Banjo for Dummies: Book + Online Video and Audio Instruction (Paperback, 2, Revised)

Introduction 1

Part I: The Amazing Five-String Banjo 5

Chapter 1: You Want to Play What?: Banjo Basics 7

Chapter 2: Tuning Your Banjo 23

Chapter 3: Starting to Play: Fretting and Strumming 35

Chapter 4: Playing by the Rules: Songs and Tablature 53

Part II: Let’s Pick! Basic Banjo Techniques 75

Chapter 5: Getting Right with the Right Hand 77

Chapter 6: Sliding, Hammering, and Pulling: Adding the Left Hand 103

Chapter 7: Working Up Your First Tunes: Clawhammer and Bluegrass 131

Part III: Playing Styles Past, Present, and Future 143

Chapter 8: Playing the Old-T ime Way: Clawhammer and Traditional Styles 145

Chapter 9: Playing Three-Finger Styles: Scruggs, Melodic, and Single String 163

Chapter 10: Playing Up-the-Neck Backup: Chords and Vamping 197

Chapter 11: Playing Historical Styles: African, Minstrel, and Classic Banjo 211

Chapter 12: Net working into Banjo Culture 223

Part IV: Buying a Banjo and Keeping It in Good Shape 241

Chapter 13: Finding Your Banjo Bliss: A Buyer’s Guide 243

Chapter 14: Getting the Right Stuff: Banjo Gear 269

Chapter 15: Taking Care of Your Baby: String Changing and Basic Maintenance 291

Part V: The Part of Tens 311

Chapter 16: Ten T ips to Make Practicing More Fun 313

Chapter 17: Ten Great Banjo Players You Need to Hear 321

Part VI: Appendixes 327

Appendix A: Banjo Chords and Notes 329

Appendix B: Audio Tracks and Video Clips 335

Index 343