5-String Banjo Instructional Books & Videos

Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 22:44:26 EST
Subject: Newgrass book...

HI!,
I was just wondering if you could suggest a good 5 string banjo tab book. I've been playing for about three years now, I'm a pretty good player. I'm looking for some kind of book focused on newgrass like, say... John Hartford, or newgrass revival. Something like that.
If you could think of any thing off the top of your head. Thanks,

Ben

Greetings Ben,

I wish there was a book of this nature...

Now, there have been a couple of books in the past published by Oak that covered some of these styles:

"Melodic Banjo" by Tony Trischka has quite a few examples of Newgrass banjo playing...
Some of Tony's book covers Courtney Johnson's playing...the original banjoist for Newgrass Revival...

Another great book is "Masters of the 5-String Banjo"

This one covers the gamut of 5-string...with many Newgrass exponents such as Bela Fleck...

Mickey

Subject: learning materials for 5 string banjo
Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2004 00:00:28 +0100

Hi,

I see in the trainning and materials section that a new package for learning 5 str. banjo is coming out. Would you be able to tell me when this will be?

Yes, this is now available at the following:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page1782.htm

This video covers all facets of learning to play 5-string banjo...even tips on set-up and tuning tools.

Also, the one learnining book/video review section on "Bluegrass Banjo Book" by Wernick. Is this book worth locating. I'm a beginner, 49, but have played music between age 11 - 24. Now it's time to get back to it and have selected a string instrument. I believe your web site is very helpful and well thought out. I'm looking for your advice on best teaching books.

Yes, the "Bluegrass Banjo" book by Pete Wernick is one of the best ever written. However, I do not believe it's oriented towards the beginner...it's more of an intermediate to advanced book. One of my personal favorites since it encompasses some of my favorite pieces from "Country Cooking"...

This book can be found through Pete himself at:
http://www.drbanjo.com/

For beginners, you really would want to find a methodology book or video...one that teaches lots of exercises and studies. Laying the foundation before attempting to learn one song after another.

Wishing you the best in your research efforts, Mickey

much thanks,
Bruce

Subject: Thank you...
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 09:54:21 -0500

Last week I received the Gold Tone BG-250F that I ordered from you. I was extremely impressed with your customer service, especially from Tradd and Nathan. The video featuring Mickey was very useful and I am already a picking fiend.

I do need some help however. I have been searching for the banjo tablature of Obray Ramsey's "Rain and Snow" and I cannot find it anywhere on the internet. Do you sell banjo tablature books that include this particular song? If not, can you point me in the right direction? I can't get this song out of my head and I need to tablature desperately.

Additionally, what do you recommend for beginner - intermediate players looking to learn banjo bluegrass licks and chord progressions? Do you sell any books, videos, tablature, etc?

Best regards,

Joe Ryerson

Greetings Joe,

Thanks for your kind words regarding my staff and FOTW's customer service...

Sorry, I have no idea where this particular sheet music can be found...you might try Elderly Instruments at:

www.elderly.com They have one of the most extensive book selections in the acoustic music industry.

My recommendation for a solid bluegrass book would be Peter Wernick's "Bluegrass Banjo" also available through Elderly...if you can, be sure to buy the double CD: "Country Cooking"...

Hope some of this helps, Mickey

Date: Fri, 07 Nov 2003 15:32:39 -0600

I just purchased "You can teach yourself banjo" by janet davis about a month ago it seems like i'm doing alright well thats what everyone else says, but any way i can remember the songs by playing through them about a dozen times, then they're in my head. What i'm wondering is should i be worrying about speed or
remembering the songs first. Any thing will help Thanks

Don't concern yourself about speed at all...speed will come in time naturally...most importantly, concern yourself about the following:

1. Timing: make sure that you're playing your rolls with an even tempo...there should be no pauses between notes or when changing chords. Consider purchasing a metronome for better timing skills.

2. Always be listening for a clear tone...accuracy of which string you're hitting...

3. Try to keep the volume consistent between the notes...

Lay the foundation first...solidly, with good playing habits. Everything else will come in time...especially speed. For, what good is having all the speed at your disposal without good timing and good form?

Keep on Pickin', Mickey

Date: Fri, 2 May 2003 09:33:47 -0600
Thread-Topic: Fwd: Calico Banjos by Deering

I have started reading alot about banjos how they are made, the phyics behind their sound, how different woods have a different sound and find it interesting.

For some of the other styles of music you mentioned (rag time, classical, jazz) what books would you recommend.

Wow, there really are some great selections available for banjo instructional....that cover the gamut of styles:

Be sure to check out Fred Sokolow's works...

And, check out http://www.melbay.com for a nice selection.

We have a book soon to be rereleased titled: "Banjo Sampler" by Greg Gilbert...check out the news release at: http://www.wisdomofthewood.com ...this book covers many genres as applied to 5-string: jazz, ragtime and classical...

My "Introduction to the 5-String Banjo" video covers a lot of territory if interested in unique applications on the 5-String...this video is available through us or http://www.elderly.com. Since you're purchasing the Deering Calico, you may find this video to be especially interesting...this video was produced in association with Deering...here's a listing of the instruments used on this video:

Instruments Used on This Video:

1. Deering Custom Maple Blossom
2. Deering Calico
3. Deering Goodtime Special
4. Deering Vega #2
5. Deering Crossfire Electric
6. Deering Boston

http://www.folkofthewood.com/page1782.htm

I also like Pete Wernick's earlier works with "Country Cooking"...some of these pieces can be found in his book: "Bluegrass Banjo" published by Oak Publications...even though the title denotes bluegrass, the pieces I'm referring to are more in a modern newgrass vein...such as "Powwow the Indian Boy"...or, "Tequila Mockingbird"...

Bill Keith has performed extensively in the jazz and ragtime vein...

Bill Knopf had some very good books out on Beatles interpretations along with ragtime tabs...

And, best of all, be sure to subscribe to Banjo Newsletter at http://www.banjonews.com ...they have a rich offering that will keep you busy every month...I'm also scheduled to be one of BNL's columnists3...

Keep on pickin', Mickey

Date: Mon, 18 Nov 2002 23:33:08 +0000

Hi Mickey,
how are things with you?

Greetings again,

Everything's fine other than we're currently overloaded with the Christmas Rush...

As from my previous e-mail my new ob250 arrived and I am delighted with it and also a little bit afraid of it. It weighs a ton compared to my tenor banjo. As I stated before I have a great irish music teacher(he wrote the following book'The Irish Mandolin by Padraig Carroll')

Yes, I'm familiar with this title...sounds like you have wise guidance...

and I am hoping that my ternor banjo studies will help me with my bluegrass.However I need advise on learning materials for bluegrass banjo. Learning tools are very thin on the ground over here. I have therefore decided for the time being to get whatever I need shipped to me by elderly instruments.(unless folk of the wood can ship it)

Yes, Elderly is set up for overseas shipping as I've recommended before...They're a great company in every respect...I've bought from them even as a kid in the late '70s...

And, they carry all the instructional titles you'd ever need...

As getting material shipped from your side of the pond to mine is time comsuming and costly I think it is wise to maximize each shipment. So Mickey I need to make up a wish list and I need your help if you are willing.
I will order the video you suggested and also I need to order some fingerpicks.
Could you please make suggestions as regards the following.(also if you think I am trying to move too fast or am biting off more than I can chew at the moment then please say so.
As well as your video can you suggest some beginners tunebooks with cd's.Also maybe some material for the next step up from beginners level.

1. You Can Teach Yourself Banjo (book/cd) by Janet Davis

2. I highly recommend an instructional book/video on playing melodic banjo...this will help you with fiddle tune arrangements in the Irish genre:
Try anything by Alan Munde or Bill Keith...I know Alan does have some videos available published by Texas Music and Mel Bay...

3. Peter Wernick's: Bluegrass Banjo (which has some melodic banjo instruction too)

Hope this helps in some way...

Bear in mind thst it may be 6-9 months before I order again and the more basic level tunes I have the better. Also I like running scales and think I will enjoy chords progressions so maybe a book or two on these for banjo will help me. Something on banjo excercises would be of help also. Finally could you suggest what artists I should be listening to as finding bluegrass over here is difficult. So there you have it Mickey, this is the start of my journey into bluegrass music,hopefully it will be enjoyable and rewarding trip.
Thanks for your help, Pearse

Artists to listen to:

1. The Classic: "Foggy Mountain Banjo" by Earl Scruggs

2. Alan Munde's "Banjo Sandwich" (One of my all-time favorites)

3. Alan Munde's "Festival Favorites"

4. Bill Keith's "Something Auld..."

5. Red, White & Bluegrass: "Jammer's Journal" (the best Bluegrass album in history!)

6. Del & Ronnie McCoury's albums have lots of ...

7. Ralph Stanley's works...

8. For some innovative banjo work: Bela Fleck

9. Don't forget John McEuen's work...with "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" and "String Wizards"

10. I love all of the eary "Country Cooking" albums...lots of great twin banjo work with Peter Wernick and Tony Trischka...

There are many other players that are omitted from the above list...I'll try to compile a discography for each instrument on our website...

Let me know if you have further questions...Mickey

Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2002 00:20:26 -0700
Subject: banjo instructional material

Thanks for the info. Now as for lessons. I play, some, guitar, well,
haven't picked it up for several years. We don't have a banjo instructor
down here in the bayou of Louisiana and will try to teach my son and myself. Can you recomend goo books and vidoes until we have access to a intructor.

George

Greetings George,

There are quite a few excellent instructional videos and books on the market...

You might try:

http://www.melbay.com

and

http://www.elderly.com

To see what they're offering.

My suggestion would be to focus on instructional media that covers methodology first...many books and videos only teach one song after another by rote. As an aspiring beginner, your true focus should be on building a foundation through exercises and technique builders. Upon gaining this foundation, learning songs becomes far less frustrating...many beginners become discouraged when having to tackle songs of which they're not prepared...by first having a solid foundation through studies and exercises. Elderly above carries my "Intro to 5-String Banjo" which is a complete methodology course.

Therefore, look for titles that offer lots of exercises and fundamentals as opposed to songbooks or song oriented videos.

Hope this helps...Mickey
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Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2001 11:09:24 -0600
Subject: Re: Banjo Question

Hello, Mickey -

I really like your website. Here's my question:

Can a person with really no musical background lean to play a banjo via a
book or video? I had a teacher for about a month who was terrible in that
his lessons assumed a complete working knowledge of music and so I was lost.
I have fooled a bit with a piano, but really know almost nothing about
music. The "beginner" books I've purchased all assume some string
experience and I get to a point and then I'm lost. There really aren't any
instructors for banjo where I live and I feel like if I'm going to learn the
banjo, it will have to be via video or book. Do you have a recommendation
for a book that is for the person with no prior musical knowledge? ATFALATI

Greetings,

Gald to assist...

I, myself, taught myself to play 5-String banjo with Peter Wernick's "Bluegrass Banjo" book...I focused from the first page to the last. I just enjoyed the journey of learning. The first few chapters take you through the basic rolls and chords...this particular book does move a little fast after the first chapters...but, I believe every aspiring banjo player should have this title in their library. Now, for the stark beginner today, there's quite a bit to choose from. I especially like the videos available such as "Anyone Can Play Banjo" distributed by Mel Bay. A video such as this is the next best thing to having a personal instructor. I also have a new Beginner Banjo video in the works...it will be focusing on technique building exercises and will teach how to apply the banjo within any genre of music...as opposed limited to only bluegrass stylings. This video is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2001.
Hope this helps...

Mickey