welcome aspect because it is easy to access a particular exercise or song with a remote control. Unfortyunately, The CD is unchanged from the cassette tape or vinyl record of the original edition and does nto include any of the new material.

Many tunes are more complete. For example, Foggy Mountain Breakdown now shows all 95 measures Earl recorded in the original session, as opposed to the original edition's 32 measures. Tab corrections known about for years have been made, but since there is a wealth of new tab and ALL the old tab has been re-set, do not be surprised if there are new errors to be found by Earlheads in the months and years to come. It is almost impossible to typeset, proof read and correct this much tab without a few glitches.

There are a few other minor faults. One thing that is rather disappointing is that rather than convey the tab in the universally accepted 4/4 time, Hal Leonard chose to stick with 2/4 time. Though this is actually more "correct" in formal musical terms, it makes the tab somewhat cluttered, introducing sixteenth notes and even thirty-second notes where pull-offs and hammer-ons occur. Anybody who has read tab before can quickly figure it out though. Another unnecesary holdover from the old edition is the section on building a banjo. Though interesting, the methods used are long since outdated. With Gibson-style hardware, kits and and wood parts readily available in various stages of completion, the directions shown in Earl's book are not only labor-intensive, they also will produce a banjo which is infreior in overall quality than the widely - popular Gibson design most people use as a model today. Another complaint form customers is that although the book is available by itself, the CD is no linger availabe as a seperate item.

One should not take these criticisms too seriously, though. The pros FAR outweigh the cons.What really matters is Earl's music, and there is tons of it here. This is an important and yes, necessary book for the collection of any bluegrass banjo player at any level.

Jack Hatfield




Books written or published by Jack Hatfield:

 BLUEGRASS BANJO METHOD

Magazine Reviews:

"Bluegrass Banjo Method . . . is the best graduated approach to banjo currently on the market. Hatfield takes pains to explain everything in close detail . . . "Do I recommend this text? Yes, it is clear, exact and accurate." - Wayne Shrubsall, Banjo Newsletter magazine."Students who follow along through Hatfield's step-by-step progression will end up with a mastery of basic roll patterns and other essentials of bluegrass banjo vocabulary. They will also come away with a solid foothold in the bluegrass repertoire." - Jim Halto, Frets magazine."This book is designed to teach the beginner the basics of Scruggs style banjo. It is more capable of doing that than any other manual I can think of, possibly including Earl Scruggs and the Five-String Banjo. " - Fred Geiger, Bluegrass Unlimited magazine."Bluegrass Banjo Method . . . is recommended as the best available method for those students who are in the market for a step-by-step approach." - Bill Evans, Bluegrass Now! magazine."Bluegrass Banjo Method, Book Two takes up where Book One leaves off, and does it very well... Hatfield's instruction is first-rate...this is the book for the intermediate...At a cost of $22.00, the manual and tape are a steal." -Wayne Shrubsall, Banjo Newsletter Magazine.

SPECIAL FEATURES: Extremely Graduated Approach - only one new idea introduced per lesson. Each lesson builds on the information presented in previous lessons. Boldface Melody Notes - Shows which notes to emphasize, making the melody obvious. Conceptual Approach - Teaches structure of banjo style so the student can begin to arrange his own tunes and learn by ear at an earlier stage. Cassette /CD- Songs and exercises played slow, then at performing speed. Banjo and rhythm instruments on seperate channels, so you can eliminate the banjo and play along with the band when ready. Helps timing, improvisation skills, and prepares the student to play with others sooner.

BLUEGRASS BANJO METHOD, BOOK ONE (Beginner level) by Jack Hatfield - Proper hand position, tuning, reading tablature, counting time, basic rolls, first-position chords, left-hand techniques, endings.- Twenty-six songs including: Banks of the Ohio, Boil Them Cabgage, Bury Me Beneath the Willow, Coming 'Round the Mountain, Cripple Creek, D Banjo Boogie, Down Yonder, Good Night Ladies, Handsome Molly, Home, Sweet Home, John Hardy, John Henry, Little Maggie, Make Me a Pallet, Mountain Dew, My Old Kentucky Home, Old Joe Clark, Old-Tme Religion, Rocky Top, Sail Away Ladies, Sourwood Mountain, Tom Dooley, Whoa, Mule, Whoa, Train '45, Two-Dollar Bill, Wil The Circle be Unbroken.

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BLUEGRASS BANJO METHOD, BOOK TWO (Intermediate level) by Jack Hatfield - Playing in 3/4 time, playing up-the-neck, playing in different keys. Teaches a system for learning the fingerboard, allowing you to instantly find any major, minor, or seventh chord anywhere on the neck. Exciting upper neck arrangements of songs from Book One. Thirty songs including: All The Good Times Are Past & Gone, Amazing Grace, Banks of the Ohio, Black Mt. Rag, Battle Hymn, Bill Cheatham, Bugle Call, Cumberland Gap, I Don't Love Nobody, In The Pines, John Hardy, Ky. Mandolin, Little Maggie, Lonesome Road Blues, Make me a Pallet, More Pretty Girls, Reuben, Sweet Baby's Arms, Sail Away Ladies, Sally Goodin', Salty Dog, Salt Creek, Sittin' On Top of the World, Soldier's Joy, Train '45, Under the Double Eagle, Wildwood Flower.

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Backup Techniques on the Five-String Banjo

Bluegrass Banjo Method, Book Three

See complete ad and BNL review at the top of this page. 231 pages, two CDs (160 minutes!) of play-along with full band in one channel and banjo in the other. All songs include backup. Solos included to essential songs in Bluegrass Banjo Method-Book One and Bluegrass Banjo Method-Book Two as well as many new songs, including lead breaks. Selections: All the Good Times, Amazing Grace, Battle Hymn of the Republic (in C), Banks of the Ohio, Bill Cheatham, Bury Me Beneath the Willow (G and Gm), Coming 'Round the Mountain, Cripple Creek, Cumberland Gap (in C), D Banjo Boogie, Don't This Road Look Rough and Rocky, Down Yonder, Handsome Molly, House of the Rising Sun, In the Pines, I'll Fly Away (in G and D), John Hardy, Little Maggie (in G and Gm) Lonesone Road Blues, Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor, Mountain Dew, My Old Kentucly Home, Old Joe Clark, Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms (in C) Sail Away Ladies, Salty Dog Blues, Shady Grove (in G and Gm), Sitting on Top of the World, Sourwood Mountain, Tom Dooley, Two-Dollar Bill, Tewlve Bar Blues (in G, D, A and E), Wafaring Stranger, Will the Circle Be Unbroken. Includes lyrics, vamping, down and up-the- neck roll backup, fill licks, chord locating system, composing tasteful arrangements, the number system, basic music theory, backup in 3/4 time, transposing, and playing lead in different keys...many tips not found in other manuals. CDs may be purchased seperately for "music minus one" playing along.This book is not MORE advanced than book One and Two, it is written to coincide with them, so you can learn backup to the songs in the first two books as you learn the solos.

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YOU CAN TEACH YOURSELF© BANJO BY EAR by Jack Hatfield. A great book to follow up Bluegrass Banjo method series (above). For the banjoist who is tired of memorizing and is ready to start arranging his own songs by ear, play in jam sessions, and instantly create a basic roll backup to any song. Shows how to: figure out a progression by ear, "fake" a solo, expand the faked solo into a melody-oriented solo, and finally, add "hot licks" to the melody oriented solo for embellishment, or create an improvised solo using licks. The C.D. has ear training, twelve sample progressions, and guides you through step-by-step procedure. 120 pages. Mel Bay Publications. Mr. Hatfield, I thought you might appreciate some positive feedback on the book you put out regarding learning to play the banjo by ear. It changed my approach to banjo and to my appreciation of the instrument. Since I started working with the book's clear, concise and orderly instruction, I've written 35 different versions of several of my favorite bluegrass songs in just four months....what an eye-opening experience your book has been. Thanks, again ... Charles Holderby

Book/CD set - List - $19.95. HM: $18.00 plus $3.00 P&H. Add to Cart

 

YOU CAN TEACH YOURSELF© MANDOLIN BY EAR

For the mandolinist who is tired of memorizing and is ready to start arranging his own songs by ear, play in jam sessions, and instantly create a basic solo to any vocal song. Shows how to: figure out a progression by ear, "fake" a solo, expand the faked solo into a melody-oriented solo, and finally, add "hot licks" to the melody oriented solo for embellishment, or create an improvised solo using licks. The C.D. has ear training, twelve sample progressions, and guides you through step-by-step procedure. 120 pages. Mel Bay Publications.

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OLD-TIME GOSPEL BANJO SOLOS by Jack Hatfield - Thirty-one gospel favorites, beginner to advanced arrangements, most with down-the-neck and up-the-neck solos. The accompanying C.D has all songs played by Jack Hatfield, and features rhythm on one channel, lead on the other, so you can play along with the band after you learn the solos.Lyrics provided in large, easy-to-read type. Selections: A Beautiful Life, Abide With Me, Amazing Grace, Angel Band, Are You Washed in the Blood?, Crying Holy Unto the Lord, Drifting Too Far From the Shore, Farther Along, Great Speckled Bird, He Leadeth Me, Holy, Holy, Holy, I Am a Pilgrim, In The Garden, In the Sweet By and By, Just a Closer Walk With Thee, Just Over in the Glory Land, Keep on the Sunny Side, Life's Railway to Heaven, Lily of theValley, Old Gospel Ship, Old Rugged Cross, Old Time Religion, Precious Memories, Rock of Ages, Shall We Gather at the River, Sweet Hour of Prayer, Uncloudy Day, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, When the Roll is Called up Yonder, Where the Soul of Man Never Dies, Will the Circle Be Unbroken. Mel Bay Publications, Inc.

Book/CD Set - REDUCED! $25.00 plus $3.00 P&H. Add to Cart

First Lessons Banjo

by Jack Hatfield Absolutely the easiest beginner manual on three-finger (bluegrass) banjo available. Very detailed explanations, many photos and only the very basic rolls and chords used. Many practice tips and instructions on how to practice. Caution marks at problem spots. Starts with single-note melodies (no rolls) and advances to arrangements using only Alternating Thumb and Forward rolls, using recognizable songs that are learned quickly because they are well known. Builds up to great banjo classics Cripple Creek and Cumberland Gap. Lyrics included for extra help with melody. Bold face melody notes. Even small children can understand this book. The CD has banjo and rhythm on seperate channels. All tunes played on CD not just two, but THREE different speeds: VERY slow, slow ,then meduim with rhythm. Includes: Go Tell Aunt Rhody, Tom Dooley, Good Night Ladies, Old Time Religion, Cotton-Eyed Joe, Cumberland Gap, When The Saints Go Marching In, Cripple Creek. Mel Bay Publications. Book/CD set - only $8.00 plus $1.00 P&H Add to Cart

Book/CD/DVD set List: $16.95 HM: $13.00 plus 2.00 P&H. Add To Cart

HATFIELD BANJO Complied and edited by Ed Wing. This is a collection of twenty-one of Jack Hatfield's most popular and playable arrangements. Difficulty level ranges from beginner to advanced, with most of the arrangements falling in the intermediate category. All arrangements except one are in Scruggs style. This is an excellent supplement for Bluegrass Banjo Method, Book One (see below) or just a fun book for any banjoist who knows the basic fundamentals and is looking for some new tunes. All selections played slow and faster on accompanying CD. Includes: Two Dollar Bill, Comin' 'Round the Mountain, Bugle Call Rag, Salty Dog Blues, Eight More Miles to Louisville, Sourwood Mountain, Cindy, Soldier's Joy, Roanoke. Selections included that are not found in Bluegrass Banjo Method : Eight More Miles to Louisville, Life is Like a Mountain Railway, In the Sweet Bye and Bye, Rose of Old Kentucky, Cindy, Roanoke, Sittin' On Top of the World, Nine Pound Hammer, Dixie Breakdown, Lady of Spain, and features two Hatfield originals, Forty West and Dancer. Hatfield Music.

Book/CD set $15.00 (includes P&H) Add to Cart

NEW! Jack Hatfields Tablature Collection - Television and Movie Themes, Beginner level

Ten popular TV and movie themes which feature banjo on the original sound tracks. Beginner level - no slides, hammers or pull=offs, all in first position, key of G. The Intermediate book shown to the right builds on these arrangements and adds left hand techniques , up the neck solos, and arrangements in the original keys and tunings. Includes slow-fast demonstration CD recording. Selections: Ballad of Jed Clampett, Dooley (From Andy of Mayberry), Dueling Banjos (Deliverance), Eastbound and Down (Smoky and the Bandit), Foggy Mountain Breakdown (Bonnie and Clyde) Green Acres Theme, Man of Constant Sorrow (Oh Brother, Where Art Thou), Martha White Theme, Old Gospel Ship (Theme from Dillinger), Petticoat Junction. $15.00 (P&H included).Add to Cart

 

Download sample sound file free!

NEW! Jack Hatfields Tablature Collection - Television and Movie Themes, Intermediate level

Ten popular TV and movie themes which feature banjo on the original sound tracks. Intermediate level - slides, hammers and pull-offs added to the first position arrangements included in the beginner level book, (shown at left) plus up-the-neck solos to many selections. Includes slow-fast demonstration CD recording. Selections: Ballad of Jed Clampett, Dooley (From Andy of Mayberry), Dueling Banjos (Deliverance), Eastbound and Down (Smoky and the Bandit), Foggy Mountain Breakdown (Bonnie and Clyde) Green Acres Theme, Man of Constant Sorrow (Oh Brother, Where Art Thou), Martha White Theme, Old Gospel Ship (Theme from Dillinger), Petticoat Junction. $15.00 (P&H included).Add to Cart

NEW! Jack Hatfields Tablature Collection - Classic Bluegrass Vocals, Beginner level

Ten of the most popular voacl songs from the greats of bluegrass - selections by Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, Country Gentlemen, J.'D. Crowe & the new South, the Osborne Brothers. These are the songs played in every jam session, a MUST for any bluegrass banjo player's repertiore. These arrangements are all at beginner level - no slides, hammers or pull-offs, all arrangements are in the first position, key of G. The Intermediate book shown to the right builds on these arrangements and adds left hand techniques, up- the-neck solos, and arrangements in the original recorded keys and tunings. Includes slow-fast demonstration CD recording. Selections: Blue Moon of Kentucky, Blue Ridge Cabin Home, Dark Hollow, Footprints in the Snow, Fox on the Run, Keep on the Sunny Side, Little Cabin Home on the Hill, Little Maggie, The Old Homeplace, Rocky Top.

$15.00 (P&H included) Add to Cart

NEW! Jack Hatfields Tablature Collection - Classic Bluegrass Vocals, Intermediate level

Ten of the most popular voacl songs from the greats of bluegrass - selections by Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, Country Gentlemen, J.'D. Crowe & the new South, the Osborne Brothers. These are the songs played in every jam session, a MUST for any bluegrass banjo player's repertiore. These arrangements are at intermediate level. Where possible, the right hand rolls from the beginner arrangements (shown at left) remain intact, but slides, hammers-on and pulls-off are added, plus up-the-neck solos are added to many selections. Songs are also presented in the accepted keys and tunings, (two arrangeents in C tuning). Includes slow-fast demonstration CD recording. Selections: Blue Moon of Kentucky, Blue Ridge Cabin Home, Dark Hollow, Footprints in the Snow, Fox on the Run, Keep on the Sunny Side, Little Cabin Home on the Hill, Little Maggie, The Old Homeplace, Rocky Top.

$15.00 (P&H included) Add to Cart

Jack Hatfield's Gospel Collection

Twelve most-loved old time Gospel songs, arranged for five string banjo, beginner to late intermediate level. Includesd slow-fast CD (banjo solo only, no rhythm instruments on CD). There is some duplication of titles with Hatfield's "Old Time Gospel Banjo Solos" published by Mel Bay (above), so if you already have that book check songlist. Selections include: Amazing Grace, Crying Holy, Farther Along, I'l Fly Away, I'm Using My Bible for a Roadmap, In The Sweet By and By, Life is Like a Mountain Railway, Rock of Ages, Uncloudy Day, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, When The Roll is Called up Yonder, Will The Circle Be Unbroken.

$15.00 (P&H included). Add to Cart

Jack Hatfield's Christmas Collection

Twelve seasonal favorites, arranged for five string banjo, beginner to late intermediate level. Includesd slow-fast CD (banjo solo only, no rhythm instruments on CD).

Auld Lang Syne, Blue Christmas, Deck The Halls, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Jingle Bells, Joy to the World, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Clause is Coming to Town, Silent Night, We Three Kings, We Wish You A Merry Christmas, What Child is ThisWish You a Merry Christmas.

$15.00 (P&H included). Add to Cart

 

Soloing at Slow Tempos

Twelve month series of Jack's Concepts and Systems column from Banjo Newsletter. Teaches Scruggs and Reno techniques and classical techniques such as rolling chord melody, chord tremolo, single string tremolo, and thumb-accompanied tremolo. Tabs include: 'Tis Sweet to be Remembered, Some Old Day, Greensleeves, Faded Love, Amazing Grace, Lara's Theme and Abide With Me. $10.00, plus $2.00 P&H. (no recording available) Add to Cart

 

 

Chords: Their Construction and Use

For The five-String banjo blayer. Banjo Newsletter Concepts and Systems columns from January 1995 through July 1996. Goes from scales to simple triads to jazz chords, showing where they come from, how to identify them by ear and how to use them in arranging/composing. Includes tabs to chord scale tunes, not included in the original BNL articles: Selections: Dancer, Dixie Breakdown, Little Rock Getaway, Dewdrops, Sweet Georgia Brown, Blackberry Blossom. (no recording available) $10.00 plus 2.00 P&H Add to Cart


RHYTHM TRAXTM Practice Recordings
by Jack Hatfield

 

 

Enjoy a backup band at your disposal any time - a band that is patient and untiring. Practice songs over and over, improve your timing, accuracy, speed, and improvising skills. Guitar, mandolin, and bass play solid accompaniment to ten standard bluegrass songs, slow speed and performing speed. Each recording coincides with one or more of the TUNESTM books listed at right.

$8.00 each plus .75 P&H.

Five Recordings available.

Song titles listed below.

Now available only from Hatfield Music on Compact Disk!

BANJO TUNES, VOL. 1 Add to Cart

BANJO TUNES, VOL. 2 Add to Cart

BANJO TUNES VOL 3 Add to CartNEW!

FIDDLE TUNES, VOL. 1 Add to Cart

FIDDLE TUNES, VOL. 2 Add to Cart

TUNESTM BOOKS by Jack Hatfield $6.00 each plus .75 P&H

Banjo Tunes Vol. 1 Add to Cart
Banjo Tunes Vol. 2 (Scruggs transcripts) Add to Cart
Banjo Tunes Vol. 3 Add to CartNEW!
Fiddle Tunes for Fiddle, Vol. 1 Add to Cart
Fiddle Tunes for Fiddle, Vol. 2 Add to Cart
Fiddle Tunes for Banjo, Vol. 1 Add to Cart
Fiddle Tunes for Banjo, Vol. 2 Add to Cart
Fiddle Tunes for Mandolin, Vol. 1 Add to Cart
Fiddle Tunes for Mandolin, Vol. 2 Add to Cart
Fiddle Tunes for Guitar, Vol. 1 Add to Cart
Fiddle Tunes for Guitar, Vol. 2 Add to Cart

SEE LISTS of TUNES BELOW

Song list
RHYTHM TRAXTM PRACTICE RECORDINGS and corresponding TUNESTM BOOKS

Banjo Tunes, Vol. 1
Boil Them Cabbage
Comin' Round the Mt.
Cripple Creek
Cumberland Gap
Fireball Mail
Lonesome Road Blues
Old Joe Clark
Sourwood Mountain
Tom Dooley

Train '45'

Banjo Tunes, Vol.2
(Note-for-note Earl Scruggs transcriptions, as recorded. Only four tunes, but three times the music as other Tunes© books because the entire recorded solos are included.

Bugle Call Rag
Foggy Mountain
Breakdown
Dear Old Dixie
Shucking The Corn


Banjo Tunes
, Vol 3
Six advanced classics all banjo players should know!

Clinch Mtn. Backstep
Dixie Breakdown
Dueling Banjos
Foggy Mt. Special

Follow The Leader
Theme Time

Fiddle Tunes, Vol 1
Black Mountan Rag
Cotton-Eyed Joe
Devil's Dream
Faded Love
Liberty
Old Joe Clark
Ragtime Annie
Sally Goodin'
Salt Creek
Soldier's Joy

Fiddle Tunes, Vol 2
Arkansas Traveler
Bill Cheatham
Billy in the Lowground
Down Yonder
Eighth of January
Fire on the Mountain
Golden Slippers
Red-Haired Boy
Turkey in the Straw
Whiskey Before Breakfast

Theory books published by Jack Hatfield

ADVANCED STUDIES IN FIVE-STRING BANJO

by A.B. King - A spiral bound photocopy version of Andy King's handwritten manuscript. This labor of love is based on studies of classical banjo technique and jazz theory. Includes exercises and arrangements using advanced techniques players like Bela Fleck, Tony Furtado, and Tony Trischka are currently using. Many exercises and chord diagrams for jazz chords, scales, modes, chord scales, fingerboard patterns, techniques such as single string technique using, all three fingers on all four strings, single-string tremolo, chord tremolo, and more. Notation and tablature. Tunes include closed-position 'three fingers on all strings', arrangements of Arkansas Traveler, 'A' Train, Old Black Joe, Flight of the Bumblebee, Satin Doll, Three-Finger Breakdown, plus tremolo arrangements of Abide With Me, Amazing Grace, Tennessee Waltz, Spanish Eyes, Wednesday Night Waltz. Available only from Hatfield Music. Book only available, no CD.

$18.00 plus 2.00 P&H. Add to Cart

THE MOST VALUABLE BOOK ON THIS WEBSITE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO UNDERSTAND THE "WHY'S" OF CHORDS AND PROGRESSIONS AND TAKE THE NEXT STEP AFTER PLAYING ONLY FROM TAB OR SHEET MUSIC!

HOW TO PLAY by EAR - a Guide for Musicians, Songwriters, & Composers

by Jack Hatfield - Get out of the rut of learning by rote or playing strictly from notation or tab. Teaches basic music theory to those who have had no formal music instruction. Not strictly a banjo book - For all musicians and all instruments. Includes: number system, scale & chord construction, chord progression logic, probabilities and educated guessing. Explains and demonstrates via CD recording what to listen for, and why. Ear training CD actually trains your ear to hear intervals, chord types, and identify common chord movement, all without musical notation or tablature.

Specify Book/CD reduced! $20.00 plus 3.00 P&H. Add to Cart

Book/cassette reduced! $18.00 plus $3.00 P&H Add to Cart

We have a few HTPBE books that were damaged in shipping...totally readable and CD is fine, but the cover may be folded or slightly damaged. Discounted price: $17.00 plus 3.00 P&H. HTPBE damaged Book/CD set Add to Cart

---------------------------------End of Jack Hatfield publications-----------------------------

 

MASTERS OF THE FIVE STRING BANJO by Tony Trischka and Pete Wernick. Acutab Publications. The most comprehensive book ever written on the great banjoists, in their own words. Interviews with Earl Scruggs and Bill Monroe give insights to the role of the banjo in bluegrass music. Find out how your favorite pro wears his picks, how he approaches practice, how he sets up his banjo, and dozens of other topics including picking techniques, biographies, antecdotes, accurate tab transcriptions. Overview of sixty-eight top playes and in depth interviews with the top twenty! Features setup comparison chart of top pros. At 413 pages and almost 200 photos, a great recource for years to come. New Acutab edition contains corrections and updates! reduced! $50.00 plus $5.00 P&H Add to Cart
NEW Bluegrass Banjo for the Complete Ignoramus by Wayne Erbson Written in the same witty style as " A MANUAL on HOW TO PLAY THE BANJO for THE COMPLETE IGNORAMUS  " which is a clawhammer book, (see below) Erbson has now released the Bluegrass version. This book can be understood by ANYBODY who devotes any time to practice at all. Uses pre-roll right hand patterns, getting the student prepared to use rolls. No slides, hammer-ons or pull-offs. An introduction to the four basic four note and eight note bluegrass rolls, and slides is actually the final chapter of this book. These rolls can then be substituted for the pre-roll patterns already learned in the songs. This is an excellent primer for Bluegrass Banjo Method, Book One by Jack Hatfield (see below). Tunes; Bile Them Cabbage, Blue Ridge Mt .Blues, Columbus Stockade Blues, Down The Road, Ground Hog, Long Journey Home (Two Dollar Bill), Lynchburg Town, Man of Constant Sorrow, My Home's Across the Blueridge Mts, Nine Pound Hammer, Palms of Victory, Pass Me Not, Poor Ellen Smith, Pretty Polly, Put My Little Shoes Away, Red River Valley, Roll In my Sweet Baby's Arms, Shall We Gather at the River, Wabash Cannonball, When I Lay My Burden Down, When The Saints Go Marching In. 64 pages. Book/ CDset $17.00 plus $2.00 P&H Add to Cart

A Banjo Player's Guide to Jamming by Carl Yaffey. Many important tips and techniques for those who have never played with others. CD includes songs played on one channel by the band and the banjo on the other channel so the student can adjust balance control and play along with the band. Includes lyrics. For late beginner-internmediate level players. Songs on CD: Hot Corn, Cold Corn, Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms, Nine Pound Hammer, John Henry, Two Little Boys, Columbus Stockade blues, Down The Road, Little Maggie, John Hardy. Mel Bay Publications, Inc. List; $14.95 HM price; $13.00 plus $2.00 P&H Add to Cart


 

Great Picking Tunes for Banjo by Alan Munde. Playable, melody- oriented arrangements from one of the modern day masters who is also one of the world's best teachers. Tunes presented in both Scruggs style (vocal tunes) and melodic style (fiddle tunes) Late Beginner to Late Intermediate level. A great value with twenty-eight tunes in four different keys, (no capo!). Several tunes in D out of G tuning, no capo. Demo CD. Includes: Angeline the Baker, Arkansas Traveler, Bile Them Cabbage, Blackberry Blossom, Black Mt. Rag, Boston boy, Bury Me Beneath the Willow, Cumberland Gap, East Tennessee Blues, Down Yonder, Eighth of January, Flop-Eared Mule, Georgia Boys, Goodbye Liza Jane, Home Sweet Home, Mississippi Sawyer, Little Maggie, Turkey in the Straw, The Old Spinning Wheel, Put On Your Old Gray Bonnet, Seeing Nellie Home, Redwing, Saint Anne's Reel, Old Joe Clark, Whiskey Before Breakfast, Wreck of the Old '97, John Hardy, John Henry. Book/CD set: $14.00 plus $2.00 P&H Add to Cart

Favorite Gospel Tunes for Banjo by Alan Munde. Eighteen oif the most loved gospel tunes and hymns. Amazing Grace, Lonesome Valley, Are You Washed in the Blood?, Crying Holy, In the Sweet Bye and Bye, Just a Closer Walk with Thee, Old Time Religion, Softly and Tenderly, Somebody Touched Me, Soul of Man (in F) Soul of Man, (in G), Study War No More, Swing Low, Sweet CVhariot, The Old Rugged Cross, Unclouded Day, Wayfaring Stranger, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, Nearer My God to Thee. Book/CD set: $14.00 plus $2.00 P&H Add to Cart

Banjo Scales in Tab by Janet Davis - Easy to understand presentation of all 12 major scales with useful approach - presents scales in melodic and single string style and integrates the scalesd with chords. Suggested scale-based licks are also presented. (note: this book presents major scales onl;y. For ALL the scales see "Advanced Studies in Five String Banjo" below) Book/CD Suggested list: $22.95 HM: $20. plus 3.00 P&H Add to Cart

 


Banjo Tablature Book. Thirty -two tear-out pages of blank five-line tablature for writing arrangements, taking notes at lessons and workshops, jotting down original licks or teaching. Blank chord diagrams on each page. Mel Bay Publications, Inc. $4.00 plus 1.00 P&H Add to Cart

The Banjo Encyclopedia by Ross Nickerson -A comprehensive, in-depth banjo instructional tool that covers the many intricacies of bluegrass banjo playing, including topics that have been overlooked in banjo instruction to date. Takes a student from the beginning, to advanced styles of banjo playing. Nickerson teaches in a practical, straightforward manner. This wide-ranging banjo instructional book will focus on many techniques that will help every aspect of a banjo player's musicianship while simplifying many subjects in the learning process. The included 99-track CD recording features author Ross Nickerson demonstrating each song, and performs many of the banjo licks and phrases included in the book slow and fast.

The CD also includes an advanced song section with a full bluegrass band accompanying Ross along with additional intermediate songs for the student to learn. One of the most complete five-string banjo books on the market today and a must for every banjo player's collection. Huge - 228 pages! Mel Bay Publications. Book/CD set: List: $29.95 HM price: $26.00 plus 3.00 P&H. Add to Cart


Banjo Chord Chart - Shows common Major, Minor, Seventh, Diminished and Augmented chord forms for G tuning and C tuning. Reverse side shows individual note locations in G and C tunings up to the seventh fret.

Ideal for hanging on the wall of your practice room - 18 inches wide by 12 inches high. $4.00. P&H free. Add to Cart


New Twists for the Five-String Banjo by D-tuner national contest winner Vince Sadovsky. The best book available forbuilding your repertiore of D-tuner songs. Includes; Cripple Creek, Wildwood Flower, Rose Connely, Home Sweet Home, Red River Valley, Amazing Grace, Grandfather's Clock, Jet Lag, Snow Train, Soldier's Joy, Auld L ang Syne, East Stree Getaway, Oh Suzanna, ury me beneath the Willow, Under the Double Eagle, Bottoms Up, Juggernaut, Nickolai Includes demonstration CD. Mel Bay Publications, Inc. List; 17.95H; $16.00 plus $2.00 P&H Add to Cart

TUNER TECHNIQUES

by David Guptill, designer of ProPicks - Setting and using Keith tuners for all levels. Tunings, adjustments, arrangements of fourteen standards and fiddle tunes, plus six Guptill originals and forty tuner hot licks. Includes: Cripple Creek, Pig in a Pen, Auld Lang Syne, Home Sweet Home, Saints Go Marching In, New River Train, Soldier's Joy, Turkey in the Straw, Sally Goodin', Billy in the Lowground, Cumberland Gap, Devil's Dream, Black Mt. Rag, Little Sadie, six original tunes. recording now in CD format!

$18.00 plus $3.00 P&H. Add to Cart

 

Christmas Songs For 5-String Banjo by Janet Davis. Twenty classic Christmas songs, most with two and even three variations, from beginner to advanced level. All songs demonstrated on compact disk. Selecions: Away In A Manger, Jingle Bells, Jolly Old St. Nicholas, Joy To The World, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Deck The Halls, O Come, All Ye Faithful, Angels From The Realms of Glory, Oh Tannenbaum (Oh Christmas Tree), Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, Go Tell It On The Mountain, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Good King Wenceslas, We Three Kings, Oh Holy Night, It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, Silent Night, The First Noel, What Child Is This? (Greensleeves), Ave Maria. List: book/CD set: $24.95 HM pridce: $23.00 plus 3.00 P&H. Add to Cart
Now available - Two-CD set for Backup Banjo by Janet Davis

THE CLASSIC DOUGLAS DILLARD SONGBOOK of Five String Banjo Tablature

Note-for-note transcriptions of over 20 recordings Doug Dillard made with the Dillardsand on his solo album, including most of the tunes played by the Dillards working under the name "The Darlings" on the "Andy of Mayberry" TV series. Features lyrics to vocal songs and chords, tunes in three different tunings and complete Dillard discography. Includes; Banjo In the Hollow, Blackeyed Suzie, Cripple Creek, Cumberland Gap, Dooley, Doug's Tune, G String Boogie, Grandfather's Clock, Hickory Hollow, Jamboree, John Hardy, John Henry, Little Maggie, Lonesome Indian, Sinkin' Creek, Old Joe Clark, Old Home Place, What's That? Bucking Mule, Green Corn, Whole World Round, (No CD available) List: $19.95 HM price: $18.00 plus 2.00 P&H Add to Cart

 

Famous Banjo Pickin' Tunes

 

by Janet Davis - Thirty beginner/intermediate arrangements of popular tunes, many with variation. Mostly Scruggs style, a few melodic. Includes: Auld Lang Syne, Jimmy Cracked Corn, Oh Suzanna, Yellow Rose of Texas, Swanee River, La Cucaracha, William Tell Overture, Little Brown Jug, Chop Sticks, Wabash Cannonball, Beautiful Brown Eyes, Twinlke, Twinkle Little Star, Yankee Doodle/Dixie Duet, Star Spangled Banner, Amazing Grace, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, Saints go Marching In, Just a Closer Walk With Thee, I'll Fly Away, House of the Rising Sun, I've Been Working on the Railroad, Old Spinning Wheel, When You and I Were Young Maggie, Eighth of January, Arkansas Traveler, Turkey in the Straw, Jingle Bells. Mel Bay MB98530BCD Unbelievable value, with Compact Disk at $6.00! plus 1.00 P&H. Add to Cart

Knee Deep in Banjo

by Acutab Publications. Features accurate tablature transcriptions of all banjo solos on the IBMA Instrumental Album of the year for 2001: "Knee Deep in Bluegrass" CD. Great solos and selected backup by Terry Baucom, Joe Mullins, Alan Munde, Sammy Shelor, Tony Trischka, Scott Vestal, and Pete Wernick. List: $20.00 HM price: $18.00 plus 2.00 P&H. Add to Cart

 


STARTING BLUEGRASS BANJO FROM SCRATCH

by Wayne Erbson - An easy manual which focuses on the most fundamental aspects of bluegrass banjo style, including tips not found in other manuals such as: a history of the banjo, how to set up the banjo, how to change strings, how to read tab. Also includes valuable practice tips, vamping, playing up the neck, waltz time, using a capo, even tips on beginning melodic style. Twenty-Four songs, including; Skip to my Lou, Bury Me Beneath the Willow, Walking Cane, Ground Hog, Cripple Creek, Jesse James, Boil Them Cabbage, Cumberland Gap, Sourwood Mountain, When You and I Were Young, Maggie, What a Friend We have in Jesus, Grandfather's Clock, Pretty Polly, Little Maggie, John Hardy, Old Joe Clark, Lonesome Road Blues, Down in the Valley, Willow Garden, Wildwood Flower, Devil's Dream, Banks of the Ohio. All songs played on CD.

$16.00 plus $3.00 P&H Add to Cart

THE KEY TO THE FIVE-STRING BANJO

by Pat Cloud, the undisputed master of jazz banjo - This long-awaited book reduces years of study and experimentation to five simple fingerboard position diagrams which are superimposed on the basic chord forms. An efficient and simple system to put improvisational skills under your fingertips. Adaptable to Scruggs, melodic or single-string style, this book shows how to solo against any major or minor chord by making slight alterations in the basic grids. Highly recommended for anybody who wants to break out of a rut and create new sounds based on a fundamental knowledge of the fingerboard. Includes CD.

Book/CD set - $20.00 plus 3.00 P&H. Add to Cart

DELUXE GOSPEL BANJO SONGBOOK

by Mike Bailey - Easy tab, lyrics, and seperate melody line. Selections: Tell it to Jesus, Stand up For Jesus, Are you Washed in the Blood, When the Roll is Called Up Yonder, Power in the Blood, Do Lord, Michael Row the Boat Ashore,When I Survey the Wondroius Cross, 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus,.There is a Fountain, Lord, I'm Coming Home, Pass Me Not, Oh Gentle Savior, Glory to his Name, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, Leaning On His Everlasting Arms, I Am Thine, Oh Lord, Nothing But the Blood, Holy, Holy, Holy, At The Cross, America, The Beautiful, I Surrender All, Great Speckled Bird, Oh I Want To See Him, We Have an Anchor, At Cavary, Only Trust In Him, Send The Light, Blessed Be the Name, Shall We Gather at the River, Battle Hymn of the Republic, In the Sweet By and By, Precious Memories, Old Time Religion, Instrumental Endings. Book only available - $10.00 plus $2.00 P&H. Add to Cart

MASTER ANTHOLOGY OF BANJO SOLOS (formerly titled "2000 Banjo")

Huge collection of banjo arrangements in tablature and two compact disks full of original banjo compositions and arrangements by notable players and legends such as: Mark Foxworthy, Eddie Adcock, Joe Mullins, Lisa Schmitz, John Hartford, Brad Leftwich, Terry Baucom, J.D. Crowe, Janet Davis, Michael J. Miles, Chris Sands, John Herrman, John Bullard, Sammy Shelor, Mark Barnett, Bill Emerson, Alan Munde, Pete Wernick, Mark Schatz, Ken Perlman, Tony Furtado, Jack Hatfield, Dan Levinson, Fred Sokolow, Wayne Erbson, Larry Vanek, Pat Cloud, Tony Trischka, Laura Boosinger, Tarkant Bailey, Tom Hanway, Dick Weissman, Scott Vestal, Jim Mills, and Ira Gitlin. MB9837BCD List: $29.95

HM: Book/two CD set - $27.00 plus $3.00 P&H. Add to Cart



 

An Introduction to Celtic Tunes for the Five-String Banjo  by Alan Johnson. Finally, a collection of Celtic tunes that the intermediate banjo player can manage. These difficult Irish and Scottish melodies usually require a combination of styles and right hand techniques such as triplet hammer-ons, pull-offs and double fingering of the right hand. Johnson's approach is to render the accurate basic melody with only a minimum of left hand techniques. The difficult hammers, pulls and slides can then be added later. Includes helpful playing tips. SEVENTY tunes included, grouped in reels, polkas, jigs and slip jigs. Selections include: The Navvy on the Line, McFadden's Handsome Daughter, The Holy land, The Banshee, the Maid Behind the Bar, Ger the Rigger, Billy Sullivan, Father O'Flynn's, Old Hag You Have Killed Me, (I love it!), The Trip to Sligo, Lark in the Morning, The Rocky Road to Dublin, dozens of others. All tunes demonstrated on the accompanying CD. a Hatfield Music Publication.

$28.00 plus $3.00 P&H Add to Cart

IRISH AND CELTIC 5-STRING by Tom Hanway - A colossal book -182 pages, 100 tunes! Tunes arranged in three-finger, melodic and single string style, for beginner to advanced players. Nice essays on the origins of the tunes. Incorporates Scruggs, melodic, and single string styles to play accurate melodies. CD Categorized in tune style (Set tunes, Hornpipes, Jigs, Slip Jigs and Slides, Polkas, Reels and hornpipes, Strathspays, O'Carolan tunes, and bonus section of North American Celtic tunes.) and by country of origin (Irish, Scottish, etc). Many appendices, exercises, and more!

 

Book/CD set- List, $34.95. HM: $33.00 plus 3.00 P&H. Add to Cart

5-String Banjo Stanley Style by John Wright, former Clinch Mountain Banjo columnist for Banjo Newsletter magazine. Forty note-for-note transcriptions of classic Ralph Stanley recordings including Boar Hog, Bootleg John, Careless Love, Daybreak in Dixie, Handsome Molly, Hard Times, Highway of Regret, I'll Fly Away, John Henry, Man of Constant Sorrow, Maple on the Hill, many others. Book only, no recording available. Unbelievable price.

only $7.00 plus $1.00 P&H. Add to Cart


ACUTAB® BOOKS - Note-For-Note transcriptions of the recordings of today's great banjo players - proofed and approved by the players themselves. By John Lawless. All in-stock Acutab books $10.00 !

SPECIAL! Clearance! All remaining Acutab books redeuced to $10.00

Sammy Shelor,Vol 2 - $10.00 plus 2.00 P&H. Add to Cart

Terry Baucom - $10.00 plus 2.00 P&H. Add to Cart

 

 

Scott Vestal Vol 1- $10.00 plus 2.00 P&H. Add to Cart

Tony Trischka - $10.00 plus 2.00 P&H. Add to Cart

Peter Wernick - $10.00plus 2.00 P&H. Add to Cart

 

 

BACK-UP BANJO by Banjo Newsletter columnist and Mel Bay author Janet Davis.- At 238 pages, one of the best values for any banjo instruction book on the market. Chords, embellishment, up-the-neck backup, guidelines for using backup techniques, backup in any key, fiddle backup, slow song backup, waltz time, current trends. Mel bay Publications.

Book/Two CD set only, list $29.95. HM: $26.00 plus $3.00 P&H. Add to Cart

Video only- List, 29.95. HM: $20.00 plus 3.00 P&H. Add to Cart

NOW AVAILABLE on DVD! $18.00 plus $2.00 P&H. Add to Cart

THE KEY OF C FOR THE 5-STRING BANJO by Eddie Collins - How to play in C without using a capo or retuning. Includes scales, chords, licks, solos, backup, 4/4, 3/4 and 6/8 time, and playing in the key of A minor. Twenty-two songs. All selections played on accompanying compact disk. Book/CD set - $22.00 plus $3.00 P&H.

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THE KEY OF D FOR THE 5-STRING BANJO by Eddie Collins - How to play in D without using a capo or retuning. Includes scales, chords, licks, solos, backup, blues, chromatic notes, arpeggios, covers the entire fingerboard. Songs in 4/4, 3/4 and 6/8 time. Twenty-one songs. All selections played on accompanying compact disk. Book/CD set - $22.00 plus $3.00 P&H. Add to Cart

 

Old Time (Clawhammer or "Frailing") Banjo

BASIC CLAWHAMMER BANJO by Ken Perlman -

Includes instruction on Reading Tablature and Basic Clawhammer Techniques. Feastures tablature for thirty tunes arranged for the novice to intermediate clawhammer player, including: Set tunes, Hornpipes, Jigs, Slip Jigs and Slides, Reels, Waltz time tunes.CD demonstrates all tunes. Mel Bay Publications, Inc.

Book/CD set - $16.00 plus 3.00 P&H. Add to Cart

CLAWHAMMER BANJO for THE COMPLETE IGNORAMUS

(originally titled A Manual on How To Play the Banjo for the Complete Ignoramus) by Wayne Erbson. - Easiest manual available for clawhammer, or 'frailing' style. Written in a humorous style by one of the most understandable and successful teachers in the country. Many interesting old photos and illustrations. Detailed explanation of tuning, playing position, setup and maintenence. Three different tunings shown. Basic melody and clawhammer banjo arrangement on seperate tracks. Twenty-three familiar and classic old-time songs: Old Molly Hare, Little Birdie, Lynchburg Town, Old Blue, Groundhog, Sugar Hill, Cumberland Mountain Deer Chase, New River Train, Down in the Willow Garden, Polly Put the Kettle On, East Virginia, Rain and Snow, Wild Bill Jones, The Cuckoo, Cluck Old Hen, Wafaring Stranger, Muley's Daugheter, Red Rocking Chair, Darlin' Corey, Sweet Sunny South, Shady Grove. 64 pages.

Book/CD set: $17.00 plus $2.00 P&H Add to Cart

A Manual on How To Play the Banjo For The Complete Ignoramus

Same as Clawhammer Banjo for the Complete Ignoramus above, but an earlier version, different cover. Includes CD. $15.00 plus 2. 00 P&H Add to Cart

Gospel Tunes for Clawhammer Banjo by Dan Levenson. Thirty popular Old Time Gosple tunes arranged for beginner to intermediate clawhammer players. Corresponds with Old Time Gospel Banjo Solos by Jack Hatfield, a bluegrass version with fmost of the same tunes. Selections: Amazing Grace, Angel Band, Are You Washed in the Bood, Childern Go Where I Send Thee, Crying Holy Unto the Lord, Drifting TRoo far From Shore, Fartther Along, Get on Board, Little Children, Great Spekled Bird, Hand Me Down My Walking Cane, He's Got the Whole World In His Hands, Holy, Holy, Holy, I Am a Pilgrim, In the Garden, In the Sweet Bye and Bye, Joy to the World, Just a Closer Walk With Thee, Keep On the Sunny Side, Life is Like a Mountain. Railroad, The Old Rugged Cross, Old Time Religion, Rock of Ages, Shall We Gather at the River, Sweet Hour of Prayer, What A Friend We Hhave in Jesus, Where the Soul of Man Never Dies, Will the Circle be Unbroken. Includes demo CD. List: 17.95 HM: 15.00 plus 2.00 P&H Add to Cart

Clawhammer Banjo from Scratch, a Guide for the Claw-less. (see photo, top of page) MB 20190BCD by Dan Levinson. Book/ 2CD set. Super easy guide, assumes no prior experience with the banjo or any other musical instrument. Takes the novice student well into intermediate range. Starts with Spotted Pony, the demo tune from video/ DVD of same title, so those who started with Dan's other method can pick up from where they left off. Over a dozen tunes, most revisited at least three times with more advanced arrangements as new techniques are learned. Many well-known tunes so the student gets a repertiore of tunes he can actually use in jams. Includes: Angelina the Baker, Arkansas Traveler, Forked Deer, Fortune, Mississippi Sawyer, Old Molly Hare, Over the Waterfall, Rock the Cradle Joe, Soldier's Joy, West Fork Gals, The Year of Jubilo. Loaded with photos of proper hand position and other aspects that are often not emphasized enough in books. Other aspects not often included: Discography of important clawhammer reciordings, jam session etiquette, blank tab for notes and variations, working wth a metronome. includes TWO Cds full oddemonstration! List: $26.95 HM: $24.00 plus 3.00 P&H Add to Cart

Tenor (four string) Banjo

Fun With the Tenor Banjo An introduction to tenor banjo. Teaches major, minor and seventh chords. Lyrics and musical notation to the tunes. also, Moveable Chords chart. CD included. Includes; Long, Long Ago, Down in the Valley, Skip to My Lou, Buffalo Gals, Clementine, Blue Tail Fly, On Top of Old Smoky, Marine's Hymn, There is a Tavern in the Town, Our Boys Will Shine Tonight, Coming 'Round the Mt, Hand Me Down My Walking Cane, Red River Valley, Home on the Range, I've Been Working on the Railroad, In the evening by the Moonlight, Darling Nellie Gray, My Bonnie, Little Annie Rooney, Oh Susanna, Good Night Ladies. Mel bay Publications, List: 14.95 HM price: 14.00 plus 2.00 P&H Add to Cart

Mel Bay's Complete Tenor Banjo Method Teaches solo playing. How to read music, scales, exercises, extended chords, playing in several different keys. Includes 30 tunes and several studies. book only, no recording available. List: $10.95. HM price; $10.00 plus 2.00 P&H

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Phone/fax: 1-865-428-8063
Toll free (orders only): 1-800-426-8744