Portland Public Library

Bluegrass banjo, Bill Evans

eng

illustrationsmusic

index present

non fiction

Bluegrass banjo

1347736495

Bill Evans

"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."--Publisher marketing

Getting started with bluegrass banjo. Bluegrass music and the banjo ; Finding the perfect bluegrass banjo and getting the gear you need ; Hitting the ground running : tuning, reading music, and making chords ; Fretting and picking -- Let's roll! Scruggs-style banjo essentials. Picking techniques : roll patterns ; Fretting techniques and putting the hands together ; Getting bona fide : playing licks and classic tunes ; Working up your own Scruggs-style solos -- Playing in the band : backup essentials. Getting started : playing down-the-neck backup ; Taking it higher : playing up-the-neck backup -- Progressive banjo : melodic and single-string styles. Melodic-style banjo ; Single-string banjo -- Keeping your banjo in top shape. Setup essentials : getting the best sound from your banjo ; All strings considered : choosing and changing strings -- The part of tens. Ten (or so) groundbreaking bluegrass banjo players. Earl Scruggs (1924-2012) ; Don Reno (1927-1984) ; J.D. Crowe (1937- ) ; Veronica "Roni" Stoneman (1938- ) ; Bill Keith (1939- ) ; Tony Trischka (1949- ) ; Murphy Henry (1952- ) ; Béla Fleck (1958- ) ; Alison Brown (1962- ) ; Jens Kruger (1962- ) ; Kristin Scott Benson (1976- ) ; Noam Pikelny (1981- ) -- Ten strategies to make you a better player (right now!). Sweat the details ; Take it step by step ; Find a good teacher ; Play with others ; Use the metronome ; Flow with your rolls ; Listen, watch, and learn ; Use your ear more than tablature ; Practice using looping techniques ; Track your progress -- Appendix A.A guide to chords, notes, and major scales -- Appendix B. Audio tracks and video clips

Bluegrass banjo for dummies