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About the Author Foreword by Ross Nickerson Tips On Learning The Most From The Book Chapter 1: The Basics Holding the Banjo, Using the Picks How to Read Tablature Parts on a Standard Five-String Banjo Tuning Your Banjo Right-Hand Postioning Overcoming diffitculties Final tips on right-hand positioning Left-Hand Positioning Do's and don'ts for common problems with left-hand technique Photos of left-hand positions Final Note Chapter 2: The Right Hand Rhythm & Timing Rhythm and timing exercises Learning the Basic Rolls More tips on rolls Earl Scruggs' contribution Examples of basic rolls Timing Review Using a metronome Some suggestions about using a metronome Timing exercises using a metronome Advanced Rolls Working with and learning some advanced rolls Working with the thumb Working with the index and middle fingers Middle finger exercises Index finger exercises Exercising the index and middle fingers together Developing Tone and Dynamics Angle of attack Balance of tone More about positioning The effect of picks on tone Dynamics in your banjo playing Dynamic examples Developing Speed Technique factors in speed building Psychology of speed What if I make a mistake? How hard should I pick? Should I use a metronome? Always use a metronome? Speed-building metronome? Tone Exercises Advanced Rolls for Practice Final Note Chapter 3: The Left-Hand Overview Finger Exercises Several reminders for practicing the exercises in this chapter Memorize A reminder before you start the exercises Left-Hand Exercises Left-hand exercises using thirds Exercises for learning the notes on the fretboard in the G scale Learning tips Ways to Improve Slides, Hammer-ons, Pull-offs, and Chokes Tips and reminders on slides, pull-offs, chokes and hammer-ons Improving slides Improving hammer-ons Improving pull-offs Improving chokes or bends Adding and Improving Slides, Hammer-ons, Pull-offs, and Chokes in a Song Banks of the Ohio - basic version Banks of the Ohio - with slurs (slides, pull-offs, etc.) Bury Me Beneath the Willow - basic version Bury Me Beneath the Willow - with slurs (slides, pull-offs, etc.) Final Note Chapter 4: Practice Habits and Practicing Priorities Overview Practice builds confidence Practice priorities and making the best use of practice time How often should I practice and for how long? Your practice area Setting goals Lesson Plans Practice outline Practice outline example Splitting up practice time in the lesson plan Working on Physical Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles Isolating areas of practice Tablature Discussion Using CD, Video or DVD Memorizing Suggestions for memorizing Working on the left and right hand separately while memorizing A few more general suggestions on memorizing Final Note Chapter 5: Earl Scruggs' Style Overview Learning the Basics of Scrugg's Style Picking Accenting Notes Accenting Exercise Bringing out the Melody Sitting on Top of the World Blues in the Scruggs' Style Nine Pound Hammer Learning a Breakdown in Scruggs' Style Banjo Students' Breakdown Final Note Chapter 6: The Melodic Style Overview Melodic Style Exercises Learning Songs in the Melodic Style Sailor's Hornpipe Turkey in the Straw John Hardy Playing in Harmony in the Melodic Style Devil's Dream - Lead part Devil's Dream - Harmony part Playing the Blues in the Melodic Style Blues Scale Melodic Exercise Final Note Chapter 7: The Single-String Style Overview Exercises Using the Single-String Style Learning Some Scales in the Single-String Style Chord shape single-string exercises Don Reno Style Exercise The Darktown Stutters' Ball Learning Songs in the Single-String Style Wildwood Flower - basic single-string version Wildwood Flower - more complex single-string version Arkansas Traveler Whiskey Before Breakfast Chapter 8: Mixing the Scruggs', Melodic and Single-String Technique, Learning to Play Up the Neck, and Learning More About the Blues Overview Mixing the Scruggs', Melodic and Single-String Styles Banjo licks that serve a similar purpose in each style A Song Mixing the Three Styles With Some Blues The Scruggs, Melodic, Single String Blues Playing Up the Neck Licks serving the same purpose, up and down the neck Learning Both Down and Up the Neck Versions of a Song, for Comparison She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain - lower neck version She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain - up the neck version Bonus Song, Mixing the Styles Oh, Susanna Learning More About the Blues Blues Scales Making Common Banjo Licks "Bluesy" Blues comparison licks Learning the blues scale exercise The Blues Scales Blues Another Song Mixing the Styles Whiskey Before Breakfast Final Note Chapter 9: Rhythm, Chords and Playing Backup Overview Learning Chords and More About Them F form chords D form chords Barre form chords More about chords Chromatic scale for finding any chord Chord Inversions for G, G7 and G Minor Chord Inversions for D, D7 and D Minor Chord Exercises - Blackberry Blossom Chord Progressions for Practice Augmented, Diminished and More on Seventh Chords Augmented chords Diminished chords Learning More About Scruggs' Style Backup Scruggs' style backup lick examples Passing Tones An exercise using bass run passing tones Bass Run Passing Tone Exercises With Chords Four Examples of Playing Backup Backup example for verse and chorus Song Example for Verse and Chorus Backup Playing backup on a slower tempo song Slow Backup Song Example Backing up a fiddle Fiddle Backup Example Waltz backup Waltz Backup Example Using Seventh Chords Seventh chord form chart Seventh Chord Exercise Final Note Chapter 10: Improvising and Learning to Play by Ear Overview Improvising Taking what you know and turning it into ten things Improvising in small steps Thinking in terms of playing by the chords Improvising practice assignments Sample Chord Progression Using a Specific Roll Reverse Roll Chord Breakdown Building Up Your Chord Changing and Locating Ability Sliding into the Chord Exercises Tip on changing chords Recovering from mistakes Knowledge of the neck Notes on the fretboard chart More on Improvising Plugging in licks that work with the chord changes in the song, and other Options Comments on improvising Improvising using chords Writing your own arrangements and playing songs that you have never Heard before Learning to play without tablature Cautions when improvising Importance and joy of not using tab Final Note Chapter 11: Beginnings, Turnarounds and Endings Overview Beginnings Common bluegrass song beginnings or "kickoffs" Bluegrass Song Kickoff Example Pig in a Pen "Bluesy" Kickoff Example Kickin' Blues Turnarounds Basic turnarounds Endings Some common endings to bluegrass songs Final Tips on Beginnings, Turnarounds and Endings Final Note Chapter 12: Jamming Overview Priorities in Preparation for Jamming Preparation and practice Practice timing Know you chords and how to back others up Learn songs that others should know and standard bluegrass Arrangements Taking the scare out of it Learning How Standard Bluegrass Arrangements Work Typical bluegrass vocal arrangement Popular Vocal and Instrumental Songs at Jam Sessions Other Tips and Suggestions for Learning How to Jam with Others No One is Perfect and Everyone Makes mistakes Final Note Chapter 13: Adapting an Easy Melody to a Bluegrass Banjo Arrangement Overview Music Reading Basics Made Easy Learning the notes Counting time Rests Creating a Bluegrass Banjo Arrangement Using Quarter and Eighth Notes When the Saints Go Marching In Red River Valley Final Note Chapter 14: Playing in Different Keys, Tunings and Using a Capo Overview Using a Capo Types of capos and tips on using them Capoing the fifth string Playing Chords in Different Keys The I - VII chords in seven different keys - chart Playing a song using roman numerals rather than chord names Chord Progression Practice Learning to Play the Same Song in Three Different Keys Don't This Road Look Rough and Rocky - Key of G Don't This Road Look Rough and Rocky - Key of C Don't This Road Look Rough and Rocky - Key of D C Tuning Wildwood Flower D Tuning Home Sweet Home Jesse James G Minor Tuning Pretty Polly Chapter 15: Playing at Slower Tempos and ¾ Time Overview Different Techniques Used in Playing Slower Songs Learning Some Songs in ¾ Time Some suggestions for learning the songs Silent Night Amazing Grace The Streets of Laredo Chapter 16: Banjo Maintenance by Mike Munford Introduction by Ross Nickerson Preface by Mike Munford Bridges Bridges and tone Tuning, intonation and setting the bridge Changing the Strings More on Strings Tailpieces The Nut The 5th string nut 5th String Spikes Actual spike location The head Action Adjustments Neck and Resonator Woods Good Tools General Maintenance Tips Cases Final Note Chapter 17: Advanced Song Section Overview John Henry Train 45 Glossary of Common Banjo Terms Acknowledgements Closing Comments and Credits CD Track Sheet |
